The name Stefanotis is translated as “a wreath of pig ears” and these “pig ears” are the closest relatives of hoya. Many confuse them, although their similarity is partial, and lies in the fact that they are vines and their location on different types of supports. The leaves also have some similarities, but the flowers of Stephanotis are nothing like hoya flowers. They differ from each other in terms of care and maintenance.
It is impossible to find a plant intended for home ornamental cultivation without any difficulties. The same can be said about Stephanotis. Despite the fact that he does not require special care, he needs special conditions of detention, consisting in the availability of free space. If you have a small apartment, then you shouldn't count on the fact that the flower will develop normally and bloom. It can bloom if all the conditions for its development are linked together. Of course, such conditions can be created artificially, but it will be expensive.
If you have a large country house or a winter garden at your disposal, then this flower must certainly be got, as it is beautiful.
Content
Home care stephanotis
Lighting
It is believed that this flower loves a lot of light, but does not like direct sunlight. In fact, this is not the case, because if there is a lot of light, then it can stop developing. It is best if its location will be determined empirically by moving the flower from one window to another. By his appearance, it will be possible to immediately determine how comfortable he feels near this or that window. In any case, the flower and soil in the pot should not be allowed to overheat.
For normal development, in the winter, backlighting should be organized, then, next year, it will bloom strongly and profusely. As a backlight, you can use 30-watt fluorescent lamps, which are installed on the sides of the plant, at a distance of 20-25 cm. If it is concluded that Stephanatis has begun to release buds, then it is not recommended to move the plant anywhere, as he may “change his mind”.
Temperature
Stefanatis perfectly tolerates the temperature regime of modern apartments or private houses. In winter, the temperature for it can be lowered to + 12-16 ° C, but this is not necessary, especially since it is difficult to do this in an apartment, just as it is to find a suitable room. What he is most afraid of is sudden changes in temperature and drafts.In this regard, it should not be taken outside in the summer if the difference between night and day temperatures is significant. It might just kill the plant.
Watering and humidity
Stefanotis, like hoya prefer abundant watering, but rare. Before watering, make sure that the soil in the pot is slightly dry but dry. And yet, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
As for the humidity of the air, it must be maintained at a certain level. This is especially critical in winter, when the apartment is heated. During this period, Stephanotis needs to arrange a shower with warm water 2 times a day. The water temperature should be significant.
Top dressing
If the flower is regularly transplanted, then it is not necessary to specially feed it. If he did not transplant, then feeding will not hurt. Fertilizers should be applied from the moment the flower begins to actively develop. At the same time, you need to choose fertilizers with the presence of phosphorus in them in order to activate the flowering process. Fertilizers are applied after watering, not earlier than 2 hours later. Closer to autumn, from the second half of summer, feeding should be stopped.
Transfer
This is an equally important point in growing Stephanotis in a small space. As practice shows, this flower develops well in a fairly tight pot. He not only grows well, but also blooms beautifully, despite the fact that he is cramped in such a pot. We can safely say that you should not abuse transplants, and this should be done only in extreme cases, when the soil in the pot dries up. In this case, it needs to be transplanted into a more spacious pot, 1.5-2 cm larger than the previous one. After purchase, it must be transplanted, and you should buy a plant no more than half a meter high.
The transplant substrate can be prepared according to the following recipe:
- Garden land - 1 part.
- Peat - 1 part.
- Compost - 1 part.
- Coarse sand - 1 part.
The pot will go cramped with good drainage holes. The drainage should be about 20% of the pot height. At the same time, you should think about the support. It can have a different shape, depending on the wishes of the owner of the flower, while you must not forget that the plant is constantly growing. If the plant feels fine, then its growth can be at least one and a half meters.
Trimming and pinching
Stefanotis must be pruned every spring because the flowers on this plant are tied only on young shoots. To form the crown and the appearance of new shoots, pinching can be carried out. If a flower is constantly pinched in the summer, then its flowering period increases.
Reproduction of stephanotis
Propagation of stephanotis by cuttings
Stephanotis is best propagated by apical cuttings several internodes long, which can be obtained by pruning the plant in early spring. Get ready for the fact that the rooting of cuttings will last a long time, a month and a half. Before planting, the lower sections of the cuttings are treated with growth stimulants (root or epin), then they are immersed half the length in a container with a mixture of peat and sand, a greenhouse is built over the container and placed in a warm place protected from direct sunlight. The temperature for rooting should be 27-30 ºC, preferably using the bottom heating of the greenhouse. Daily airing of the cuttings is mandatory. When rooting occurs, cuttings are planted in several pieces in one container with nutritious loose soil and form as they grow, and when the shoots reach half a meter in length, they are cut by a third to enhance branching. Houseplant stephanotis
Reproduction of stephanotis by seeds
It is also possible, but it is a very long and difficult process, and most importantly, it rarely gives results. Stefanotis is generally difficult to reproduce at home, so it is better to use a more reliable method of reproduction - vegetative.
Pests
The main pest of stephanotis is spider mite, which may appear as a result of inadequate care, especially during periods when the heating is on and the air in the apartment is dry. Considering the fact that this plant needs to be sprayed at least 2 times a day, during this period, these recommendations should not be neglected. If the plant receives its dose of moisture, then the spider mite is unlikely to start. If you do not do this, do not spray the plant, then it will certainly appear, and if it does, then it will be very difficult to get rid of it.
In addition to the spider mite, other pests may appear, and since the plant is not small, it is better to treat it with a special preparation. Moreover, this should be done at the slightest suspicion of pests.
Stefanotis is also called Madagascar jasmine. To date, no more than 10 species of stephanotis are known. In nature, it can be found in China, Japan, Madagascar and the Malay Islands.
Stephanotis received the status of an indoor ornamental plant quite recently, therefore, most likely, difficulties with its cultivation are associated.
In the conditions of apartments, they grow mainly Stephanotis, which grows abundantly. He interested florists in the presence of beautiful white flowers that look like stars and have a pleasant aroma.
Flowers, depending on the species, can be, in addition to white, yellowish, lavender or cream. Flowering can last up to 10 months with proper care.
Stephanotis flowers are always present in many countries in the bride's bouquet.
Possible difficulties
Falling buds - drafts, lack of water.
Leaves turn yellow - watering with hard water. lack of light.
The plant does not bloom - poor lighting or a sharp decrease or increase in temperature.
Buds wither - insufficient watering.
