Clitoria TERNATEA 'ALBA'

Clitoria TERNATEA 'ALBA' - White butterfly pea, Asian pigeonwings 'Alba', Clitoria ternatea 'Alba'.

The flowering plant genus Clitoria includes about 70 species in the legume family (Fabaceae). They grow in Southeast Asia, tropical zones of Central and South America, the temperate zone of North America, as well as in Africa and Australia.

Clitoria is an evergreen perennial plant that grows as a vine, shrub, or subshrub. Under natural conditions, it can reach 350 cm (11.5 ft). The stem is often prostrate. The leaves are pinnate, usually trifoliate, with lanceolate-ovate leaflets up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long. The upper surface of the leaflets is typically dark green, while the lower surface is glaucous-green. There are stipules several millimeters long as well as very short subulate stipels.

Flowers of members of this genus are usually solitary (rarely gathered in small inflorescences) and fairly large. The size of the largest part of the flower - the corolla - grows up to 5 cm (2.0 in), blooming with axillary flowers. Flower color depends on the species. There are also cultivars with double flowers. The wing and keel petals form a dense crest up to two-thirds the diameter of the banner.

Pollination is carried out by insects that venture inside this crest for pollen. The flowering period lasts for 5 months (May - September). Members of this genus produce flat pod-shaped fruits ranging in length from 4 to 13 cm (1.6 to 5.1 in).

White butterfly pea is one of the most beautiful and remarkable tropical vine plants. It is unpretentious, resilient, and vigorous. Its rapid growth and early blooming allow it to form beautiful hanging baskets for decorating interiors and summer verandas. With early shoot pinching, the plant is easily trained and takes on a compact bush shape that should be maintained. The leaves are pinnate, consisting of 5-7 leaflets. The flowers are white, exquisitely beautiful, measuring 5x4 cm (2.0x1.6 in), resembling butterflies with widely spread wings.

Seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for 10-15 hours, preferably in a thermos, then sown into loose, nutrient-rich soil, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 21-24 °C (70-75 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

The seeds begin to germinate 7-14 days after sowing, although in some cases this period can extend to 4-5 months. Flowering begins as early as 6 weeks after germination. Established seedlings can be transplanted into the ground only during the warm season. The plant is susceptible to spider mites and requires treatment with pest control preparations.

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Clitoria prefers a warm location, so it is not advisable to keep it at temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F). Today, the plants are also cultivated outdoors. If seeds are sown in winter (February), the plant's flowering period will begin in June. The plant should be planted in a container or directly into the ground, preferably placed near trellises. In autumn, they must again be brought indoors.

Clitoria is a flower of tropical regions where light and warmth are abundant. Consequently, growing it requires good lighting, and indoors it is best placed on a south-facing window. However, it tolerates harsh direct sun poorly, so shading is necessary during hot periods. For the summer period, it can be planted out into open soil.

The optimal temperature range is from 20 °C to 25 °C (68 °F to 77 °F). In winter, it tolerates temperatures between 12 °C and 15 °C (54 °F and 59 °F) well, but it should not fall below 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, when planting Clitoria in a garden, it must be dug up for winter and moved into a heated room. When growing the flower indoors, keep in mind that it does not tolerate drafts.

A loose substrate consisting of a mixture of turf soil, sand, humus, and peat is preferred. To avoid waterlogging, well-draining soil must be used. Planting is carried out in a perforated pot.

Watering should be carried out regularly, but one should not overdo it. For watering, it is best to use settled room-temperature water. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum. The flower does not require special air humidification, but it can be misted periodically.

Clitoria grows very well with regular fertilization during the flowering period. Therefore, from spring to autumn, the flower should be fed with mineral fertilizers once every two weeks.

When growing perennial species, they should be pruned in spring and repotted into a larger pot. The flower can be grown as a bush, which is trained by pinching young seedlings and shaping the plant through pruning. A support is used for climbing vines.

Clitoria is propagated by cuttings and seeds. When propagating by cuttings, harvesting is carried out from April to July. They root well; peat pellets, loose moist soil, or sand can be used for this purpose. Root formation can be stimulated with rooting agents, but this is optional, as Clitoria roots readily.