Soleirolia (gelksina, gloxinia) is a perennial stunted plant of the Nettle family. Distribution zones - the Mediterranean, the moist forests of the islands of Sardinia and Corsica.
It was first discovered in the XIX century, by captain Soleirol, thanks to the discoverer, the flower got its name.
Description
The plant has creeping shoots branching type, forming a dense green carpet. The root system is threadlike, thin.
The foliage is numerous, in diameter, up to 0.6 mm in size, and its shape is heart-kidney-shaped. The people, because of the leaves, the plant was called "indoor duckweed."
The flowers are small, single, up to 1 mm in size. Color - cream or white, no smell.
Varieties
There is only one species in the genus - the Soleolirol saltworm, which includes a number of varieties:
| Grade | Description |
| Green | Light green foliage, diameter - up to 2 cm. It is considered a miniature variety and is good for pruning. |
| Argentina | Has silvery foliage. |
| Aurea | There are golden leaves. |
| Variegata | Foliage of green color, thin border around the edge, white. |
Caring for saline in the home
Given the season of the year, home care for gloxinia varies significantly:
| Time of the year | Temperature | Air humidity | Lighting |
| Spring Summer | + 20 ... + 25 ° C | From 60% to 80%. To maintain this level on warm days, you need to spray the flower three times a day. | It is preferable to place in partial shade. The best place would be the east, north and west window. |
| Autumn winter | + 15 ° C | Sprayed two to three times a week to maintain humidity. | Auxiliary lighting will be required, with a shortage of light, shoots are stretched, they are thinned. |
Watering
In the warm season, the plant needs regular and plentiful watering, and when the cold weather sets in, it should be more moderate. The roots of the flower must not be allowed to dry.
Watering is carried out with soft and purified water + 24 ... + 27 ° C. From the cold water, saltworks will die.
Young plants are watered every 2-3 days, adults - once every 5 days.
Top dressing
Fertilizing is carried out twice a month in the warm season. It is recommended to give preference to liquid varieties of nutrient components. An ideal option would be a universal remedy for decorative and deciduous plants, for example, Kemiru-lux. Concentration should be made several times less than that indicated on the package.
Landing, capacity selection, soil, transplant methods, support
Gloxinia refers to rapidly growing plants, so it needs to be replanted every year. A suitable time is considered the beginning of spring.
It is recommended to select the soil loose, without lumps. You can opt for purchased land for ornamental deciduous plants. When preparing the mixture with your own hands, it is worth taking the same amount of soil, fine sand, peat and humus.
The pot should be wide, but not deep, since the root system of the saltworks is superficial. To prevent stagnation of water, a layer of stones of 3 cm is laid out at the bottom of the tank.
The transplant is performed using the transshipment method, following the step-by-step instructions:
- nutrient soil is being prepared;
- a drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the pot, which is sprinkled with soil at the top;
- an earthen lump comes out of the old pot and is located in a new container, voids are sprinkled with earth;
- after transplanting the plant to a new place, you need to wait for its rooting, without watering.
The just purchased plant also needs to be transplanted:
- foliage is washed with warm water;
- the root system is completely cleaned of soil, damaged areas are removed, sections are sprinkled with ash;
- saltolysis is planted in a new soil mixture.
When growing in the form of an ampel plant, you should prepare a planter, as well as wooden lattices and racks, serving as a support.
Pruning
Gloxinia is trimmed every year. In early spring, it is recommended to thin out thickened plantings. For this, certain shoots are cut under the root, only the strongest are left. The procedure promotes growth, the stems that have appeared grow stronger and more leafy.
When trimming, gloxinia give almost any shape, such as a ball. You can cut the flower at any time of the year, reducing the shoots by about 1/3.
Breeding
It is produced in three ways: cuttings, seeds and shoots.
Step-by-step instruction for cutting:
- young shoots are cut off and then placed in water until roots are formed (can be immediately placed in a wet mixture of sand and peat);
- the plant is placed in a greenhouse, where a temperature of + 25 ° C is maintained, it is periodically ventilated;
- the stem takes root in 2-3 weeks;
- after that the flower is planted in the ground.
Different indoor growing options
When grown indoors, for gloxinia, you can select not only pots of different sizes, but also aquariums. In this environment, the plant develops quite quickly, so you need to pay special attention to the selection of neighbors.
Errors and their elimination
| Error | Cause | Correction |
| Withering leaves, they dry and die. | Moisture deficiency, insufficient humidity. | Spray daily. Keep away from heaters. |
| Stalk extension, blanching of leaves, slow growth. | Not enough useful elements in the soil, not enough light. | Feed the plant with complex fertilizer. Rearrange in a sunny place, illuminate with a phytolamp. |
| Drying leaves, the appearance of gray-brown spots. | Exposure to direct sunlight. | Move to partial shade. |
| Yellowing and falling of leaves. | Excess moisture. | Reduce the number of watering. |
Pests, diseases
| Disease / pest | Manifestations | Disposal methods |
| Gray rot | A gray coating forms on the foliage, the shoots rot and die. | Remove the affected areas of the flower, reduce watering, often ventilate the room. |
| Brown rot | The stems become thinner and brown. | Spray with fungicides, occasionally thin out. |
| Spider mite | A thin web forms on the foliage, deformation of the leaf blades is observed, they turn yellow and dry. | Rinse the plant in the shower and treat with any insecticide. Repeat processing 2-3 times. |
| Whitefly | Leaves curl, turn yellow and fall. | To process with the means of Actara. |
Mr. Dachnik recommends: salinity - harmony in the nursery
Among the mystical features of salinoleism, its ability to bring joy to the home, improve mood and facilitate communication is noted. The flower is able to get out of a state of depression, has a calming effect on the child. Gloxinia guarantees the baby peace of mind and good dreams.
But from placing the plant in the parents' bedroom (the energy of Yang is amplified, which negatively affects the relationship between family members) and the living room, you should refuse.
