Houseplants - Indoor Plants

Columnea: All you need to know

Posted on by Dzung Paolo
11
Apr

Wiki

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Columnea
L.
Species
About 200, see text
Synonyms
  • Dalbergaria
  • Pentadenia
  • Trichantha
Columnea: All you need to know
Columnea: All you need to know

Columnea is a group of epiphytic herbs and shrubs within the Gesneriaceae family, consisting of approximately 200 species that are native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. These plants are known for their unique, tubular or oddly shaped flowers that are usually brightly colored, often in shades of red, yellow, or orange, and sometimes resemble a fish in shape. They are commonly referred to as flying goldfish plants (related to the Nematanthus) due to their unusual flower shape.

The genus was named after Fabio Colonna, a 16th-century Italian botanist, by Carl Linnaeus, who used the Latinized version of Colonna’s name – Fabius Columnus.

While some botanists consider Bucinellina to be a separate genus, many consider it to be synonymous with Columnea. The World Checklist of Gesneriaceae provides a complete list of accepted species in the genus, along with their synonyms.

Cultivation

In their natural habitat, Columnea plants are typically grown as epiphytes and require bright light, good air circulation, and a well-draining growing medium that is allowed to slightly dry out between waterings. These plants are quite tolerant of being under-potted and tend to bloom best when they are potbound. Most species of Columnea are tropical plants and can be grown easily in indoor or greenhouse conditions. However, some species come from high-altitude areas and require cooler temperatures to grow well and produce blooms. While many Columnea species are seasonal bloomers, hybrids and cultivars can bloom more or less continuously.

One notable hybrid, Columnea × banksii, has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Species

Related post:  Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Vine): All you need to know
Columnea: All you need to know
Columnea: All you need to know

How to Care Columnea Plants

Columnea plants, also known as Goldfish plants, are popular indoor plants that can add a touch of color and beauty to any home or office. However, caring for these plants can be a bit challenging, especially for beginners. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at how to care for Columnea plants, including the ideal growing conditions, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and common problems.

Introduction

Columnea plants are native to Central and South America and are popular indoor plants due to their vibrant, colorful flowers and foliage. They are low-maintenance and can thrive in most indoor environments. However, like any plant, they require proper care and attention to reach their full potential.

Columnea Plant Overview

Columnea plants are part of the Gesneriad family and are known for their tubular, brightly colored flowers that resemble goldfish. They have glossy, dark green leaves that are often tinged with red or bronze. Columnea plants are usually small and compact, growing up to 12 inches in height.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Columnea plants prefer bright, indirect light and can tolerate partial shade. They do not do well in direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves. They also prefer warm temperatures between 65°F to 75°F and high humidity levels. You can increase the humidity levels by misting the leaves regularly or placing a tray of water near the plant.

Watering Columnea Plants

Columnea plants require regular watering, but you should not overwater them. They prefer moist soil but can suffer from root rot if the soil becomes too saturated. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Make sure the water drains well from the pot and remove any excess water from the tray underneath.

Fertilizing Columnea Plants

Columnea: All you need to know
Columnea: All you need to know

Columnea plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season, which is usually from spring to fall. Use a balanced fertilizer that is diluted to half strength and apply it every two weeks. Avoid fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is dormant.

Pruning Columnea Plants

Columnea plants can benefit from pruning to control their shape and size. You can also remove any dead or damaged leaves or stems to promote new growth. Prune the plant after it has finished flowering to encourage new blooms.

Propagating Columnea Plants

Columnea plants are relatively easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Take a 3-4 inch cutting from the tip of a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a bright, indirect light. The cutting should root within a few weeks.

Common Problems and Solutions

Columnea plants can suffer from a few common problems, including spider mites, mealybugs, and root rot. Spider mites and mealybugs can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Root rot can be prevented by avoiding overwatering and ensuring the soil is well-draining.

Conclusion

By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Columnea plant thrives and adds a touch of beauty to your indoor space. Remember to provide ideal growing conditions, water and fertilize the plant regularly, prune it as needed, and propagate it to expand your collection.

FAQs

  1. How often should I water my Columnea plant? Water your Columnea plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
  2. How do I propagate my Columnea plant? Take a 3-4 inch cutting from the tip of a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant it in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a bright, indirect light.
  3. What should I do if my Columnea plant has spider mites? Treat spider mites with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Make sure to follow the instructions on the product label.
  4. Can I grow Columnea plants outdoors? Columnea plants are usually grown indoors, but they can be grown outdoors in warm, humid climates.
  5. How often should I fertilize my Columnea plant? Fertilize your Columnea plant every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is dormant.

Thank you for reading this article on how to care for Columnea plants. With the right care and attention, your Goldfish plant can thrive and add a touch of beauty to your indoor space.

Columnea: All you need to know
Columnea: All you need to know

Reference

Fabio Colonna

Fabio Colonna
Fabio Colonna

Fabio Colonna (called Linceo, 1567 – 25 July 1640) was an Italian naturalist and botanist.

Biography

Girolamo Colonna, a philologist, antique dealer, and editor of the fragments of the Latin poet Ennius, had a son who became proficient in Latin and Greek as a youngster. He graduated in law from the University of Naples in 1589, but was unable to practice law due to his epilepsy. As a result, he turned to the study of ancient authors in medicine, botany, and natural history. While reviewing Dioscorides’ Materia medica, he noted several errors and omissions, but unfortunately his commentary on the work has been lost.

Related post:  Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans): All you need to know

Between 1606 and 1616, Colonna studied fossils, discovering evidence for their organic origins. His first works on botany, such as De purpura, made him a renowned figure among naturalists and earned him membership in the Accademia dei Lincei in Naples, founded by Federico Cesi in 1612. In the ensuing years, Colonna was actively involved in the academy’s academic pursuits, which included authoring the Apiario and the Tesoro Messicano, both published by the Lincei in 1625 and 1628.

Colonna was fascinated by the newly invented telescope and microscope and corresponded with Galileo Galilei and other Lincean academics on astronomy. In 1625, he published two drawings, Apiarium and Melissographia, on the subject of bees.

Colonna also had a keen interest in music, and he invented an instrument called the pentecontachordon, a stringed instrument with 50 strings, divided into 31 parts per octave and 5 parts per tone. He was a pupil of Ferrante Imperato and a friend of Giambattista della Porta and Bartolomeo Maranta.

Selected works

Sources

The first version of this text was partially or fully derived from the project Mille anni di scienza in Italia and edited by the Istituto Museo di Storia della Scienza di Firenze. It is released under the Creative Commons License CC-BY-3.0.

Further reading

Notes and references

  1. ^ Brown, Howard Mayer (28 February 2002) [2001]. “Colonna, Fabio”. Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.15241. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  2. ^ Fabio Colonna – Accademia dei Lincei
  3. ^ Phytobasanos sive plantarum aliquot historia in qua describuntur diversi generis plantæ veriores, ac magis facie, viribúsque respondentes antiquorum Theophrasti, Dioscoridis, Plinii, Galeni, aliquorúmque delineationibus, ab alijs hucusque (sic) non animaduersæ.
  4. ^ A musical instrument related to the harp.
  5. ^ The identification of Janus Plancus with Giovanni Bianchi is based on that made by worldcat.org.

Carl Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus, born on May 23, 1707, and also known as Carl von Linné after his ennoblement in 1761, was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician. He is famous for establishing binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms, and is widely recognized as the “father of modern taxonomy.”

Linnaeus grew up in Råshult, in southern Sweden, and received his higher education at Uppsala University. He began lecturing on botany at the university in 1730, and from 1735 to 1738, he lived abroad, studying and publishing the first edition of his Systema Naturae in the Netherlands. He then returned to Sweden and became a professor of medicine and botany at Uppsala. In the 1740s, he traveled throughout Sweden to classify plants and animals, and in the 1750s and 1760s, he continued to collect and classify specimens while publishing several volumes. At the time of his death, he was one of the most highly respected scientists in Europe.

Linnaeus has been praised by many notable figures throughout history. Jean-Jacques Rousseau called him “the greatest man on earth,” while Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stated that he was one of the few people who influenced him strongly, along with Shakespeare and Spinoza. August Strindberg described Linnaeus as a naturalist who was, in reality, a poet. Linnaeus is also known as the Prince of Botanists and is considered one of the founders of modern ecology.

In the fields of botany and zoology, Linnaeus is often cited as the authority for a species’ name, and the abbreviation “L.” is used to indicate him as the source. In older publications, the abbreviation “Linn.” may be found. Additionally, Linnaeus’s remains are the type specimen for the species Homo sapiens, as he examined himself and is the sole known specimen.

Dzung Paolo

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."

Bài viết liên quan:
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans): All you need to know
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): All you need to know
Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): All you need to know

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *