Flower rheo

Among the flower variety that can be found on our windowsills, recently, interesting exotic plants often began to appear. Among these - rheo, although by the name of it know a few. This flower comes from North America, to be exact, from Mexico. At home, the plant is used in folk medicine, but for us it is grown for purely decorative purposes. Due to the complaisant nature of reo fell in love with many florists.

Strange as it may seem, but this plant has only one species - Rhoeo spathacea - rheo coverlet. True, this name of the flower is rarely heard from anyone. But he has plenty of synonyms. As soon as this flower is not called: the Tradescantia is covered with a veined, rheo motley and even the rook of Moses.

Care for rheo at home

1. Lighting. Since rheo is a flower growing in hot countries, it loves the light, but shiny. In the open sun, the leaves quickly get burned, which spoils the appearance of the whole plant. The western and eastern windows are ideal for him, but in the south one will have to make a shadow. On the north side bright leaves lose their colors, the plant becomes faded and unattractive.
2. Watering and sprinkling. Indoor flower rheo in the warm season watered abundantly with cold water. Likes a plant and a warm shower or sprinkles. Closer to the autumn, when the air temperature drops slightly, sprayings are stopped until the next season, and watering is gradually reduced.
3. The temperature of the content of rheo. The indoor rheo flower will feel fine when the temperature in the summer is 25 ° C and in the winter about 18 ° C. The minimum mark is 12 °, but not lower. If the plant is grown in cold rooms, the leaves lose their elasticity, become sluggish and unattractive.
4. Soil and transplantation. Land for growing rheo is taken the most common, with an equal content of sand, peat ( peat tablets ), turf and hardwood substratum. The main requirement for the soil is its air permeability and looseness. Roots should receive a maximum of oxygen, and water - it is good to moisten the earth.
5. Do not choose a too large pot for rheo, if you do not plan to grow several plants in it at once. As the capacity grows, it needs to be changed to a large one during the annual transplant. The soil is replaced with fresh every spring or summer. The plant tolerates transplant well.

Reproduction of rheo

In order to share a piece of beauty with friends, you need to carefully nip off the stem of the plant and put it into the water until the roots. The method of cuttings is the simplest. Rooting occurs within two weeks, especially if the plant is covered with a greenhouse from a package or jar. You can accurately divide the overgrown bush during the transplant and get several plants at once.

Are suitable for reproduction and seeds of rheo. Under good conditions, it blossoms with small white flowers year-round and forms seeds. When dried, they can be planted in a light earth mix and get young plants.

Pests and diseases of a house plant rheo

Like most houseplants, rheo is affected by pests such as whitefly, scab and spider mite. To get rid of uninvited guests, you need to wash them with a soap sponge from the leaves, and then rinse the plant under the shower. If this method does not work, and colonies of pests are numerous, then it is worth resorting to the use of chemical agents.

Powdery mildew and gray mold can attack any plant, including rheo. The flower is treated with a remedy for fungal diseases, and the severely affected leaves are removed.

With timely nutrition every two weeks, when the plant does not lack nutrients, and the humidity is optimal, you will grow a bright and beautiful flower with a juicy burgundy-green foliage. Well looked plants planted in a single group in a tank, but they need a lot of space.