The name of this beautiful plant, whose native land is tropical India, has Greek roots and is translated as "nettles". And although its leaves really resemble nettles, they have nothing in common, because Akalifa belongs to the family of euphorbia. Also common name - "fox tail", due to the unusual shape and type of flowers.
The appearance of the plant varies depending on the variety, the height and shape vary, the leaves can have a carmine, smaragdovo-green or bronze hue. In the wild this plant is a high shrub, decorative varieties are usually smaller and are quite accessible for keeping in an apartment. As a rule, flowers of akalifa grow better in special greenhouses, this is due to the need for high humidity. In the conditions of the apartment, the plant can reach a height of 80 cm and perfectly feels on the balcony or loggia in the summer months.
What conditions are necessary for Akalif?
A prerequisite for the growth of akalifa will be the choice of location. Compulsory bright scattered light and high humidity, do not put a pot of flowers near the heating appliances, better choose the sill of the sunny side of the apartment. Insufficient lighting will result in the blooming of the acalifa, and the leaves will lose their original bright color. However, it is necessary to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant, they can burn sensitive flower stamens.
The temperature in the room where the flower is located should not fall below the threshold at 18 ° C, because the plant is tropical, and therefore thermophilic. Optimum temperature will be around 22 ° C, maintained at any time of the year. Reducing this indicator will lead to the cessation of growth and the loss of leaves.
How can I transplant a plant?
For the acalifa, the soil is selected loose and fertile, rich in humus. Perfectly suitable mixture of garden and leaf land with the addition of mullein and coarse-grained sand, as well as drainage to the bottom of the pot. In addition, in the period of spring-autumn, the plant needs to be fed with inorganic fertilizers with a high iron content with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
Despite the fact that the soil for a good growth of akalifa should be constantly wet, great importance is the observance of the measure. Abundant watering, especially in the winter months, can lead to rotting of the roots, and insufficient - to the fall of the leaves. Regular spraying is also recommended, but getting water on the inflorescence can cause them to rot.
As a rule, this plant is propagated by cuttings taken after spring pruning from the tops of the main shoots. Knowing how to sow the acalife, you can grow a flower and a seed, but it's much more difficult. For sowing it is desirable to have a greenhouse with a lower heating, to observe the temperature regime, and the soil to choose consisting of sand and foliage of the earth. Cultivation of seeds begins in March-April, and the seedlings are then dived into a special substrate consisting of sod, sand and leaf land, where the sand is added
Separately it is worth noting that, like all plants of the milkweed family, any type of acaliph is considered poisonous. All parts of the plant produce milky juice, which irritates the skin of the hands. Be careful when placing the plant, if your house has small children or pets, it will be better if the acalife becomes unreachable for them.
Beautiful "fox tails" will certainly blossom in your home with the right approach to growing a plant. Bright leaves and unusual inflorescences will often become the object of attention of guests. Care for the plant is correct, and it will always answer you in return, giving joy to its healthy appearance.