Angelonia: the flower of spirituality

Among the herbaceous plants of the plantaginaleae family we find angelonia. It is of Mexican and Central American origin. Its peculiarity is that of having slender caulas which, in height, often reach 30 cm. The main feature is that the flowers of this plant have a spike-like appearance, covered with lush green leaves. The heart of the flower, or the part that covers and protects the reproductive organs, recalls the orchid. Its range of colors, which depend on the varieties, ranges from white to pink, from purple to blue.

The very elegant angelonia, perennial or annual. It grows spontaneously especially in the equatorial spots of Argentina and Brazil. In these areas the plant is widely used for traditional medical and therapeutic purposes, while for aesthetic purposes it decorates and embellishes the environment by showing off its graceful and harmonious peculiarities to the best, enriching balconies and flower beds with color. If cut, it is used for the creation of magnificent compositions and creative bouquets.

Cultivation methods

The ideal cultivation for angelonia is in pots. It is important that the soil used is impermeable and dense with organic material. It is essential to move the plant from the purchase pot and place it in a larger and more welcoming one. Watering must be regular especially in periods of prolonged drought. The seedlings grown in pots should be watered every day, avoiding the water stagnating in the saucer. If you have a terrace, you can install a drip dispensing system to be placed in the pot, planning tailor-made irrigation without waste; in the garden or in the flowerbeds, a sprinkling system can be adopted with equipment that allows to diversify the micro-nebulisations by rhythm and quantity of water.

The plant must be fertilized with a special fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium but poor in nitrogen. Fertilization must be carried out in the phase in which the plant performs its various vital functions. This wonder of nature can be reproduced by seed and by cutting. The queen season for the sowing of this plant is spring: it is carried out using a draining layer that best preserves the humidity and the temperature between 24 ° and 26 ° C. The combination of the right humidity and the right temperature favors the birth of the new plants in about two months.

Once grown they will move either on the ground, in gardens and flower beds, or in individual pots. In the reproduction by cuttings, the stems no higher than 10 cm are removed, only the prominent leaves are kept which will be buried orthogonally with sand and peat. This mixture must always be kept moist to allow the plant to take root well. Pruning should be done by cutting off the newborn stems with withered flowers.

Diseases and treatments

Molds aggressively attack the stems of this beautiful plant: therefore, we must be very careful if the climate is particularly humid! Should there be a colonization of mold on the stems, treat the plant with suitable pesticide treatments, preferably of biological origin since natural products do not hinder pollinating insects and, above all, respect the environment. If you opt for cultivation in pots, it is ideal to protect it from the cold when the outside temperature drops below 8 ° and 10 ° C. During the period of frosts it can also be kept indoors: the important thing is that it is not directly exposed to sources of heat generated by domestic heating systems.

Curiosity

Angelonia symbolizes placidity and spirituality