by The plant Jacobinia, or Justicia, or Justica is a representative of the Acanthaceae family. This genus unites about 40 species, some of which are happily cultivated by gardeners in mid-latitudes in indoor conditions. Such plants come from Latin America.
Features of Jacobinia
Jacobinia can reach a height of about 150 cm. The upward growing stem becomes slightly woody after some time. The shape of the green leaf blades is elliptical, and their surface sometimes has spots and droplets. There are 2 types of inflorescences in such a plant, due to which all species are divided into groups. Thus, in the first group, the formation of flowers is observed on the lateral shoots, and in the second, apical inflorescences grow.
Jacobinia care at home
Illumination
In order for Jacobinia to grow and develop within normal limits, it needs a lot of bright light, which must be diffused. In the summer midday, the bushes need to be shaded from direct sunlight. But during wintering, they are necessary. Such a flower grows well under artificial lighting.
Temperature conditions
In the spring and summer, the justicia will grow and develop well at an air temperature slightly above 20⁰C. In winter, such a plant can be placed in a cooler place (about 17 degrees).
Flowering
If a species is cultivated in which flowers form on lateral shoots, then its flowering can begin in winter. To achieve this, the flower must receive the necessary amount of light during the day, and it will also need coolness (no more than 12 degrees).
Air humidity and watering
Try to maintain the humidity in the room at a level of at least 60%. To do this, the bush needs to be regularly moistened with a spray bottle, and you can also pour moistened expanded clay or sphagnum into the tray.
Water such a flower exclusively with well-settled water. Watering is carried out only when the top layer of the substrate dries out. During a cool winter, watering should be reduced. However, if the plant is in a warm room in winter, then the watering regime is left the same as in summer.
Fertilizer
During the period of intensive growth, justice must be fed. Such procedures are carried out once every 1 weeks and organic or mineral fertilizers are used for this.
Substrate
The soil mixture should be slightly acidic. It can have the following composition: sand, humus, turf and leaf soil, taken in equal parts.
Transfer
Jacobinia is replanted only when necessary, and this procedure is carried out in the spring, or more precisely, in March. The bush is carefully pulled out of the old one and placed in a new pot that has a larger volume, while trying not to damage the root system. Justice pauciflora is replanted after flowering has ended, and this time falls in winter.
Reproduction of Jacobinia at home
When grown indoors, justice is propagated by seed and cuttings. If it is grown from seeds, the main thing to remember is that the crops should be in a warm place (about 22⁰C).
The type of inflorescence of your plant determines the time when it can be propagated by cuttings. If it has apical inflorescences, then propagation is carried out in January-April. The cuttings take root in warmth (at least 20⁰C). When they grow roots, they can be planted in individual containers, reaching 70 mm in diameter. In a larger pot with a diameter of 110 mm, 3 cuttings can be planted at once. To increase the decorativeness of the plant, it is necessary to pinch it.
For species that form flowers on lateral shoots, cuttings should be taken in January–February. When the cuttings take root, they are planted in a pot with a diameter of up to 100 mm. It is recommended to plant several plants in one container at once. While the cuttings are taking root, they will need warmth (approximately 20 degrees), but after they are planted in separate containers, they should be moved to a cool place (no higher than 16 degrees). Young bushes need a lot of light, and they will also need mandatory pruning of branches.
Diseases and pests
Jacobinia is quite resistant to diseases and various harmful insects. However, if the room has excessively low air humidity, spider mites can settle on the bush. The affected flower’s foliage first turns yellow and then dries up, and a fine web can be seen on their lower surface.
Also, due to lack of moisture, the leaves of the Justice may fall off. If the bush does not have enough light during winter, its foliage will turn yellow. Oversaturation of the soil with nutrients can cause lush growth of greenery and a complete absence of flowers.
Jacobinia species with photos and names
Jacobinia carnation
The slightly branched straight stems are over 100 centimeters high. The length of the leaf blades is about 20 centimeters, there is a slight pubescence on their surface. The inflorescence is round in shape and consists of pink flowers.
Jacobinia lutea
This plant has the main characteristics of the species. The color of its inflorescences is rich yellow.
Jacobinia pauciflora
Not a very tall bush, as a rule, it does not reach more than 0,5 m in height. Its shoots are branching, and the shape of the leaf blades is oval. This plant blooms very lushly and effectively, thanks to the two-color color of the flowers: at the base they are painted red, and above it changes to yellow.
Jacobinia Brandege
This evergreen plant is decorated with oblong leaf blades, the length of which is about 70 mm. This species forms spectacular scarlet bracts, and oblong white flowers grow from them. When grown at home, if such a flower is properly cared for, its height can reach 100 cm.
There are also varieties of variegated Jacobinia, their peculiarity is that mutant achlorophyllous cells grow near the usual cell, due to which the bushes look very unusual and decorative. However, these varieties are also distinguished by the fact that they are quite difficult to care for, and there may also be difficulties with their reproduction. As a rule, they are called “variegated”.