Ruellia (Dipteracanthus) is a flowering plant of the Acanthus family. It is very similar to streptocarpus of the Gesneriev family, but unlike them, which prefer cool conditions, it is thermophilic. It received its name in honor of the French scientist who first discovered it - Jean Ruel.
Distribution area: tropics, subtropics of America, forest zones of Africa, southern part of Asia. In everyday life it is called Mexican petunia.
Description of Ruellia
Ruellia is an exotic flower of the Acanthus family. A flowering annual or perennial plant with delicate and bright inflorescences. Has more than 250 varieties. The plant has a second name - dipteracanthus.
Ruellia prefers warm room temperatures, but only about a dozen varieties take root normally under artificial conditions.
The plant has two types of stems. Different varieties have creeping or erect stems. In addition, certain types of flower grow in the form of a subshrub, bush or herbaceous plant. Under natural conditions, the height of dipteracanthus reaches more than a meter, but under artificial conditions, Ruellia does not grow higher than half a meter.
Of great importance in the design use of ruellia are the flowers, which come in a variety of shades - red, pink, purple, white. In artificial habitats, yellow ruellias are found. The flowers are whorls of several buds growing on a single peduncle. The inflorescences themselves resemble the appearance of bells with the tips of the petals thrown in different directions. The diameter of the inflorescences is up to 3 cm, but there are specimens with flowers with a diameter of more than 10 cm.
Ruellia blooms quickly. The petals of a flowering plant fall off a few hours after opening. However, Ruellia produces a large number of buds, so some flowers quickly replace others, which allows you to admire the beauty for a long time.
The leaves of dipteracanthus are long green blades of grass narrowed towards the edge. They have smooth edges, narrow, and do not reach 1.5 cm in width. The leaves are velvety in color, changing shades. The veins are clearly visible on them. Some species of dipteracanthus have a white or beige stripe on their leaves, running longitudinally along the leaf.
Ruellia is quite unpretentious to grow. Propagates well by cuttings. The plant grows quickly and produces a large number of flowers and foliage, making it popular in design art.
Types of Ruellia with photos and descriptions
A large number of species of Ruellia grow in natural conditions. Only about 10 species of Depteracanthus can take root in the home environment.
Ruellia brittoniana
A large sized plant variety. Can grow at home, in large pots. The height of the flower reaches about a meter. A plant growing in its natural environment has a peculiarity - individuals of one species are grouped into several bushes and grow separately from other varieties. The peculiarity of this flower is its evergreen bushes with woody stem bases.
The stems are branched, along which leaves grow densely. The flowers of the plant are raspberry-lilac. The petals bending from the base are lighter than the inside. It blooms almost constantly, since some fallen flowers are almost immediately replaced by others.
The leaves of dipteracanthus give the bush an equally special appearance - in good lighting they become metallic, and when darkened they have a bluish tint. The leaves of the plant themselves are bright green and densely fill the entire bush, giving the latter an attractive appearance.
Ruellia devo or devosa or blue ruellia ruellia devosianus
A common type of domestic varieties of Ruellia. This is a small individual with special shades of flowers. This species blooms in autumn and winter. The buds are gray-blue in color, which is how the variety got its name. The height of the plant does not exceed half a meter.
Ruellia devosa has large petals on the bud, reaching 7 cm. The beauty of dipteracanthus is that at the edges of the flower the petals turn white or lilac. This makes ruellia even more attractive.
The leaves of this variety are elongated, the widest part is in the middle. The leaves are arranged in a circle around the stem, opposite each other.
Ruellia portellae ruellia portellae
In its natural environment, the plant can be seen in the southern part of America. According to the description, this species is similar to Dipteracanthus Devos, but has a special structure of leaves and a large bush size. The plant has bright green, wide leaves. The leaves of this variety are round in shape. Ruellia is grown as an annual ornamental plant that blooms in autumn.
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Dipteracanthus is attractive at any time of the year because its leaves are dark green. The foliage of the plant densely covers the trunks, which is why the crown has an unusual inflorescence. In the middle of each petal there is a light vein, which gives the flower elegance and beauty, an attractive appearance. The bottom of the petal has a burgundy color.
The flowers of the plant are white, pink and purple, shaped like a bell, with a long bud base.
Ruellia makoyana ruellia makoyana
Perennial plant, up to half a meter high. It has erect large stems along which the foliage is arranged in a circle. The leaves of the plant are oval-shaped, with a bright white vein in the middle. The bottom of the leaf is colored purple.
Ruellia blooms mainly in autumn. At the same time, the buds are bright pink or delicate lilac in color. The diameter of the flowers does not exceed 5 cm. According to the description, the plant is similar to the large-flowered dipteracanthus, but more elegant and beautiful.
Ruellia caroliniensis ruellia caroliniensis
The most common variety of Ruellia, used in decorative arts. A herbaceous variety that prefers to grow in the tropical zones of America and Asia. Low-growing, in artificial conditions the height does not exceed more than 40 cm. This variety easily tolerates darkening and insufficient lighting, therefore it is popular as a domestic variety.
The leaves of dipteracanthus are pinnate, dark green in color with a clearly visible longitudinal vein. The leaves are oval in shape with a convex center. The plant blooms in August-January. The buds are colored bluish-gray, less often dark blue.
Carolina Ruellia is distinguished by its ability to easily take root in dry places, provided that the soil is regularly watered. Therefore, the flower is widely used in home cultivation.
Large-flowered ruellia ruellia macrantha
The plant predominates in the tropical zone. It can be found in its natural environment in the Brazilian tropical zones. This species is well suited for growing in garden conditions and on balconies. The difference between Ruellia grandiflora and others is the large size of the flowers. The flowers are painted in bright pink shades, sometimes with a purple tint. The diameter of the bud reaches up to 13 cm.
A variety of large-flowered dipteracanthus is a shrub plant, up to 2 m high. Ruellia spreads its branches widely, along which narrow, elongated foliage grows abundantly. The length of the leaf reaches 15 cm. The top of each leaf is lowered downwards.
Ruellia is nice
The plant thrives in open areas in the tropical and subtropical zones of South America. Dipteracanthus differs from all other species in its inflorescence, which contains several buds.
Ruelia pleasanta is a subshrub, about half a meter high. It has elongated leaves that are widened towards the center and narrowed towards both bases. The leaves of the plant are even green in dark tones, up to 12 cm in length and about 4 cm in width. Unlike many varieties, Ruellia pleasanta does not have a light stripe in the middle of the leaf.
The flowering of dipteranthus lasts almost the whole year. The flowers of the plant are cherry-colored with brown veins. The diameter of each bud is about 3 cm. After two years of flowering, the plant stops growing and grows.
Tuberous ruellia
Biennial herbaceous plant. Dipteracanthus has a thick, carrot-like root. The stems branch in different directions. Abundantly covered with rich green leaves, without a white stripe in the middle.
The variety blooms in autumn with purple flowers. The size of the buds is about 6 cm in length, and the diameter of the flower is about 4 cm.
Varieties
Not all varieties of Ruelia have taken root in the climatic conditions of Russia. The most common in our climate include those listed below.
- Ruellia Portella. Herbaceous perennial with a characteristic shape and color of leaves. The upper side has a deep green tint, the lower side is burgundy. A white stripe runs along the length of the central vein. The plant spreads along the ground, producing many cuttings that spontaneously take root. The flowers are large, tubular in shape, bright pink. Flowering lasts from early May to late August.
- Ruellia grandiflora. The largest species in existence. The stems retract 1-2 m in length and require garters to a frame. The flowers look like voluminous gramophones; when opened, they reach a diameter of 7-8 cm. Most often, lilac, pink, blue-violet shades are found.
"Portellas"
"Large-flowered"
- Ruellia the Beautiful. A perennial plant that in the first year of life raises its stems, and then changes from erect to creeping. The lanceolate-shaped leaves are covered with bluish-silver velvet hairs. The variety has a long flowering period, and with proper care it can bloom all year round.
- Ruellia Britton. They are voluminous bushes reaching a height of 70-80 cm. Dark green glossy greenery has a metallic tint in the sun. From different angles it can look grayish, grayish or bluish. The color of the flowers is rich purple, plum or lilac-blue.
- Ruellia Makoya. One of the most popular decorative varieties. The height of the bushes is average, about 60 cm. As they grow, the shoots branch abundantly, creating a voluminous crown. The leaves are dark green or bottle green with highlighted yellowish stripes along the veins. The back side is rough to the touch and covered with villi. The flowers are bright, burgundy or lilac-pink.
"Beautiful"
"Britton"
"Makoya"
Caring for ruellia flowers at home
Ruellia takes root well in artificial conditions. It is quite unpretentious, but if the conditions optimal for the plant are not met, it may die or stop producing color. You don’t have to pay attention to the plant every day, but you should adhere to regular inspection of the ruellia and moistening the soil. Some species tolerate dry or, conversely, very moist soil well.
Location and lighting
The location of the flower in the room is of great importance in growing ruellia. Insufficient lighting and incorrect location cause the flower to stop blooming. Dipteracanthus does not like drafts, so it is important to provide it with a barrier from the wind. At home, it is necessary to provide the plant with good lighting throughout the year. Ruellia does not tolerate smoky rooms, so you should not place the pot in the kitchen or in a smoking area.
In an artificial habitat, growing Ruellia should take place in a well-lit room. The optimal place for the flower to grow in summer is the eastern part of the room. When placing Ruellia on the south side, the plant should be shaded, since direct sunlight can leave burns on the dipteracanthus. In winter, the flower is placed on the south side to ensure good lighting. In winter, for good growth of dipteracanthus, it is necessary to use additional light sources.
Temperature
The normal temperature that dipteracanthus tolerate well is the range of 16-25 degrees. Therefore, the plant tolerates room temperatures well. In winter, the plant should be sheltered from drafts. In summer, dipteracanthus can be placed on a balcony or near an open window. This will allow the leaves and stems to receive a large amount of oxygen. Ruellia, although unpretentious in cultivation, does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations. Therefore, you should not place the flower on cold places or window sills.
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Watering
The plant prefers to grow in constantly moist soil, so it is worth paying great attention to regular watering of the flower. In order for Ruellia to be constantly in bloom, it is necessary to water it at least once a day, abundantly.
In winter, when the air temperature drops, the amount of watering should be reduced so that the plant does not get sick. However, you should also not overdry the soil. In summer, the frequency of watering, on the contrary, increases and continues until flowering stops. Dipteracanthus should be watered with water at room temperature. The water must be clean and settled, and have a low hardness level.
Air humidity
Since Depteracanthus is native to tropical zones, it is accustomed to growing in constant air humidity. You should regularly humidify the air around the flower. It is quite difficult to achieve this at home, so you need to place a tray with water under the flower pot. You can put a humidifier in the room. This will ensure constant moisture around the ruellia. In garden growing conditions, Ruellia feels good near bodies of water.
Feeding and fertilizers
Ruellia needs constant feeding. It is necessary to fertilize the plant at least once every two weeks. Mineral complexes for flowering plants are used as the main fertilizers. In addition, you can water the plant with a mixture of mineral fertilizers during transplantation of dipteracanthus. If this is done, then soil fertilization should be reduced to 1 time per month. The flower should be fed only during warm weather. After the onset of frost and before the onset of spring, feeding stops.
Transfer
The plant should be replanted as the flower grows out of the pot, but at least once a year. After the flower grows and reaches three years of age, transplants are carried out every 3-4 years.
The most suitable time for transplantation is spring. When replanting annually, you need to take a pot with a slightly larger diameter than the previous one. The plant likes slightly cramped pots. In free conditions, the flowering of Ruellia stops or decreases.
Transplantation of dipteracanthus is carried out by transferring all the roots of the plant with all the remains of the soil mixture on the roots. In this case, there is no need to touch the roots, leaving the soil on them unchanged.
The soil mixture for growing dipteracanthus should be light. A prerequisite for growing ruellia is soil breathability and neutral acidity. A good composition for the soil is equal proportions of leaf soil, humus, turf, peat and sand. You can also buy a special soil mixture in stores.
Trimming
With regular pruning of old shoots, dipteracanthus will constantly renew its branches and produce new leaves. Therefore, it is worth regularly pinch out old branches of ruellia - this stimulates the growth and thickening of the flower’s foliage, and the rejuvenation of dipteracanthus.
Location
Ruellia does not like direct sunlight, so it is advisable to place it on windows facing east or west. It feels good under diffused lighting and actively develops, but in winter it still requires additional lighting with special lamps. Especially if the pot is not on the windowsill, but in the back of the room. The lack of light will be noticeable by the internodes on the stems - the spaces between them will become wider, and the shoots themselves will become thinner.
In summer, it is recommended to take the plant out into the fresh air, but protect it from drafts. It also does not tolerate tobacco smoke, water vapor, exhaust gases and combustion products. During hot hours, move the pot into the shade or artificially create darkness using a curtain or paper.
Reproduction
Ruellia does not require permanent replanting. However, it quickly loses its attractiveness and grows. To prevent the species from withering and completely disappearing, gardeners use various types of Ruellia propagation. This will renew the flower and preserve the variety.
Cuttings
The most popular way to propagate ruellia is to divide the flower into cuttings. Dipteracanthus easily takes root by cuttings. To do this in the spring, you need to cut off a flower branch at least 5 cm long, with a shoot on it. Then put the new sprout in water.
After germination and the appearance of young roots, ruellia is transplanted into a moist soil mixture. In the early stages of propagation by cuttings, it is worth maintaining high temperatures, at least 23 degrees. It is necessary to plant several sprouts in one pot to ensure that the space is cramped. This will allow the flowers to bloom faster.
Layerings
To propagate ruellia by layering, it is necessary to bend the branch with the shoot to the ground as much as possible. It is necessary that at least one shoot comes into contact with the soil. Then you need to secure the plant in this position with a bracket or paper clip so as not to damage the main stem. After germination and the appearance of roots, you need to cut off the shoot from the stem.
Seeds
Another popular method of flower propagation is seed propagation. To obtain seeds, you need to press your hands on the ripened and yellowed boxes and collect the seeds.
The seeds should be planted in nutritious soil that allows plenty of air to pass through. All seeds should be spread on the surface and then lightly sprinkled with soil. After which it is necessary to cover the resulting pot with seeds with cellophane to form condensation. Until sprouts appear, keep the pot in a dark, warm place.
After the sprouts appear, the covering material should be removed and the pot should be placed in a well-lit place. The sprouts should not be exposed to direct sunlight, so the optimal place for placing them is eastern or northern windows. After more than two leaves appear on the shoots, they are transplanted into separate pots.
Dividing the bush
Ruellia varieties that grow as shrubs are easily propagated by dividing the bush. To do this, the bush should be dug up and divided in such a way as not to damage the main thick roots. Then the resulting shoots are planted in permanently moist soil to a depth of at least 3 cm. After about a month, the plant will produce new shoots and fluff up.
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Transfer
Transplantation of young specimens is carried out annually, in early spring.
This is done to increase space for roots and partially renew the soil. You need to take a pot a little larger than the previous one. But do not overdo it, otherwise the plant may not bloom, having spent all its energy on increasing the volume of the roots. Mature plants, more than 3 years old, are replanted as needed. This may be interesting: Methods of propagation of Streptocarpus
The soil
Soil quality is the second most important aspect of caring for Ruellia, after air humidity. She definitely needs light, air- and water-permeable soil for flowering plants. Acidity should be close to neutral. It’s easy to prepare the substrate yourself:
- peat - 1 hour;
- humus - 1 hour;
- light leaf soil - 2 hours;
- turf soil - 2 hours;
- coarse sand or perlite - 2 hours;
Heat the resulting mixture in a water bath for 10 minutes to disinfect it.
Step-by-step transplant process
- Prepare a pot 3-4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. There must be drain holes at the bottom. Place a layer of expanded clay or small pebbles on the bottom.
- Carefully remove the earthen ball with the plant from the old pot. Be careful not to damage fragile stems and leaves. There is no need to shake off the earthen ball so as not to damage the roots. If the plant shows signs of root disease, carefully shake off the soil and carefully inspect it. Take a sharp knife, disinfect it with alcohol or boil it, and cut off all rotten or dried roots, taking 2 cm of the healthy part. Sprinkle the cut areas with crushed charcoal or activated carbon.
- When replanting, it is useful to mix dry complex fertilizers into the soil. This way Ruellia will be able to receive nutrients directly from the soil throughout the growing season.
Provide a support if you want the stems to grow upwards rather than hang out of the pot like a hanging plant.
Possible difficulties when growing Ruellia
The plant quickly fades, so to preserve its beauty, several ruellia bushes of the same species can be planted in one oblong pot at once to preserve the composition for a long time.
With the loss of leaves and yellowing of the stem, the plant may wilt or lose its original beauty. It is necessary to make sure that the flower is not exposed to cold air and temperature changes. Usually, eliminating this cause leads to restoration of the flower.
If there is insufficient moisture in the air, the leaves of the plant may curl. It is necessary to place an open container with water near the pot, then the flower will be beautiful again.
As diptreacanthus grows, it becomes insufficient for space in the pot. The plant loves close quarters, but if there is excessive pressure on the roots, the flower ceases to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. The stem suddenly stretches out and the leaves fall off. It is urgent to transplant the pot into a larger one. At the same time, bare shoots must be pruned, renewing and rejuvenating the plant.
Thin and small leaves and upward-stretching stems are the result of low light for the flower. To solve this problem, you should move the flower to the windowsill on the south side or use lamps for additional light.
Dipteracanthus is a heat-loving plant, however, if temperatures are too high, spots may appear on the leaves of the flower, indicating that the bush is hot. It is necessary to provide the flower with a comfortable temperature to avoid loss of flower attractiveness and reduction of buds.
Watering
Watering must be moderate and systematic, but you should make sure that the soil does not dry out completely. It is optimal to water when the top layer has already dried, but the entire earthen ball has not yet. If the flower has begun to fade, you should take a closer look at it, and there are two options.
The first option is too much watering. This leads to the fact that the roots begin to rot, and at the same time the entire flower may die. Then you should wait and let the soil dry a little.
The second option is, on the contrary, a long period without water, which is why the whole earth has dried up. In this case, water the flower as soon as possible, this may give it a chance to recover.
Also keep it away from heaters and radiators. Ruellia is still a tropical plant, and dry air can harm it.
If the leaves begin to curl and fall off, this may be a signal that the humidity in the room is not suitable for it - too low. This can also lead to the appearance of spider mites. However, it does not need regular spraying.
Diseases and pests
Ruellia is a fairly resistant plant that is little exposed to pests and infections. However, in some situations, dipteracanthus may be attacked by insects, including:
- spider mites;
- aphid;
- whiteflies.
To control pests, you should use special products sold in stores - insecticides.
Also, if the plant is not properly cared for, it can be damaged by powdery mildew and gray rot. In the first case, a white coating appears on the leaves, and the leaf itself dries out. In the second, brown dots appear on the flowers, and a gray downy growth appears on the foliage. For treatment, diseased leaves should be removed, cut areas should be treated with charcoal, and the plant itself should be treated with a fungicide. After which it is necessary to additionally fertilize the dipteracanthus.
When does Ruellia bloom?
Under optimal living conditions, most Ruellia species bloom within 3-4 months. Flowering occurs in the autumn-winter period. Usually, from mid-spring to the end of August, dipteracanthus grows rhizomes. All the plant’s energy goes into root growth, so there are no buds.
Ruellia blooms for a very short period of time. Within a few hours, a freshly blossomed flower withers and falls off. A new one will soon take the place of the old one. With the right approach and care, flowering will continue for a long time. At the same time, it is almost imperceptible that the flowers have withered and fallen off.
Care mistakes and useful reminders
To prevent the leaves from drying out and dark spots forming on them, maintain average air humidity. Its low indicators will lead to the fact that the flower will begin to wither, but it does not need a high one. Also, if the leaves do not wither or fall off, move the plant away from heating devices in winter.
In order for a flower to bloom, it is necessary to maintain the temperature regime for each season. In summer the temperature should be 20-24 degrees, and in winter it should be cool - up to 18 degrees. Also, do not forget about fertilizing during active flowering.
To prevent the leaves from turning yellow, do not overwater the plant. It needs moderate watering: it is necessary that the top layer of soil has time to dry.
To prevent the leaves from becoming smaller and the shoots from being thin and faded, provide the plant with sufficient lighting. If necessary, use fluorescent lamps or special phytolamps for plants.
Medicinal properties
Despite its attractive appearance and decorative use, the flower has also found use in folk medicine. The chemical composition of dipteracanthus includes saponin, a poison that is used to treat certain diseases. Traditional medicine uses dipteracanthus juice in the treatment of pathologies such as:
- ear pain - juice from the stem of ruellia is instilled into the auricle;
- relieving itching and inflammation due to scabies - a decoction of the plant has healing properties. At the same time, they take baths with a decoction or wipe the affected areas of the body with infusion;
- the leaves are rubbed and applied to damaged areas of the skin;
- The smoke produced by burning the dry stems is used to treat headaches.
Despite its beneficial properties, the plant is used more for decorative purposes. This is explained by the beauty and splendor of the flower.
Signs and superstitions about Ruellia
Ruellia is unpretentious and elegant to grow, but requires a lot of attention. Therefore, people create and believe in superstitions associated with the plant. So, dipteracanthus should be grown in apartments without small children. It is located indoors, protecting the home from evil spirits. In addition, dipteracanthus is considered a symbol of happiness in the home. The presence of a flower in the room carries a talisman against terrible diseases.
To summarize, it is worth concluding that dipteracanthus is a plant of incredible beauty and splendor. Due to its decorative properties, it is used in design art. Flower varieties make it possible to enjoy new colors and comfort in your home. With proper care and timely rejuvenation of the bush, it will delight you with its splendor and decorativeness for a long time.
