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The perennial plant Matricaria belongs to the general family of Asteraceae. People call picturesque flowers a chamomile for the detailed similarity of inflorescences-baskets. It is known that in the 16th century the culture was called "Romanov color", from the Polish word "romana" - "Roman". Matricaria is a herbaceous plant characterized by a pinnately dissected leaf structure. Scutes with hemispherical inflorescences in the form of baskets, bisexual tubular flowers of a yellow tone, collected in a disk, pistillate false reed buds of a white hue.
Matricaria flowers do not emit a strong, specific smell
Views from photo
Some types of matrix are very popular among modern landscape designers. Unpretentious flowers favorably and naturally emphasize the Russian style, evoke associations with endless fields dotted with a scattering of white daisies with yellow centers. The genus Matricaria has about 20 different species, among which the most popular for planting on personal plots are Sadovaya, Chikhacheva, Pakhuchaya, Devichya.
Sadovaya
Large garden chamomile matricaria, or the largest popovnik, belongs to the Asteraceae family. The flowers of this type have a specific aroma, as well as the following characteristics:
- branched, pivotal root system;
- single, erect, faceted, branched stem;
- stem height - up to 70 cm;
- leaf plates - oblong, spatulate, serrated along the edges;
- the arrangement of the leaves is alternate, sessile;
- the shape of the inflorescences - single baskets, up to 12 cm in diameter;
- inflorescence tone: tubular yellow buds, white pseudo-ligate flowers;
- fruit - seeds of a cylindrical shape, up to 2 mm in size.
In the garden, flowers are placed in the same area with field crops to create an additional natural flavor of the composition.
Chikhacheva
Chikhachev's flower species (Matricaria tchihatchewii) is characterized by lush bloom. In the wild, plants are found on the rocky uplands of Asia Minor. For decorative flowers, the following parameters are characteristic:
- bush height - up to 30 cm;
- bush shape - highly branched;
- peduncles - leafless;
- inflorescences are solitary, in the form of baskets;
- inflorescence tone: tubular yellow flowers, reed flowers - white.
In modern landscape design, Chikhachev's matrix flower is used to decorate rock gardens
Smelly
Fragrant matricaria (Matricaria discoidea) is not used for decorative purposes. Its main purpose is medicine and cosmetology. The culture, whose homeland is the Far East, is characterized by the following features:
- bush height - up to 30 cm;
- bush shape - highly branched;
- leaves are doubly pinnately divided, with pointed lobes of a linear flat shape;
- arrangement of leaves - sedentary, alternate;
- inflorescence baskets of small sizes;
- tubular flowers of a yellow-green hue.
The odorous matrix is characterized by the presence of only tubular flowers and the complete absence of reed flowers.
An odorous matrix is used to treat inflammation, poisoning, and in cosmetology for hair dyeing
Maiden
Matricaria parthenium, or excellent matricaria eximia, or Chrysanthemum parthenium, compares favorably with other varieties of chamomiles. The decorative flower is characterized by compact size, pronounced aroma and the following parameters:
- bush shape - highly branched;
- bush height - up to 40 cm;
- sheet plates - carved, bladed;
- the shape of the inflorescences - baskets (simple or terry);
- the diameter of the inflorescences is up to 2.5 cm.
Maiden chamomile has a large number of varieties that are distinguished by amazing decorative properties.
The White Star Matricaria variety is characterized by simple white inflorescences-baskets
Matricaria variety "Aureum" is distinguished by large leafy plates of yellow-golden color, bright inflorescences with a yellow middle and snow-white marginal flowers
The variety of flowers matricaria "Golden Ball" amazes with the beauty and grandeur of chic globular inflorescences of a golden tone, which include exclusively tubular flowers
Matricaria variety "Snow Ball" is characterized by lush spherical inflorescences of white color with wide reed flowers
The delightful convex shape of the inflorescences of the Lemon Santana variety is distinguished by the light yellow color of the baskets
How to grow from seeds outdoors
At home, chamomile matricaria can be grown from seeds. The seedling method is considered the most effective.
When to plant
Seeds are sown for seedlings in late March or early April. In the second half of May, when the weather is warm, the matured and hardened seedlings can be transplanted into open ground.
Matricaria seedlings are transferred to open ground when the threat of recurrent frosts is over.
Basic Rules
Experienced florists note several simple rules, the use of which will allow you to get guaranteed high-quality and healthy seedlings of matrix flowers:
- Small, shallow containers or boxes are chosen as containers for seedlings.
- The soil should be light, loose, fertile, from equal parts of peat, garden soil and sand.
- Seeds are laid out at a distance of up to 3 cm from each other to a depth of 1 cm.
- After the completion of the seed placement, the crops are thoroughly moistened from the sprayer.
- To create a greenhouse effect, the container with seedlings is covered with plastic wrap or glass.
- The place for placing the container with crops should be well lit and warm.
- Periodically, the shelter is cleaned, ventilated and condensate is removed, if necessary, sprayed with a spray bottle.
- After the appearance of the first shoots, the seedlings are transferred to a cooler place to prevent the seedlings from stretching in height.
- After the appearance of two true leaves, the seedlings are dived, placed at a distance of no more than 4 cm from each other (in the case of transferring plants to a common container) or in disposable containers.
- Before planting in the ground (second half of May), the seedlings are hardened for 2 weeks.
- Seedling bushes are planted in prepared shallow holes together with a lump of earth at a distance of up to 30 cm from each other.
- After transplanting seedlings of matricaria into open ground, the plants are thoroughly moistened.
- After absorbing water, the bushes are sprinkled with compost or dry soil.
Most ornamental matricaria varieties can be grown independently from seeds.
Care
Caring for the decorative flowers of the matrix is quite simple. Each plant needs its own area for development. In the process of growth, seedlings branch out, close together, form a beautiful and picturesque sketch. Chamomile is completely undemanding and undemanding to growing conditions. For a culture, it is enough to complete the main stages of care: watering, feeding, loosening the soil, removing weeds, removing faded inflorescences to maintain a neat and well-groomed appearance.
Chamomile meadow is an amazing sight that can decorate any local area
Lighting
Matricaria chamomile flowers prefer sunny, open places, or partial shade. In the shade of buildings and tall trees, plants will stretch in height, flowering will be less intense.
Decorative chamomile "loves" bright sunlight, so it blooms luxuriantly and abundantly in open meadows.
The soil
There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil for various varieties of chamomile matrix. The culture prefers a universal soil, since in the natural environment plants are found on almost all continents. Chamomile will grow and develop more successfully if you provide good drainage, sufficient fertilization and moisture. Attention should be paid to the indicators of the occurrence of groundwater. The accumulation of water after snowmelt and the rainy season can provoke waterlogging of the soil and cause the death of the root system.
Matricaria flowers can self-propagate in any soil
Fertilizer
Complex organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable for decorative chamomile. The first top dressing is applied 2-3 weeks after transplanting seedlings into open ground. During the growth period and at the budding stage, feeding with nitrophos is ideal (2 tablespoons of the drug per 10 liters of water).
All subsequent dressings are carried out every 2-3 weeks throughout the entire flowering period. After flowering is complete, potassium sulfate or superphosphate is used (1 tbsp. Of the product per 10 liters of water).
It is important to periodically fertilize the decorative matrix with compost, rotted manure or peat to ensure more active flowering.
Watering
Decorative flowers of matricaria-chamomile "prefer" regular, moderate watering. The plant tolerates drought more easily than stagnation and excess moisture, which harm the root system. Experienced gardeners recommend watering chamomile with warm water in the morning or evening.
Watering the decorative chamomile should be done after sunset to avoid exposure to the scorching sun
Pruning
After flowering, wilted flowers of the matricaria are cut off so as not to spoil the decorative appearance of the flower garden. With the help of sterile, sharp garden tools, it is necessary to cut off injured, broken, dried stems, shoots, leaves, peduncles so that the plants look neat.
In late autumn, the bushes are cut off completely, covered with peat, sawdust, leaves, spruce branches.
In the spring, the shelter is removed, perennial bushes of decorative chamomile develop with renewed vigor
The difference between caring for garden and home chamomile
Caring for garden and home (room) chamomile has its own differences.
With garden culture, it should be remembered that the seedlings just planted in open ground and early shoots need intensive and frequent watering. 2 weeks after engraftment, plants in flower beds and beds adhere to the following mandatory care elements:
- watering 2 times a week;
- loosening the soil;
- weeding of weeds;
- mulching plants with a thin layer of peat 1-2 times per season.
Matricaria flowers are popular “inhabitants” of modern mixborders, which bring a touch of naturalness and closeness to nature, are most preferable for eco- or ethno-trends in landscape design
Homemade daisies in a pot are a unique decor for the interior. Most often, compact, decorative, unique plants called pyrethrum or cornflower are planted in containers. Since the height of the bush reaches 20 cm, the plants need the following care:
- small but spacious pot;
- nutritious soil;
- timely watering.
After flowering, the plant is cut off and transferred to a cold room, watering is reduced, and "hibernation" is provided. In February, the houseplant is transferred to a warm room, watered abundantly after the first buds appear.
A touching daisy pleases with gentle flowering for a long time
Reproduction
Reproduction of various types and varieties of flowers matricaria is carried out in three ways:
- seed, by self-seeding or growing seedlings;
- by dividing the bush of an adult plant;
- cuttings, separation of viable shoots from an adult plant.
The seed method is the most commonly used in practice.
From seed
The vast majority of flowers of the Matrikariya genus are grown from seeds. Under natural conditions, chamomiles reproduce by self-seeding. Florists prefer to grow seedlings, which are planted in open ground in late spring or early summer.
In open ground, seedlings of matricaria flowers are planted when the air temperature is set to more than + 15 ⁰С
By dividing the bush
Adult bushes of flowers of ornamental matricaria (4-5-year-old plants) must be periodically renewed. Division is carried out in September, after the end of flowering. The mother bush is completely removed from the ground with a shovel. The plant is divided into parts, young, healthy, viable root shoots are chosen for reproduction.
Matricaria flower plots, planted in the ground in autumn, transform into a beautifully blooming, healthy plant in the spring
Cuttings
In the summer, healthy shoots can be cut in adult flowers of matricaria for grafting and immediately planted in open ground. The soil for placing the cuttings must be watered abundantly, the groove must be laid with wet moss. The shoots are deepened, covered with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect (heat and diffused light).
Rooting of cuttings of flowers matricaria occurs in 15-20 days
Diseases and pests
Decorative species of flowers matricaria, like wild "relatives", are resistant to pathogens and pests. In some cases, the culture can be affected by such diseases:
- gray rot;
- fusarium;
- rust;
- powdery mildew.
To get rid of fungal diseases, you should treat the affected matrix bushes with solutions of fungicides 2-3 times per season.
Fungal infections most often appear on the matricaria bushes during the period of prolonged rains.
Among the insect pests that damage the flowers of the matricaria, wireworms, thrips, aphids, and star-winged flies can be distinguished. For prevention purposes, weeds should be constantly destroyed, and insectoacaricides should be used.
To get rid of wireworms that harm the flowers of the matrix, you need to set special traps.
Decorative role in the garden and in the interior
In landscape design, matricaria flowers are used as a border culture, in mono-plantings, in an ensemble with other ornamental plants.
The decorative flowers of the matricaria planted along the paths until late autumn delight the eye with an attractive and well-groomed appearance
To decorate landscape areas, it is best to choose terry varieties of garden matricaria, which are characterized by lush flowering, an abundance of large inflorescences
Chamomiles easily get along with various garden cultures: marigolds, cypress milkweed, ageratum, cornflowers, field poppies, roses, lilies
Since chamomile blooms from June to late autumn, the plant gradually replaces "neighbors" in the garden, retains its decorative properties for a long time
Pink pyrethrum, or medium-sized chamomile (up to 50 cm tall), with inflorescences of raspberry, pink, purple flowers has exceptional decorative properties
Conclusion
Matricaria goes well with the absolute majority of ornamental garden plants: with a reigning rose and a modest forget-me-not. The height and size of chamomile bushes are in perfect harmony with other representatives of the flora world. Many popular beliefs claim that chamomile brings love, tranquility, peace, luck and harmony to the house. Translated from Greek, the flower "matricaria" sounds like "heat". Since ancient times, people have used the healing properties of chamomile during childbirth, as a pain relieving drug.
