Callistemon is an exotic plant that attracts attention with its original look and unusual flowers. It was once a rarity in Europe, but today, to bring a native of Australia under the force of every flower lover on its windowsill. About what it is in everyday life and what is necessary for an overseas plant to bloom in our climate, let's talk in more detail.
Description
Under natural conditions, callistemon grows in Australia, Tasmania, New Caledonia. It is there that you can meet him in the form of both a shrub and a small tree. This evergreen plant has leathery leaves greyish-green in color, which spiral up to the trunk.
The edges of them are quite sharp and always directed edge towards the sun to avoid burns. In the fleshy tissue of the leaves are glands full of essential oils.
Did you know? The name of the plant was formed by the combination of two words - "kallos" - beautiful and "stemon" - stamen.
Closer to summer callistemon blooms. At this time, large (up to 12 cm) fluffy spikelets from a variety of inflorescences with long stamens appear on the tops of its stems. Depending on the subspecies, flowers may please the look with white, yellow, pink, red hues.
The cylindrical shape inflorescence resembles a brush for bottles. In the wild, birds pollinate the plant, so as the ripening on the tops of the ears appear woody balls-boxes with seeds.
We advise you to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of cultivation of such exotic plants as chrysalidocarpus, pachypodium, alokaziya, tsikas, strelitzia, hovey, tulip tree, drimiopsis, hymenocallis, feijoa, pandanus, crossander, ixora.
Callistemon belongs to the family of Mirtovas and is represented by many species, among which the most popular are recognized:
- Pine forest (Callistemon pinifolius). The name of the species was due to leaves that look like needles of needles up to 12 cm long and 0.15 cm in diameter. On the upper side they have a shallow gutter. Their color is pale-mauve, so short, densely growing yellow-green flowers look great against its background.
- Prut (Callistemon viminalis). His "spikelets" push down with long silky hairs, and the leaves can be of different sizes. Especially prized specimens with small leaves that grow densely on the shoot.
- Lemon (Callistemon citrinus). The subspecies is distinguished by lanceolate leaves, which, when rubbed, spread the lemon flavor. Its ear is famous for its rich bright red color, which looks great on the background of small leaves.
- Willow (Callistemon salignus). Quite a large copy as for this family (can reach 12 m in height). Its cylinder-shaped inflorescences stretch for 7-8 cm, and the stamens are full of all shades of yellow, pink and white. Leaves up to 1.2 cm wide, pointed at the end.
Did you know? The first sample of callistemon was introduced to Europe in 1789 by Joseph Banks for the Royal Botanical Gardens in Great Britain.
- Lovely (Callistemon speciosus). This species feels great in cool rooms, so it is actively used as a pot plant. The height can reach 4 m, but rarely grows to such scales. His shoots are grayish-brown, and the flowers are distinguished by a large number of oil glands.
Growing up
Growing callistemon at home is easy. You need to start by searching for planting material. If you can get the cuttings of exotic from friends, acquaintances, then fine, but not - then you can find plant seeds on the Internet.
It will also be helpful for you to find out which flowers are not allowed to grow at home.
A suitable time for landing is from August to March. It is better to plant in a pot of medium size, after preparing the ground. As a callistemon soil, mix 4 parts of sod land, 2 parts of hardwood and peat, and 1 part of river sand.
At the bottom lay out the drainage of perlite. In the resulting mixture and planted seeds. Do not bury them much, because the seedlings will be difficult to get out. Therefore, planting through ready-made cuttings is much easier - the young sprout will not have to make its way through the layers of the earth. 
After planting, both seeds and sprouts need to be covered with a film or glass, then put closer to sunlight and watered 2 times a day. In this mode, the plant needs 2-3 weeks to root (seedling) or germinate (seed).
For the permanent location of callistemon, the eastern, southern, or western side is suitable, where there is more diffused daylight. But the heat of the plant is not very much, despite its exotic origin. In summer, it is optimal for him to be 20–22 ° C, and in winter he prefers about 12–16 ° C.
Callistemon loves moisture, so in the summer it should be regularly sprayed with soft warm water. In winter, watering is often not required, otherwise there is a risk of bacteria and fungi on the plant.
Important! You can find out that exotic needs watering on a dried top layer of soil in a pot.
Care
Callastemon care will not take much time. For normal development and regular flowering, the plant requires fertilizing and timely pruning.
Feed it twice a month during the period of active growth (spring-summer). For these purposes, suitable mineral complexes for flowering plants, which can be found in any specialized stores. In winter, callistemon does not need such nutrition.
Useful indoor plants include: geranium, chlorophytum, laurel, ficus, Kalanchoe, chrysanthemums, cactus and sansevieria.
Pruning is carried out at the end of the flowering period. After the dry inflorescences fall, peculiar gnarled growths remain in their places. They not only spoil the appearance of exotic, but also become an obstacle for the next flowering.
Also in early spring, the plant is pruned to give it shape and stimulate growth. This is a necessity for the normal development of callistemon, but it can also be used to create an original composition from a bush. 
Transfer
This exot feels better in crampedness, so it is necessary to replant it in the spring, when the roots are tightly braided earthen ball in a pot. For young plants, the procedure should be carried out every year, but older transplants need only one transplant for 2-3 years.
The soil in the new pot should be identical to the first planting. If the plant has reached a sufficiently large size, then for its comfort, it is desirable to change the top layer of soil in a pot to the substrate once a year.
It is prepared in the same proportion as the soil, but from time to time for a change it does not hurt to replace it with a mixture of peat, pine bark and perlite.
Often a white or reddish bloom appears on the top layer of soil in the pot. This is the salt and various impurities from the composition of the water, which is watered plant. If this happens, simply change the top layer of soil to a new substrate. 
Breeding methods
As we said above, callistemon can be grown with the help of seeds and cuttings. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:
- If planting is carried out with seeds, then for the first planting you can use a large box filled with a mixture of peat and sand. The grains do not need to be lowered deeper than 1 cm, otherwise it will be harder for them to germinate. After sowing, water and cover with film to create a greenhouse. When the sprouts stretch to 2-3 cm, it is time to dive. At this time, you will need 7-9 cm pots. During this period, seedlings grow rather slowly, 4-5 cm per year. The first flowers appear no earlier than 4-5 year.
- For grafting suitable lignified processes of 5-8 cm in length. They are placed in boxes filled with sand and kept during the winter at a temperature of 18-20 ° C.
Important! To accelerate growth, it is recommended to periodically process seedlings with growth stimulants, as well as practice lower heating.
Like seeds, cuttings need to create greenhouse conditions by covering the box with a film and sprinkling the plants twice a day. When the seedlings have a well-developed root system, it is time to transplant them into pots with a diameter of 7 cm. Propagation by cuttings accelerates the flowering of the plant: in this case it is possible in a year or two.
Diseases and pests
There are a few rules, the fulfillment of which is a guarantee of the health of callistemon:
- good lighting;
- regular access to fresh air;
- no drought and stagnant water;
- cool temperatures in winter.
If you break these rules, there is a chance to get acquainted with the main enemies of callistemon.
Aphid. This is a small insect of dark, gray-black or yellow-green color with a length of 5-7 mm, which feeds on vegetable juices. The appearance of aphids first leads to damage to exotus, and over time to its death. 
To avoid this, keep the plant in warm, but not hot conditions, under bright daylight. Make sure there are no ants nearby. More often arrange airing and do not allow overfeeding callistemona. If the plant appears spun leaves, discharge on their surface (honeydew) or bloom - it means that the aphid has already begun its work.
Insecticides (Intovir, Fitoverm, Strela, etc.) and a solution of laundry soap (10-15 g per 1 liter of water) will help to get rid of it. To begin with, we wash the plant with soapy liquid, and then process it with a special tool according to its instructions.
Important! Procedure is necessary will be Pto repeat 5-7 days to prevent the emergence of a new generation of pests.
Spider mite This small spider less than 1 mm likes to hide under the leaves, so visually it is extremely difficult to identify it. His presence is indicated by small white dots scattered on the surface of the leaf, thin webs that entwine the plant; sometimes on the tips of the leaves or the tips of the shoots, you can see a stirring mass of parasites. 
The mite is harmful by its direct effect on the callistemon, because it damages its integument, and it is also an active vector of plant infections and viruses. A tick appears in dry rooms where the humidity is low. He also likes old leaves, dry buds and dust.
Therefore, regular cleaning of the plant is the best prevention in this case. Lime pests will help insecticides ("Karbofos", "Aldicarb", etc.), as well as a solution of dandelion (dry mix can be bought at the pharmacy).
Fill in 20-25 g of dandelion with 1 l of warm water and insist for 1-2 hours, then wash the leaves well with infusion. After a few days, re-treatment is necessary to prevent the maturation of previously laid eggs.
Whitefly. This tiny (1-2 mm) winged insect by itself does not harm the plant, but its feces (black mushrooms) adversely affect the vegetation. As a flying insect, the whitefly can become a distributor of various infections. 
To notice its presence on the plant is easy to drop a brilliant bloom (honeydew), from which sootous fungi are obtained. Since the whitefly likes warm conditions, in order to prevent its appearance, it is worth keeping the temperature in the winter at the level of the average (not above 20 ° C).
Insecticides (Aktellik, Mospilan, Pegasus, etc.), which must be used according to the instructions, will help get rid of the harmful moth. And from national methods adhesive tapes for flies are recognized as the most effective.
Their bright appearance and peculiar smell attract the whitefly, and the adhesive base does not allow to leave the trap. Despite its exotic origin, the callistemon for more than 200 years in Europe managed to fully acclimatize and settle down in indoor conditions.
It is enough to put together the right soil for it, ensure the temperature regime and monitor the irrigation so that it regularly pleases the eye with its unusual look and beautiful flowers. Such an original exot will surely attract the attention of guests and will decorate any home.
