Oplismenus or Ostyanka

Oplismenus: description and characteristics

Oplismenus (Ostyanka): photo of a plant

Oplismenus (Oplismenus) is a genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Cereals family. It has 6 species and grows in the wild in Australia and New Zealand. Oplismenus are both perennials and annuals. Often another name is used to designate them - Ostyanka.

For Oplismenus, rather high growth rates are characteristic, which must be taken into account when growing it as a houseplant. Depending on the variety, it can grow from 0.4 to 1 m in height. Overgrown bushes quickly fill the growing container, so Ostyanka has to be replanted quite often. In addition, the decorative qualities of oplismenus are lost with age. For this reason, growers prefer to grow perennial varieties as annuals and replace old bushes with new ones every year.

Oplismenus has thin, creeping stems and shoots that branch quickly. The foliage of Ostyanka is characterized by a sitting position relative to the stems, as well as a pointed lanceolate shape. The length of the sheet plate is on average 5 cm; many specimens are characterized by the presence of a corrugated contour. The typical color of Oplismenus foliage is green, or a contrasting striped color closer to the edges of the leaves. Due to the creeping form of shoots and stems, oplismenus is often used as an ampelous plant - it can be placed in hanging baskets. In this case, its shoots will fall down picturesquely. This culture is also used as a ground cover.

Oplismenus does not have a clearly time-limited flowering period. Discreet and small flowers can bloom at any time of the year, but do not significantly affect the decorative qualities of the plant.

Oplismenus: growing and care

Since Oplismenus is a resident of southern latitudes, certain recommendations are required for his comfortable stay at home. In general, this culture is quite unpretentious and does not require much effort to care for it. If we are talking about a perennial, then first of all it will need regular pruning due to the rapid elongation of its stems and shoots. It is recommended to cut off old shoots annually, which lose their decorative qualities and take away food from new parts of the bush.

Indoor air temperature

For a whole year, Oplismenus will feel good at a normal room temperature of about 20-24 degrees. A rather strong drop in the thermometer is critical for its condition - below 10 degrees Celsius.

Lighting mode

Oplismenus belongs to light-loving plants, therefore, it is recommended to choose a well-lit place for its placement. At the same time, exposure to direct sunlight in the daytime in summer is still undesirable and can harm the foliage of the plant. For this reason, the optimal solution would be to locate the Oplismenus in a place where the direct rays of the sun will penetrate only in the morning or evening hours.

Recommended soil composition

Oplismenus is undemanding to the composition of the soil and takes root both on nutrient soils and on soils poor in nutrients. The soil for filling containers with this plant can be purchased in specialized stores. A mixture designed for growing cacti and succulent plants is suitable.Some growers prefer to make a substrate for growing oplismenus on their own. To do this, it is enough to mix in equal parts garden soil, leaf humus and peat, and also add coarse sand. Good drainage is very important for the successful cultivation of Ostyanka, since stagnant moisture in the soil is dangerous for the root system of a southern plant.

Fertilization Recommendations

During the spring and summer, the phase of active growth of Oplismenus lasts. During this period, the plant needs additional nutrition. The lack of nutrients can be replenished by introducing dressings, which are sold in finished form in shops for gardeners. Fertilizers are applied in the form of aqueous solutions, and only half of the dose indicated in the instructions should be used. Otherwise, there is a high probability of burning the root system of Oplismenus.

Oplismenus (Ostyanka): photo of a plant

Air humidification

The natural environment for the growth of Oplismenus is not characterized by high atmospheric humidity, therefore, when grown indoors, the plant will not need regular procedures to humidify the air. The exceptions are especially dry days in summer, as well as the heating season in winter, when the air in the room becomes dry under the influence of room batteries.

Irrigation regime of Ostyanka

In the spring-summer period, when Oplismenus is in the phase of active growth, it is necessary to water it abundantly. With the arrival of autumn, the frequency of irrigation and the amount of water used for it gradually decreases. During the winter months, Oplismenus can be found in almost dry soil conditions.

Transplant recommendations

Since even perennial species of Oplismenus lose their external attractiveness by the end of the season, flower growers in most cases prefer not to transplant overgrown bushes, but to replace them with new ones. For this reason, the Ostyanka transplant procedure is considered inappropriate.

Oplismenus: plant propagation

The easiest and fastest way to reproduce Oplismenus at home is by cuttings. Cuttings are cut from stem processes 5 to 8 cm long. It is recommended to do this in spring or summer: the bases of the cuttings are immersed in the substrate, and containers with future seedlings are covered with a plastic or glass cap. In such conditions, the cuttings of the Ostyanka will take root rather quickly - after 14 days they will form roots.

Protection from pests and diseases

Diseases of Oplismenus are directly related to the violation of recommendations for caring for him. Incorrect light conditions are primarily reflected in the state of the leaves of the plant. Yellowing of the leaf plates is a sign of exposure to too bright direct rays of the sun - in the summer, the presence of Oplismenus in the open sun in the daytime is fraught with leaf burns. Care must be taken to keep the plant in the shade during the hottest hours. The faded color of the leaves of Ostyanka, as well as too elongated shoots, signal a lack of lighting. In this case, Oplismenus must be placed in such a way that it is in the sun in the morning and evening hours. Foliage loss of its rich green color can also be caused by excess nutrients associated with too frequent fertilization. Prolonged drought can cause foliage to fall - in part or in full. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the Ostyanka watering and air humidification regime.

As for harmful insects, the greatest danger to Oplismenus is the red spider mite, as well as aphids. You can get rid of pests by using insecticide preparations, which can be purchased at a specialized store.