Takka

According to various sources, the genus "Takka" has from 16 to 30 species and belongs to the family "Dioskoreinye". The habitat of these plants is southeast Asia and the western part of the African continent. These fantastically beautiful plants are reminiscent of the alien flora portrayed by James Cameron in the movie Avatar.

In nature, takka feels equally comfortable in the forest, in tropical thickets, in the savannah on the coast of the sea or on the slope of a mountain. When growing this plant at home, you will need to make some effort and create some comfort for it, so if you decide to purchase a tacca, then be prepared to devote enough of your time to this flower. Experienced growers will undoubtedly cope with growing the same, but for beginners it is better to start with less demanding specimens.

Takka description and varieties

Small species still grow no more than 40 cm, medium varieties can reach a meter, and in natural conditions there are varieties whose growth reaches almost three meters. The root system of the tacky is made up of tubers. Moreover, some African peoples eat them (special preliminary processing is required, so it is not recommended to try). The leaves are still bright green, large in size and located on long petioles. Young shoots with small hairs, but as they grow, pubescence disappears.

And of course the most unusual thing about takka is its flowers. On the peduncle there are from 6 to 10 flowers, resembling buttons in appearance, covered with two large bracts, bedspreads. In addition, there are also long hanging bracts-cords, the length of which can exceed 50 cm. At the end of flowering, a fruit is formed in the place of each flower in the form of a berry or a capsule (depending on the type of plant).

The following plant species are best known:

Takka leontopetaloides or leontolepetovidny is the largest of all species - it is she who grows up to three meters. The leaves of this plant correspond in size to its growth, growing up to 50-60 centimeters in width and even more in length. Two light green bracts cover the lilac-green flowers, and the cord-like bracts grow up to 60 cm in length. At the end of flowering, berries are formed in place of the flowers.

Takka integrifolia or whole-leafed has stunningly beautiful contrasting flowers, consisting of large white bracts (by the way, in some varieties, these bedspreads may be purple) and purple or almost black flowers. The leaves of the plant are also quite large, with a glossy-mirror surface, reaching 70 cm in length, but narrower than that of the previous species. The whole-leaved takka is native to India, and due to its exotic appearance this plant has received the nickname "white bat".

Takka chantrieri, also called "black bat" is similar to the previous species, also resembling a butterfly or a bat in its outlines. The bracts are still painted in a dark burgundy shade, and the flowers themselves are red-brown, and the number of flowers in this species is greater than in others - up to 20 pieces.

Takka care

Lighting... Takku is not recommended to be placed on a windowsill, unless your window faces east or west. The direct rays of the sun will not benefit the takka; it feels most comfortable in partial shade.

Temperature and humidity... Takka is a tropical plant and will need to be kept at a comfortable temperature.In the warm season, the air temperature is allowed up to +30 degrees, but starting from autumn it must be gradually reduced (precisely gradually, for some time, so that the plant has time to adapt) to +20 degrees and maintain it at this level until next spring. If the arrow of the thermometer drops below +18 degrees, then this can be fatal for the takka.
Like most plants, takka is afraid of drafts, but loves fresh air very much, so the room must be regularly ventilated.

Another prerequisite for growing takki is high air humidity. In addition to regular spraying from a spray bottle, if possible, install a humidifier nearby, or put the plant on a pallet with expanded clay, which you regularly moisten. Dry air is no less detrimental to the plant than drafts or a drop in temperature. Takka responds very well to steam baths. To do this, steam a room (such as a bathroom) and leave the plant there overnight.

Watering mode... In the summer, in the heat, it is necessary to water the takka immediately after the top layer of the soil dries up. In the autumn months, the amount of watering is gradually reduced and in winter the plant is watered only when the soil in the flower pot is about 1/3 dry. It is impossible to allow both the complete drying of the earthen coma and its waterlogging. It should be watered with water at room temperature, which has been previously settled for several days. By the way, it is also necessary to spray takka only with settled water, bleach is detrimental to plants.

Fertilizers... In winter. When the plant is dormant, there is no need for fertilizers, but starting in spring, regular fertilizing should be carried out twice a month. Any liquid fertilizer is suitable for decorative flowering plants with a predominance of phosphorus in the composition, but only half of the dosage recommended in the instructions should be used. The last feeding is carried out in the first half of October.

Takka transplant

At first, the takka should be replanted annually, increasing the flowerpot as the plant grows. After the takka grows, it is necessary to transplant it only as needed and do this no earlier than April, so that the roots will get stronger after a dormant period. The soil for this plant requires loose, well-permeable water and air. Drainage should be poured at the bottom of the flower pot, and on top of it a previously prepared soil: either purchased soil for orchids, or a soil mixture consisting of coarse river sand, peat, leaf and sod land in a ratio of 1k2k1k2.

Since an adult plant does not require an annual transplant, experienced experts recommend periodically renewing the topsoil in a flower pot, but this must be done very carefully so as not to injure the plant's root system.

Reproduction

Takka can be propagated in two ways: by dividing the tuberous rhizome and by sowing seeds. In the first case, the resulting plant will bloom in two years. When grown from seed, flowering will not occur earlier than in the third year.

The division of the rhizome is carried out in the spring, after completely cutting off the aerial part of the plant. For the procedure, you will need a sharp and pre-disinfected knife. After you have separated the roots, sprinkle the cuts with chopped charcoal and leave to lie on the table for a day. Then the “delenki” should be planted in flower pots of suitable size, pre-filled with expanded clay and suitable soil.

If you decide to grow takka from seeds, then they will need preliminary pre-sowing preparation. Soak the seeds for 24 hours in warm water (so that the water does not cool down, you can use a thermos), they will swell in a day and due to this they will germinate faster.The seeds should be buried about one to one and a half centimeters into nutritious loose soil, watered and covered with cling film or glass on top. The soil temperature should be maintained at + 26 ... + 30 degrees, the soil should be regularly moistened, and the shelter should be raised for a few minutes for ventilation. It is impossible to predict in advance how long it will take for the seeds to germinate. This can take one or seven to nine months, so please be patient. After the seedlings do appear, the shelter can be removed and the plants can be looked after, as with any other seedlings.

Possible problems

If you follow all the rules for caring for the plant, do not forget about the drainage layer during the planting process and do not abuse watering, then your takka will not hurt. Only when the soil is waterlogged can rot appear.

Of the possible harmful insects, spider mites should be wary. If a pest is found, isolate the takka from other indoor plants until complete recovery. Apply an acaricidal treatment (you may need two or three treatments several days apart.)