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Alyssum is a spectacular perennial that covers the beds with a solid carpet. There are over 100 varieties of this flower. One of the most popular varieties is Snow Carpet, which blooms profusely in late spring.
Description of alissum
Alyssum Snow carpet is an annual ground cover reaching a height of 10-15 cm. Its shoots branch strongly and, when growing, occupy all the free space in the garden bed.
Alyssum produces small white flowers, collected in hemispherical racemes. Each flower consists of 4 rounded petals and a yellow core.
The color of the Snow Carpet variety is white. The leaves are bright green, oblong, they are practically invisible due to the lush inflorescences. The plant is a honey plant and has a pleasant aroma. The honey smell attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Pollination occurs with the participation of insects. In autumn, oblong capsules filled with seeds are formed. The Snow Carpet variety has very small seeds, there are more than 1000 of them in 1 g. After harvesting, the seeds are used for planting for 3 years.
The first mentions of alyssum are found in the 17th century. In its natural environment, the plant lives in Europe, the Near and Far East, North America.
The chemical composition of the flower is poorly understood. The seeds contain fatty oils and organic acids, and the stems contain flavonoids and alkaloids.
In folk medicine, alissum is used as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It is believed that drugs based on it help against bites from rabid animals. In Altai, the plant is included in the collection that helps with hernia and colds.
When applied externally, it has a whitening effect. It is used to get rid of acne, freckles and other blemishes on the face.
Photo of alissum Snow carpet:
Planting a flower
Alyssum is grown from seed. Planting material is purchased at a gardening store or collected independently. In the southern regions, seeds are immediately placed in the ground. In cold climates, it is best to get seedlings first.
Seat selection
Alyssum Snow carpet grows in sunny areas. In arid regions, the flower is planted in partial shade to protect it from the scorching sunlight.
The flower will decorate borders and mixborders. The alissum planted in street flowerpot... When choosing a place for planting, you need to take into account that the flower grows quickly, so it can oppress other plants. It is planted on multi-level flower beds, lawns, under shrubs and trees. The flower will fill the empty spaces in the garden.
In nature, alissum grows on rocky slopes. In the garden, the flower is suitable for decorating alpine slides. The plant is planted between plates and stones, well warmed up by the sun.
Alyssum is placed on a dais. When planting in a lowland, there is a high probability of moisture accumulation and decay of the plant root system.
Heavy clayey soil is poorly permeable to moisture. The introduction of coarse river sand helps to improve its properties.
Growing from seeds
Alyssum Snow carpet is grown in seedlings or seeds are planted directly in open ground. A safer option is to use seedlings.
Young plants are moved to a permanent place in the required order, observing the gap between the seedlings. The seedlings take root well and begin to develop actively.
You can pre-steam the soil in a water bath or place in the refrigerator. This is how they get rid of pathogens and pest larvae.
The order of growing from seeds of alyssum Snow carpet:
- Shallow containers are filled with soil, which is watered abundantly.
- Seeds are scattered over the surface and covered with a thin layer of earth.
- The containers are covered with foil or glass and left in a dark, warm place. Periodically moisten the soil and air the plantings.
- Seedlings will appear in 7-10 days. Grown plants are thinned out, 3-5 cm are left between them.
- After the appearance of 1 leaf, the plants are watered with a solution containing complex fertilizer.
- With the development of 2 leaves, the seedlings are seated in separate containers.
If weather conditions permit, you can do without picking and immediately transfer the plants to open ground. Alyssum is transplanted at the end of May, when the spring frosts have passed.
20 cm is left between the plants, since the flower quickly takes up free space. A planting hole is prepared on the garden bed, where the seedling is placed along with an earthen clod. The plant is not buried, its roots are covered with soil and watered abundantly.
In warm climates, seedlings are dispensed with. Alyssum seeds are planted in an open area in April-May, when the soil warms up enough. With this method of planting, the flowering period is shifted. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1.5 cm and the soil is watered. When shoots appear, they are thinned out.
Another option for growing alissum Snow carpet from seeds is winter sowing. In November, the planting material is placed on the garden bed and covered with earth. During the winter, the seeds undergo natural stratification. When changing temperature conditions, seed germination is stimulated, and seedlings grow strong and resistant to any weather conditions.
In the spring, the emerging seedlings thin out and leave the most powerful plants. Flower care is the same as in the seedling method. When the alissum grows, you can plant it in other beds.
Alyssum care
The abundant flowering of alyssum ensures proper care. The flower garden is watered in a drought, the soil is loosened, and weeds eliminate. The plant rarely gets sick and is affected by pests; folk remedies and chemicals are used to get rid of them.
Watering
Alyssum Snow Carpet flowers need regular watering. In drought, the plant sheds buds and flowers. Abundant watering is performed only with good soil permeability. Heavy clay soil poorly permeates moisture, which leads to its stagnation and death of the flower.
The need for watering is determined by the condition of the soil. If the ground is dry at a depth of 3-5 cm, then it's time to add moisture. The flower garden is watered with warm, settled water.
Moisture is brought in in the morning or evening hours. It is best to water the flower garden by sprinkling. Strong jets of water wash out the soil and expose the root system of the plants.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve the absorption of moisture and nutrients by the flower. Weeds must be weeded, especially after planting young plants. When alyssum grows, its shoots will suppress the development of weeds.
Top dressing
Fertilization promotes continuous flowering of alissum Snow carpet. Top dressing is especially important when growing a flower on poor soils.
Young plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate shoot growth. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. urea or ammonium nitrate. The fertilizer is dissolved in water, and the flower garden is watered with the resulting product.
The annual plant can be fed up to 4 times during the season. Any flower fertilizer will become a universal option for feeding. An interval of 2-3 weeks is observed between treatments.
Photo of alissum Snow carpet with abundant feeding:
Pruning
Annual alyssum is pruned as the inflorescences wither. If the plant has dried out in drought, then its branches are also removed. After pruning and watering, the plant releases new shoots and buds.
Alyssum seeds are harvested from the second half of September. To get more planting material, a piece of white cloth is placed on the ground. Dried flowers are ground by hand. The seeds are stored in a dry, warm place or planted in the winter.
In autumn, alissum flowers are dug up by the roots. If the seeds are not collected, they will fall on the ground. Next year, new seedlings will appear on the site of alissum cultivation.
Diseases and pests
Alyssum is rarely affected by disease. The factors provoking the development of diseases are high humidity and stagnation of moisture in the roots.
The plant infects late blight, which looks like brown spots on the surface of shoots and leaves. The disease also spreads to the root system of the flower. When signs of illness appear, the flower garden is treated fungicide Thanos or Ordan. An effective method of combating late blight is spraying alissum with copper oxychloride.
The flower is susceptible to powdery mildew, which is determined by the presence of a white or gray coating that resembles a powder. The spread of the disease is the mycelium of the fungus, which penetrates into plant cells. Bordeaux liquid and chemicals Topaz, Flint Star are effective against powdery mildew.
Alyssum Snow Carpet attracts the cruciferous flea, which feeds on the aboveground part of the plants. The size of the insect does not exceed 3 mm. The pest is deterred by strong odors. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and sprinkling flower garden.
Caterpillars, whites and cabbage moths are dangerous for alyssum. Planting against pests is treated with an infusion of pharmacy chamomile or tobacco. To keep the product on the leaves longer, crushed soap is added to it.
Conclusion
Alyssum is an unpretentious plant that can fill empty corners of the garden. The Snow Carpet variety grows actively in sunny areas and light soils. Its bushes are completely covered with snow-white flowers. Plant care is minimal and includes watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing with fertilizers.
