- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Is shamflower poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply shamflower
- shamflower in the pot
- balcony
- In the greenhouse
- Water the shamrock
- Fertilize shamflower properly
- Cut shamflower correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- pests
- sorts
Pubic flowers are known under the name sensual flowers. The exotic plants radiate a special charm when they are in bloom. But the plants require a little more attention, because only optimal site conditions and care measures ensure a year-round bloom.
We only keep the shamflower as a houseplant
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Is shamflower poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply shamflower
- shamflower in the pot
- balcony
- In the greenhouse
- Water the shamrock
- Fertilize shamflower properly
- Cut shamflower correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- pests
- sorts
- Cultivate shamflower in room showcase
- alternatively place in a closed flower window
- grow in the mini greenhouse on the east or west window
- cold water harms the plants
- always use water at room temperature
- water and spray with soft or stale water
- filtered rainwater is ideal
- Aeschynanthus bracteatus: Climbing or hanging growth, leaves up to ten centimeters long. Flowers tinged scarlet, in clusters.
- Aeschynanthus longicaulis: Semi-creeping habit, leaves eight centimeters long, dark green. One to three flowers, orange-red. Shoots up to 90 centimeters long.
- Aeschynanthus marmoratus: Creeping perennial. Leaves glow green with dark marbling, underneath reddish shimmer. Flowers greenish-yellow with a brownish throat. Shoots up to 90 centimeters long.
- Aeschynanthus radicans: At first upright, later overhanging shoots, woody. Leaves dark green, shiny. Flowers bright red with a cream stripe in the centre. Chalice black-red…
origin
Pubic flowers represent the genus Aeschynanthus, which belongs to the Gesneria family. It includes between 140 and 185 species, mainly found in southern and southeastern Asia and Oceania. Here the plants grow in the humid rain forests. Since botanists are constantly discovering new shamflowers or classifying them in other genus, the number of species fluctuates. In indoor culture, the species Aeschynanthus radicans and Aeschynanthus x splendidus are important.
growth
The herbaceous or shrubby plants wash persistently and are mostly evergreen. There are two species within the genus that store water with their thickened plant parts. The shoots are mostly hanging and rarely upright or climbing. The shoot axis can be branched or unbranched and grow up to 60 centimeters long. In their natural range, shamflowers rarely grow rooted in the ground. Most species are epiphytes that grow on other trees or on stones and rocks.
leaves
Pubic flowers develop opposite or whorled leaves, which consist of a stem and a blade. The shape of the leaf blade differs depending on the species. There are narrow, ovate or rounded leaves with a wedge-shaped, rounded or narrowed base. The leaves are soft-leaved or thick, downy hairy or glabrous. Aeschynanthus longicaulis develops marbled, green-white leaves.
blossom
The flowers of the shamflower stand alone or in groups of ten at the end of a shoot axis. They are hermaphroditic and consist of five funnel-shaped fused petals. The corolla ends in two lips. The inside of the crown is slightly hairy or bare. The colored drawing inside the flower is typical for many species.
heyday
The main flowering period extends from June to September, with Aeschynanthus species developing flowers from spring to the winter months under optimal conditions. Ornamental plants with a bright red corolla and a dark purple calyx are typical. Aeschynanthus speciosus flowers orange-red, with the inside of the flower being orange-yellow.
fruit
After flowering, linear capsule fruits develop that protrude from the calyx. In some species, the fruits can be up to 50 centimeters long. They contain between one and 50 seeds. Pubic flowers are pollinated by birds. Therefore, species and varieties cultivated as houseplants only develop fruit through human intervention.
use
The ornamental flowering plants are used for indoor greening. They are not suitable for outdoor cultivation. Shamflowers thrive in planters that adorn conservatories and warm houses. Their growth form makes them ideal plants for hanging baskets.
Is shamflower poisonous?
Since there are different reports on the toxicity of shamrocks, you should cultivate the plant with caution in the children's room or on the cat's balcony. While some sources present the plants as harmless, there are other indications of mild toxicity.
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Which location is suitable?
The right location provides the plants with sufficient light. Pubic flowers do not tolerate direct sunlight. A place at the east or west window does not cause any problems for the plants. A few hours of sunshine in the morning or evening are not a problem.
humidity
Shamflowers require high humidity. Place the planter in a planter, the bottom of which has been filled with pebbles. Pour some water into the planter. When it evaporates, it improves the microclimate. In addition, you should spray the plant with water every day.
How to ensure an optimal microclimate:
What soil does the plant need?
Plant shamrocks in a slightly acidic substrate with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. You can use commercially available compost-based potting soil. With sand you improve the permeability of the substrate, because the plants prefer loose and coarse-fibrous soil. Mix in some clay soil.
multiply shamflower
Aeschynanthus species are propagated via head and shoot cuttings, which can be cut all year round. Cut off ten centimeter long shoots and remove the bottom pair of leaves. In a mixture of equal parts peat and sand, the cutting forms roots in a suitable location. This should be out of the direct sun and ensure a temperature between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Uniformly high air and soil moisture is the prerequisite for successful root formation. A fresh leaf shoot indicates that roots have developed. After another one to two weeks, the young plants can be pricked out or planted in groups of ten to 15 in a hanging basket (€11.99).
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shamflower in the pot
Pots made from natural materials are ideal for cultivating shamrocks. Clay, stone or terracotta have a porous structure that absorbs the irrigation water. In this way, the pots ensure a natural regulation of soil moisture. Excess water is removed from the substrate and directed to the outside. If it evaporates on the outside, the humidity will automatically increase. The pot should have several drainage holes so that no irrigation water collects on the bottom of the pot.
balcony
During the summer months, the shamflower enjoys an outdoor space, provided it is well shaded. The exotic plant does not tolerate the harsh midday sun. Place the pot on the balcony when the night-time temperatures no longer drop below 15 degrees Celsius. A high level of humidity should continue to be guaranteed.
In the greenhouse
The mini greenhouse for the windowsill ensures a humid and warm microclimate and is therefore perfect for the cultivation of shamrocks. Place a bowl on the floor that is always filled with water. With warm temperatures, the water evaporates and ensures high humidity. Regular ventilation units should be the order of the day so that mold spores do not have a chance to settle.
Water the shamrock
From spring to autumn, shamflowers have a moderate water requirement. Make sure you water it evenly and sparingly so that the root ball does not dry out between waterings. When the shamrock is in full bloom, you can increase the watering rate. The substrate is kept drier from October to March, so that bud formation is stimulated.
Good to know:
Fertilize shamflower properly
During the growing season you can fertilize the shamflower every two weeks. Use a liquid complete fertilizer that you give in a weakly concentrated form over the irrigation water. If the plant is in the dormant phase, one or two fertilizer applications are sufficient.
Cut shamflower correctly
In early spring, before the growing season begins, the shamflower can be pruned. Shorten shoots that have grown too long by two thirds. Non-lignified shoots are cut off with a clean and sharp knife, while pruning shears are suitable for lignified shoots. If you don't cut back the plant, it will grow more and more sprawling. Over the years, shamflowers become more and more beautiful.
How do I plant correctly?
Shamflowers should be repotted in early spring or in the fall after flowering. The plant is extremely sensitive to changing conditions. If you repot just before or during flowering, shamrocks will suddenly shed their blooms.
Once the root ball takes up the entire pot or roots are growing out of the drainage holes, the plants will need a larger pot. Gently tap the root ball onto a pad to loosen all the remains of the substrate. Dead roots are removed. You can prune live roots to get a balance between leaf mass and root ball. This measure is recommended if you want to continue using the old pot. After repotting, protect the shamflower from the sun for the next two to three weeks.
hibernate
In a greenhouse with conditions that remain the same all year round, shamflowers do not rest. As the supply of light dwindles, growth slows noticeably. To stimulate flowering, you should keep the plant at temperatures between twelve and 15 degrees Celsius and keep it as dry as possible.
pests
Various pests occur on shamrocks, which preferably spread in winter and spring under suboptimal site conditions.
aphids
Occasionally, shamflowers are attacked by aphids in spring and early summer. They multiply en masse within a very short time, because the females do not need a male mate to reproduce. Weakened and over-fertilized plants are attacked more often.
spider mites
If you see fine cobwebs between the leaves, this indicates a spider mite infestation. They prefer to sit on the underside of the leaf and suck plant sap from the veins near the leaf veins. Initially, small spots are noticeable on the leaves. If the infestation is severe, the leaves die off.
thrips
They are among the rarer pests on shamrocks, causing growth disorders and leaf loss. Known as blister feet, the pests thrive in dry and warm conditions, often found in winter quarters.
tips
Get test strips from your pharmacy or garden center that you can use to measure the pH of the soil. The value is essential for healthy growth.