Callisia creeping: species, care, cultivation, reproduction. callisia flower

Callisia (lat. Callisia)- a genus of evergreen herbaceous perennials of the Commelin family, growing in the humid penumbra of the tropics and subtropics of the Antilles, as well as the countries of Central and South America. There are 12 species in the genus, and some of them are grown in room culture. The name of the plant comes from two Greek words, which translate as "beautiful" and "lily", although the closest relative of callisia is not a lily, but tradescantia.

Planting and caring for callisia (in a nutshell)

• Bloom: blooms infrequently in room culture, usually in late summer or early autumn.
• Lighting: bright diffused light or partial shade.
• Temperature: during the period of active growth - 20-24 ºC, in autumn and winter - 16-18 ºC. The lower temperature limit is 14 ºC.
• Watering: during the growing season - as the top layer of the substrate dries. In winter, between waterings, the substrate should dry to a third of the depth.
• Air humidity: increased. In the heat, it is recommended to regularly spray the leaves from a fine spray.
• Top dressing: from April to October - 2 times a month with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. The rest of the year you can not apply fertilizer.
• rest period: from November to March.
• Transfer: young plants - annually, adults - once every 2-3 years.
• Reproduction: apical cuttings, layering, division of the rhizome.
• Diseases: loss of decorativeness as a result of poor care or violation of conditions of detention.
• Pests: thrips and spider mites.
• Properties: the plant does not tolerate tobacco smoke.

Read more about growing callisia below.

Callisia plant - description

Callisia at home is a decorative leafy plant, although it has the ability to form flowers. Four species are common in indoor culture: creeping callisia, navicular callisia, graceful callisia and golden mustache, or fragrant callisia. They are usually grown as ampelous plants, and fragrant callisia, in addition to decorative ones, also has medicinal properties. Detailed description we will list the types of callisia a little lower.

Callisia care at home

How to care for callisia at home

Callisia flower requires keeping under bright diffused light, but with shading from direct sunlight. In a well-lit room, callisia can be placed even away from the window. Indoor plant callisia - a flower not for the kitchen: it does not tolerate tobacco smoke, fumes, impurities and needs a constant supply of fresh air, so summer home callisia likes to spend on the balcony or in the garden. This plant can be grown not only in residential premises, but also in offices, organizing ventilation without drafts, which harm the flower even more than stale air.

In the photo: Callisia in natural conditions

Callisia is quite suitable for normal room temperature: in summer 20-24 ˚C, in winter - 16-20 ˚C. However, callisia should be protected from sudden changes and low temperatures: lower limit for a plant in winter time- +14 ˚C.

Watering and feeding callisia

During the period of active growth, that is, from spring to autumn, callisia is watered with soft water at room temperature as soon as it dries upper layer soil in a pot. In winter, watering is reduced, especially if the dormant period of callisia is cool.

However, the complete drying of the substrate in the pot should not be allowed: the plant may die. When watering, water should not fall into the center of the outlet: this can cause rot.

Tropical callisia flower requires high humidity, especially in the summer heat and in winter, when the apartment is working at full capacity. heating appliances. To prevent the plant from suffering from dry air, it will often have to be sprayed with a fine spray or use a household humidifier.

From April to October, callisia is fed 2 times a month with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer, the rest of the time the plant does not need to be fed.

Callisia transplant

Young callisia is transplanted annually, an adult - once every 2-3 years. The plant is transferred to a pot filled with expanded clay or pebbles by one quarter of the volume, which should be larger in diameter. old crockery 2 cm, and fill the remaining space with a mixture of equal parts sod land, humus, sand and leaf ground. After transplantation, callisia is watered.

In the photo: Callisia at home

Some flower growers believe that it is pointless to transplant callisia, it is better to grow a new plant from cuttings. If your callisia at the bottom of the stems is very bare, then it is probably better to really carry out cuttings instead of transplanting. However, when good care the plant ages and grows not so fast.

Reproduction of callisia

Callisia is propagated throughout the year in the same ways as tradescantia, ivy or hoya. For example, they cut off the apical stalk with 3-4 internodes, lower the cut into the water and wait for the roots to grow. Rooted cuttings are planted several times in a pot with a substrate. It is easy to propagate callisia also by layering: the shoot is added dropwise at the level of the second or third node, right in the pot with the plant, if space permits, or another pot with the substrate is placed next to it and layering is added dropwise in it. As soon as the shoot takes root, it is separated from the mother plant.

When transplanting, you can divide the callisia into parts and plant them in different pots.

Pests and diseases of callisia

Callisia diseases and their treatment

Callisia is almost not affected by infections, but if the plant suddenly starts to get sick, then this is solely your fault: apparently, you did not create for it necessary conditions content or poorly cared for.

• For example, if the tips of the callisia leaves begin to dry, this means that the plant is experiencing a chronic lack of moisture and is suffering from dry air.
• Poor lighting leads to stretching of shoots and loss of callisia leaves.
• Stagnation of water in the roots due to poor drainage or too frequent watering can result in leaf drop and root rot.

Read again the chapter on the conditions of keeping callisia and recommendations for caring for the plant, and then correct the errors found.

Callisia pests and their control

Of the pests, callisia can be attacked by thrips and spider mites. Both of these pests feed on the juice of the plant through bites in the leaves, which makes them turn yellow and fall off, and the plant gradually withers. thrips can be destroyed with insecticides, and ticks- acaricidal. It is desirable to carry out treatments outdoors, since these drugs are toxic to people and pets.

Types and varieties of callisia

Or callisia graceful - a miniature plant with cranked creeping stems more than half a meter long, which first grow straight and then fall. This plant is very similar to tradescantia. It reaches a height of 30-40 cm. Both the leaves and the stems of graceful callisia are covered with velvety pubescence. Oval, pointed at the ends, petiolate, up to 6 cm long sheet plates the plants on the underside are painted in a purple-green hue, and on the top - in dark green with silver stripes. This species blooms with white flowers that form at the ends of the shoots. The plant does not live very long: after two years, the leaves that lose their brightness of color no longer cover the shoot so tightly, so flower growers restore the vine by cuttings or layering.

In the photo: Elegant Callisia (Callisia elegans)

A changeable plant, the decorative effect of which depends on the variety and conditions of detention. This is a succulent with creeping, quickly rooting stems at the nodes and juicy, lanceolate, strongly concave two-row leaves with a longitudinal hollow, painted on the upper side in a bronze-green color shimmering in the sun, and on the lower side in brownish-violet. Naked, but along a line ascending from the sinus, the leaves covered with a fringe of small hairs reach a length of 2, and a width of 1.5 cm.

In the photo: Callisia navicular (Callisia navicularis)

Callisia creeping (Callisia repens)

plant up to 20 cm high and up to 30 cm wide with thin reddish or purple stems and located on them in two rows of small heart-shaped bright green leaves in purple specks. The flowers of this species are white and inconspicuous. At home, callisia repens is grown in hanging structures, and in the garden it is used as a ground cover. Such garden forms of the species are known:

• Bianca- callisia with red-violet tender stems and small bright green leaves;
• Pink Panther- a variety with striped pink-green leaves.

Creeping callisia varieties Pink Lady, Noum Popula and Tortle are also popular.

The genus name Callisia comes from the Greek words kalos ("beautiful") and lis ("lily"). Representatives of the genus grow in humid, semi-shady places in the subtropics and tropics, forming dense sods. In nature, the callisia plant is common in Mexico, North and South America, and the Antilles.

Types of callisia and their photos

Callisia graceful(Callisia elegans)- perennial herbaceous plant with creeping stems. The leaves are ovate with a pointed apex, 2 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide. Above they are velvety, dark green with narrow longitudinal silvery-white stripes along the veins, purple below. Callisia flowers are small, white at the tops of the shoots.

creeping callisia(Callisia repens) about 10 cm high, its stems are creeping, creeping, densely leafy. Leaves with a tubular sheath tightly covering the stem, heart-shaped, pointed at the end, about 10-15 mm long. As you can see in the photo of callisia, the leaf surface of this species is green, back side has a burgundy hue.

fragrant callisia

fragrant callisia (Callisia fragrans) differs in large size and shoots of two types. Some shoots are erect, succulent, up to 80 cm high, with large shiny bright green alternate leaves.

From these shoots depart other, horizontal, similar to air stolons, with underdeveloped leaves. Horizontal shoots end with rosettes of young leaves. There is a variegated form.

Callisia care at home

Plants are placed in partial shade or in bright diffused light. The color of callisia leaves directly depends on the intensity of lighting. With a lack of light, the shoots stretch out and become thin, weak, brittle. Plants do not like sudden temperature drops. In summer they are kept at a temperature of 18-22°C, in winter - 15°C.

Callisia is watered with soft settled water, in summer - abundantly, as the top layer of the substrate dries up, in winter - moderately. However, overdrying the earthy coma can lead to the death of the plant. Callisia prefers high humidity air: requires regular and fairly frequent spraying. Graceful callisia is sprayed carefully, with a fine spray.

When caring for callisia at home, regular feeding is necessary: ​​the plant is fed during the growth period, from March to October, once a week with mineral fertilizers. The flower tolerates pruning well.

Young plants are transplanted annually, adults once every two to three years. Transplantation is carried out in spring or autumn. The substrate for planting is prepared from a mixture of compost and leaf soil and sand, taken in equal amounts. Good drainage is required.

Propagated by cuttings and shoots (whiskers). The most favorable time for breeding is March-April, but if necessary, you can multiply all year round. In March, the top of the shoot with two to four nodes (joints) is cut off from the callisia, the lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by a third. Sections of the cuttings are dried for two to three hours, then the cuttings are planted in pots, the soil substrate is abundantly moistened. Planted cuttings are covered with a transparent cap for better rooting.

In addition, you can cut a rosette of leaves with a small part of the stem from a horizontal lateral shoot and place it in a vessel with water. Roots form within 10-15 days. Then the young plant is planted in a pot with an earthen mixture and watered abundantly.

The main pests of callisia are aphids, cyclamen mites.

Attention! Some plants from the genus Callisia can cause allergic reactions in pets (especially cats and dogs), which are expressed in itching and redness of the skin. The most dangerous species in this regard are fragrant callisia and creeping callisia.

callisia(Callisia) is a perennial herbaceous plant that can be upright and creeping. It is very popular among lovers of indoor flowers.

Some species are not only decorative, but also medicinal. These include fragrant Callisia (well-known Golden mustache). At home, creeping and elegant Callisia are most often grown.

Kinds

Callisia graceful or elegant
A close relative of tradescantia, differing from it in thicker and fleshy stems. They are creeping, the tips stretch upwards. Main value- decorative leaves with a velvety surface. They are dark green above and purple below. Bright silvery stripes run along the entire upper part of the plate.

creeping callisia
miniature plant, covered with many small leaves, reaching a length of no more than 2 cm. Creeping shoots, grow very quickly. On a green background of leaf blades there is a huge number of microscopic purple spots.

fragrant callisia
The most popular type, which has earned different popular names - Live hair, Corn, Golden or Chinese, or Far Eastern, or Japanese mustache, Homemade ginseng. It is highly valued for its wonderful composition, which has healing properties. Outwardly similar to the grassy part of corn. Unlike other species, it does not have special decorative qualities. The leaves are of a uniform color, grassy green, rather wide and elongated in length. The stem is fleshy, erect.

Callisia scaphoid
The name was earned for the peculiar shape of the leaves, similar to a boat. This species should always be in full sun. In this light, the plant acquires a reddish tint. Without proper care and constant pruning, long stems with sparse leaves appear that do not look at all decorative.

Location selection

For good development plants need compliance two conditions- lighting and good ventilation. A constant supply of fresh air, the absence of harmful impurities (cigarette smoke, stale stale air, steam from cooking pots, etc.) and drafts - a vital necessity for the normal growth of Callisia.

variegated coloration leaves requires special lighting - the rays of the sun should be bright, but diffused. Otherwise, the plant will lose its decorative effect, acquiring a uniform boring green coloring.
Callisia can be kept on the windowsill of the east and west windows. In the depths of the room, the plant can be placed if big windows face south and there is enough light in the room.

Temperature

In this regard, Callisia is quite demanding and can't stand temperature fluctuations and sudden cold snaps.

In summer it is optimal content at + 23-26 degrees, in winter + 15-18 (but not lower than +15).

However, she does not really need a rest period and in winter you can not lower the temperature for her maintenance.

Watering and humidity

Main condition - regularity, moisturizing after the soil has dried from above. It is not recommended to transfuse, too frequent watering not required. In winter, it is also reduced if the plant is kept in a cool room.

Humidity air should be increased, so Callisia requires frequent spraying. Or the pot is placed in a tray filled with stones and moistened regularly. An open container of water can be placed next to the plant.

For glaze and spraying Callisia use soft water of cool temperature - settled, thawed, boiled.

top dressing

Once every 7-10 days Callisia fertilize mineral complexes during the entire active period.

Transfer

spring before the start of active vegetation, Callisia is transplanted, completely replacing the soil and, if necessary, the pot with a larger one.

The soil is preferable with a slightly acidic reaction. It is optimal to use a mixture of the same parts:

• peat;
• humus;
• turf;
• leaf soil;
• sand.

For better water and breathability, vermiculite can be added.

To the bottom of the pot lay out a drainage layer, at least 1 cm thick. For it, use pieces of broken brick, expanded clay, pebbles, river or any other pebbles.

reproduction

The plant can be propagated at any time of the year. The process presents no difficulty. This is done in two ways.

Top rooting. They are cut from the stem by 2-3 internodes and placed in a glass of water. You can add a tablespoon of aloe juice, a biogenic stimulant, to it. Roots appear very quickly, after which the plants are planted in a pot with soil.

If desired, you can plant several cuttings in one container, then the plant will be very "fluffy".

Reproduction by layering. A sufficiently long shoot is added dropwise in the same pot or put another one nearby. After successful rooting, the daughter stem is cut off from the main plant.

Growing process

seedlings it is better to place in small diameter pots, as a large size contributes to the acidification of the soil. Young plants are sprayed every day with a spray bottle. Water as needed with exceptionally warm water. Observing these conditions, you can soon get a full-fledged well-developing plant.

Possible problems

Violation of the rules of care may cause atypical diseases:

• leaf browning and their subsidence in the future - indicates excessive soil moisture;
• drying of the ends of the leaf blades speaks of a lack of moisture; the problem is easily eliminated by regular watering;
• stems are strongly stretched, the leaves lose their color brightness in low light. It is necessary to change the place for the plant.

Diseases

The most common problem of Callisia is root and stem rot, which is facilitated by the constant moisture of the earthy coma and the lack of good drainage.

To eliminate the problem, all affected parts of the plant are removed, the sections are treated with chopped charcoal. Completely replace the earth in a pot with a new one.

At extensive lesions are treated with fungicides. You can use Acrobat, Bayleton, Profit, Oxyhom, Rovral.

Pests

Callisia loves red, and they also settle on it with pleasure.

spider mite. An inconspicuous pest, announces its presence by the formation of the finest cobwebs wrapping around the affected plant. You can get rid of the use of acaricides - Aktellik, Flumayta, Apollo, Fitoverma, Kleshchevit.

thrips. Small sucking insects with an elongated body. Dry spots appear on the leaves, which gradually merge into one large spot. All damaged parts die off, the plant is weakened and may die. Against pests, the use of Agravertin, Karate, Intavir, Vertimek is effective.

Shchitovki. They look like small plaques covering leaves and stems. They die from the use of Confidor, Aktellik, Biotlin, Bankol.

And for those who like to know more, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video about callisia

extreme sensitivity to low temperatures makes zinnias flyers, which are usually grown through seedlings. But on the other hand, in sowing, and growing young zinnias, there is nothing complicated. They are hardy and low maintenance plants that are easy to grow from seed. And if you collect more own seeds, then you get one of the most “economical” flyers in your collection. Bright baskets of inflorescences color the garden with a special cheerful canvas.

Eggplants are tall erect plants with wide dark green leaves and large fruits- create a special mood in the beds. And in the kitchen, they are a popular product for a wide variety of dishes: eggplants are fried, stewed and canned. Of course, to grow a decent crop in middle lane and to the north is not an easy task. But subject to the agrotechnical rules of cultivation, it is quite accessible even to beginners. Especially if you grow eggplant in a greenhouse.

noble lush greenery, unpretentiousness, the ability to purify the air from dust and pathogens make nephrolepis one of the most popular indoor ferns. There are many types of nephrolepis, but any of them can become a real decoration of the room, and it doesn’t matter if it’s an apartment, Vacation home or office. But only healthy, well-groomed plants can decorate a room, so creating suitable conditions and proper care- the main task of flower growers.

In the garden first-aid kit of experienced gardeners, there is always crystalline iron sulfate, or ferrous sulfate. Like many others chemicals, it has properties that protect horticultural crops from numerous diseases and insect pests. In this article, we will talk about the features of using iron sulphate for the treatment of garden plants from diseases and pests and other options for its use on the site.

Many people cannot imagine their diet without ripe tasty tomatoes. Moreover, the variety of varieties allows you to choose the one that is most to your taste. There are varieties that are called salad, that is, it is better to use them in fresh. These include the Honey tomato, whose name speaks for itself. In 2007, the Honey variety was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. "Agrosuccess" offers seeds from the best breeders in the world that have passed additional testing

retaining walls- the main tool for working with complex terrain on the site. With their help, not only create terraces or play with planes and leveling, but also emphasize the beauty of the rockery landscape, the change in height, the style of the garden, its character. Retaining walls allow you to play with raised and lowered platforms and hidden areas. Modern dry or more solid walls help to turn the disadvantages of the garden into its main advantages.

Salad with chicken breast and vegetables without mayonnaise can be both a light appetizer for a festive table and a main dish for those who follow their figure or decide to part with extra pounds. To make the chicken breast tender and juicy, first marinate it in spices and oil, and then quickly fry it in a very hot frying pan in vegetable oil. If there is a wok - great, if not, then an ordinary frying pan with a non-stick coating will do.

There were times when the concepts of "tree-garden", "family tree", "collection tree", "multi-tree" simply did not exist. And one could see such a miracle only in the household of the "Michurinites" - people who were amazed by the neighbors, looking at their gardens. There, on one apple tree, pear or plum, not just varieties ripened different terms maturation, but also a variety of colors and sizes. Not many despaired of such experiments, but only those who were not afraid of numerous trials and errors.

On the balcony, in the apartment, on suburban area- Everywhere enthusiastic people find a place for their favorites. It turns out that growing flowers is a very troublesome business and obeys only endless patience, diligence and, of course, knowledge. Providing flowers with a varied and healthy diet is only one, not the biggest, but the problem on the difficult exciting path of the grower. One of the most responsible and difficult jobs in the care of indoor plants is their transplantation.

Unique combination flowers similar to chrysanthemums with fleshy original leaves and so draws attention to aptenia. But its ability to tirelessly and rapidly grow, the dazzling colors of both greenery and flowers are the main advantages. And although the plant was transferred to the mesembryanthemums long ago, aptenia still remains a special star. Hardy and unpretentious, but at the same time similar to a beautifully flowering star, it is rapidly gaining popularity.

Pollack fish soup - light, low-calorie and very healthy, it is suitable for vegetarian menu(pescatarianism) and lax fasting. Pollock is one of the most common and affordable fish that can be found on the shelves of almost any store. This fish is from the cod family, the meat is dense, white. Pollock does not fall apart during cooking, there are not many bones in this fish, in a word, a suitable fish for both beginner home cooks and experienced economical housewives.

The front garden is the face of the garden and its owner. Therefore, for these flower beds it is customary to choose plants that are decorative all season. And, in my opinion, perennial front gardens that bloom in spring deserve special attention. Like primroses, they bring us special joy, because after a dull winter, more than ever, we want to bright colors and flowers. In this article, we propose to get acquainted with the best decorative perennials, blooming in spring and do not require special care.

The climatic conditions of our country, unfortunately, are not suitable for growing many crops without seedlings. healthy and strong seedlings- this is the key to a quality harvest, in turn, the quality of seedlings depends on several factors: Even healthy-looking seeds can be infected with pathogens that long time remain on the surface of the seed, and after sowing, getting into favorable conditions, are activated and affect young and immature plants

Our family loves tomatoes very much, so most of the beds in the country are given over to this crop. Every year we try new interesting varieties, and some of them take root and become loved. At the same time, over the many years of gardening, we have already formed a set of favorite varieties that are required for planting in every season. We jokingly call such tomatoes "special purpose" varieties - for fresh salads, juice, salting and storage.

Coconut pie with cream - “kuchen”, or German coconut pie (Butter milch shnitten - soaked in milk). Without exaggeration, I will say that this is an incredibly tasty cake - sweet, juicy and tender. It can be stored in the refrigerator for quite a long time; cream cakes are prepared on the basis of such a biscuit in Germany. The recipe is in the “Guests on the doorstep!” category, since usually all the ingredients are in the refrigerator, and it takes less than an hour to prepare the dough and bake.

The snow has not yet completely melted, and the restless owners of suburban areas are already in a hurry to assess the scope of work in the garden. And there really is a lot to do here. And perhaps the most important thing to think about in early spring How to protect your garden from diseases and pests. Experienced gardeners they know that these processes cannot be left to chance, and delay and postponing the processing time for later can significantly reduce the yield and quality of the fruit.

callisia
(Callisia)
Golden mustache

Other names: Fragrant callisia, corn, homemade ginseng, Venus hair, Golden hair, live hair, Graceful callisia, wicker plant, spider plant, basket flower.
Family: Commelinaceae (Commelinaceae)
Homeland: Central and South America, Mexico.
Bloom: in room conditions relatively rare.
Growth: fast.
Light: bright scattered.
Temperature: in spring-summer 20-25°C, in winter - 15-20°C, not lower than 14°C.
Watering: plentiful in spring - summer, moderate in winter.
Air humidity: increased.
Top dressing: weekly, from April to September, with complex mineral fertilizer.
rest period: weakly expressed.
Transfer: It is desirable to renew the plant from cuttings.
Reproduction: cuttings.
Care features: In summer, you can take it out into the fresh air
Golden mustache, or Callisia (Callisia Loefl) belongs to the Commelin family (Commelinaceae), numbering about 50 genera and 500 plant species, of which the most famous is tradescantia. Callisia is native to South America.

The genus name comes from the Greek words kalos - beautiful and lis - lily. These are perennial herbs with creeping, rarely erect stems.
Callisia is very fond of Tibetan monks, because it grows well in the bright cells of the monastery, where there is no heat, drafts and temperature changes, and the mountain air is clean and constantly humid. Even in ancient times, the monks noticed that in the rooms where callisia is grown, manuscripts of books, piles of fabric, wool and leather are well stored and do not mold. Phytoncides secreted by the plant purify the air from pathogenic microflora. In the monasteries, they learned how to get medicines from the shoots - infusions, tinctures and ointments. Since there were no modern medicines in those days, the plant was worth its weight in gold and considered sacred, shrouded in secrets and legends.
Thanks to the phenomenal healing properties that glorified the Golden Mustache all over the planet, a real halo of magic has arisen around this nondescript houseplant. The path to health with the help of the Golden Mustache has already been discovered by many people. Its other names are: Fragrant Callisia (lat. Callisia Fragrance), corn, homemade ginseng, Venus hair, Golden hair, live hair, Graceful Callisia, wicker plant, spider plant, basket flower.
In indoor floriculture, callisia has been grown as an ampelous or ground cover plant for warm and bright rooms for more than 100 years. This is a plant with two types of shoots: erect and horizontal. The former outwardly resemble young corn, have normally developed leaves 20-30 cm long and 5-6 cm wide. With good care, the golden mustache sometimes blooms. small flowers(less than 1 centimeter in diameter) are collected in paniculate inflorescences.
Small size allows you to grow callisia in wide ceramic vases, in compositions with other, more tall plants monochromatic colors. It is best to keep the plant in a spacious room with fresh air(the kitchen with its constant aromas and a smoky room do not fit); in the warm season - on the balcony, terrace, etc.
A very popular plant - fragrant callisia (golden mustache) - not so ornamental plant, like other callisia, it is most often grown as a medicinal plant.

Kinds

Callisia elegant (graceful) (Callisia elegans Alexander ex H. E. Moore). Synonym: K. Gentla diff. elegant (Callisia gentlei Matuda var elegans.). A miniature plant with creeping, articulated stems. Graceful callisia differs from tradescantia in a more juicy and strong stem. Cultivated for beautifully colored leaves - velvety dark green with bright silver stripes along the veins, ovate or elongate-ovate. Leaves 3-6 cm long are located on the shoot in 2 rows. Bottom leaves are purple-green or purple. The whole plant is velvety-pubescent.
Fragrant Callisia (Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson) - the botanical name of a plant that has many folk names- golden (or Far Eastern, Chinese, Japanese) mustache, live hair, homemade ginseng; They also call it "corn", because outwardly the plant looks like young corn. It has uniform rather large leaves (20-30 cm long and 5-6 cm wide) with a characteristic sheen. It differs from previous species of the family in a stronger smell and in that its leaves may turn pink in bright light.
The plant reaches a height of 70-120 cm. The stems are rather thick; in adult plants, they are of two types: shortened vertical (fleshy) with a large rosette of leaves and horizontal (long, tubular) with leaves arranged in a spiral to capture a new area.
Vine-like horizontal shoots ("whiskers" consisting of "joints") are thrown out by the plant after reaching adulthood; a leaf rosette is formed at their ends. The plant propagates with the same rosettes. The apical part is cut into two "joints" below the outlet and placed in water until roots form.
Callisia navicular (Callisia navicularis (Ortgies) D. R. Hunt.). Synonym: Tradescantia navicular (Tradescantia navicularis Ortgies). succulent plant with succulent leaves resembling a boat. In sunny weather, they acquire a reddish tint. Only shortened shoots with tiled leaves one above the other look beautiful. But others are also regularly formed - elongated shoots with leaves spaced at a considerable distance from each other (they grow in different directions and take root). Unlike graceful callisia, this species requires a lot of sun and rare watering, especially in winter.
Callisia creeping (Callisia repens (Jacq.) L.). A dwarf plant with miniature leaves, barely reaching 0.5-2 cm. Upon closer examination, purple specks are noticeable on the leaves. Thin stems bear two rows of leaves. The plant grows very quickly, forming a continuous low green cover.

plant care

Golden mustache is a completely unpretentious plant, it can be easily grown in the most ordinary city apartment.
As a container for growing, a wide spacious pot is best suited.
AT recent times balloons are gaining more and more popularity. ampelous plants. They can be given any (but not too complex) shape and decorate a somewhat shaded corner of a balcony or window. Make a strong large-mesh wire frame by providing a hook for hanging in it. Place a layer of wet sphagnum inside (it is needed so that the substrate for planting does not spill out of the mold). If it seems to you that the sphagnum will not stand it, reinforce the walls with nylon or some kind of cloth mesh. Fill the sphagnum bag from the inside with moist substrate. If you used nylon, make holes in it for the cuttings.
Plant cuttings or rooted young plants of callisia creeping in sphagnum from all sides.
Spray the ball with cuttings well with water. For the first few days, you can wrap your workpiece in polyethylene to create best conditions rooting. Hang it in diffused light for 3-4 days. Remove the plastic and leave in low light for another day. Spray liberally. If not everything is rooted, add fresh planting material.
Caring for a living sculpture consists in regular watering of the substrate (you just need to think about the flow of water) and spraying. In order for callisia to grow evenly, it is often necessary to turn them in different directions to the light source.

pruning

Old shoots at the base are exposed, so it is advisable not to transplant plants, but to renew (rejuvenate) from apical cuttings. From time to time, as the shoots grow (at any time of the year), the plant is rejuvenated by cuttings. Cuttings (apical and stem from a horizontal shoot) are planted in several pieces in a pot or better in a bowl with a nutrient mixture. The shoot can be taken only if the shoot has grown at least 12 "joints".
The top should be cut off 2 “joints” below the panicle of leaves, in the middle of the third “joint”. It is better to root under a plastic cap. Cuttings fully root in 2-3 weeks.

Temperature

Callisia regarding unpretentious plant, however, compared with its close relatives - tradescantia, zebra and netcreasia - it needs a warmer content. Range optimum temperature during spring-summer 20-25C, in winter - 15-20°C, not lower than 14C. The plant does not like sudden temperature drops.

Lighting

Callisia loves bright diffused light. The plant is best kept in a bright or semi-shady place (windows facing west or east). The brightness of the color of the leaves of callisia is directly dependent on the intensity of illumination. Callisia navicular tolerates direct sunlight, with a lack of light it can get sick.

Watering

In summer, callisia should be watered abundantly, with soft settled water, as the top layer of the substrate dries up, in winter watering is moderate. Callisia is unpretentious, but drying out the earthy coma can lead to the death of the plant. K. navicular is watered more moderately in winter than other species of the genus.

Air humidity

Callisia prefers high humidity. This requires regular and fairly frequent spraying. Callisia elegant is sprayed carefully, with a fine spray, to avoid deterioration in the appearance of the leaves.

top dressing

After the plant develops a good root system, you can start feeding him liquid fertilizers.
Callisia is fed weekly, from April to September, with a complex mineral fertilizer.

Bloom

Callisia sometimes blooms indoors. Small white flowers in sessile paired curls on the tops of the shoots are fragrant (the smell is subtle, very delicate, pleasant and fresh, reminiscent of lily of the valley or hyacinth), but not very decorative. Plants bloom in early summer, but rather reluctantly indoors.

Transfer

Every year in the spring. The soil is slightly acidic, a mixture of: 1 part sod, 1 part leaf, 1 part humus, 1 part peat soil and 1 part sand. Callisia grow quite quickly - the shoots are drawn out, the leaves become more rare and pale. Therefore, the plant is rejuvenated - cut apical cuttings and root.

reproduction

Callisia is propagated by basal shoots, as well as leaf and stem cuttings. Callisia usually blooms in the second year.
At home, the plant is propagated in three ways:
1st way. The cuttings are immersed 3/4 in water. After 7-10 days, when the roots appear, the plants are planted in the soil. Cuttings give roots faster when a growth stimulator, epin, is added to the water.
2nd way. The cuttings are planted in the soil, sprayed abundantly with water, covered with plastic wrap or plastic caps. Plant pots are placed in a place with diffused lighting. After 3-4 days, the film is removed, and the plants are watered and sprayed abundantly. A day later, the plants are rearranged to a place with normal lighting and continue to be watered and sprayed abundantly for 3-4 days.
3rd way implies the rooting of lateral horizontal shoots directly on the stems in the soil. This breeding method can be used when growing callisia in wide large pots, in greenhouses or on beds under a film.
The stem of the plant is tied to a support, and the side shoots are evenly placed along the bed and sprinkled with soil. After a few days, they are cut off from the mother plant and transplanted.

The soil

The soil for planting is taken humus (pH 5.5-6.5). It can consist of turf and deciduous soil with the addition of humus, peat and sand (taken in equal amounts) or humus, turf soil and sand (which should make up about a third of the total soil). At the bottom of the planting containers provide good drainage.
Crushed shells can be added to the substrate raw eggs, the calcium contained in eggshell slowly passes the soil, thereby enriching it. But also the shell of raw eggs deoxidizes the soil, thereby, its pH changes from acidic or neutral closer to alkaline. Therefore, if your water has an excess of salts, then in order to avoid an alkaline reaction of the soil, it is better not to add raw egg shells to the substrate.

Possible difficulties

The plant grows quickly - this is a natural process for it. Therefore, it is rejuvenated by simply re-rooting the tops of the shoots.

Pests

Damaged by: thrips, spider mites.

The healing properties of callisia

From indoor plants having medicinal properties, most of us know, perhaps, only two - these are aloe and kalanchoe. But it turns out that there are many more such plants in nature.
The healing properties of the golden mustache have long been used in folk medicine, and in last years are increasingly being studied by specialists from Canada, the USA and Russia. Studies have shown that the plant contains copper, nickel, iron, chromium, as well as flavonoids and phytosterols - biologically active substances, due to which the golden mustache has antitumor, antispasmodic, antioxidant and diuretic and healing healing properties.
According to some reports, the fragrant callisia plant releases phytoncides into the air, which have antiseptic properties. A number of authors advise putting the plant at the head of a sleeping person at night - this will save you from nightmares (but in the morning you should not forget to rearrange the plant to a bright place so that the plant does not die from lack of lighting).
Golden mustache is an excellent tool for strengthening immunity. Preparations from fragrant callisia (golden mustache) are widely used in folk medicine and are used in the treatment of many diseases. The juice of the plant has high wound-healing properties, treats skin diseases, lichen, ulcers and much more (there is quite a lot of literature on the use of this homemade ginseng in folk medicine).
It is believed that the plant acquires healing properties after at least 9 full-fledged "joints" of a brownish-violet color are formed on the liana-like processes.
The leaves of the golden mustache can be chewed, applied to wounds, sore spots, bruises, lichen, scars and neoplasms on the skin. The cut heals in 20-30 hours. The leaves of the plant can be added to salads seasoned with sunflower oil. To do this, you need to cut (do not cut off!) The lower leaves.
Golden mustache is effective in hemorrhagic diathesis, allergic diseases, retinal hemorrhages, disruption of capillaries, metabolism, diseases of the endocrine system, prostatitis, rheumatism, nephritis, hypertension, measles, scarlet fever, typhus and many others.
External use of preparations made from the golden mustache promotes the healing of wounds, burns, trophic ulcers, and frostbite.
It is good to keep two or three flower pots next to the bed of an asthmatic, a pulmonary patient, a child with weak lungs. The plant disinfects the air and releases phytoncides that are good for the lungs.
In addition, there are many cases of getting rid of alcohol and nicotine addiction after taking callisia drugs.

Recipes

Allergy: infusion or decoction of the golden mustache is drunk for seven days, 1 des.l. three times a day one hour before meals. After a week break, the course can be repeated by reducing the dosage of the drug (1 tsp).
Arthritis: twice a day, a compress is made: a bandage folded in several layers is moistened with tincture and applied to a sore spot for 1.5-2 hours. To massage sore joints, you can use golden mustache oil.
Atherosclerosis: 35 joints of the plant are crushed, poured into a dark glass dish with 1.5 liters of 70% alcohol and infused for two weeks in a dark, cool place. In 1 des.l. tinctures add 1 tbsp. unrefined sunflower oil, shake and drink immediately. Drink three times a day for 20 minutes. before meals according to the scheme: 10 days of admission, break - 5 days; again 10 days of admission, a break - 10 days and the next 10 days of admission.
Bronchitis: at the beginning of the disease, to separate viscous sputum with a dry cough, they drink a warm decoction of a golden mustache, 1 des.l each. three times a day for 40 minutes. before meals. Treatment is carried out during the entire acute period of the disease. Also, with acute bronchitis, compresses from fresh leaves help well. They are crushed, doused with boiling water, wrapped in gauze. The compress is placed on the chest for 15-20 minutes. In chronic bronchitis, as an expectorant, 300 g of honey is mixed with 0.5 tbsp. water, add a crushed leaf of a golden mustache and keep it on low heat for an hour. Cool, mix, store in a cool dark place. Eat 1 tbsp. twice a day for 40 min. before meals. In acute bronchitis, you can drink an infusion of a golden mustache mixed with honey in equal parts- 1 dess.l. three times a day for 40 minutes. before meals.
Ointment: leaves and stems are crushed, ground, mixed with cream, petroleum jelly or fat 2:3. Used to treat bruises, frostbite, trophic ulcers and various skin diseases, for rubbing with arthritis and arthrosis.
Butter: crushed shoots of a plant or cake after squeezing the juice are dried, crushed, poured olive oil and insist three weeks. Filter, store in a dark glass container in a cool place. It is used to treat skin diseases, all types of massage, rubbing in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis.
Infusion: use the leaves of a plant 20 cm long. One leaf is poured into 1 liter of boiling water in a glass or ceramic container and infused for 24 hours. Used to treat pancreatitis, diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
Tincture: 30-50 knees of the plant are crushed and poured into 1 liter of vodka in a glass container. Insist 7-15 days in a dark place, shaking daily. After the tincture acquires a dark lilac color, it is filtered, poured into a dark glassware and store in a cool place.
Decoction: all green parts of the plant are used. Leaves and stems are crushed, pour cold water into enamelware, bring to a boil (but do not boil) and leave for 6-7 hours. Then filter and store in a cool place in a dark glass container. It is used to treat diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, remove toxins from the body and prevent colds, in the treatment of allergies and skin diseases.
For sore throat: take 1 tsp honey, pour lemon juice, add a pinch of red ground pepper. Mix well and leave for a while. Then add 1 tbsp. l. golden mustache juice. Drink the drug should be in one dose 2-3 times a day until the pain disappears completely.
For hypertension: crush a few leaves of the golden mustache and pour medical alcohol in a ratio of 1:2. Insist 9 days in a cool dark place. Then pour into a glass container 1.5 tbsp. l. tinctures, add 2 tbsp. l. unrefined sunflower oil, tightly close the lid, shake vigorously for several minutes and immediately drink in one gulp. The mixture should not be infused. Take on an empty stomach for 20 minutes. before meals 3 times a day. They drink the medicine for 10 days, then take a five-day break and repeat the course.

But it should be remembered that there is no panacea in the world, and not a single drug and folk remedy cannot guarantee a complete cure for the disease. That is why to folk recipes should be treated with caution, and treatment with any medicinal plant, including the golden mustache, can only be started after consultation with the attending physician.