| Life form | Shrub, small tree. For decorative purposes, the tekoma can be formed as a stump or as an ampel plant. |
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Origin and distribution | In total, there are 14 species. The homeland of most of them is Central and South America (including northern Argentina), some representatives of the genus are found in the wild in the southern states of the United States. Two species grow in Africa. Synonyms: lat.Bignonia stans, Stenolobium incisum, Engl. Yellow Bells. Very close relatives of the tekoma in appearance, form and structure of flowers are plants of the genus bignonia and campsis, which leads to some confusion in the determination of the taxation affiliation of certain species. |
| Ease of cultivation | An unpretentious plant, however, it requires good lighting and sufficient moisture. |
| The size | In nature reaches 6-9 m, in room conditions can grow up to 2 m. |
| Growth rate | High |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Temperature | The plant is resistant to temperature conditions. For summer, the optimum temperature is + 77-82,4 ° F, in winter it should be lower, the plant can be kept even at a temperature of + 41-50 ° F, but at lower temperatures it sheds leaves. Nevertheless, the campsis can transfer a short-term one-fold decrease in temperature to -50 ° F. With prolonged exposure to low temperatures, the aerial part of the plant dies, but if the roots are preserved alive, the plant can recover. |
| Humidity | Very useful are frequent spraying, especially in hot weather or in winter in conditions of heating. |
| Lighting | A very bright light is required, up to 4 hours of direct sun per day. It is best to grow on a southern or western window. When there is a lack of lighting, the bloom is weakened. It is advisable to ensure good lighting and in the winter, because in low light possible drastic defoliation. |
| The soil | Suitable is a loose, breathable, fertile substrate based on 2 parts of garden land, 1 part of sand or perlite and 1 part of peat (pH 7-8). Drainage required. |
| Watering | In summer the watering is moderate, in hot weather, up to 3 times a week. The top layers of the soil between watering should dry up. In winter, watering is reduced, especially at low storage temperatures. |
| How to fertilize | The plant does not require abundant fertilizer. Feed in the growth period once every 2-3 weeks. Spring and summer are preferable to fertilizers with increased content of phosphorus and potassium (N: P: K – 8:10:10), closer to autumn, increase the relative content of nitrogen. During the rest period in autumn and winter the plant does not fertilize. |
| Reproduction | Easily propagated by cuttings, which must contain a minimum of 2 leaves. Use cuttings from last year’s shoots, which are placed obliquely into the substrate from peat and perlite. |
| Bloom | Blooms from spring to autumn, forming inflorescences of bright yellow flowers on the shoots of the current year. As the color fades, they must be removed in the same way as the pods that have appeared, this will stimulate further flowering. |
| Transplant and care | Transplant annually, gradually increasing the size of the pot. For the formation of lush bushes, pruning is necessary in the spring and pinching during the whole period of growth, but it is worth remembering that the inflorescences appear on the shoots of the current year. |
| Difficulties | The plant is resistant to pests, but on it may appear: spider mite, whitefly, scab. The plant does not bloom in conditions of insufficient illumination or excess nitrogen in the soil. |
| Beneficial features | At home, tekoma is used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of diabetes and digestive system diseases. Roots used to be used for beer. |
| Toxicity | The plant is not poisonous |
