Senecio, plant care and growing guide

senecio-cineraria-plant-care-growing-guide

Senecio (Senecio cruentus), popularly called common ragworts, has its origins in the Canary Islands, Africa, and India. It is very suitable as a houseplant, but it can also be grown in the garden. The stem is branched, can reach a height of 25 cm to 100 cm. The leaves are large and alternatively arranged (arranged on either side of the stem), covered with whitish hairs. The flowers are clustered in variously colored inflorescences: white, light pink, red, blue, purple.

Species and varieties

multiflora: the stem has many branches, the flowers are small and numerous.

grandiflora: it has a height of 30-50 cm, the flowers are large (6 cm in diameter) but in a smaller number. It has early-flowering.

flore pleno: on the inflorescence, there are numerous ligulate flowers.

stellate: the ligules have a tubular shape and are arranged in the shape of rays.

Environmental conditions

Light. Senecio (common ragworts) prefers bright, airy places, but it should be kept away from direct sunlight. During the summer, it does not tolerate direct sunlight (burns appear on the leaves).

Temperature. It is a plant that prefers lower temperatures. The optimum temperature is 16-18º C for young plants. At the beginning of winter, the plants should be kept at a temperature of 6-10º C for 6 weeks. For flowering, the temperature must be maintained at 12-13º C.

Humidity. Senecio (common ragworts) can withstand very high humidity both in the substrate/soil and in the atmosphere.

Substrate. The plant needs a light substrate, rich in humus and a pH between 6.5-7.5. The substrate must provide good water drainage and have the ability to maintain moderate humidity.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Watering

Due to the size of the leaves, the evaporation of water through the leaf is much more intense. Regular watering with water at room temperature is indicated. The substrate must be kept moist, avoiding excessive watering.

Fertilization

Slow-release fertilizers or fertilizers for flowering plants can be used. During the flowering period, it is indicated the administration of fertilizers with lower nitrogen content.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Repotting

As they grow, the plants can be repotted into larger pots. The substrate can be a mixture of peat, compost, and sand. It is important to ensure proper water drainage, avoiding water stagnation at the root.

After repotting, a rooting stimulator can be applied.

Propagation

Propagation can be done through cuttings, only in the case of varieties with involute petals (numerous and dense petals). Another method of propagation is through seeds. They have to be sown in summer, in June-August. Because the seeds are very small, sowing should be done through scattering. Over the seeds add a thin layer of soil and keep them in places away from direct sunlight. The new plants sprout in about 10-14 days. Two weeks after sprouting, the seedlings should be pricked out.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Diseases and pests

Senecio (common ragworts) is sensitive to powdery mildew and gray mold. In the case of pests, aphids infest the plant most frequently.

In addition

  • in case of high temperatures, the number of flowers is low and the leaves remain small.
  • Cineraria remains in bloom (in apartment conditions) for about 4-6 weeks.
  • the shorting of the flowering period can be caused by hot and dry air.
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