Lantana is a very beautiful perennial plant from the Verbena family. The homeland of lanthanum is the subtropics of India, Colombia, Mexico, today it is also perfectly adapted in the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Shrubs with delicate green leaves bloom profusely throughout the summer. Moreover, spherical inflorescences gradually change color. Yesterday, lantana was covered with white-yellow flowers, and today it pleases with pink shades. This plant is unpretentious and actively growing, so it does not cause trouble for gardeners.
Botanical Description
Lantana is a sprawling shrub with branched erect shoots. Under favorable conditions, it can grow up to 3 m in height. The plant quickly grows green mass, so it needs a spacious room. Modern hybrid varieties are small in height and slow in growth.
The root system of lanthanum is also well developed. Powerful lignified roots go deep into the soil. They need a deep and voluminous pot, otherwise the plant will have to be transplanted several times a year.
The branches of lanthanum are covered with a smooth light green bark. On the shoots of some varieties there are small spikes. Leaflets on short petioles are located opposite or in a spiral. The pubescent leaf plate has an ovoid shape with a pointed edge and small teeth on the sides. The length of the leaf is about 5 cm. It can be painted in a bright green color, but there are varieties with light green stripes along the edge. Essential oils with a specific odor are released through small glands on the surface.
The flowering period falls on May-September. A long peduncle with spherical inflorescence up to 5 cm in diameter grows from the axils of the leaves in the upper part of the shoot. Small tubular flowers exude an intense aroma. During the flowering period, they change color from yellow and white to pink or scarlet. Moreover, buds with different petals can simultaneously be on one inflorescence.
Types of Lanthanum
About 150 species of lanthanum grow in nature, but only two of them are used for indoor cultivation.
Lantana Camara. The plant has curly stems with small spikes. On the branches are hard gray-green leaves of a heart-shaped or oval shape. Their upper side is smooth and slightly rough, and short villi are located below. Bright paniculate inflorescences form in the axils of the leaves in May. They consist of small tubular flowers. Young buds are yellow or pink in color, but eventually turn red or orange. Flowering continues until the end of summer.
Popular decorative varieties:
- Golden cloud - bright yellow flowers;
Golden cloud - Cocktail - blooms terracotta and orange;
Cocktail - Naida - snow-white buds having a yellow core;
Naida - Pink Queen - salmon-yellow flowers, gradually acquiring a bright pink color.
Pink queen
Lantana Montevidea. This species is not found so often, but is also in demand. Creeping branches are covered with bright green ovoid leaves. They are smaller in size than the previous variety. Small corymbose inflorescences consist of small lilac-pink flowers. Flowering begins in June and can continue until early October.
Breeding methods
Reproduction of lanthanum is done by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings. Seed propagation requires a lot of effort, but allows you to get a lot of plants at once. It is important to remember that the varietal traits of the mother plant are not always transmitted to the offspring, so it is better to order the seeds at the store, rather than collecting them yourself.
Crops are recommended in November. Previously, the seeds are soaked for 1.5-2 hours in warm water (50-60 ° C), then they should be treated with a growth stimulator and only then sown in a sand-peat mixture. The container is covered with a film and put in a warm place with an air temperature of + 20 ... + 22 ° C. Shoots appear after 3-4 weeks, after which the temperature should be lowered to + 12 ... + 14 ° C. To accelerate growth, you need backlight. Plants with 2-3 leaves can be planted in separate pots.
A simpler and more effective method of propagation is cuttings. It is enough in the spring after pruning to select cuttings with 4 leaves about 10 cm long. Rooting is carried out in loose, fertile soil. The pot with seedlings is transferred to a bright, warm room. Within 2 weeks after planting, it is recommended to cover them with a film. Then the shelter is removed for a few hours, and after a week completely removed.
Transplant Features
Since the roots grow rapidly, lantana is transplanted every 1-3 years. This is best done in the first half of spring. The pot should be selected roomy and deep. At the bottom, lay out drainage material (shards, expanded clay, pebbles) so that water from irrigation does not stagnate.
The following components must be included in the soil for lanthanum:
- sheet land (4 parts);
- turf land (3 parts);
- humus land (1 part);
- river sand (1 part).
During the transplant, part of the old earthen coma is removed so that the plant receives more nutrients from the new soil.
Growing plants
Caring for home lanthanum is very simple. The plant grows easily and does not require special conditions. It is very fond of bright light and long daylight hours, so it is better to put pots on the southern windowsills. In summer, it is recommended to take the bushes to the garden, where they build up green mass and bloom profusely. Crohn is not afraid of direct sunlight, even in intense heat. If you put the plant in a shaded place, the leaves may fade, and flowering will become very sparse.
Lantana loves warmth. In regions with hot summers, she feels great, only requires more abundant watering. If winters pass without frost, the plant can be grown in open ground. The optimum room temperature is + 22 ... + 27 ° C. For the winter it is necessary to provide a cool content (+ 10 ... + 12 ° C). Some varieties are able to withstand short-term cooling to -2 ° C.
There is no need to artificially increase air humidity near lanthanum. She feels fine in urban homes. However, sometimes it is still worth spraying and washing dust leaves. During the flowering period, it is not recommended to spray flowers, this will lead to their rapid withering.
Regular watering is of great importance to the plant. With frequent drying of the soil, the leaves fade and growth slows down. Even the buds that have formed can fall without ever blooming. It is necessary to ensure that the soil dries only in the upper part. Water for irrigation should be clean and warm.
From the beginning of spring to the end of flowering, lanthanum needs fertilizers. They are brought into the ground twice a month in diluted form. It is recommended to alternate mineral and organic dressings for flowering indoor plants.
To get an attractive bush, lanthanum often needs to be pinched and pruned. This stimulates the formation of side shoots. With competent pruning, it will be possible to form a small tree or a luxurious spherical crown, which in summer will be covered with a lush color.
Diseases and Pests
In a cold and damp room, lanthanum is affected by sheet rust. With excessive watering, the development of root rot is possible. To combat mold, you should change the conditions of the flower and regularly loosen the soil. The diseased plant is pruned and treated with fungicide.
Succulent foliage is periodically attacked by scale insects, aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and mealybugs. In the open ground, the plant suffers from pests more often, so in the spring it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment with Actellic or Aktara.
