How to grow Columnea? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and routine care

Soil

Columnea has certain requirements for soil. The soil should be loose, airy, fertile, and well-draining. For this kind of soil, we can gather some leaf mold, wood shavings, and perlite to mix ourselves. After mixing them in proportion, add a little fine sand, which can make the soil even more airy. If you find mixing your own troublesome, you can buy special Columnea soil at a flower shop.

Watering

Columnea likes to grow in a humid environment. During the plant's growing period, give it plenty of water and keep the soil in the pot moist. At the same time, increase the air humidity around it by misting. During high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures, reduce the water supply and keep the potting soil dry, which is very beneficial to the plant's growth.

Temperature

Columnea likes warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growing temperature is between 18 and 22°C, the overwintering temperature should be above 10°C, and in winter the daytime temperature needs to stay above 15°C.

Light

Columnea likes bright, indirect light. Eaves or windowsills with good light are suitable places to grow it. Normally, you can let Columnea get more sunlight, but in summer be careful: Columnea must not be placed under harsh, direct sunlight.

The above is an introduction to the question of how to grow Columnea. Now let's look at what else needs attention when growing Columnea.

Columnea Columnea illustrated guide: how to grow Columnea / how to propagate Columnea

How to grow Columnea: cultivation methods and precautions

Columnea, just hearing this name may mislead many flower lovers. In fact, flower lovers who have seen Columnea are easily attracted by the unique shape of its flowers. Its flowers are like whales swimming freely in the sea, though they lack the whale's frightening appearance and show more of the flower's beauty. So what methods and precautions are there for growing such a unique ornamental plant? Follow the editor to learn about it.

How to grow Columnea

1. Soil

A loose, water-permeable, airy substrate is best, such as planting in one or several mixed substrates of peat soil + perlite, wood shavings, and sphagnum moss. The substrate is best slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2.

2. Propagation

It can be propagated by cuttings, either by terminal bud cuttings or stem segment cuttings. Spring and autumn are the suitable periods. When taking cuttings, the cuttings can have a single node or multiple nodes. Insert them in peat soil + perlite or wood shavings and sphagnum moss, maintain humidity at 40% to 60%, and rooting takes about 20 to 30 days.

To make the plant shape graceful, with evenly distributed branches and abundant blooming, it is best to re-propagate by cuttings every year to renew growth.

3. Fertilizer and water

It is a fertilizer-loving ornamental flower. Give appropriate liquid fertilizer regularly; depending on plant size and variety differences, the EC value is 1.0 to 1.5. During the growing period, supply enough water, but avoid watering with cold water. Keep the potting soil moist and raise air humidity. During extreme heat or cold, reduce the water supply; slightly dry substrate is instead beneficial.

4. Pest and disease control

Common problems include leaf spot, gray mold, soft rot, and scale insects. Among them, leaf spot is more common.

Columnea cultivation methods and precautions

I. Cultivation methods for Columnea

1. Soil

Columnea likes well-draining, airy soil, so it requires loose, fertile, well-draining soil. You can use a mix of leaf mold, wood shavings, and perlite, adding some fine sand to increase airiness.

2. Watering

Columnea likes a humid environment. During the growing period, give plenty of water and keep the potting soil moist. At the same time, increase the air humidity around it by misting. During high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures, reduce the water supply and keep the potting soil dry, which is more beneficial to Columnea's growth.

3. Fertilizing

Columnea is a fertilizer-loving plant and should be given liquid fertilizer regularly. During the growing season, fertilize once every 15-20 days; it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. Generally, apply more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn. When the flower buds are growing, apply 1-2 times a liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus fertilizer.

4. Temperature

Columnea likes warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growing temperature is between 18-22°C, the overwintering temperature should be above 10°C, and in winter the daytime temperature needs to stay above 15°C.

5. Light

Columnea likes bright, indirect light. Eaves or windowsills with good light are suitable places to grow it. Normally, you can let Columnea get more sunlight, but in summer be careful: Columnea dislikes harsh, direct light.

II. Cultivation precautions

1. During the cultivation of Columnea, prune and shape the branches regularly.

2. When Columnea is blooming, stop fertilizing; the soil is better kept on the dry side, and watering can be reduced.

Is Columnea toxic?

Columnea is not toxic. Not only is it non-toxic, it also has good medicinal value, and the whole plant can be used as medicine. It can clear heat and relieve cough; invigorate blood and dissipate stasis; detoxify and reduce swelling. It is mainly used for fever in children; lung-heat cough; lymphatic tuberculosis; rheumatic arthralgia; fractures; otitis media; venomous snake bites. The usual dosage is 1-2 qian. For external use, use an appropriate amount of fresh product, crush and squeeze the juice and drip into the ear.

Brief introduction to Columnea

1. Alternative names

Because the flower shape of Columnea somewhat resembles a fish, it is also called shark flower and goldfish vine.

2. Morphological characteristics

Columnea is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. It trails, and its branches and stems are relatively slender and covered with reddish-brown fine hairs. The leaves of Columnea are dark green, ovate, with pointed tips, and the leaves are opposite.

Columnea flowers are solitary and axillary. The flower color is mainly orange-red, and the throat of the flower is tender yellow. The shape of the Columnea flower looks like a shark in the sea opening its big mouth.

3. Growth habits

Columnea likes warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. The suitable temperature is about 18-22°C, and in winter the temperature should not be lower than 10°C for it to overwinter safely.

Columnea requires loose, fertile, well-draining sandy loam. In terms of fertilizing, during the growing season fertilize Columnea 1-2 times a month; it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. Generally, apply more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn. During cultivation, prune and shape the branches regularly.

4. Propagation methods

Columnea can be propagated by cuttings, division, or sowing.

Columnea is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant in the genus Columnea in the Gesneriaceae family. It has many propagation methods, and its general ecological form is epiphytic and hanging. So flower lovers who like it can grow it at home as a hanging plant for hanging display.