Gedihium

If you pay attention to the beauty and luxurious appearance of the inflorescences of this plant, as well as the original appearance of its greenery, then it may seem to you that you are in bright tropical places. We can confidently call this plant the most popular and exotic indoor and greenhouse plants. The flowers resemble butterflies, which are located inside the thorny inflorescences, have a yellow-orange color, which makes Gedihium stand out from other plants. Thanks to the beauty of the unusual shape of the flowers, the brightness of Gedihium has become a star among other cultures, but at the same time it is difficult to care for it. unfortunately, the plant is not suitable for everyone, because some problems may arise during cultivation.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

Gedihium: description of the plant and characteristics

Not all those plants that have appeared in our country from various tropical places can be called really outlandish. If the plant grew in the tropics, this does not mean that it should have a bright appearance. But this is not about the Gedihium. This bright plant will always show its belonging to the tropical homeland. The plant is full of paints. Gedihium can be found in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, on exotic islands, but still vibrant India is the birthplace of this plant, it is in it that Gehihium is one of the most vibrant cultures. Gedihium belongs to the ginger family. The plant is called differently, all the names emphasize its beauty and brightness of colors - spicy lily, butterfly flower, ginger lily, butterfly ginger, garland flower and many others.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

All varieties of Gedihium are similar in appearance to each other, but may differ in color and structure of the inflorescence. The plant is difficult to confuse with any other plant. The plant has a beautiful flowering, which is the main decoration of the Gedihium. The plant is distinguished by its general decorativeness, the ratio of foliage and inflorescences. All this helps in creating a beautiful, vibrant tropical background, the foliage is in complete harmony with the flowering of the plant. due to its rapid rate of growth and development, the plant is classified as fast-growing. Tuberous rhizome, constantly growing. The leaves are narrow oval in shape, are distinguished by a light color, which is inherent in many tropical cultures. The foliage is sessile, petiolate, capable of covering the entire shoot completely, the leaves are symmetrically to each other, on a straight and strong shoot. The difference between this plant and others lies in its reproduction.

The quantity and quality of flowering of Gedihium may vary depending on the conditions in which the plant was kept, depending on belonging to a particular variety or species, as well as on weather conditions. Flowering occurs in April-October. Most plant varieties begin flowering in August-September or throughout the summer. The clusters of inflorescences are spike-shaped, dense or loose structure, include asymmetric spongy flowers with very long stamens. The plant has an interesting and at the same time complex aroma. The fruits of Gedihium do not differ from inflorescences in their beauty. Opening up, you can admire the bright color of the inner side, they tend not to fall off for a long time, the plant is decorated with beautiful flowers. The boxes have a reddish, original color, which glow from the inside.For this reason, they are quite often used by landscape designers to create beautiful and interesting compositions. If you take proper care of the plant, it can please with its continuous flowering. But even growing Gedihium at home, it will be difficult to achieve year-round flowering. this is possible only if the plant is grown in a greenhouse.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

Plant varieties

For growing at home, only 2 plant varieties from a large number of other varieties are suitable. The variety of Gedihium - Gardner is more decorative and unpretentious in care.

• Gedihium Gardner. It is a perennial plant, growing in a pot, it can reach a height of about 1 m. The leaves are sitting, have an oval shape, which have an uneven wavy surface, a pointed tip, a light shade of green. The length of the leaves of Gedihium Gardner can reach up to 50 cm. The leaves are soft and can resemble a tissue structure. The clusters of inflorescences are distinguished by their delicacy, symmetry, the flowers are golden in color. At the beginning, the inflorescences have a denser structure, after which they acquire openwork and transparency. Each Gedihium Gardner bears a resemblance to a butterfly, but it is not large in size compared to other species. The petals are distinguished by long stamens, which end in orange anthers. The fruiting beauty of Gedihium Gardner is no worse than flowering. folding boxes of a reddish hue and pod-shaped form, have both sophistication and originality.
• Crowned or crown. A very beautiful variety of Gedihium. It is not inferior in its beauty to inflorescences of such a plant as an orchid. The leaves have an elongated oval shape, compact size, beautiful pointed edges, rich color. The edge of the lower side gives the plant an unusual appearance; yellowness can be seen on the upper part. Large-sized flowers are combined into dense spikelets of inflorescences, have a quivering beauty, resembling delicate tropical moths. As with other plant species, this variety also has a spicy, sweet aroma. There are varieties that are pure white in color.
• Horsfield. It is a very interesting variety of Gedihium. This plant has original inflorescences resembling butterflies, which are located in graceful racemes. The leaves are large, rich in color, up to 0.5 m long. The flowers are creamy or white-green in color, a miniature lip, rounded and underdeveloped stamens that form original decorations at the top of the flower. The plant has a rich aroma.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

How to grow Gedihium at home

At home, finding conditions that would be suitable for growing Gedihium is not so difficult. Can be grown in a regular room, but they are very attached to the windows. At the same time, the main surprise is the possibility of refusing wintering in cool conditions, which are difficult to create at home. Due to their more unpretentious nature, Gedihiums take root better than plants from the Ginger family.

• Lighting. Due to the fact that in the wild, Gedihium can grow in the forest, it can also be grown in shaded places. Despite the fact that the plant belongs to tropical plants, it can tolerate partial shade well, does not like direct sunlight during the day, preferring sunbathing in the morning and evening. It is possible to achieve lush flowering by growing a plant at home if the lighting is diffused, soft, but intense. But, in order to understand how the plant will feel, if you move it away from the window, it can sometimes move it, observing the reaction. In winter, it is best to choose the most lighted area in the house.It is best to choose windows facing south and west. If you want to add artificial lighting to place it away from the window, then you will not be able to do that. The plant needs space. Therefore, it is best to grow them in a spacious room. It can be a hall or a studio. In a small room, it will overwhelmingly affect the room and other plants. the ideal option is to create a winter garden.
• Temperature conditions. Gedihium is very fond of and needs warmth. But choosing the right conditions of detention is a very difficult task, because a compromise must be found in order to find a way to maintain a high level of humidity at the ideal temperature. Under optimal conditions, even small drops in temperature are undesirable for them, at which other plants can safely tolerate the winter period. it is ideal for a plant to maintain a temperature of +20 degrees in spring and summer. if the weather is very hot, then the level of humidity should be high. If you do not have the opportunity to create real tropics for Gedihium, then it is possible to grow the plant at a temperature of +16 +20 degrees, while maintaining a decorative appearance with an average level of humidity. It is best to ask the seller of the plant in advance about the habits of the plant. as for the winter period, there are no restrictions in temperature, you just need to find out the habits of the plant, and whether it was taken out into the fresh air in the summer. If you only grow the plant at home, then you should not change the growing conditions. If the plant has been accustomed to low air temperature, then it can be slightly reduced - the maximum is reduced by 10 degrees. It is best to check with the plant seller for the conditions that are suitable for wintering the plant. in summer, the plant is suitable for taking out to fresh air, a balcony, a terrace in a recreation area at a summer cottage. Gedihium is not afraid of drafts, but they react poorly to temperature changes.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

Gedihium care at home

Although Gedihium is an exotic plant, it is quite unpretentious in care. this type of plant is suitable for experienced gardeners, as well as those who are ready to regularly care for it, water it, and prevent the soil from drying out. Due to the fact that the growing conditions at home can be changed, it is somewhat easier to grow a plant than other plants. The advantage of Gedihium is its flowering, while there are no special, special rules for caring for the plant.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

• Watering the Gedihium. The main problem of the Gedihium is a great love for moisture. Watering should be watering, the soil should be constantly moist. But you should not allow the formation of stagnant moisture, so as not to harm the root system of the plant. the way out in this situation is to think over the drainage system well, as well as choose the right soil for planting. In summer, you can water the plant every 2-3 days, keeping an eye on the topsoil so that it does not dry out. A prerequisite for growing a plant is maintaining a high level of humidity. Air humidity should be at least 60%, but it is best that this figure is 70%. The higher the air temperature, the higher the humidity of the air. If plants are cultivated in conditions of an average temperature regime, then the humidity should also have average values. If the air is dry, then the foliage may lose its decorative effect, the tips of the leaves begin to dry intensively, while further spreading over the entire leaf plate occurs. One spraying is not enough for sufficient care. Therefore, if you are going to grow Gedihium at home, then you will need to think about buying a humidifier.If you cannot purchase a special device for humidifying the air, you can use in combination pallets with water and wet pebbles, expanded clay or moss, plus frequent spraying.
• We apply fertilizers. Fertilizers need to be applied throughout the entire time when the plant is actively growing. it is important to apply fertilizers during the flowering period, when the plant has a special need for potassium and phosphorus. The plant needs to be fertilized once a month or 3 weeks. You can also use another option for fertilizing - apply often, every week, but in small doses in the spring, during the growth of the plant, and then once a month. when the plant is at rest, in the autumn and winter, the plant does not need feeding, but if conditions allow and the plant continues to bloom, then fertilization should be continued until flowering ends. hedichiums best of all tolerate complex universal fertilizers. You can also use fertilizers that have a long period of action, which were applied to the soil when the plant was planted in the ground.
• We carry out the pruning and form the plant. Pruning the Gedihium is necessary for sanitary purposes. Faded and dry leaves and inflorescences are subject to pruning. After flowering is over, the shoots must be pruned to a height of about 10 cm.
• We transplant Gedihium. It is necessary to transplant a plant only in cases where there is an urgent need for it. Tuberous roots begin to release new shoots, the plant begins to develop a new substrate and grow, gradually expanding. The larger the plant, the more attractive its appearance will be. Therefore, for planting, it is best to choose large containers to give the plant room for growth. The transplant should be carried out when the entire substrate has been completely mastered. This procedure is carried out when the active growth of the plant begins, early spring is chosen. Any breathable, light and fertile soil is suitable for the plant. It is best if the reaction is neutral. Sour and calcareous soil will not work. If you are going to mix soil yourself, you will need sand, leaf humus, peat, and turf soil. All ingredients are taken in equal parts. By adding loosening agents, you can reduce the risk of soil compaction or acidification during heavy watering. This large and constantly growing plant requires a large capacity to grow. The minimum size is 40-50 cm. Large flower girls, flower boxes and tubs are well suited. It is better to choose a container with a width greater than its height. The container should have large openings to avoid stagnant water. When carrying out a transplant, all actions must be performed with special care so as not to damage the root system. Also, do not forget to lay a good drainage system on the bottom of the tank.

Gedihium: photo of a flower

Diseases, insect pests, what problems can be encountered during cultivation.

The main advantage of the Gedihium plant is its good immunity against various diseases and insects. if the air is very dry or you do not properly care for the plant, the plant may be attacked by spider mites. If there is an infected plant next to the Gedihium, then it can be attacked by a shield. For the fight, special insecticides are suitable. Most often, Gedihium tends to dry out the tips of the foliage. If the air is dry or there is a shortage of useful elements, then the plant can lose its decorative effect. If the plant refuses to bloom, then this may be due not only to improper care or temperature conditions, watering and fertilization. The reason may lie in the wrong lighting.

Propagating the Gedihium

Gedihium: photo of a flower

The easiest way to reproduce the Gedihium is by separation. The plant forms a large number of daughter plants, there is a constant growth, separation of large colonies, which allows you to become the owner of beautiful bushes. Separation of individual flowers is done very rarely, because in order to grow a sufficient number of children, it will take more than one year for the plant to bloom magnificently. Each division must have at least one strong shoot and a robust root system. You can also grow a plant using the seed method. Therefore, it is best to soak Gedihium seeds in water for 24 hours. In order to sow seeds, it is best to use a sand-peat mixture, or combine sand and substrate, taking an equal amount. The main conditions for the germination of Gedihium seeds are:

• The presence of surface sowing on wet soil, having a cover of 3-5 mm of the substrate.
• Creation of greenhouse conditions with bottom heating.
• The humidity level must be kept high at all times.

The appearance of the first shoots can be seen after a few months. The first flowering of Gedihium appears only after 3 years.