Let's go to the discovery of
Russellia equisetiformis, a really "explosive" plant. In fact, in fact
Russellia is known mainly with its three nicknames which have a common denominator: firecracker plant, coral plant and fountain plant. What is the characteristic that unites them? All the names, particularly colored, are due to the typical cascade of red
flowers for which the plant is known.
The
Russelia is in fact an incredible plant, whose copious bloom has always fascinated those who came in contact with it.
Native to the tropical regions of the American continent, especially the Mexican and Cuban forests, in the genus Russelia one finds several perennials, characterized by long and thin stems that
fall back and can grow up to three meters. The leaves are "squamous": they are in fact narrow
and very small, so much so that the fish scales are brought to mind.
The flowers bloom
since the end of winter and last almost until autumn. They are tubular, collected in isolated groups and show shades that can vary
from pink to red-orange.
Cultivation and placement
The Russelia is an easy growing plant that does not
require excessive or particular attention, but is sensitive to cold. If it is kept outdoors,
during the winter, it will be transported to a sheltered place to avoid it being exposed to temperatures below 10 ° C.
It
is a "solar" plant, it loves direct sunlight, except in the most torrid days of the summer, and loves the air, so it is good to make sure it is always in good
ventilation.
This
plant should be watered regularly during the warmer months having the foresight to wait until the soil is dry on the surface before proceeding with the next watering. As with many tropical species, during the winter, the plant requires very little
watering.
The Russelia plant should be
fertilized every two weeks or so, adding a little fertilizer to the water. Be careful not to overdo it: it is always advisable to reduce the
doses indicated on the package which tend to be excessive.
To
obtain plants that give copious bloom, particularly important for the ornamental ability of Russelia, it is better to proceed to pruning towards the end of the winter season by cutting the stems
by about a third and promptly eliminating all the dry or damaged parts in order not to favor the environment for the arrival
of parasitic diseases. At the end of the winter the Russelia will be
repotted only in case the pot has become too small.
Given
the "hanging" aspect, the Russelia must be cultivated in hanging vases or on the railings of the balconies, from which will be exposed unusual and beautiful flowers during the hottest time of the
year.
Diseases and remedies
The Russelia is a very resistant plant: it is in fact not subject to diseases, even if they are not unusual infestations by mites and aphids. How to identify them? If you notice small, light-colored, moving insects, you will certainly find them in the presence of aphids, also commonly known as lice. To leave no room for doubt, just look at them with a magnifying glass and compare them with a photo: their shape makes them unmistakable. To avoid possible damaging water stagnations, create the ideal environment by mixing in equal parts a good soil, peat and coarse sand in order to promote water drainage.
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