2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Despite the fact that plants of the Euphorbiaceae family, as a rule, secrete milky juice, which is poisonous to the human body, this does not stop exotic lovers. They grow many of this unfriendly family as houseplants. So the shrubs of the Akalifa genus, which have come to us from East Asia, conquer the hearts of flower growers with their decorative variegated leaves and tailed inflorescences collected from small flowers
Rod of Akalif
Although the plants of the genus came to us from East Asia, their name evokes a number of associations with the Muslim culture of the Middle East. The well-known expression "Caliph for an hour" sounds quite modern and relevant today. Although the election of the ruler is not connected with the name of the flower.
The long tails of the inflorescences, for which the plants are also called "Foxtail", look like the only vowel of the Arabic alphabet "Alif", which is also consonant with the name of the genus, but it seems that the Arabic letter has nothing to do with the name.
More than four hundred species of perennial plants are united by the genus Acalypha. Lovers of the exotic liked decorative leaves and long inflorescences of small flowers, reminiscent of red-red fox tails in some species.
Varieties
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Akalifa bristly-haired (Acalypha hispida) is an evergreen species, reaching a height of up to 3 meters in its natural environment. In indoor conditions, the dimensions of the shrub are much more modest, the plant height is up to 80 cm. Large leaves, growing up to 13 cm long, have a pointed-oval shape and a fine-toothed edge. Some find in them a resemblance to the leaves of homegrown nettles.
Akalifa bristly-haired is a dioecious plant, that is, male and female flowers grow on different bushes. As indoor ornamental plants, female specimens are grown, decorating themselves with fluffy long earrings-inflorescences, collected from numerous small flowers of a bright red or pinkish-white hue. The length of such drooping ornaments reaches 40 cm.
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Akalifa Godsef (Acalypha godsefiana) is an evergreen shrub covered with variegated leaves and yellow-flowered inflorescences.
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Akalif Wilkes (Acalypha wilkesiana) - naturally grows up to 1.5 meters in height, limiting its growth to 3 times in indoor conditions. The leaves are variegated, with a pink or orange-red pattern on the surface, an oval-pointed shape. The splendor of the inflorescences is inferior to the splendor of the Akalifa bristly hair.
Growing
Akalifa Wilkes is not afraid of direct sunlight, which cannot be said about other plant species. Therefore, the location of the flower pots should not fall under direct rays, but at the same time be well lit.
The soil should be rich in organic matter. For greater looseness and water permeability, a little river sand is added.
To keep the soil moist, watering is carried out frequently. At high temperatures, the plant is sprayed with water to increase humidity. The air temperature in winter should not be lower than 15 degrees.
Flower pots can be taken out into the open air during the warm season. Some growers grow Akalifa outdoors as an annual. The soil is required to be loose and well-drained.
Reproduction
Propagated by cuttings or air layers in spring.
When buying from horticultural centers, prefer compact plants with glossy leaves and stems leafy from the base.
Diseases and pests
With poor drainage, it can be affected by fungi. From insect bites, swelling occurs on the leaves. Such leaves should be removed.
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