Graceful Jacobinia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This tropical plant has more than 50 different synonyms, indicating its widespread distribution on our planet. In a harsh climate, Jacobinia can only grow indoors or in greenhouses. Elongated decorative bracts give the plant grace and special color

Rod Jacobinia

Evergreen dwarf shrubs and shrubs combined into a genus

Justice (Justicia) or

Jacobinia (Jacobinia), were born in the rainforests of the planet. They can be found in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of the Earth, in places where it is warm and humid.

Their leaves are distinguished by integrity and simplicity, which can be attractive. The bright green color, wavy-toothed edge, sharp tip and well-defined veins turn them into a picturesque composition.

Dense spike-shaped inflorescences of two-lipped tubular flowers, similar to the disheveled cones of coniferous representatives of the planet, give the plant a special grace. The highlight of the inflorescences are elongated bracts, painted in pink, crimson, red, green.

Varieties

* Jacobinia or Justitia meat-red (Jacobinia carnea or Justicia carnea) is a shrub that grows to a height of 1, 2 to 2 meters. Large elliptical leaves with a wavy-sparsely toothed edge and well-defined veins, giving the leaves a convex-volumetric appearance, already make the bush decorative. In summer, the leaves are decorated with long inflorescences of pink or crimson flowers, reminiscent of holiday fireworks.

* Jacobinia bright red (Jacobinia coccinea) - differs from the previous species in shorter compact inflorescences of scarlet flowers, which have chosen the end of winter for their appearance in the world.

* Jacobinia chrysostaphan (Jacobinia chrysostephana) - bushes grow up to 1.5 meters in height, covered with evergreen ovoid leaves with sharp tips. The central vein on the leaves decided to stand out, turning red. In autumn and winter, inflorescences-shields of yellow flowers appear.

* Jacobinia low-flowered (Jacobinia pauciflora) - although the bush did not grow out, growing only up to 60 cm, in summer and autumn it gives a long flowering of single tubular long flowers, combining scarlet with yellow.

Growing

A tropical plant is very whimsical to living conditions, and therefore requires a lot of attention from a grower.

In the summer, Jacobinia loves to hide in partial shade, and in the winter, give her the most illuminated place in the room. Strong heat is not to the plant's taste, and therefore during such periods, ventilation is required even for indoor plants. Comfortable temperature for growth is from 13 to 24 degrees.

The soil is needed loose, fertile, with the addition of peat, sand and complex fertilizers. During the active growing season, the plant needs a lot of moisture, and therefore watering should be regular and abundant, plus frequent spraying, creating an imitation of the humid tropics. Periodically, do not forget to add liquid fertilizer to the water for irrigation for good nutrition. During the rest period, watered if necessary, without bringing the soil to dryness.

Faded shoots are cut to a height of 10 cm. To maintain the appearance during the active growing season, damaged, dry and faded shoots are removed.

Reproduction

Jacobinia is propagated by spring cuttings, burying them in the sand and maintaining a temperature of 20 degrees. For this, young shoots with a length of 8 to 10 cm are used.

To maintain the required temperature, containers with cuttings are placed in a greenhouse, or covered with transparent film or glass.

In early spring, compact plants can be found in horticultural centers so as not to be self-employed. When buying, pay attention to the leaves, which should be healthy, with no visible problems.

Enemies

For a tropical sissy, ambient temperature and humidity are very important.

The lack or excess of these indicators affects the development of the plant, inhibiting or leading to death.