Description
Translated from Greek, kufeya means “crooked”; it is believed that the plant got this name because of the fruits, which have a curved shape. Kufeya is a compact ornamental plant. It owes this to its strong stem, to which many small leaves are attached; they have an oblong and solid shape, and their tops are pointed towards the edge. The flowering period of kufei is considered to be the beginning of the spring season, and it lasts until mid-autumn. The gaps between the leaves are filled with gorgeous inflorescences, which give a special charm to the plant. Basically, the flower cup consists of 6 petals and has a porous structure. The color range of flowers is quite varied. Most varieties of kufei are not replete with contrasting shades, but, on the contrary, are painted in delicate tones.
The culture is ideal for planting in open ground and looks good as a houseplant. Kufeya is usually cultivated as an annual plant when it comes to planting in the garden. The plant can survive the winter season only if it grows in the southern part of Russia. Some varieties of flowers can withstand up to 12 degrees below zero. It can be grown indoors for several years. The main difficulty in growing such flowers in our area seems to be the heat-loving nature of kufei. It is best to grow them in flowerpots or any other containers.
In the warm season, such a plant can be used to decorate a garden or balcony, and with the onset of cold weather, it can be placed again in a warm indoor environment.
Botanical description
Cuphea or Japanese myrtle is an annual and perennial herbaceous plant, as well as shrubs, belonging to the family Derbennikov. In the natural environment, these interesting and unusual plants are common in temperate, tropical and subtropical climate zones of America (southern and central parts).
The name of the plant comes from the Greek word “kyphos”, which means “crooked, bent”. After the end of flowering, curved fruits are set; most likely, the name of the plant was given due to this.
Kufei has a compact appearance. The stems are erect, dotted with small oblong leaves with entire edges and sharp tips.
When does kufeya bloom?
The flowering period of kufei is long: it begins in early spring and lasts until October. There are as many inflorescences as there are leaves, but they do not compete with each other, but only complement each other, the bush becomes exquisite and very elegant.
The flowers are tubular in shape, with six petals in almost all species (the upper two petals are usually larger in size). Modest flowers can be white, pink, lilac, red. It’s as if nature specially created kufeya for lovers of meditation - the plant does not have huge inflorescences or “screaming” forms; admiring the plant, the soul is filled with peace and tranquility. By the way, the stems of the plant are a little sticky; if you plant tall bushes around the perimeter of the plot, you will protect your yard from the unceremonious invasion of your neighbor’s pets.
Frost resistance of kufei
Kufeya is simultaneously among the indoor and garden plants. In the conditions of central Russia, annual species and varieties are grown seasonally in open ground, and perennials are cultivated as indoor plants. Flowerpots with flowering bushes become decorations for the garden, veranda, and balcony during the warm season. In October, bring the containers with the plant into a cool but closed room, and when frost sets in, return them to their usual place (in the room). Kufeya is capable of wintering in open ground only in the southern regions of the country. The most frost-resistant varieties can withstand a maximum of 12°C below zero.
Even in its homeland, kufeya became popular in gardening some 15 years ago. In Arizona, in the late 80s, active work began on breeding new interspecific hybrids, but the results of their work have not yet reached European countries. Growing kufeya is not difficult, but due to its heat-loving nature, it has its own difficulties.
Useful properties of the plant
In America, annual kufei are grown on an industrial scale. The seeds are processed to produce fatty acids, including laurel. These substances are used in the production of shampoo and other household chemical products.
At the energetic level, the plant helps bring people closer together - pretty bushes are often placed in offices and meeting rooms. If you grow kufeya in a living room, the plant “shares” its vigor and creates a favorable atmosphere in general.
Hello, dear readers! It's time for us to think about what other interesting plant to plant on the site. I really liked the kufeya.
Of Mexico's 250 wild cufeys, some are perennials and some are annual flowering plants. The name is translated from Greek as “crooked”. The flower received this name because of the curved shape of the fruit. At the same time, it is also called the cigarette tree because its flowers resemble a burning cigarette. The plant is beautiful, and the signs don’t say anything bad about it.
Outwardly, this unpretentious plant looks amazing, so it is not surprising that people have long grown it in gardens, flower beds, terraces and indoors. Despite the abundance of wild varieties, breeders are tirelessly developing new types of kufei, the care of which at home is simplified.
In our open spaces, annual varieties of kufei are mainly planted. This is due to harsh winters. Only in the southern regions of Russia do perennial kufei varieties develop normally and delight people with their flowers from late March to mid-September. Landscape designers could not help but notice such an infrequent feature. They actively use planting plants, which are easy to care for, in open ground in their projects.
Content
- Some popular types
- Breeding kufei
- Basic rules of care
- Some tips
Types and popular varieties
We present to your attention a list of the most popular varieties of kufei.
Kufeya issopolis
The plant came to us from distant Mexico. Due to its natural habitat, kufei is a very heat-loving plant. The advantage is that rain does not pose much of a threat to the plant. Kufeya also easily withstands gusts of wind. This ornamental crop is quite compact in shape and is usually cultivated in the form of small bushes.
The height of representatives of the issopolous kufei does not exceed 50 centimeters. The shoots are very branched and twisting. Usually grown indoors. The leaves on the stems are placed in the opposite order and appear in the form of small petioles. The lanceolate leaves are green. The flowers are small in size and grow in the axillary part of the leaves. The petals are painted in various shades of delicate tones.
Kufeya fiery red
Representatives of this species can reach a maximum height of 40 centimeters. The lanceolate leaves of the shrub have an oblong shape, can reach 5 centimeters in length, and their width can be 2-3 centimeters. In the arrangement of leaves on the shoots, the plant has the same order as the previous variety of kufei. They are painted dark green. The flowers of this kufei are small in size, their maximum diameter reaches three centimeters.
The plant owes its name to the color of the petals of the bud. They have a fiery red color, their curved part is painted soft purple.
Llavey
Like many representatives of this species, Laveya loves sunlight very much. It can even grow in deserts, as it does not require constant moisture and adapts perfectly to arid regions. The origin of this species is natural, unlike many other representatives of kufei. The height of the bushes can be on average 30 centimeters.
Kufei leaves have an elongated shape and are painted in dark tones of green. The edges of the leaves are decorated with small white fibers. The buds are considered large; the length of one flower can be 2.5 centimeters. The flowers are painted a rich red color, and the curved edges have a purple tint.
Kufeya Gelya
This variety belongs to the fiery red variety. External data attracts many gardeners.
In a container, this plant grows beautifully and decorates balconies, loggias, offices and other rooms. Not only in containers, but also in flower beds, the kufeya variety Gel feels great. The plant can be planted in personal plots; it is usually used to decorate borders.
Kufeya Dynamite
Kufea Dynamite is a variety of hyssopolis kufea. This bush can be easily shaped by pruning to create the desired shape. For this reason, in addition to growing in containers, they prefer to plant the plant in open ground.
Abundant flowering in the warm season can truly decorate any, even the most unattractive, area. The shrub prefers warm weather, but winds and rains are not particularly scary for it.
Water kufeya
An aquarium plant, its maintenance is even simpler.
Micropetal
The height of this type of kufei is 30-40 cm. It has bright green narrow leaves and flowers of a red-yellow hue. In the West, the name of this plant is translated as “candy corn . And this is not surprising, because the flowers resemble the famous Candy Corn candies, which are shaped like corn kernels.
If the plant is planted in open ground, it will reach an average height of 1 meter. Thanks to its bright red large flowers and strong shoots, the micropetal kufeya looks quite impressive in the garden.
Pale
The variety may have flower corollas of white, pink or lilac. Plant the plant in the most wind-protected place in the garden or on the balcony if it faces south.
Kufeya prostrate
A very beautiful plant. But, alas, it is somewhat less common. For some unknown reason, seeds of this species are rarely found on sale. But if you are lucky enough to find them, you can count on a good and friendly similarity. Pretty soon you will get a nice small (up to half a meter tall) bush with a lush green crown, dotted with white, lilac or purple flowers.
Lanceolate
The bush reaches a height of 0.9 meters. The flowers are beautifully tubular in shape and dark purple in color. Flowering continues in summer and autumn. Reproduction in kufei occurs through seeds. In the photo below is the Kufeya Lanceolate variety:
Sriracha
Typically, these representatives are colored in delicate colors, such as pink, raspberry or lilac. Representatives of this variety love high temperatures. Hybrids of such kufei are considered quite young varieties. Grows effectively at temperatures above +20 degrees. But cool summers won't be a big problem for flowers. The size of the bushes to some extent depends on the growing area, but on average they can reach 30 centimeters in height.
Unlike its relatives, the appearance of the plant is not curved; on the contrary, this kufeya is erect.
Winter maintenance of kufei
Plants are often discarded in the fall and grown again from seeds in the spring. However, you can save individual specimens for spring cuttings; this is advisable for fiery red and issopolis kufei. It is better to re-grow Kufei Llava from seeds.
In autumn, plants are cut and planted in pots. For planting, a peat mixture for potted plants with the addition of chopped sphagnum is ideal.
Winter conditions are a bright, cool room with a temperature of +15...+16°C (but not lower than +5°C) with limited watering.
Fire red cuphea (Cuphea ignea)
Kufeya care at home
Soil for growing in a pot
Peat, leaf humus, turf soil. Add coarse sand to improve drainage.
Lighting
In order for a bush to grow normally and bloom beautifully, it needs proper lighting. If there is insufficient light, the kufei shoots will become thinner and the plant will stop blooming.
The flower will feel best on a southwest or southeast window . If you place it on the south side, the rim of the leaves will acquire a fiery red hue. To prevent this, the plant needs to be shaded from the bright rays of the sun during the day.
Humidity and watering
When growing a plant in a room, it requires high air humidity - 65% or more. This helps the bush feel like it’s in the tropics, and also prevents possible diseases and pest damage. To create the desired atmosphere in a room, the humidity must be increased artificially.
To do this, the kufeya must be sprayed. In summer, this is done every other day, and after spraying, the pot with the bush must be shaded from the bright sun in order to prevent burns.
During the heating season, the flower should be placed as far as possible from the radiator , placing it on a tray with wet pebbles. You need to place an open bowl of water nearby. When caring for kufeya at home, it is important to constantly check the soil - it should not dry out. In summer, the flower is watered abundantly every 4 days, making sure that the remaining moisture pours out through the drainage holes.
It is worth remembering that stagnation of moisture can cause rotting of the rhizome. This can be prevented by properly making a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot and adding components to the soil that can loosen it (brick chips, vermiculite and others). In autumn, the number of waterings is reduced, and in winter, watering is done no more than once every 10 days.
For irrigation, always use settled warm water. To retain moisture, the area around the roots is mulched with sphagnum or coconut substrate.
Spraying
It can tolerate fairly dry air, but when central heating is turned on in the premises, it is better to increase the air humidity. Place the plant on a tray with a grid, the bottom of which is filled with water. Make sure that the bottom of the pot does not come into contact with water. Use a room humidifier or mist the plant's leaves with soft water at room temperature in the morning. Keep the plant away from doorways where it may be exposed to cold drafts.
Temperature
If kufeya grows in a room, you need to remember that it is heat-loving. In order for the bush to always look beautiful and bloom for a long time, it is necessary to maintain the correct temperature regime. In cold weather, you should not allow the temperature to drop below +12°C, but the plant feels best at 18°C. In summer, the optimal temperature for kufei is +23-25°C.
If the plant succumbs to temperature changes or frequent drafts, the kufeya will begin to quickly lose leaves.
In summer, the flower is taken out into the garden or placed on the balcony ( it is important to protect the kufeya from the wind ). In the room, place the container with kufeya away from the air conditioner and an open window.
Transfer
Young bushes need to be replanted every spring, while older ones need to be replanted as needed (about once every 2-3 years, when the roots completely entangle the clod of earth). The main thing is to choose the right pot for the flower, which is the key to long and abundant flowering. When replanting, the size of the pot is increased by 3 cm each time , and it is believed that the maximum volume of the container should be 25 cm.
If the pot of the kufei is slightly cramped, it blooms more luxuriantly.
At the bottom of the pot, be sure to make containers for drainage of water - this will help avoid rotting of the root system.
A layer of drainage (preferably thick) is placed at the bottom of a container suitable for replanting, on top of which fresh soil mixture is poured. Place the plant there and gradually add soil to the rhizome, pressing it lightly. Then the kufeya should be watered with settled water and covered with soil again, trying not to make the growing point deeper. After transplantation, the bush is shaded for 3-5 days so that it adapts to the changed conditions. The first feeding can be done after 14 days.
Top dressing
Periodic feeding of the bush contributes to the beautiful flowering of kufei. To do this, once every 14 days, from spring to autumn, use a complex fertilizer intended for house flowers, which contains potassium and phosphorus.
The fertilizer must be diluted according to the instructions and then applied after watering. Then the kufeya needs to be shaded for 1-2 days.
Rest period
To recuperate after a long flowering period, the plant requires a period of rest, lasting from early November to early March. During this time, the pot of kufeya should be kept in the cold and rarely watered.
The plant cannot be fed during this period, as the kufeya will completely exhaust its strength.
Pruning kufei
Pruning must be done every spring. At this time, it will be possible to give the crown a good shape and the desired size.
- The fiery red kufeya needs to be pruned so as to shorten only the long branched shoots.
- Kufeya hyssopolis will have to be shaped much more carefully to make an attractive crown.
In the last days of March, 2/3 of the shoots should be removed, this is how growth and vegetation are stimulated.
Formed kufei bush
Basic rules of care
The optimal summer ambient temperature for growing kufei is between 18 and 25 degrees. In winter, perennial varieties require lower temperatures, from 12 to 15 degrees. The plant successfully tolerates colder conditions, but in this case it will bloom much later. There are several frost-resistant varieties that can withstand cold temperatures down to minus 12 degrees.
Kufeya develops well only in well-moistened soil. Water it generously, at least two to three times a week, and daily on very hot days. It is especially important to monitor soil moisture during the flowering period. If there is a lack of moisture, there will be fewer flowers on the bush and they will not be lush. The soil must be saturated with moisture so that the entire root system of the plant is in a moist environment. At the same time, the gel does not tolerate stagnation of water around its roots, which is saved by drainage.
In winter, reduce watering by three times. In any season, systematically spray the leaves and flowers of the cigarette tree with water. Its temperature should be the same as the ambient temperature.
Kufeya: planting and care in open ground
When it comes to planting in the garden, in Russia kufeya is usually cultivated as an annual plant. Because the roots can survive the winter season only if the temperature does not fall below -12 degrees. It is clear that the conditions of the Moscow region are in no way suitable for planting perennial varieties - winter will destroy the roots. But in the south of the country it is quite possible to try planting kufeya in the ground for several years.
- Choosing a landing site
When planning to grow kufeya in the garden, you need to choose an open, well-lit area. Unlike other ornamental crops, this flower tolerates direct sunlight.
- Planting in open ground
The plant is planted by transferring it into pre-prepared holes (humus must be added to them and dug well).
Allowable distance between individual bushes: at least 30 centimeters.
- Watering garden kufei
You need to make sure that the soil does not dry out.
The plant likes daily evening watering, when the sun is no longer hot, but has not yet set.
Attention! If you water flower bushes after sunset, rot may appear.
- Need for fertilizers
If, when planting a plant in open ground, organic matter was added to the soil, then fertilizing may no longer be carried out. If, for some reason, the planting holes were not properly prepared, then fertilizer will need to be added for abundant flowering.
A couple of weeks after planting, they are fed with nitrogen fertilizers. When the buds begin to form, it would be good to add phosphorus-potassium substances.
How does kufeya reproduce?
Kufeya propagates using cuttings and seeds. If any of the propagation methods has produced a strong and healthy plant, it can be safely planted in open ground.
Germination of seeds
Instructions for sowing seeds:
- The seeds of the plant are stiff and have poor germination. The seed material is laid out on the soil surface. You don’t need to cover them with soil, you can just press them a little into the ground.
- The containers must be covered with film and placed in a warm place.
- Abundant but infrequent watering is carried out.
- Picking should be carried out after the appearance of the fifth leaf.
Rooting cuttings
It is better to cut cuttings for propagation in late spring. They can be successfully rooted using phytolamps.
The main thing is that there are at least 2 nodes on the cutting. To begin with, the cuttings are planted in sand and the container is covered with film. Don't forget about watering.
After rooting, the cuttings can be safely planted in different containers.
Air layering
Those varieties of kufei that have air layering can be propagated with their help. To do this, it is important to cut off the desired area of the shoot, treat it, moisten it and wait until roots appear in this place.
The cuttings are cut at a distance of 1.5 cm below the cuff and planted in the substrate.
For reference: this method of propagation is practically not used for kufei.
Vegetative propagation of kufei
Kufeya is propagated vegetatively in several ways.
Cuttings
This method is mainly used. For rooting, cut apical cuttings 10-15 cm long in the spring, plant them in containers with a sand-peat mixture and root at a temperature of 18-20 °C. To speed up the process, cover the top with a glass jar or cut-off plastic bottle, and also maintain diffused lighting. The appearance of new leaves indicates that the cutting has taken root. After some time, transplant into a separate container, and transplantation into open ground can be done next spring.
Dividing the bush
This method is applicable to perennial, well-grown bushes. In the spring, dig up a bush, divide it into several full parts (each of them should contain part of the rhizome with growth buds and shoots). We plant the delenki in individual containers or plant them in open ground.
By layering
The method is applicable to kufeya, which is grown in open ground. It is necessary in the spring to bend the outermost shoot to the soil surface, cover it with soil (the top of the shoot should be above the surface) and water throughout the season. By autumn, a young sprout will appear, which should be separated next spring and planted separately.
Pests, diseases and possible problems
- Kufeya can be affected by aphids and spider mites. Treat it with an insecticide.
- The plant may rot if it is systematically overwatered.
- Leaves may fall if the kufeya is in a draft.
- Gray spots on the leaves may indicate the appearance of a fungus or gray rot - cut off the affected parts and treat the plant with a systemic fungicide.
- Kufeya is prone to chlorosis - if its leaves turn yellow but remain elastic, pour it with iron chelate, or even better, spray it over the leaves.
Difficulties in growing kufei
When growing this plant, problems can arise when the soil is flooded and there is high humidity, then dark spots appear on the stems and leaves, which are caused by gray rot or various fungal diseases. If such symptoms are noticed, then treatment with fungicidal preparations should be carried out. Among the pests that plague kufei are whiteflies, spider mites or aphids. If a pest is detected, the foliage should be sprayed with insecticidal agents. If the plant is exposed to a draft, this may cause leaf loss.
Some tips
- Fertilize the soil with organic fertilizers. In this case, the kufeya will reach its maximum size at the beginning of summer.
- Don't be afraid to trim your bushes regularly. This only makes it thicker and more magnificent. You can prune kufeya at any time of the year. Designers successfully use this and form intricate plots from the crowns of bushes.
- Plant the sprouts at a distance of at least 35 centimeters from each other.
- If dark spots suddenly appear on the leaves, then know that the roots are affected by a fungus. This happens due to excessive watering or prolonged rains. In this case, the plant can be saved by using fungicidal preparations. These products can also combat powdery mildew.
- Sometimes the cigarette tree is affected by spider mites, thrips and scale insects. You can get rid of spider mites using a soap solution. After removing the insect placenta, be sure to spray the bush generously with water. A solution of potassium soap or insecticides will help against scale insects and thrips.
- And finally, a very important tip. Under no circumstances should you plant kufeya in places where there are drafts. Under their influence, the plant sheds its leaves.
Problems during cultivation
If you are starting to grow kufei for the first time, you should pay attention to the difficulties that you may encounter.
Dropping leaves and buds
In most cases, this is a natural process, but it happens that the owner is to blame for dropping the buds, making mistakes in caring for the plant:
- excess or lack of moisture in the soil;
- finding a flower in a draft;
- prolonged high or low temperature.
All these reasons can lead to the loss of buds and leaves.
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The leaves are turning pale
With sharp changes in night and day temperatures, kufei leaves turn pale . The plant gives a similar reaction to drafts. Leaves may also turn pale on seedlings if they are transferred to open ground early.
The tips of the leaves dry out
The problem lies in low air humidity . When kept outdoors, it occurs during a period of long drought, and in indoor specimens it is associated with errors in care.
Pests
If the kufeya has stopped growing and its flowers are wilting, check to see if the plant has been attacked by a whitefly . Adult insects will circle around the flower, and a colony of larvae can be found on the underside of the leaves. The plant is immediately treated with Actellik or Intavir.
Yellow spots on the leaves and thin cobwebs on different parts of the plant indicate the appearance of a spider mite. They fight it by treating the plant with a solution of potassium soap or Aktara.
Thrips manifest themselves by deformation of the leaf plate and a silvery coating on it. A warm shower will help get rid of them.
Interesting facts about kufei
There are tropical varieties of kufei, which are grown only to obtain oil from the seed material, whose properties are very reminiscent of coconut or palm oil. The seeds are also used as a raw material for the production of laurel acid. Many other species are cultivated both because of their highly decorative appearance, and the plant also serves as an excellent honey plant. Kufei flowers can attract hummingbirds. There is a belief that if you place this flower indoors, it can unite people. It is often recommended to place a kufeya in office premises so that it helps employees establish contacts. In the house where this delicate plant blooms, there is always a sensitive atmosphere full of goodwill.
