Content
Gelenium is a herbaceous perennial that is planted for decorative purposes. Such a plant is characterized by late flowering, it is considered one of the easiest to grow. Planting and caring for perennial helenium provides a whole range of activities. Compliance with agricultural technology provides optimal conditions for full development and regular flowering.
How helenium multiplies
There are several ways to obtain planting material. The method is determined based on the presence of a mother bush and the variety of the plant.
Propagation of helenium by cuttings
This method is considered the least effective. Cuttings are removed from the stem of perennial helenium. It is advisable to do this in the spring, during the active growing season of the flower.
The stalk is soaked in liquid for 1-2 weeks. During this period, small roots should appear on it. After that, the plant is placed in a container with a nutrient substrate, which is covered with a transparent film.
Propagation of helenium by dividing the bush
This option is the most preferable. Mature shrubs consist of a large number of shoots. They can be separated without harming the perennial plant.
The bush is dug out of the soil, the roots are cleaned. Then it is disassembled into sockets, which are seated in a new place.
The procedure is carried out in late spring or summer. Division and planting are allowed in the fall, but then all superficial shoots from the helenium must be removed.
Nuances of seed propagation
This method is recommended in the absence of a perennial uterine bush that can be divided. Also, helenium should be planted with seeds when growing new varieties.
The seedling method is laborious. In addition, not all types of perennial helenium can be grown from seeds. Some hybrid varieties wither immediately after flowering. Seed pods are formed on them, so it is impossible to collect planting material. Such varieties are grown only by cuttings or dividing.
Gelenium seeds are characterized by low germination. However, it can be increased through competent stratification.
Dried seeds have the lowest germination capacity.
For planting, it is recommended to use fresh material. It is harvested in the fall and sown before winter.
Growing seedlings of perennial helenium from seeds
First you need to prepare the planting material, containers and nutrient soil mixture. Planting is carried out strictly according to the instructions in order to increase the germination of seeds.
When to plant helenium seedlings
The plant can be sown directly into the ground. This is done in the fall season so that the seedlings adapt to the coming cold. Another option is to plant perennial helenium with seeds for seedlings. It is held in February or early March.
Preparation of containers and soil
Seedlings require nutritious soil. Gelenium seeds germinate best in well-damp soil with neutral acidity.
Planting is carried out in suitable containers:
- seedling cassettes;
- peat glasses, tablets;
- small pots;
- food containers;
- cut plastic bottles.
The soil is recommended to be disinfected by heat treatment. Also for this purpose, you can use disinfecting tablets, for example, Glyocladin.
How to sow helenium seedlings
The general principles of planting are not much different from planting other types of perennial plants. Before the procedure, the seeds should be soaked in water. Then they are placed in a growth stimulator.
Subsequent stages:
- Fill the seedling container with soil.
- Make grooves or indentations of 2-3 cm in it.
- Place the seeds inside at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle with loose soil.
- Moisten with a spray bottle.
The container is covered with foil. It is left for 8-10 days before the first shoots appear. Then the shelter must be removed so that the seedlings do not experience a lack of oxygen.
Seedling care
Seedlings should be grown cold. The optimum temperature is 6-8 degrees. It can be kept in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. The container with seedlings should be placed in a spacious plastic bag. Periodically, the seedlings are taken out of the refrigerator, ventilated in a sunlit place.
Regular watering is required. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle once every 8-10 days. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the land. If it dries out quickly, the frequency of watering should be increased.
A pick is carried out when 3 leaves appear
When the seedlings grow up, they are seated in separate containers. After a dive, they should be kept in a room in a lighted place.
How to plant helenium outdoors
In order for a perennial plant to fully develop and bloom, it requires certain conditions. Good outdoor planting is of paramount importance.
Timing
When growing gelenium from seeds, planting on the site is carried out in the spring. This is usually done in mid to late April, when the risk of frost is excluded. In the Urals and Siberia, planting can be postponed to early May.
Site selection and soil preparation
A perennial helenium needs an area protected from strong winds. The place should not be located in lowlands, where it is possible that the roots are washed away by groundwater.
The soil for a perennial flower needs nutritious, loose and breathable. Neutral acidity - 6-7 pH. A prerequisite is the presence of full drainage.
Before planting a plant on the site, you need to remove weeds. After that, the soil is dug up, and compost is added at the same time.
Landing algorithm
Seedlings grown from helenium seeds at home must be prepared for transfer to open ground. The plant is thoroughly moistened to facilitate extraction from the soil. Some gardeners recommend soaking the roots in water for 20-30 minutes and then drying them outdoors. The procedure is carried out immediately before landing.
How to plant perennial helenium:
- Dig a planting hole 3 times the length of the roots.
- Place a drainage layer of crushed stone, expanded clay or pebbles on the bottom.
- Fill the hole with soil halfway.
- Place the seedling, spread the roots.
- Sprinkle with loose earth.
- Water abundantly.
For abundant flowering, when planting, mineral fertilizer with nitrogen is immediately applied
Top dressing will help the perennial flower quickly adapt to a new place.
When and how to transplant helenium
The plant can stay in one place for up to 20 years. Usually, the transplantation of perennial helenium is required if the site is chosen incorrectly or you need to divide the bush for reproduction.
The procedure can be carried out in spring and summer, until August. The plant must be dug to a depth of 1.5-2 shovel bayonets, removed from the soil and placed in a new planting hole.
Is it possible to transplant blooming helenium
Gardeners do not recommend digging up a perennial plant in the fall.When helenium blooms, it is more sensitive to adverse factors. Damage to the roots will lead to early wilting. If you plan to transplant gelenium to another place in the fall, the superficial shoots with buds must be removed. Then the plant will have time to take root before the onset of winter.
Rules for growing perennial helenium
The described decorative culture is considered unpretentious. It is enough to know the basic rules of planting and caring for heleniums and photos of flowers in order to grow them on your site.
Watering and feeding schedule
Perennial varieties of gelenium do not tolerate drought well. The flower needs regular watering. Each bush needs 15-20 liters of water.
So that helenium does not dry out in summer, it is watered every 2-3 days.
With abundant watering, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil. If it has become dense, loosening is carried out.
During the season, the plant is fed three times:
- In May, urea and potassium sulfate are added, 1 spoon per 10 liters of water. The mixture is injected at the root.
- When blooming. Mullein and complex mineral fertilizer are mixed in 20 liters of water.
- In October. After flowering, add 1 spoonful of superphosphate to 1 bucket of liquid.
Excessive use of mineral supplements harms the perennial helenium. Therefore, fertilizer must be applied in strict accordance with the schedule.
Weeding and mulching
Weeds in the area around the helenium are removed as they appear. This procedure is especially important in August, when most types of harmful plants shed their seeds.
To preserve moisture in the soil, mulching is carried out. This procedure protects the roots from overheating in summer.
Used as mulch:
- dry manure;
- compost;
- straw;
- peat;
- sawdust;
- bark.
Mulch is applied to a depth of 8-10 cm, and also scattered on the soil surface around the roots. Such raw materials further become a source of nutrients.
Trimming, installing supports
The haircut is carried out for preventive purposes, as well as for the formation of a bush. Dried and withered shoots are removed from the perennial. The procedure is carried out with pruning shears or garden shears. The bush is cut in the spring at the beginning of the growing season and in the fall, in preparation for wintering.
Perennial helenium has strong stems. The installation of supports is required only for tall varieties, the length of the shoots of which exceeds 120 cm. Frame structures or trellises are used.
Preparing for winter
In October, the perennial plant is pruned. All superficial shoots are removed, leaving 5-6 cm. The cut stems are covered with moss, sawdust or dry foliage. In the south and in the middle lane, this is enough for reliable protection from frost. In the Urals and Siberia, the bush must be covered with an air-permeable film or burlap.
Diseases and pests
Perennial helenium is resistant to infections. Stagnation of fluid, excess moisture can lead to the development of diseases.
The main diseases of helenium:
- fusarium wilting;
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew.
In case of infection, diseased shoots must be removed and burned. The bush is treated with copper sulfate or fungicide.
Withering and darkening of the flower indicates nematode damage.
The most dangerous pest of perennial helenium is root worms. They interfere with the normal movement of juices through the plant, which leads to its death. For treatment and prevention, insecticidal solutions and disinfecting tablets must be introduced into the soil.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for perennial helenium are procedures that are feasible even for novice gardeners. The flower tolerates adverse environmental conditions well, is unpretentious. It is enough to comply with agrotechnical standards and timely water and feed the plant.
