Callistemon is a bush with an amazing aroma and bright flowers. Callistemon. Bengal candle Callistemon at home
Callistemon. "Bengal Candle"
The exotic bush, which I will talk about in this article, is my old dream. I fell in love with him in absentia, from photographs in a book about the flora of Australia. “Live” I saw callistemon in my colleague’s dacha: a bush growing in a tub was strewn with fiery red fluffy “brushes”. These flowers simply sparkled in the backlight (against the sun). It even seemed that the light comes from within. So that's why callistemon inflorescences are compared with Bengal candles! I took two cuttings from this bush - and grew two callistemons. So my dream came true! I think you will share with me the delight of this plant and also want to have “Bengal candles” in your home. Moreover, seeds and seedlings of callistemon have already appeared on sale.
It's interesting that...
The word "callistemon" is translated from the Greek "beautiful stamen". And we also call it "beautiful stalk". And to the Germans and the British, callistemon inflorescences resemble brushes for cleaning the fireplace, and they name this plant accordingly.
Callistemon is an evergreen small tree or bush 1-1.5 m high with dense foliage, surprising with fragrant flowers collected in fluffy spikes from 10 to 18 cm long. Almost 5-centimeter stamens protrude from them in different directions, resembling sparks of Bengal fire or bottle brush bristles.
The foliage of callistemon looks very picturesque due to the contrast of dark green adult leaves and light green young ones. The leaves are always turned edge to the sun - so the plant retains moisture and is protected from direct sunlight.
About 35 species of beautiful stamen are known, the most popular of them are styloid, woven, pine, willow, wrinkled, lemon yellow. They differ in the shape of the leaves (from needle-shaped to lanceolate) and the color of the inflorescences (from bright red to white). The most popular type is callistemon lemon yellow(Callistemon citrinus Stapf). It is named for the lemony aroma of the crushed leaves.
Callistemon. Care
Location. Callistemon can be grown quite easily by creating comfortable conditions for it. In our climate, this exotic is kept in tubs, because it does not tolerate frost. Although it is known that in English gardens it withstood temperatures of -14 ° C.
Once the threat has passed spring frosts, callistemon can be taken out to the garden or on outdoor balcony, just before that, gradually accustom him to bright sun. And in the fall, when the air temperature drops to + 5 ° C, tubs with plants should be placed in a cool room with a temperature of + 5-12 ° C. At low temperatures in the “winter apartment”, callistemon tolerates dry air and lack of light more easily, does not “stretch” so much, and subsequently blooms more abundantly.
Lighting. Callistemon prefers bright lighting but does not like direct sunlight. With a lack of light, its buds may not open and dry out, and if they open, the flowers will be faded. The plant needs an influx of fresh air, but does not tolerate a draft!
Watering. Do not let the earth dry out in a tub with callistemon! From the beginning of spring to the end of September, the plant requires abundant watering (without stagnant water in the pan). In winter, it is watered as the earthen clod dries.
Top dressing. From spring to autumn, you need to feed this exotic with fertilizer for azaleas 2 times a month (after watering!).
ATTENTION! From excessive fertilizing and watering, the leaves of Callistemon turn yellow and fall off.
Pruning. Callistemon develops well and begins to branch when the shoot reaches 20-25 cm. In a year, the bush can grow up to 1 m in diameter. So that your exotic does not outgrow, has a beautiful shape, bushes well and blooms profusely, you need to cut its branches every spring by 25-30 cm.
Transfer. Young plants are transplanted annually, adults - 1 time in 3 years. For large bushes, the topsoil is changed annually (it should be slightly acidic). In the purchased soil for tub plants, add coarse washed sand and peat.
Reproduction of callistemon
Reproduction by seeds. The fruits of callistemon tightly stick to the branches and are a woody box in the shape of a ball or egg. To prevent the seeds from scattering when harvested, tie the fruits with gauze. Sow from August to March. Fill the container with a wet mixture of peat and sand, place the seeds on top of the soil (without sprinkling!) And cover the crops with film or glass. Seedlings will hatch in a week. When they have 3-4 leaves, dive into pots with a diameter of at least 5 cm in a substrate consisting of sod, leaf soil, peat and sand (4:2:2:1).
Cuttings. In the spring, cut off the apical cuttings 7-10 cm long from the plant and root in the sand under the film at a temperature of + 24 ° C. The main task is to prevent waterlogging of the soil. Before planting, you can treat the cuttings with a growth stimulator, they will take root in 1.5-2 months. Callistemon develops with "rushes": first, each shoot grows by 6-10 cm, and then stops for 1-2 months, then grows again. Interestingly, in the swelling bud on the shoot of callistemon, all the leaves and even buds are laid. If there are no buds in the open bud, then the plant will not bloom.
The bush will bloom only after 3-4 years. But, believe me, the beauty of the flowering of callistemon justifies all expectations!
It's interesting that...
* Bioenergetics claim that callistemon gives firmness of spirit to insecure people.
* Callistemons, like eucalyptus, contain a large number of phytoncides, which help him defend himself against pests and weeds. Therefore, nothing grows under callistemons.
Possible difficulties
If wax secretions and white fat dots appear in the axils of callistemon leaves, this is mealybug. Remove it with an old toothbrush, and then wash the plant with calendula infusion (0.5 tablespoons of dry grass and flowers, pour 1 tablespoon of boiling water and leave for 8 hours) or zoo shampoo.
Even in collections experienced flower growers this rare and exotic flower is not often seen. Callistemon is capricious in care to the smallest detail, requires a lot of close attention and care. In return, callistemon gives its owners purified air, aroma and wondrous beauty of the inflorescence.
Callistemon or colloquially - Krasnotychinochnik
Callistemon was born in Australia, belongs to the Myrtle family, up to 50 species are noted in it. Mainly evergreen trees and bushes small size. In translation, the name of callistemon means "beautiful stamens." Callistemon earned fame precisely with inflorescences, which are red, raspberry, purple, pink or white, yellow. They are very reminiscent of fluffy brushes for washing containers with a narrow neck.
Hairs with bright dots at the ends are the stamens of Callistemon flowers up to 3 cm long. The flowers are so small that it is not immediately possible to see their five-lobed baskets and sepals. For this feature of the structure of the cylindrical apical inflorescence, it is sometimes popularly called the "red stamen". The inflorescence reaches a length of 3 to 12 cm, a width of 2 to 9 cm.
The leaves are leathery green, narrow with veins, shaped like spears. Leaves on a stem or branch grow spirally alternately. Inside the leaf blade contains an essential oil with active ingredients, which, released upon contact, damage, cleans the surrounding atmosphere. At the same time, there is a prevention of colds.
In the Callistomon tree, the crown develops very actively and the branches spread in different directions, creating a not very neat look. Therefore, callistemon is shown molding pruning.
The flowering of callistemon ends with the formation of spherical fruits compressed from the sides, similar to lignified capsules up to 7 mm in diameter. The fruits are located close to the shoots, like cone-shaped growths.
Kinds
Many types of callistemon are suitable for home breeding:
- formosa,
- willow,
- beautiful,
- bright red,
- citric,
- pine, pine,
- woven,
- rod-shaped,
- hard,
- citrus or lemon (varieties - Shining, White Anzac, Rowena's Estate, Little John, Reeves Pink, Burgundy).
Lighting and temperatures
Representatives of the Mirtovs love the light bright enough. Lighting is the main requirement of callistemon. In summer, callistemon, like no one else, perceives even the direct rays of the sun well, if it has previously been gradually adapted to them. South windows are an ideal place for callistemon. With a small amount of light and not cold wintering, callistemon will not bloom or the color will be pale.
A dense neighborhood for callistemon has a bad effect on its development.
The warm season is maintained for callistemon temperatures in the region of 20–22 ° C, then gradually moving to winter temperatures up to 8-10 ° C. A greenhouse or an insulated veranda with lighting is well suited for wintering.
Watering and humidity
Callistemon should be watered regularly, drying out, waterlogging and acidification of the soil is unacceptable. This threatens not only with dry leaves, but also with deformation of the shoots.
They take water room temperature settled without chlorine elements.
Trimming and pinching
Callistemon pruning is indicated immediately after flowering for plants older than one year, usually in early spring with the appearance of cone-shaped fruits with seeds. After the procedure, branching is stimulated in callistemon, the crown becomes more magnificent, the next flowering will also be more active and larger.
When the seedling reaches a height of 50 cm and has several branches, pinch the central stem.
After these procedures, the cuttings are taken for plant propagation or for medicinal purposes, for the preparation of decoctions for external use.
Soil and transplant
The soil for callistemon is prepared loose, nutritious, slightly acidic with good drainage. Suitable ready-made composition for roses.
The substrate is put: peat, turf and sand. The pot of callistemon loves cramped.
If in the end the callistemon grows well, the crown is lush, the earth is chosen correctly.
An adult callistemon can renew the top layer of the earth.
top dressing
Spring, summer and autumn - the time of feeding callistemon complex fertilizers with a small amount of phosphorus, which are purchased in stores for flowering indoor plants heather and azaleas.
reproduction
Seeds and cuttings - material for propagation of callistemon.
Seeds from August to March are laid out on a substrate, covered with glass. In about a month, the first shoots will appear. With two leaves, callistemon can be transplanted into place.
Cuttings of 5-10 cm with 3-4 internodes are treated with root stimulators and placed in heated mini-greenhouses in water. The leaves are half removed. After two months, roots will appear, it can be transplanted.
Diseases and pests
Callistemon is resistant to diseases, subject to the recommendations for its care.
Pests: spider mite, scale insect, mealybug.
Callistemon or beautiful stamen (Callistemon) belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Homeland - Australia, New Zealand.
because of unusual look flowers, there are also such names as "Bengali candles" or "multistachinochnik".
Callistemon - evergreen shrub with narrow leathery leaves and long (up to 10-12 cm) numerous inflorescences that appear red, rarely yellow due to their brightly colored stamens.
There are also tree-like species that are well suited for growing in the garden.
Indoor callistemon- This is a low plant, but in natural conditions, as well as in the garden, it can reach from 0.5 to 15 m in height.
This flower has branched shoots that form a lush, but very uneven crown.
Side branches can stick out in all directions or even lie on the ground. The leaves of the plant are petiolate, pointed, on the back they have a slight pubescence. The central vein is clearly visible on them. They are attached to the shoots alternately, one after another.
Leaflets have salient feature- on their surface there are veins capable of releasing essential oils.
Callistemon- an unusual flower, the main advantage of which is an unusual type of inflorescence, composed of many small oblong hairs with small, pea-like endings. Each stamen can be 2 to 5 cm in size.
The inflorescences are collected in spikes and resemble a bottle brush. Blooms in June - July. At the beginning of autumn, a kind of fruit ripens - spherical boxes with seeds with a diameter of 5 - 7 cm.
Callistemon lemon and willow
The most popular include:
Callistemon willow-shaped (C. salignus);
Callistemon lemon yellow (C. citrinus) - filaments red, anthers crimson;
Callistemon is beautiful (C. speciosus).
Callistemon lemon (Callistemon citrinus). This type of callistemon got its name because of the lemon smell, pronounced and well spreading. The plant releases its fragrance when the leaves are crushed. This flower can be both shrubby and tree-like. In the second case, it is a tree 2–4 m in height and with a crown width of 2–3 m.
As you can see from the photo, the flowers of this type of callistemon usually have a red color and leathery xiphoid leaves, the size of which varies depending on the variety. There are varieties with different flower colors.
Callistemon "Lilac Mist" (Mauve Mist).
The photo shows that the description of this variety of callistemon is somewhat different from all other varieties due to its color.
inflorescences given plant have a delicate pinkish or lilac color. Also, a feature of the variety is its small growth - the flower reaches only 30 - 40 cm in height. It is preferably a house plant.
Callistemon "White Anzac" (White Anzac).
The photo shows a variety of lemon callistemon, which is distinguished by a snow-white color of fluffy inflorescences and not very long leaves.
it undersized plant. At home, this callistemon feels great, but it can also become good decoration for the spring garden.
Callistemon "Demens Rowena". Scarlet staminate flowers bloom on a shrub up to 1.5 m high, gradually they become lighter and by the time they wither they are painted in a pale pink hue.
How to grow callistemon at home: care rules
Callistemon - photophilous plant. Good lighting is one of the basic rules good care for callistemon when grown at home. This flower must be placed exclusively on a sunlit windowsill. At a temperature not lower than 7 ° C, you can safely take the plant to Fresh air. If the sun is scorching outside, then it is advisable to put the flower under a small shelter so as not to damage it.
In winter, the optimum temperature is 5-10 °C. The temperature difference at different times of the year is necessary for abundant flowering. In spring and summer, the plant will decorate a warm, bright room. In the warm season, the flower will feel best at a moderate temperature - not higher than 25 and not lower than 22 ° C. In autumn, the air temperature begins to drop to 12-16 °C. In order for the crown to form correctly, it is important from time to time to turn the bush towards the sun with the previously unlit side. Otherwise, the branches will stretch in one direction, and the plant will lose its decorative appearance. AT winter time year, in conditions of short daylight hours, this flower needs additional lighting. Lamps daylight should be placed at a height of 60 - 75 cm above the shrub.
Does not require high humidity. Dislikes stuffy rooms. However, in conditions of too dry air, it can be affected by spider mites.
Does not apply to the composition of the soil special requirements prefers slightly acidic moist substrates with good drainage. The substrate is prepared from humus, coarse sand and high-moor peat (1:1:1).
In order to grow a healthy callistemon, as is the case with most other plants, you must strictly follow the rules for caring for this flower. Otherwise, he may get sick.
From spring to late autumn abundant watering with soft water is necessary, in winter - moderate. The plant is very picky in the warm season. Do not allow the substrate to dry out, as this will lead to wilting of the leaves. At the same time, it is important to ensure that no water remains in the pan, which will certainly lead to rotting of the root system.
In spring and summer, top dressing is carried out with a complete mineral fertilizer. It is important to ensure that the fertilizer does not have a high concentration of phosphorus, as this can lead to increased growth and so quite tall plant, which will also harm flowering.
Plant transplantation is carried out in early spring once every 1 to 2 years. The reason for this frequent procedure is that root system This flower loves narrow pots, so it very quickly completely wraps around an earthen clod.
If you want to slow down the growth of callistemon, you must cancel the landing in new pot every year, thanks to which the root system has the opportunity to develop and the plant becomes taller. Instead, it is necessary to partial replacement soil from the pot to a new one.
Planting and pruning callistemon shrubs when leaving in the open field
You can plant an adult callistemon in open ground, caring for it will then become a little easier, since it will not be necessary to constantly delay the violent growth of the plant. However, in this case, it is important to choose a good location without drafts and with good lighting. In very hot periods of summer, the shrub will need to make shelters from the sun and occasionally spray the leaves with soft water. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to pour good drainage, which will allow excess moisture not to stagnate.
Callistemon is a type of plant that needs constant pruning to keep it neat. decorative look. It is carried out immediately after flowering in order not to tire the bush with the formation of seeds, if this is not necessary.
This action will also provide abundant flowering next time, as pruning encourages branching. However, you should not prune too late, as this can damage the plant and subsequently it will stop flowering. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to regulate the growth of callistemon and not allow it to grow very much. Segments of shoots remaining after pruning can be put on cuttings or used in medicinal purposes- A decoction of the leaves is used externally for skin problems.
Propagation of callistemon by cuttings and seeds
Easily propagated by seeds and apical cuttings (in August) at a temperature of 20-25 °C.
If desired, reproduction of callistemon can be carried out using the cuttings obtained during pruning, without applying much effort. The cuttings should be semi-lignified, so they will take root better. The size of the cuttings should be at least 5 - 7 cm. It is necessary to root the seedlings in wet sand covered with a jar - this will create greenhouse conditions. To comply optimum temperature soil vessel with cuttings can be placed on warm battery. Seedlings need to be constantly ventilated and watered with settled water.
Under such conditions, the first sprouts appear after 2-3 weeks. After they reach a height of 3 cm, it is necessary to plant callistemon in a pot, after which care must be carried out similar to caring for an adult plant. However, it is still desirable to water young plants a little more often, but not as plentifully as adults. Pots for planting should immediately choose a medium size. The plant develops rather slowly. It grows only 4 - 5 cm per year. Therefore, you should not wait early flowering young bush - usually callistemon blooms 4 - 5 years after planting.
If desired, callistemon can be grown from seeds, as this method is easy to carry out and has a short waiting time for sprouts. Seeds are sown shallow in the ground, as it is difficult for sprouts to break through big ball earth. After planting the seeds, it is necessary to cover the container with glass or wrap it with cling film to create a greenhouse effect.
The vessel must be left in a warm, well-lit place. It would be nice if a small part of the day on the soil with seeds will fall Sun rays. Sprouts need to be watered 2 times a day. It is best to propagate by seeds from March to August. After planting in the first pot, the plant needs at least 6 months to take root well and gain strength. After this period, the bush can be transplanted into open ground or a new pot, if there is a desire to grow callistemon in a room.
Callistemon is an exotic shrub from the Myrtaceae family. Its amazing inflorescences, consisting of many long stamens, form unusual brushes at the ends of the shoots. For this, callistemon can often be found under the names "Bengal candles" or "multi-stamen". Exotic bushes are good both in the garden and indoors. In summer, they decorate terraces or balconies, and take them into the house for the winter. It is not difficult to take care of the plant, so even a novice florist will be able to please himself with tropical exotics. In addition, callistemon releases phytoncides, which prevent the spread of pathogenic microbes in the air.
Botanical characteristics
Callistemon is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees. In nature, their height is 0.5-15 m. Domestic specimens are more modest in size. Shoots branch from the base and form a dense, but rather uneven crown. Lateral processes stick out in all directions. They are covered with short petiolate leaves with a leathery surface and a slight pubescence on the back. Lanceolate leaf plates with a pointed edge are attached to the shoots in turn, they clearly show the relief central vein. The surface of the foliage contains small glands that secrete essential oils.
In May-July, spike-shaped inflorescences bloom at the ends of the shoots. Like most myrtle flowers, the flowers do not have petals, but contain numerous bunches of long stamens. Most often they are painted red, but there are varieties with orange, yellow and white inflorescences. The length of the inflorescence, similar to a brush, is 5-12 cm, and the width is 3-6 cm.
Callistemon is pollinated by small birds. After that, in early autumn, fruits ripen - spherical seed pods. They are covered with a dense woody shell. In a capsule with a diameter of 5-7 cm are small brown seeds.
Types of callistemon
The genus Callistemon includes 37 plant species. The most popular in our country received callistemon lemon or citrus. It is named so for the aroma that the crushed leaves exude. The species is native to Southeast Australia. Spreading bush 1-3 m in height is covered with dark green bluish leaves of a lanceolate shape. The length of the leaf plate is 3-7 cm, and the width is 5-8 mm. Flowering occurs in June-July. At the ends of one-year-old shoots, dense crimson-red inflorescences bloom 6-10 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. Popular varieties:
- White Anzac - a bush up to 1.5 m high blooms with snow-white inflorescences;
- Reeves pink - has bright pink flowers;
- Demens Rowena - scarlet staminate flowers bloom on a shrub up to 1.5 m high, they gradually become lighter and are painted in a pale pink hue by the time they wither;
- Mauve mist - different purple inflorescences.
Trees 4-8 m high can be found in England. The branches are covered with oval narrow leaves with an elongated base. The length of dense leathery foliage is 3-7 cm. In June, dense inflorescences 4-10 cm long bloom. Scarlet stamens have darker, burgundy anthers.
A shrub-shaped plant up to 3 mm high has a very narrow leaves. Outwardly, they are more like needles. Dark green bluish leaves up to 3 cm wide do not exceed 1.5 mm. The foliage is collected in whorls at the ends of young branches. Cylindrical inflorescences with golden yellow stamens bloom in June-July.
reproduction
Callistemon is propagated by sowing seeds and cuttings. They start growing it from seeds in August-March. Seeds without prior preparation are sown on the surface of wet sandy-peat soil. The container should be covered with a film, aired daily and sprayed on the ground as needed. Shoots appear within a month, after which the film is removed. When the seedlings grow two true leaves, they dive into separate small pots. Plants develop slowly and bloom for 5-6 years.
A more convenient method of propagation of callistemon is cuttings. You must wait until mature plant will develop well and it will have lateral processes 7-12 cm long. Cuttings with 3-4 internodes are cut. The lower cut is treated with phytohormones for root development. They are planted in pots with sand or sandy-peat soil. Seedlings are covered with a cap, but aired daily. Heating the soil can speed up rooting. Within two months, about half of the cuttings take root.
Home care
Caring for callistemons is not difficult, they are quite undemanding plants. However, they need to create specific conditions. Callistemon needs bright lighting. Several hours a day, direct sunlight should touch its foliage. In a hot room in the summer, it is better to shade the bushes from the midday sun or take them out into the fresh air. may be needed in winter additional illumination. When too low light flower buds may not form at all.
The optimum average annual air temperature is +20…+22°C. In autumn, it is lowered to + 12 ... + 16 ° C. If callistemons are put outside, then when the temperature drops to + 5 ° C, it's time to bring the plants into the house. Winter cooling is necessary for laying flower buds.
Callistemon should be watered regularly. Like all tropical plants, it does not respond well to the drying of the soil. Shoots quickly begin to slow down in growth and become bare. Water stagnation should not be allowed, as it leads to rotting of the roots. For irrigation, take well-purified water, slightly warmer than room temperature.
Callistemon leaves are covered with a thin wax coating, so they evaporate moisture weakly. This means that it is not necessary to artificially increase the humidity of the air. And yet, callistemon gratefully responds to periodic spraying and bathing. The procedure should be carried out before or after the flowering period.
In April-September, callistemon is fed mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. Top dressing diluted in water is applied to the soil twice a month.
Since the bush forms a lot of protruding side shoots, it should be cut to form a crown. Also pruning promotes branching and more lush bloom in the next season. It is carried out when the plant reaches a height of 50-60 cm. best time is the end of summer, immediately after flowering.
Callistemon is transplanted every 1-3 years in the spring. Use stable and deep pots in which the root system can develop freely. Plants prefer loose, light soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. The soil mixture should contain turf soil, leaf soil, peat and sand. You can also buy universal ground in the store for indoor flowers. Clay shards or expanded clay are preliminarily laid out at the bottom of the pot to ensure drainage. When transplanting from the roots, at least half of the old earthy coma should be cleaned off.
Bright callistemon bushes will enliven the interior of the room and decorate summer garden. Essential oils, which exude leaves, purify the air, and also contribute to the improvement of the household. They have bactericidal properties.
Some flower growers argue that the presence of callistemon in the house increases the self-esteem of the owner and contributes to the firmness of his character. This plant is simply necessary for insecure and doubting individuals.
