Content
Even beginners in gardening are able to care for and plant a steep tree. The plant can be propagated in different ways, it is grown in the open field. Care should be comprehensive, but all of its stages are standard.
Description
Bone sap is a perennial of the Astrov family (Asteraceae). It is distributed on several continents - Eurasia, America, Africa (tropics). There are about 130 species of this plant, not counting more than 200 species with an undefined status. Main characteristics:
- height, depending on the type, 0.3-2 m;
- erect stem, branched in some species;
- leaves petiolate or sessile, opposite arrangement, whorled in some species;
- the shape of the leaves is more often ovoid, spear-lanceolate or linear;
- foliage is dark green or lilac, some varieties have lilac veins;
- the edges of the leaves are whole or serrated, the surface is smooth, rough, pubescent;
- flowers are small, collected in inflorescences-baskets with a diameter of 25 cm;
- strong aroma;
- the shape of the flowers is tubular, the color is white, pinkish, mauve, purple, bluish-purple;
- flowering occurs in late summer and early autumn;
- the fruit is a crested achene;
- decorativeness lasts up to 10 years.
When to plant the steep
Planting dates depend on the chosen method. Most people prefer to grow this plant from seed. After preparation, they are sown at the beginning of March. Seedlings appear in 2-3 weeks. In open ground, seedlings are transferred not earlier than mid-March.
Rhizomes are also planted with rhizomes. This should be done in April, until the shoots appear. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to them, which can destroy the plant.
Growing from seeds
Getting seedlings of steep sap from seeds at home requires some preparation. The material is small, therefore, for convenience, it is mixed with sand. For seeds to germinate faster, cold stratification is needed:
- Moisten the sand.
- Mix it with seeds.
- Place this combination in a glass container.
- Put the mixture in the refrigerator on the lower shelf (compartment for fruits and vegetables).
Stratification takes a month. Then they act like this:
- Prepare the soil. It is better to use a ready-made seedling mixture.
- Fill boxes or other seedling containers with soil.
- Disinfect seeds. To do this, keep them in a solution of potassium permanganate for a day.
- Sow seeds. Depth a maximum of 0.5 cm, compact the earth, shed abundantly.
- Organize a shelter - glass or film.
- Put the drawers in a warm place.
- After sowing the steep slope, care for the seedlings consists in regularly removing condensate, daily airing, spraying the soil - it should not dry out.
- After the emergence of sprouts, remove the shelter.
- When 3-4 real leaves appear, plant the sprouts in individual containers. Better to use peat pots.
Seedlings are moved into open ground only after hardening. It is carried out for 1.5-2 weeks. To take seedlings outside, drafts and precipitation are not allowed. The duration of hardening is increased gradually.
How to grow a steeple in the garden
It is not difficult to grow steep sap. The plant is unpretentious in care, it can be used in different ways in landscape design.
Where the steep grows well
For the successful cultivation of the stethoscope, the planting site must meet a number of conditions:
- sunny place, short shading is allowed during the day;
- the acidity of the soil is neutral;
- moist and sufficiently fertile soil with good drainage;
- clay and sandy loam soil is not suitable - the plant in such conditions can wither and die.
If the soil in the garden is sandy, then compost must be added - 3-5 kg per 1 m². Before planting, the site is dug up, then leveled with a rake. Pits are made for plants, they can be drained with river pebbles or expanded clay.
Watering and weather
Bone sap is a moisture-loving plant. He is able to withstand a short drought, but the rest of the time requires regular watering.
A special need for moisture during the period of active growth - in spring and summer. At the end of flowering, watering should be reduced.
Waterlogging and stagnation of moisture should not be allowed. Because of this, the root system will rot, the plant will die.
Top dressing
Agrotechnics of the steep shed necessarily includes the timely application of fertilizers. This is essential for good growth and abundant flowering.
Fertilizers are applied at least 3 times per season during specific periods:
- Spring;
- June;
- bud formation.
The plant responds well to complex mineral fertilizers - Kemira, Zdraven, nitroammofoska. For the second feeding, you can use bird droppings or mullein, make a weakly concentrated solution.
Features of seasonal care
In addition to watering and feeding, care includes the following activities:
- loosening - carried out after watering and heavy rains;
- weeding is combined with loosening;
- organic mulching, this measure reduces the number of watering and weeding.
The flowering period of the stethoscope
Most varieties begin flowering in August. At this time, one must remember about regular watering, on which the abundance and splendor of flowers depends.
If proper care is organized, then young shoots will appear regularly. For a bright and abundant flowering, thin and weak arrows must be cut out.
How does the stethosis reproduce?
The plant can be propagated in a variety of ways, including self-seeding. It is organized by leaving wilted inflorescences. For the winter, they must be covered with a small layer of soil.
By dividing the bush
You can divide the bush when it is at least 5 years old. Reproduction in this way is planned for spring or autumn. It is recommended to do this at the beginning of growth after winter or in the last decade of summer. The algorithm is simple:
- Divide the root system of the bush with a shovel or knife.
- Each part must have at least 3 buds.
- Plant the plants in pre-prepared holes.
Young shoots
With this method of reproduction, recovery buds are used. The algorithm is as follows:
- In the spring, wait until the shoots reach a height of 5 cm, and cut them off with part of the rhizome.
- Plant the kidneys. You can use separate containers or one common one. In the second case, maintain an interval of 7 cm.
- Keep the planting shaded, water sparingly.
Shoots are transferred to open ground after rooting. It takes about a month.
Propagation of the steep by cuttings
The plant is propagated in this way at the end of June. The cuttings should be green. Must have at least 3 kidneys. The algorithm is as follows:
- Cut the cuttings into 10-15 cm pieces.
- Plant them in a mixture of sand and peat.
- Make a film cover.
Transplanting into open ground is carried out after rooting. It takes about a month.
Pruning
Due to the annual death of obsolete branches, the steep does not require pruning during the growing season. It is carried out only as part of pre-winter preparation. The exception is the removal of inflorescences as they wilt as a preventive measure against self-seeding.
Winter hardiness of the steep
Frost resistance is high. Only young plants should be sheltered, as well as planting in regions with harsh winters.
Preparing for winter
As part of preparing for winter, caring for broomstick in the fall consists of reducing the intensity of watering and pruning. The latter measure is optional and can be carried out in early spring.
It is necessary to cut the sap to the ground. In autumn, this is done when the flowering is completely over. Hemp should remain up to 10-15 cm. Pruning is carried out with a sharp knife.
Diseases and pests
One of the benefits of steep sap is its resistance to diseases and pests. The main enemy of the plant is the miner flies, so nicknamed for the mines they leave inside it. These passages are covered by a thin skin, therefore chemical methods of struggle are ineffective. The affected leaves must be removed. With the extensive spread of the pest, Aktara and Vermitic are used. These drugs have a contact-intestinal action.
Regional features
When growing the steep, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of a particular variety and region. For example, the process for Siberia is somewhat different from planting in the Moscow region.
Planting and caring for the stethoscope in Siberia
This plant can be successfully grown in Siberia, but shelter should be made for the winter. The purple stew has good frost resistance. It is he who is most loved by gardeners.
They tolerate cold weather well and various varieties of sapwood. Album is especially popular among them.
It is not recommended for Siberia wrinkled stethoscope. It is characterized by late flowering, which does not occur at all in cold regions.
Growing in the suburbs
Planting and caring for the bone marrow in the Moscow region is carried out according to the general rules. The plant survives the winter well, it does not need insulation. The exception is wrinkled stethoscope, especially the Chocolate variety. It must be covered for the winter.
Photo in landscape design
Broomstick in a landscape can be used in different ways. Effectively plant it along fences and various buildings.
In mixed flower beds, high varieties of steep should be placed in the center. When creating multi-level plantings, it must be planted in the very last row along with other tall plants.
Some of the flowers can be used for cutting. They keep fresh for a long time and are suitable for making ikebans.
What is the stethoscope combined with?
The sapwood can be combined with different plants. If you need harmony in color, then you should choose Japanese anemone, astilbe, highlander, delphinium, loosestrife, black cohosh (cimicifuga), New England asters, purple echinacea.
To create contrast, you can choose buzulnik, helenium, daylily, rudbeckia, solidago.
In terms of flowering time, the steeple goes well with large decorative grasses.
Conclusion
The care and planting of the stethoscope will not take much time and effort. The plant is unpretentious, does not require special pre-winter preparation. It can be effectively used in landscape design in group and single plantings, for camouflage, fencing, zoning.