The flower of the cafeteria is a rather unusual garden plant, which attracts with interesting flowers in shape. Some even compare them with cigarettes, the culture itself is called the cigarette tree.
From the history of appearance
It is not known for certain how and when the cafeteria migrated from the expanses of America to European garden plots. Despite the fact that you can not find a grower who would not hear anything about the bush, the plant is still considered a rarity and a flower for collectors.
Koufey - a very unusual flower
Despite this, thanks to the development of the field of industrial floriculture and the introduction of fundamentally new techniques and techniques in breeding, the popularity of cafes is growing. So, for example, recently there has been a particularly high demand for the ampelous appearance of a plant.
What does it look like
Koufeya is a fast-growing shrub native to South and Central America. The species belongs to the Derbennikov family. The name of the kufey plant comes from the Greek word "kyphos", meaning "curve" or "hunched over". This is due to the fact that both the flowers and the fruits of the crop have a slightly curved shape. The leaves of the flower are dark green, narrow and smooth. Stems can grow up to half a meter. The flowers of the plant are relatively small (up to 3 cm), their color can be purple, red, white, etc. The plant blooms throughout the warm season - from spring to autumn.
Kuffey flowers can be different, even if the plants are of the same variety.
Common varieties
The described perennial has more than two hundred species. In garden areas, most often you can find only some varieties.
Kofeya issopolistic
Kaphei isssopolistic is a small shrub that is found in wildlife in the territories of Mexico and Guatemala. Despite the fact that the plant is considered thermophilic, it is quite possible to plant it in a garden in the suburbs.
The flower grows on average up to 50 cm. The flowers are quite small, white, lilac or pink. Usually they are strewn with the whole bush. This species is often planted on balconies in tanks or in patios.
Important! The variety is highly regarded for its long flowering period, which lasts all summer.
When winter comes, the flower growing in the pot is easy to transfer to the house, saving yourself the need to prepare a worthy and reliable shelter for the southern plant.
Koufea Dynamite
Dinamite caffeine is another species that is quite capable of growing safely in the conditions of Russian garden plots. This creation of breeders blooms with bright red flowers, beautifully flowing cascades. The height of the bush is approximately 40 centimeters. Flowering continues from June to September.
Kofeya fiery red
Kuffey fiery red is often cultivated as a houseplant. Often the plant is also called Spark.
Important! The variety is widely used in the decoration of flower gardens in the open.
This is a short and very compact bush with cigar-shaped flowers, the corollas of which are painted in rich red color, against which there is a white spot. The pharynx, located in the center of the bud, is a purple hue. This species is very unpretentious and suitable for growing even not the most experienced gardeners.
Kofeya Gel
Kofeya Gelya feels great both in a pot on a windowsill and in a flower garden on a garden plot. The plant grows in a compact bush with bright red tubular flowers. The height of the flower rarely exceeds 40 centimeters. The flowers are relatively small, as a rule, appear immediately in large numbers and continue to bloom throughout the summer. The variety tolerates windy and rainy weather.
Outdoor Care
Special attention should be paid to the theme of the café. Landing and care in the open ground. Only in this case, the culture will feel comfortable and delight with its amazing flowers.
Koufeia feels great outdoors
Temperature
Comfortable for kufei temperature in the warm season varies from 22 to 25 degrees. In winter, the plant will tolerate 12-18 degrees. If wintering is planned on the street (the flower will not be brought into a warmer room), a special place should be allocated to the organization of shelter and warming.
Important! At temperatures below 10 degrees, the cafeteria may die.
Lighting
Growing a flower is recommended on the sunny side. Culture needs direct sunlight. The best option would be the eastern side of the site (in extreme cases, the western one).
Watering
In the case of a cafeteria, when planting and leaving at home, sufficient attention should be paid to watering. It is usually sufficient to moisturize twice a week using warm water.
Important! It is not recommended to water the plant with rainwater, since it may contain harmful impurities.
It is not worth pouring a flower strongly - the plant reacts poorly to stagnation of water.
Spraying
The bush does not need regular spraying, but it tolerates it well.
Humidity
The moisture content of the plant requires a relatively high and stable. The soil in a constant mode should remain moist, it must not be allowed to dry.
Priming
Speaking about the kufey flower cultivation and care for it, one cannot but mention some requirements for the soil.
This is not to say that the cafeteria, when planting and leaving in the open ground, is somehow particularly demanding on the soil. But the earth in any case should be fertile and moisture permeable.
Important! Soil before planting should be treated with humus and add a small amount of wood ash.
Top dressing
In addition to the organic matter introduced during the planting of the shrub, fertilizer is recommended to be used during flowering. In this case, any preparations for flowering crops are suitable. One top dressing in two weeks will be quite enough.
Pruning
One of the peculiarities of the cafeteria is its very rapid growth. The plant grows to maximum height in the shortest possible time. To make it look neat and well-groomed, you need to periodically trim and pinch the shoots. Some give the bushes the shape of a ball or a pyramid. Cut the plant in early spring, complete the process before flowering.
Important! To improve crop growth, the stems should be shortened by one third of their total length.
When and how it blooms
In most cases, the cafeteria is planted because of its flowering.
Many varieties are suitable for planting in apartments.
Types of flowers
Regardless of the variety, the flowers are generally quite similar. Their size, quantity on a plant can vary. As for the shades, they are represented by almost everything except blue and black. Periodically, breeders manage to bring out a new original look of the flower.
Flower shape
Regardless of the variety, the shape of the flowers is almost identical - cylindrical. Someone compares the cafeteria with a smoldering cigarette, for someone the flowering shrub resembles a plant hung with a New Year's garland with LED oblong bulbs.
Important! The flowering period of kufei coincides with the warm season and lasts from May to September in Russian climatic conditions.
Flowering Care
It is not difficult to take care of the plant, but during flowering, the caffeine bush needs a little more attention. During this period, more water and feeding are desirable.
Flower propagation
Most often, two methods are used to propagate the plant: seeds and cuttings.
Seeds
From the seeds of the cafeteria is grown, but not too often. This is due to their low germination rate. If you nevertheless set out to grow a flower from seed material, you will need to perform the following steps:
- Put the seeds on a moist substrate.
- Tamp them lightly without sprinkling with soil.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap.
- Provide a temperature of + 22-24 degrees.
- Wait for seed germination.
- Peel off the film.
- After the first leaves appear, plant seedlings in individual pots.
Rooting cuttings
When spring arrives, cuttings are cut off from the strongest shoots of the plant, the length of which should be about 15 cm. After processing the root formation site with a growth stimulant, the cuttings are planted in a moist substrate and covered with a cut plastic bottle. For watering and airing the seedling, the bottle is periodically removed. You can finally remove it after fresh leaves appear. When the first leaves grow, and new ones begin to appear, the seedling can be moved to a permanent place.
Important! With a high degree of probability, if the plant is provided with proper care, it will take root without any problems.
Air lay
The method of layering with a cafeteria is not applied.
Transfer
Young plants are recommended to be replanted with the onset of each spring. If the shrub is already mature enough, it is enough to repeat the procedure every 2-3 years.
Growing problems
Despite the general unpretentiousness of the culture, some difficulties may arise in the process of growing it.
Dropping leaves and buds
Dropping buds and leaves is often a natural process. In some cases, the described phenomenon indicates improper conditions of flower maintenance: lack of lighting, pests, waterlogging or overdrying of the soil.
Important! Sometimes the reason for the leaves to fall is due to the fact that when winter comes, the cafeteria is in uncomfortable temperature conditions.
Blanching leaves
Most often, blanching of foliage turns out to be associated with sharp temperature differences at night and daytime and drafts. A similar thing happens with seedlings that are planted in open ground too early and with specimens of flowers that are in the open ground until late autumn.
Drying leaf tips
Drying of the tips of the leaves in the coffey is often associated with insufficient humidity. In some cases, some pests pose a similar problem.
Important! The falling of the lower leaves of the kufei usually means nothing. This is a natural process that even the most experienced gardener cannot avoid.
Pests
Kofeya most often suffers from attacks by pests such as:
- spider mite;
- scale shield;
- thrips.
When attacked by a spider mite, a spider web appears on the foliage and branches. The pest is attracted by dry air in the room or in the area where the crop is grown. You can get rid of the insect with a solution of potassium soap, they need to carefully spray the flower. Insecticides will be no less effective.
As for the scale insect, its presence is signaled by clearly visible brown bulges on the foliage - these are the shells of insects. Soap solution and insecticides are also effective in combating them.
When the bush is infected with thrips, the shape of the leaves is deformed, notches appear at their ends. Pest control is most effective by washing the bush under running water and then treating it with insecticides.
If the plant is well looked after, it will not hurt
Having carefully studied the description of the culture, we can make a logical conclusion that the cafeteria is a relatively simple plant in terms of growing. Given its beauty during the flowering period, it is worth seriously thinking about planting this amazing flower in the garden.
