Overview
Strobilanthes dyerianacommonly referred to asPersian harbor or royal purple plant , is a species of flowering flora in the acanthus familyAcanthaceae , native to Myanmar(Burma),where it grows as an evergreen perennial shrub . It gets the name Iranian shield because the leaves resemble niggling , feudal battle shield . Iranian buckler plant produces4 - 7 inch long , slender leaves tip with a point . They are slightly serrated and have deep dark-green veins with purpleness to silver on the entire open of the leaf .
Iranian shell usuallyblooms in the fall or winter . The flowers are little and blue - violet , scarce noticeable , fundamentally insignificant against the vivid color of the foliage for which the plant is grown . Once the flora produces spikes , flowered buds arise from every node and the stems can no longer be used for propagation .
Persian shield provides seasonal colouring material indoors in a container or it make an eye - catch border or container flora , as well as a spectacular focal level in a flower bed . you could grow Persian shell outdoors in warm climates and plant them in the ground as part of a borderline presentation . In nerveless zone , treat the plant an annual or add it inside at the remainder of summertime .
Plant Profile/Facts
How To Grow And Care For Persian Shield plant
Soil
Persian plant prefers acidic soil with a PH between 6.0 and 6.5 . However , the plant tolerates nearly any well - drain soil , including sandy , clay , acidulous or alkaline stain . Well - drained soil is peculiarly significant when the industrial plant is vernal works it in an area with passable drainage as too much moisture causes fungal disease and etymon putrefaction .
Sunlight
Persian shield plant can grow perfectly in a location with a partial nuance ; however , it favor hopeful collateral light to grow good for you . Too much intense sunlight may ensue in leaves with a bilk , dry , streaked visual aspect .
Place Persian shields plant in a Dixieland - present windowpane where it can receive a tenacious menstruation of bright sunlight each day . outside , it require filtered sunlight or shifting shade . An idealistic out-of-door localization is under a tree with an undefendable canopy where you see moving patterns of light and shade throughout the day .
Watering
Water the industrial plant in spring , summertime and come when the soil dries to a depth of about an inch . This is more or less the distance of your index finger to the first knuckle , so sticking your finger into the soil is a convenient direction to condition the moisture . weewee the plant deep to saturate the root zona , until water begins come out at the bottom . After 1 time of day , empty the dish antenna so that the plant life is n’t standing in weewee . In wintertime , the plant enrol a resting phase and does n’t require much water . Therefore , water sparingly during the wintertime months , as excess water while the plant is torpid may induce root rot and kill the plant . permit the soil to dry out between watering . likewise , do n’t permit the soil to become altogether dry as water stress may cause the foliage to discolor , wilting and cast off from the plant .
Temperature
Iranian shell flora grow best under average temperatures of some 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the night . Heat over 85oF can result in dropping and curling of leaves . It can also be kill by few nights of temperature below 35oF.
Humidity
Persian Shield plant life involve modal humidity that between 60 t0 70 % . When humidity layer drop too scurvy , the Iranian shield plant transpires at a rate much faster and this most often do wilt and weakening of the flora . in high spirits humidity levels or soggy clime can ensue to fungous infections that can obliterate the plant .
The best manner to maintain an average humidity to a Iranian cuticle plant is to place a thin layer of rocks in a disc and balance the sess on top and see to it fill up the dish full with water supply . This will aid to keep the root out of the body of water but the evaporation of the body of water provides the necessary humidity to the atmosphere . or else , you may mist the leaf using rain body of water or make pure during depressed humidness periods to boost humidness .
Fertilizer
Iranian shell plant benefit from a monthly feeding during spring and summer , using a balanced liquid flora fertiliser . Begin feed in late wintertime or early spring when the plant begin putting out new growth and continue until previous summertime . Always blend the result grant to the directions on the recording label . To forbid burn the root , always practice fertilizer to moist ground and do n’t allow plant food to come in link with the foliage . you may supplement fertilise by watering with a mix of Epsom salts and water , merge at a proportion of 1 teaspoon common salt to 1 gallon of water .
Pruning
Dip your pruning shear into a container filled with rubbing inebriant to disinfect the steel . Allow them to zephyr ironic before use of goods and services . Trim off about one - third of the duration of all healthy stems with the pruning shears . Select any weakly , dead or diseased stem and trim down them off at their point of origin on the plant . uncontaminating up and dispose of the industrial plant tissue .
Mulching
Mulch go along weeds at bay laurel and protect your Iranian shield industrial plant ’s root word . It also shields the dirt , keeping it moist and keep it from washing away . Use organic mulches such as woods chips , pale yellow , pine straw or folio molds to mulch your Persian shield plant . Generally , spread a 1 - inch layer of mulch around the works every crepuscule .
Overwintering
Iranian cuticle works can be overwinter if observe indoors . A greenhouse is preferable , but a service department is fine if the temperature stay at around 40oF. The plant will only command few instances of tearing . work it back outside once all the peril of frost has pass and when the night time temperature is above 45oF.
Growing Persian Shield Plant In Pot/Container
Pests And Diseases
Persian shield rarely suffers from pests or diseases and it only requires minimum maintenance to stay attractive . A healthy Persian Shield plant is sometimes bother byscale , aphids , whiteflies and spider mites . Treat heavy infestations by spraying the plant with horticultural crude or insecticidal grievous bodily harm .
unwashed fungous disease that can affect Persian carapace plant includeroot and stem bunkum , fusarium leaf smirch and leafage blight , which can be now attribute to humid conditions and unconventional lacrimation . To prevent such disease , water at the base of the plant and avoid overhead watering . Dispose of unnatural plant share to prevent spread of disease .