Ixora

Ixora is a tropical evergreen plant native to the forests of Asia. There are more than 400 varieties of this plant in nature. Ixora is also a medicinal plant; its leaves have antiseptic properties, and its roots are taken for fever and diarrhea. In pots, ixora grows no more than a meter. The plant looks very beautiful, dark emerald, glossy leaves, inflorescences resemble an umbrella and come in various colors — red, pink, peach, orange, yellow and white. It usually blooms from spring to autumn.

Ixora care at home

Ixora requires good lighting to grow successfully. In summer, the ixora plant should be placed on the western or eastern side of the room, and in winter, the southern side is also suitable. The air temperature should be from 18 to 20 °C in the hot season, and not lower than 15-18 °C in winter. Ixora loves high humidity and regularly needs spraying in the summer. The plant should be watered abundantly with warm, settled water in summer and less often in winter. The substrate should be slightly damp.

In the spring, if necessary, ixora is replanted. Since root system she is small, the pot should be small. The soil must be acidic, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow. The composition of the substrate should be as follows: peat, turf sand and leaf soil. Ixora needs fertilizing from spring to autumn; it is not fertilized in winter. Once every two weeks will be enough. For feeding, choose ready-made fertilizers purchased in stores, marked “for flowering plants” or universal. In the fall, after flowering, the ixora should be cut in half to better form the bush.

The ixora plant can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. The seeds are placed in containers with soil, moistened, and placed under a film or cap Seeds sprout within two, three weeks. Cuttings without buds are rooted in early spring in soil with sand under a cover in a warm place. They usually take root within a couple of months. Ixora, like other plants, is subject to pest attacks. The most important ones are scale insects, thrips, nematodes, and spider mites. You need to fight them with the help of drugs that are sold in garden stores.

Problems may arise when growing Ixora. If the leaves of the plant have turned pale, it does not bloom for a long time, and growth has stopped, therefore, it lacks light and fertilizer The foliage turns yellow and falls off — there is not enough moisture, insufficient watering. The buds fall off — the air humidity is not optimal.