Exakum is a very delicate and bright plant, it forms a lush bush in a pot. In nature, annual and perennial species are found. A lot of small fragrant flowers bloom on a thick spherical crown. For the appearance of similarity and violet flowers, the plant is sometimes called the Persian violet. You can buy exakum not only for your own needs, but also as a wonderful gift. This unpretentious exotic is ideal for decorating rooms, balconies and verandas.
Plant description
The genus exakuma belongs to the family Gentian. Plants live in countries of South and East Asia, as well as in Malaysia. Exzakum has lush, fibrous roots, which are located in the upper layers of the soil. The dark green fleshy stems are so densely covered with leaves that it is very difficult to examine them from the side. The height of the rounded crown does not exceed 30 cm. The shoots are highly branched and covered by closely spaced internodes.
Opposite bright green leaves are attached to the stems on short petioles. On a shiny sheet plate, 1-3 relief longitudinal veins are visible. The length of the ovoid or rhomboid leaves reaches 3.5 cm. The lateral edge of the leaves is smooth, the end is pointed.
Abundant flowering begins in May and lasts up to four months. On short, hard peduncles, single, axillary flowers bloom. Rounded petals are arranged in one or more rows. The diameter of the opened flower is about 1.5 cm. Petals can be painted in white, pink, lilac or purple. The magnificent core consists of many yellow stamens and ovaries. The flowers exude an intense pleasant aroma. Some gardeners compare it with the smell of cranberries.
As a result of pollination, thin-walled seed bolls with many tiny seeds ripen in place of flowers.
Popular varieties
About 30 species of exakum have been found in nature. But in our country only two of them are grown in culture. Breeders also bred several decorative varieties that differ in color and structure of flowers. Florists can buy the variety they like or create a mix of exakums with different colors.
Exzakum related is the most popular and easily accessible species. The plant forms a very dense grassy shoot with a height and a width of 30 cm. Usually, each specimen lives 1-2 years, then rejuvenation is necessary. On erect juicy stems close to each other are paired, opposite leaves. Rigid sheet plates 3-4 cm long are painted bright green. Veins are distinguished by a lighter shade. The exakum flower blossoms at the tops of the stems. Single simple corollas with a diameter of 1.5 cm consist of rounded petals and a strongly protruding core.
Among the decorative varieties there are varieties with terry and simple flowers. Depending on the color, varieties are distinguished:
- Blue eyes, blue dwarf - the petals are painted in various shades of purple and blue;
- White star, white leprechaun - plants with snow-white flowers.
Exacum three-veined. The plant is large in size, the height of the bush is 50 cm. The upright, highly branched stem is covered with a smooth, dark green skin. Ovoid or oval leaves attached to the shoots with short petioles. On the foliage, 3 longitudinal veins of a lighter, but not contrasting shade are visible. During flowering, many blue, five-petal flowers are scattered throughout the crown. Their core consists of short but rather thick yellow stamens. The species is more resistant to cold and has been growing for several years. Distributed in Sri Lanka.
Exacum breeding
The exakum plant is propagated by seed and vegetative methods. Sowing of seeds is carried out in autumn in moist sand and peat soil. Small grains should be tried to evenly distribute on the surface, it is not necessary to sprinkle on top of the soil. The pot is covered with glass or film and put in a warm place. Every day, for 15-20 minutes, the greenhouse is aired. The exakum from the seeds germinates after 14-18 days. Shoots are developing rapidly. With the advent of 4 true leaves, young plants dive into separate small pots. By spring, they will develop a magnificent crown and begin to bloom.
From adult bushes, apical cuttings can be cut. The shoots with 2-3 internodes 8-10 cm long are selected. Cuttings can be rooted in water without shelter or in moist soil under a hood. Roots appear after 10-14 days. Plants are transplanted into small pots with earth for adult flowers. With this method of propagation, flower buds may appear 2 months after planting.
Growing Features
Caring for exakum at home does not require much effort. Due to the short life cycle, flowers quickly develop and delight with delicate beauty. Exacum is rarely transplanted. Usually it develops well in a pot with a diameter of 7-10 cm. A layer of clay shards or expanded clay is lined at the bottom with a thickness of about 3 cm.
The soil should be selected light and breathable. Mildly acidic or neutral mixtures of:
- turf land;
- humus leaf;
- peat;
- sheet land;
- sand.
To get a lush bush, you can plant 2-3 seedlings in one pot.
For exakum pick up bright sunny places. The abundance of colors depends on the light. The shoots are not afraid of direct sunlight, but on hot days it is recommended to ventilate the room more often or put the pot in fresh air. There is no need to shade the bushes. Annual varieties can be planted at the end of May in open ground, where they will be a wonderful decoration of a border or flowerbed. It is advisable to select windless places.
The optimum air temperature is + 17 ... +20 ° C. It is not necessary to provide rest or temperature fluctuations. Cooling below +13 ° C leads to a gradual dropping of leaves and death of the plant.
It is necessary to water the exakum regularly and abundantly, so that the soil is always slightly moist. But it is impossible to flood the substrate, otherwise root rot will develop. For irrigation use warm, soft water.
The plant prefers moist air, so you need to regularly spray the shoots from the spray gun. If the house has an aquarium or a fountain, it is better to put pots next to it.
Every 10-14 days, the curtains are watered with a solution of fertilizers for indoor flowers. Use mineral compounds for flowering plants.
Exacum does not need pruning to form a crown. Its branched shoots independently take a spherical shape. To increase attractiveness, you need to remove wilted buds. To form seeds, pollinate the flowers with a brush or expose them to fresh air, where insects can freely fly up to the plant.
With proper care, exakum does not suffer from plant diseases. Its lush foliage is periodically attacked by spider mites, aphids and felt. Most often they appear when the air is too dry. You can get rid of pests with the help of a warm, plentiful shower and insecticides.
