2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Plants of the Nettle family can not only sting with ampoule-like hairs, but can also be soft, like the surface of velvet. It is to these that the evergreen herb Helksine with thin creeping stems and small leaves belongs
Rod Helksine
Rod Helksine (Helxine) cannot boast of a large number of plant species, since it contains only one species, the name of which sounds mysterious and intriguing, Helxine Soleirola.
Helksine Soleirola
Helksine Soleirola (Helxine soleirolii) is distinguished by a special grace, possessing thin creeping shoots and rounded small leaves that remind some people of inconsolable children's tears. There are so many leaves that they form a continuous velvety green carpet inviting to rest.
Nondescript small greenish flowers shyly appear in leaf axils from early spring to the arrival of stable cold weather. But the main decoration of Helksine Soleirol is not they, but glossy small leaves, which, depending on the garden shape, can be green, white with a tint of ivory, light yellow, or have a silvery pattern on the surface.
Growing
It is easy to grow Helksine Soleirol, so even a novice florist will have to go to the yard.
A fluffy hat made of leaves looks like a wig on a flower pot and looks elegant in a single copy. But, more often, Helksine Soleirola complements the composition from other plants, performing different roles.
For example, with its green glossy small leaves, it will create a contrast to Dracena reflexa with long thin leaves of a dark green color, or having yellow stripes along the leaf. And other types of Dracaena will be happy with her neighborhood.
The neighborhood with ferns, distinguished by openwork-lace foliage, will be decorative.
Helksine Soleirola feels especially good in
terrariumallowing to maintain 60-70 percent humidity, favorable for the successful growth and development of the plant.
In the open field, Helksine acts as a ground cover plant. In addition, it is good as an ampelous plant.
Although a light shade or even partial shade is more pleasant for Helksine, it can also grow in the open sun. In winter, temperatures below plus 5 degrees are destructive for the plant.
The soil requires light, loose, periodically receiving mineral fertilizing (when planting petioles, and then once every couple of weeks, fertilizing is combined with watering). The plant loves moist air and moist soil. Therefore, the soil is watered abundantly, but without fanaticism, so as not to provoke fungal diseases.
Helksine does not resist a haircut, being a great fashionista and a lover of a beautiful appearance. In addition, dried stems and leaves are removed to maintain a decorative appearance.
Reproduction
Propagated by spring cuttings or spring division of the bush. Thin stems easily take root in a new place if they are lightly sprinkled with an earthen mixture and the humidity is maintained at 70 percent.
Fed with mineral fertilizers, they very quickly build up a green mass, forming a continuous dense emerald carpet on the surface of the ground or container, or streaming in a velvety stream from a suspended planter.
If desired and financially possible, you can purchase ready-made plants in flower shops, choosing specimens with dense and beautiful foliage, the name of which may sound like this - Soleirolium.
Enemies
Lovers of moisture always have the danger of catching root decay. Therefore, good drainage and moderately abundant watering are important. Dry soil will kill the plant.
