Saxifrage is a bright and unpretentious garden decoration. Planting, care, breeding features
The plant is more adapted to stony soil.
In this regard, the saxifrage acquired such properties as:
- decrease in moisture evaporation (the plant is able to retain it);
- ability to withstand the scorching sun (in limited quantities).
Such nuances must be taken into account when planting a plant in a new environment for it.
Growing from seeds
This is what saxifrage seeds look like.
When growing a saxifrage from seed, the following steps must be followed:
- cold treat seeds(seeds are placed in a container or any container, sprinkled with light, slightly damp earth and placed in the refrigerator for 14-20 days);
- cover the boxes with foil(to create greenhouse conditions and faster seed germination);
- expose.
The first shoots appear in about a week. The transplant takes place only after the appearance of the first strong leaves. Plants may die due to earlier planting. It is necessary to transplant immediately with the ground (the ground is cut into pieces and planted with the seedlings).
Features of soil for saxifrage
In the open ground, the sprouts are planted in early summer. It is necessary to plant at a distance of about 10 cm from each other to create a beautiful carpet of flowers.
It is also possible to plant seeds directly into open ground. This is done in March or April. Thus, they will be "cold" processed directly in natural conditions.
If within 2-3 weeks the seeds have not sprouted, it probably will not happen in the future.
Saxifrage grows naturally in rocks and gorges, therefore ideal option it will be planted in rocky soil with graininess and good throughput water and air.
But the plant can take root in ordinary soil, if it is provided with water drainage. Usually, a special soil for saxifrage is prepared from:
- turf land;
- leaf humus;
- peat;
- sand.
Medium-fertile soil with drainage is also perfect, allowing the outflow of excess moisture. The presence of limestone in the soil will also have an excellent effect on the development of the plant.
The ideal soil for saxifrage is rocky. But if you provide good drainage, the plant will be comfortable in any soil
The soil must be loosened and weeded regularly to circulate air and remove weeds.
Care
In order for the seedlings to bloom successfully, you need to provide the plant the necessary conditions... By creating them, you will ensure a long and painless life for your saxifrage.
| Temperature |
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| Lighting |
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| Humidity | high (regular spraying, use of expanded clay) |
| Watering |
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| Top dressing |
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After the plant has bloomed, you can cut off its outer part so that it will please you with flowering again.
Pests and diseases
The most common "sores" of saxifrage include:
- Spider mite(white spider web on petioles, yellow drying leaves): for prevention, the plant is sprayed, for the fight - tear off the sluggish leaves, wash the plant with running water, treat with a tick repellent.
- Mushroom stains(due to excess moisture): use copper-based medicines.
- Powdery mildew (from high humidity): to prevent, avoid temperature changes, remove diseased plants, spray with bitertanol, propiconazole, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl for prophylaxis.
- Rust(under the influence of mushrooms; treat with preparations with copper).
- Scorms(use anti-coccid drugs and manual removal).
- Green aphid(use pyrimor to remove).
Read how to grow luxurious anemones here.
Saxifrage in landscape design
Since saxifrage is a soil-growing plant, no landscape designer leaves it unattended.
Plants can be used for a variety of purposes, for example:
- decorating borders;
- rock garden;
- stone compositions.
Saxifrage is planted as a continuous cover, and in small bushes
Since, under natural conditions, saxifrage grows in rocky terrain, it is capable of tearing apart huge stones and cobblestones, creating a rather spectacular view. The plant grows in a solid carpet and will perfectly decorate the whole meadow.
To learn more about saxifrage, watch the video:
And you will see all the variety of colors and types of saxifrage in the photo in the gallery:
This article will open for you such a beautiful and amazing plant as the saxifrage. You will be able to learn about how it is grown, nursed, planted in the open field, what varieties exist, and you will also get acquainted with some of the features of reproduction and use of saxifrage in modern landscape design.
Saxifrage: varieties and varieties
The name of this beautiful herbaceous plant hints that saxifrage grows and develops even in hard-to-reach places... Its exquisite bright flowers are able to easily destroy the strongest stones and "settle" in the cracks formed. The saxifrage family is diverse and multifaceted, it has about 200 species. The beauty and simplicity of saxifrage contribute to their active use in modern landscape design. The most popular today are 2 types of these perennial plants.
Saxifrage is a very unusual and attractive plant for your garden
Soddy saxifrage. It looks like a dense turf from rosettes with dissected leaves. This species does not bloom for long, only 3-4 weeks in June. For her, planting in slightly acidic open ground, rich in humus, will be optimal.
Soddy saxifrage
This type of saxifrage boasts the following varieties:
- Rose-kenigen (bright pink shade);
- Purplemontelle (purple in color);
- Triumph (ruby red shade).
Arends' saxifrage. This plant will delight you with a rich green color. all year round... Its leaves form a continuous carpet up to 15 cm high. The flowering period is late spring - early summer.
Arends' saxifrage
The most popular varieties of such saxifrage:
- Peter Pen (bright red buds);
- Sleeping Beauty (red flowers);
- Floral Carpet (a scattering of pink and purple flowers);
- Snow carpet (white buds).
In addition, there are shadow, Manchurian, reed, paniculate, round-leaved, wicker and other types of saxifrage. Some of them can be seen in the photo.
Saxifrage round-leaved
Planting a plant
The decorative saxifrage has an insanely beautiful appearance, planting and caring for which does not imply any complex manipulations.
The flowering and development of these perennial plants will occur much better if a little crushed limestone, gravel, sand and peat are added to the planting soil. When planting saxifrage, ensure that they are well drainage system because a large amount of moisture can cause plant death.
Saxifrage care
Give attention and proper care to these stunning perennials and they will reward you with their fantastic blooms. They need regular watering in moderate doses, as well as fertilizing with fertilizers (once a month). Around plants, the soil should always be loose and weeded.
The saxifrage will feel very good in the rock garden or rockery
Around the bushes, saxifrage are often laid out with stone ones, which serve as a kind of protective barrier for the roots from the scorching sun and help to retain moisture.
When the saxifrage fades, the aerial part of the plant is cut off. This procedure is necessary for the appearance of new leaves. These perennials survive the winter season well. If severe frosts come, it is better to cover the saxifrage.
Proper cultivation of saxifrage involves several important nuances in care:
- do not allow heat (create a relative shadow);
- provide flow watering (make drainage).
The plant can do well with minimal maintenance.
Fertilization and feeding
Once every 4 weeks, along with the next watering, add top dressing. The only exception will be the period from October to February, when this should not be done. The concentration of liquid fertilizers should be at least two times less than indicated on the package.
Attention! Avoid overfeeding the plant. Excessive fertilization can cause the culture to become loose and vulnerable to dangerous infections.
Reproduction of saxifrage
Saxifrage is propagated in several ways. It is grown from seeds, new representatives are obtained by rosettes or by dividing a bush.
It is very easy for the culture to propagate by rosettes.
Start off breeding by rosettes possible only after the end of flowering. To do this, the rosettes are very carefully separated from the bush, rooted in fertile soil, and then watered. For planting, it is worth choosing a place that will be protected from the scorching sun. Only in spring are plants planted in open ground.
Another method of reproduction involves obtaining seedlings, after planting seeds plants in open ground. Seeds are scattered on the surface of the nutrient substrate and slapped a little with the palm of your hand. Seedlings are dived and transplanted into peat pots... In open ground, seedlings are planted together with pots in June, observing distances from 7 to 25 cm.
Such breeding methods will be simple for both an experienced and a novice grower.
Saxifrage seeds
Diseases and pests
The saxifrage is quite resistant to pests and diseases. However, unfavorable growing conditions or improper care can cause it to become infected or be damaged by pests.
Dryness can cause damage to the plant by spider mites. In this case, a whitish cobweb will be visible on the saxifrage. Later, the tick infects the leaves, they become covered with yellow spots, dry up and gradually die off. Excessive moisture leads to the appearance of powdery mildew or damage to the leaves of the plant with rust, which is created by a variety of fungi.
Spider mite
The most dangerous pests for these perennial plants are worms and green aphids.
Saxifrage: Combination with other plants
Growing saxifrage will bring you tremendous pleasure. All their varieties look very original and impressive, especially when combined with other plants. Neighborhood with them can be shared by Muscari and many other undersized crops. Amazing combinations of saxifrage with lingonberries or decorated Chinese gentian will help fill your exterior with beauty and originality.
Saxifrage in landscape design
With its mesmerizing beauty, the saxifrage has earned a worthy place in modern landscape design. It is placed in rock gardens, on artificial slides, embankments and rocks, where it looks very stylish and impressive. This plant will instantly turn an empty and unattractive rocky place into a gorgeous flower garden. The richness of its varieties and shades will fill the surrounding space with bright, rich colors. That is why saxifrage is absolutely irreplaceable for landscape design.
Growing saxifrage: video
Types of saxifrage: photo
Description and features of saxifrage
Saxifrage- amazing herbaceous with insanely beautiful, bright and sophisticated flowers, collected from paniculate or racemose inflorescences.
The rustic flora delights with the enviable power of life inherent in it by nature, the wisdom of which often endows organisms with outstanding qualities for survival.
Fragile grass saxifrage (on the picture this is demonstrated), making its way to the sun at birth, is able to destroy the power of a solid stone, growing through the cracks formed to appear to the world.
Attracting by its unpretentiousness and appearance, this plant has found its use in design decoration landscapes, actively used to create garden and park interiors, etc.
Numerous species of flora, of which there are more than four hundred in the world, are combined into the saxifrage family, consisting of genera, often perennial.
This is a rhizome herbaceous flora, the height of which can be very small (no more than a few centimeters). There are more high views, the length of the individual reaches 70 cm.
The shape of the leaves depends on the variety, but more often it is round. They are collected in a root rosette with a heart-shaped base and tend to accumulate lime in themselves, from which saxifrage color becomes grayish.
Strong, leafy peduncles end in stellate five-petalled pink, purple, yellow or white, as well as other pleasing shades.
Most of the species and varieties of saxifrage are ground cover, that is, undersized, incredibly and rapidly growing and exciting new areas, and abundantly and beautifully blooming.
In nature, flora grows most often on stony taluses, penetrating with roots into small crevices of rocks, as a rule, spreading in temperate latitudes in the mountainous regions of Eurasia, in addition, it exists in Central America and in the African tropics.
Saxifrage herb loves areas with moist fertile soil, protected from the direct rays of the scorching sun. Its varieties differ in different shades of stems and leaves, color and shape of flowers, as well as flowering times. Most of them are great for breeding on alpine slides.
Planting and reproduction of saxifrage
There are several types of flora reproduction. First of all, small-sized, black seeds are used for breeding it. They ripen after flowering from May to August in capsule fruits.
In the photo, growing saxifrage from seeds
To grow saxifrage from seeds, the germination of which is quite high, is not at all difficult. One has only to sow them at a temperature of 18 ° C. This should be done closer to the middle of summer. And after about a week you can already enjoy the shoots.
After waiting for the appearance of two or three leaves, the sprouts need to be transplanted to the site chosen for permanent growth. In the open field saxifrage it is better to place, so that the gap between the seedlings can accommodate the hands of a human hand. But flowering should be expected only in the next season.
It is also successfully used by flower growers. vegetative propagation... For cultivation by cuttings, they are carefully cut in July, in winter, rooting in a container, leaving until spring in the cellar. The next year, they are planted in a suitable area.
Reproduction by branches is also easy to carry out. After flowering, having previously made shallow grooves, long shoots are placed in them, well consolidating in the soil. In the fall, they are fertilized with humus, and with the onset of the next season, in the spring, they are separated from the main bushes, transplanted to another place.
After flowering, dilution is also carried out. To do this, young rosettes are carefully removed from natural bases directly with pieces of rhizomes. Then they are simply transplanted to another place and watered.
Planting saxifrage in this way it is effective, and the young usually take root without problems, perfectly tolerating the winter cold, even without requiring shelter.
A characteristic feature of the plant is the accelerated development and passage of all phases of growth up to the maturation of the seeds. The nectar released is extremely attractive to insects that pollinate saxifrage flower.
For some species, self-pollination is characteristic. Achieving abundant flowering and variety bright shades, it is better to plant several varieties on the site at once, creating conditions for cross-pollination.
It develops perfectly in one place, delighting beautiful flowers for five years. However, over time, its decorative properties noticeably decrease, so the planting should be updated.
Often original in its simplicity and impressive appearance, bred with seeds and saxifrage seedlings, decorates city apartments, country houses, verandas, winter gardens.
Flora is usually planted in shallow flower plants, since it root system not too developed. The containers are filled with humus soil, and drains are laid on the bottom. Saplings and seeds buy saxifrage available in specialized stores and via the Internet.
Saxifrage care
It belongs to the most unpretentious. This can be guessed from the name of the flora, which speaks of incredible, almost fantastic vitality, as well as the ability to use it for life, even the most meager conditions, almost unbearable for the growth of other plants.
Saxifrage care does not contain special tricks in itself, but so that decorative grass will please with colorful and abundant flowering, culture must be given due attention.
On the soil of average fertility, on sandy loams, clays and loams, the grass takes root perfectly. However, the flora is able to feel good almost everywhere, but the soil on the site, where saxifrage grows needs liming. When planting, it is better to add a certain amount of crushed limestone, gravel, coarse river sand, high-quality humus, peat to the soil.
Constant exposure to the sun is harmful to the plant, this can lead to a rapid loss of decorativeness, therefore it is not recommended to plant on top alpine slides, where there is absolutely no shade and protection, from the hot sun rays scorching around the clock in summer.
A protective barter can be built around the bushes to help the roots retain moisture and protect them from excessive lighting. Some shading is required for the best growth.
Saxifrage – plant mountainous, growing in nature in rock crevices, therefore, laying out with stones contributes to the successful development of flora, while saving moisture and protecting from harmful light.
Regular watering is essential, but in moderation. Excessive accumulation of water in the soil can cause disease, leading to the formation of rot, which is almost impossible to fight.
It can even be the cause of death. In addition, it is important, in order to avoid excessive moisture in the growing area, which is more terrible than drying out, to provide a high-quality drainage system.
The soil must be weeded and loosened in a timely manner. After flowering, it is required to cut off the aerial part of the flora, which is important for the appearance of new leaves. The perennial plant is very resistant to cold weather, but in severe frosts, shelter is still needed.
Top dressing should be done monthly, but only with mineral fertilizing, applied along with irrigation. Nitrogen fertilizing in this case, they are not suitable, and the excess can cause the occurrence of fungal diseases.
Indoor saxifrage, although they are light-requiring, however, diffused lighting is more recommended for her, as well as for garden counterparts. Containers with should be placed near windows on the east and west sides.
The plant requires moderate watering and spraying the leaves with water in a room with dry air. V winter time watering home saxifrage decreases, and the temperature in the room, in summer period optimal at 22 ° C, should be reduced in the cold season by five degrees.
Types and varieties of saxifrage
The saxifrage family is extremely diverse and diverse, including many species, most of which are decorative. Perennial varieties are found most often. Some of the varieties are annual and biennial. Among them there are garden and indoor options.
Arends' saxifrage.
The species is relatively short. Usually the flora rises from the ground at a distance of no more than 15 cm. At the same time, the leaves of this variety, separate from each other, form an original appearance of a solid carpet of bright greenery.
The appearance of the occupied space is complemented by flowers that have bright red, pink, white and other tones. Plants of this type please the eye with flowering from late spring to early summer.
The variety has earned its popularity among gardeners in northern latitudes due to its extreme resistance to frost. Among the known varieties of the species, each has its own characteristics, delighting flower growers and those around them with a variety of colors.
In the photo is the Arensa saxifrage
Floral Carpet - saxifrage,purple a mantle covering the ground or woven from a scattering of pink;
Sleeping Beauty is a variety that delights in red shades;
Peter Pan, the giver of scarlet buds;
The snow carpet, living up to its name, delights everyone who takes care of properly, covering the earth with a snow-white blanket of flowers every year.
In the photo there is a saxifrage flower variety "Snow Carpet"
Soddy saxifrage.
Appears in the form of dense turf, consisting of rosettes with dissected leaves. It is best to plant a flora that rises upward by no more than 20 cm, best of all in slightly acidic soil, enriched, then the plant in June, for almost a whole month, will delight everyone who wishes to admire it with its flowering.
A wealth of shades and color scheme depends on the variety that the grower wishes to choose.
Triumph is a plant whose flowers are inherent, striking, flashy ruby-red shades;
Rose-kenigen is distinguished by delicate bright pink flowers;
Purplemontel will present in abundance with a rich blue range of flower beds.
In the photo, soddy saxifrage "Triumph"
Saxifrage shady.
A low-growing species (about 8 cm high), referred to as perennial. It has dark green leaves and small light pink shades. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts about a month.
The flora is frost-resistant and in cold period does not need shelter. In the northern regions in winter, the plant is usually hidden from severe frosts covered with straw or dry foliage.
In the photo, the shadow saxifrage
Saxifrage paniculata.
This species, in contrast to those described above, belongs to the tall-growing type, rising from the ground to a height of up to 60 cm. Perhaps that is why it is rarely used in design, little used as a decorative decoration of various landscapes.
This variety, often also called saxifrage thigh, better known as a medicinal product. Yes, and outward appearance flora differs from its own relatives, having inflorescences in the form of umbrellas with small flowers, usually white. The flowering of such a plant usually falls on May days, continuing until the beginning of June.
In the photo paniculate saxifrage
Diseases and pests of saxifrage
Disease resistant. However, with growing saxifrage, especially indoor species plants, everything is possible and problems cannot be avoided. Most often, such misfortunes occur due to unfavorable conditions in the room where the flora is bred.
In a cool place with high humidity, the roots of the plant may begin to rot. Too high a temperature is often a favorable environment for the appearance of pests: spider mites, worms, thrips.
The first means of struggle is to establish the conditions for keeping the flora. Spraying in this case is not best method... More fit folk remedies... To combat the pest, tampons soaked in juice and are placed in flower pots.
If the humidity, on the contrary, is excessive, spots appear on the leaves from, which leads to the appearance of abscesses. Powdery mildew is a rapidly spreading disease of the flora, which got its name for the appearance of a powder-like white bloom that spoils the appearance of the leaves, is a type of one of the fungal diseases.
To eliminate the problem, all affected leaves are urgently cut off and replaced upper layer soil in the container. Further, they are sprayed with preparations based on copper.
You can also use more available funds, for example, potassium permanganate, from which a weak solution is made. It makes sense to dilute soda with liquid soap, using a similar substance for spraying.
In addition, from the pests, the plant can be attacked by worms, which should be removed manually and treated with anticoccidal agents. The leaves are covered with a sticky black bloom from the invasion of green aphids; pyrimor is used to get rid of this insect.
The leaves of many species of the saxifrage family are endowed with healing properties and contain useful components. Decoctions and infusions from the leaves are used to treat inflammation of the liver and bladder, infectious and purulent diseases, and diseases of the nervous system.
But it is not recommended to use properties uncontrollably. This can lead to the development of dermatitis. You can not take products made from the plant, patients with thrombosis and bradycardia, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.
The beauty of nature is unique, plants can exist and develop actively in the mountains, under not very favorable conditions, in deserts, on dry sands, on scarce lands that can give little. The saxifrage has an incredibly beautiful flowers, planting and caring for it is extremely simple. She will perfectly tolerate frosts and summer drought, while the eye will delight, albeit small, but variegated flowers for a long time.
Description
Saxifrage refers more to mountain plants, as its name suggests. Prefers to grow between stones with a minimum nutrients and sparse watering, but is a bright spot for any landscaping with stones. In addition, some varieties are used not only to give beautiful compositions, in medicine, medications necessary for many are made from all parts of the plant.
Saxifrage (Saxifraga Caespitosa)
The natural habitats of the species are Eurasia, Central America, mountainous areas of tropical Africa, it is under such natural conditions that the bole can develop perfectly. The saxifrage can be both an annual and a perennial; now there are more than 400 species of this plant. The stems bloom from May to August. They differ among themselves in terms of their external characteristics:
- come in different sizes
- can be grown both outdoors and in pots
Leaves can also be a distinctive feature, in some species they are very small, and some are of medium size. There is a saxifrage, the foliage of which only grows up to 5 cm, some species can grow up to 70 cm in height. In this case, the bushes of the plant will completely cover the soil with a radius of up to 12 cm.
The leaves of the saxifrage are collected in a basal rosette, usually green. Sometimes the deciduous part can have a bluish tint, it arises from the ability of the plant to accumulate lime in itself. Each leaf has several peduncles, on which flowers of different colors with five petals open over time.
Saxifrage paniculata
Flowers usually have delicate shades: pink, white, purple, yellow, some varieties are distinguished by red flowers. Some species have paniculate inflorescences, are cold-resistant and differ from their relatives by a complex root system. After flowering, in place of each flower, a seed pod with a large number of small grains is formed. When sowing, not all will sprout, many will die from excess moisture.
Indoor varieties are most often ampelous, grow well and develop on northern windows, but they still need light. This flower is not whimsical in care and planting, it can be grown even by a novice florist as in indoor conditions and in the garden. The saxifrage will do well without moisture, it will grow even if it is not regularly fertilized.
Types and varieties
In nature, there are more than 400 species of saxifrage, some of them are grown in a garden, others are preferable to have on the windowsill. In care, the plant is not picky, it endures all difficulties and hardships.
Saxifrage is often used in landscape design; with the help of a flower, you can create magnificent compositions. Often it is used as a border plant, sometimes flower beds are decorated with saxifrage in such a way that it seems that a flower blanket has sent a certain area
Alba saxifrage
Stony places can be ennobled with low-growing plants of mountain origin. The varieties feel great between the stones, they will gradually cover everything around with variegated small flowers.
Florists use not all species, some remain wild. No more than a dozen are popular, now we will consider them in more detail.
Arends
The undersized hybrid is very popular with flower growers and landscape designers. It is used to add zest to classic front gardens, the plant looks great in modern design flower beds in the yard.
With the help of the species, the effect of a flower carpet is achieved on any kind of soil, even in the most remote and shaded corners of the garden. Arends' saxifrage belongs to the ornamental hybrids that are grown outdoors.
The hybrid feels best in the north, where the climate and soils are ideal for it. Saxifrage is planted in groups in order to quickly achieve the desired effect.
The main characteristics are as follows:
- the plant reaches a height of 10-20 cm
- bushes often intertwine
- the leaves are small, separate, have a rich green color
- flowering occurs in May-June
Suitable only for growing in flower beds, as a houseplant grows poorly. And then he dies.
Most often, the following varieties are used in the design of a garden and a personal plot:
- Purplemantel, whose name speaks for itself. The plant has low, up to 20 cm stems with purple-pink tassels.
- Blutenteppich forms a 15 cm rug with vibrant red flowers. The decorativeness of the plant is excellent, it is often used as a curb plant, only at the same time excess bushes are regularly removed.
- Schneeteppich will help to create a snow-white carpet in the summer. The rich green of the leaves hardly breaks through the many white flowers, the leaves can reach a height of 10 cm.
- Flamingo has an identical color with the bird, delicate flowers will perfectly fit into any landscape design, will become an integral part of it. Seeds and seedlings of the variety are not yet very common in our country, but this is not for long, Flamingo is successfully gaining momentum.
- Peter Pan fits perfectly into an alpine slide with any other ornamental plants, small pink flowers with yellow centers will not leave anyone indifferent. The openwork of small leaves is visible between the flowers and this gives a special charm to the variety.
Thigh
Herbaceous perennial saxifrage, which is rarely grown with decorative purpose ... The stem can reach 70 cm in height, has umbellate, unattractive inflorescences, but is an irreplaceable raw material in pharmacology. The distribution area is limited to the European part of Siberia and the Caucasus. Occurs in pine forests, glades and forest edges, grassy slopes of mountainous terrain.
Flowering occurs in May-June, the flowers themselves are not remarkable, small, white, collected in large umbrellas. For production medicines use all parts of the plant, especially seeds and leaves.
Soddy
Soddy plant species came to us from the northern regions of Eurasia and North America. The stem is characterized by a dense root rosette of leaves, the lower ones have significant ramifications, the lower ones are denser and erect. The leaf plates are painted dark green, the lower ones have pronounced veins.
Blossoming in soddy saxifrage is not long, usually no more than three weeks, but very beautiful. Small flowers can be pink, red, white. During the flowering period, the stem looks like a large pillow with a colored print. You can admire the beauty in the month of June, depending on weather conditions, sometimes flowering is postponed to July.
Room view
Saxifrage indoor varieties ideal for growing by amateur florists... Its unpretentiousness and excellent decorative qualities allow it to be used in the most northern and dimly lit rooms. The ideal microclimate for the plant will be dry and cool air, which is often observed in winter in our apartments.
Home view
The homeland of the stem is the mountainous regions of Japan and China, where, with the help of shoots, the plant clings between stones, then small roots are formed, which feed themselves on these scarce soils. Gradually, the roots stimulate the growth of new leaves, so a new bush is formed.
The indoor view differs from other varieties of saxifrage in larger leaf plates, in addition, the headquarters will have a large number of antennae, which look very impressive in a hanging planter.
Indoor saxifrage can be combined in multi-level pots with petunias, such a neighborhood will have a great look.
The only one important condition home cultivation is minimal lighting; in bright light, the leaves of the room saxifrage will become faded and inconspicuous. Gradually, the flower will begin to ache and may die. The plant needs minimal watering; it is better to take light soils with a high sand content.
Some species of saxifrage are listed in the Red Book and are protected by law.
Reproduction methods
To get good healthy plant it is necessary to propagate it correctly. The saxifrage is no exception in this, just tearing off a twig and sticking it into the ground will not work. There is only a small chance that the plant will be accepted after this method, in order to surely get hold of a saxifrage in your garden or house, you will have to study all the known methods of its reproduction.
Young plant seedlings
The stem is propagated in several ways:
- seed, carried out by sowing purchased seeds in the ground or through growing seedlings
- by cuttings, through the planting of young twigs with roots taken from whiter than adult plants
- layering, code the side bends are cut and transplanted to the desired location
- dividing the rosettes, while it is important to preserve the rhizome on each part
Each of the methods is carried out in early spring or before winter, but it is worth counting so that the cutting or divided bush has time to take root in a new place.
You should not wait for sprouts from seeds sown before winter, the plant will make itself felt in early spring. The bole will delight with flowering in June-July, in the first year it may not be plentiful. In the subsequent time, the saxifrage will only grow and please the eye with a variegated veil.
Seed propagation
Seed propagation most often involves growing seedlings in closed ground, and then planting young plants in open ground... But some growers practice sowing seeds directly into the ground.
For. To get the maximum possible number of saxifrage seedlings, it is necessary to properly sow the seeds.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- it is first necessary to statify the seeds, for this a little ordinary sand is added to them, poured into a container and placed on the upper shelf of the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks;
- the next step will be direct sowing into a container with soil, for this the soil is lightly tamped and sprinkled with seeds and sand, watered;
- it is advisable to cover the container with glass or wrap it with foil, this creates a greenhouse effect that accelerates the germination of plants;
- the first sprouts will hatch after 10 days, then the plant will begin to develop more rapidly;
- when the boles have four real leaves, it is advisable to plant them in separate pots, this will allow them to grow faster and simplify transplanting into open ground.
After that, they wait for the soil to warm up enough and plant the saxifrage babies in the prepared soil. The first days you can water the plants in moderation, and then the water should be excluded altogether for the benefit of the plants.
It should be understood that the plants will show themselves in all their glory only after a year, this season will pass without flowering.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Although saxifrage is considered a frost-resistant plant, seedlings are planted only after the frosts on the ground have passed. After that, young seedlings of the plant can be planted on the prepared section of the flower bed or garden.
To do this, the pots with seedlings are well watered, the soil is loosened at the selected place and depressions are made. A seedling with a lump of soil is placed in each groove, sprinkled with soil from the garden bed, lightly tamped.
Additional watering is not worth it, the stem will have enough moisture already received. The next watering can be done in 5-7 days if there was no rainfall during this period. The bushes should be placed according to the 20 × 20 cm scheme, so that they have where to grow later.
Sowing in the ground
Sowing seeds in open ground is also practiced, for this it is also necessary to prepare the seeds... There is no need to statify them, this process will take place naturally during the wintering period, but it will not hurt to disinfect.
To do this, the grains are soaked for several days in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or any fungicide... Then it is dried and mixed with sand. In the selected area, shallow grooves are made, up to 1.5 cm, and seeds are sown. The grooves are lightly covered with garden soil and watered.
It is best to carry out the procedure in early spring, but sowing is also possible before winter. Do not wait for one hundred percent germination, saxifrage reproduces poorly by this method. V spring after 25 days after the procedure, seedlings did not appear, you can safely plant other plants in this place, the saxifrage will no longer appear.
Cuttings
This method is used for reproduction in July, after the end of the flowering period of the stem.
To do this, carry out the following:
- wet sand is collected in a box or container;
- in an adult plant, which is more than two years old, several young side shoots are cut off;
- it is advisable to treat the cut with crushed charcoal in order to protect both the plant and the cuttings from diseases and pests;
- the cut parts are rooted in a container with sand, and planted in a permanent place in the fall;
- you can leave young seedlings to winter in the sand, for this they select cool place with low light;
- in the spring, overwintered cuttings are planted in open ground in the same way as saxifrage seedlings.
Update the stems of the plant in a timely manner, then the flowerbed will always look great. The saxifrage has a spectacular appearance for 5-6 years, then it must be replaced with a young plant.
Dividing the bush
This method is the most common, most often growers renew saxifrage or share plants with just a piece of a bush. Each spring with warmth and moisture stimulates the plant to release additional side shoots and roots. Gradually, they turn into a full-fledged plant, which is connected to the main stem by leaves. It is in this place that the young should be separated, but this should be done only after the end of flowering.
See also: Alyssum: species and varieties of plants, sowing seeds in open ground and caring for a rainbow carpet on the site (130 Photos) + Reviews
Layers
Reproduction by layering is quite popular; you do not need to spend a lot of time and effort to carry it out. It is enough to take a long side bend, make a small depression under it, water it... Then lay the layers and lightly sprinkle garden soil, press down a little.
Care
The saxifrage is considered a favorite of flower growers due to its unpretentious care, but in order to have a beautifully designed rabatka, alpine slide or just a certain area of the garden, the plant must be surrounded by care. There are no particular difficulties in this, but the process must be treated responsibly.
Saxifrage Peter Pan
In order for the selected variety of saxifrage to bloom and grow, it is necessary to provide it with the following conditions:
- First of all, we choose the right place, it should be shady, direct sunlight will soon destroy the garden flower.
- Before planting, pay attention to the soil, it should not be heavy, not have stagnant moisture.
- During the growing season and flowering, saxifrage is rarely watered. It is necessary to moisten the soil only in cases where there is no precipitation for more than a month. But at the same time, watering is carried out in moderation, preferably flowing, but it depends more on the soil.
- Loosening of the land around the plantings of saxifrage is necessary, this will save the bole from stagnant moisture. Provides oxygen access to the root collar.
- Weeding too important element care, weeds will not contribute to the growth and development of the flower carpet, therefore it is better to remove them in a timely and regular manner.
- Pruning will help to preserve the attractive appearance of the garden plantings; after flowering, it is necessary to remove all dry flower stalks and leaves.
In addition, a couple of times a month, adult stems must be fed to stimulate flowering and better growth to the necessary areas. It should be borne in mind that not everyone is suitable for saxifrage, first carefully study the necessary information. Universal products for the garden will not work, but we will now find out which ones will be ideal.
Nature is wise and often endows plants with truly amazing qualities that enable them to survive in the most difficult conditions. An illustrative example serves as a saxifrage - an extensive genus of herbaceous one-, two- or the same family.
It unites almost 400 species distributed over vast territories of the temperate latitudes of the European-Asian continent, Central America and the mountainous tropics of Africa. The name of the genus speaks of the incredible vitality and the ability of the plant to comfortably use the most scarce Natural resources... Let's talk about this amazing herb, its types, cultivation features and proper care for it.
Description
Despite the abundance of species, all saxifrage are rhizomatous herbaceous plants, the height of which, depending on the place of growth, varies from 5 to 70 cm, forming ground covers of various densities. Their leaves, different in shape and structure, are collected in a basal rosette. A peculiarity of the genus is the ability of the leaves of many species to accumulate lime, which is why their color (often along the edge) acquires a noticeable gray tint. The leaves are surrounded by strong peduncles ending in five-petalled star-shaped flowers, single or collected in touching panicles. The color of flowers is light, in color palette all shades of white, yellow, pink or purple are present. Saxifrage flowers delight gardeners from May to August. The fruit is a box with small ripe seeds.
Types of saxifrage, flowers in the highest degree hardy, varied. It makes no sense to present their scientific classification, we only note the fact that there are garden plants that adorn country interior throughout the whole season, and indoor options that successfully fit into a warm home environment.
Plant features
For saxifrage, an accelerated rhythm of passing through all phases of development is characteristic - from the appearance of the first young leaves to the maturation of seeds. Saxifrage flowers are pollinated by insects that are attracted to nectar. Some species are self-pollinated. Brighter and more numerous flowers are obtained by planting several varieties of ground cover saxifrage on the site, stimulating cross-pollination. A similar method is used when arranging rock gardens or when sodding the soil in fruit trees... High frost resistance is another excellent quality of the plant.
Saxifrage flower: planting and care
Many representatives of the Kamnelomkov family have been introduced into the culture, the bulk of which are decorative species used in garden and park interiors. Typically, it is abundantly and beautifully blooming. The saxifrage is unpretentious, but in order to increase the decorativeness of the plant, it is worth listening to some rules of agricultural technology necessary for its high-quality development.
Usually, the cultivation of these crops does not cause difficulties, apparently, in the uncomplicated grass is laid down to adapt it to any growing conditions. The plant successfully takes root on medium-fertile soils, but needs limestone, therefore, when preparing a site for planting, the soil is limestone. Comfort for the plant will be created by such additives as gravel, peat, coarse river sand and high-quality humus. The composition of the soil does not matter; saxifrage flowers (perennials and annuals) appear regardless of the structure on which soil they live. They grow equally well on clay, loam and sandy loam.
It is not worth planting a saxifrage on the top of an alpine hill, since such an arrangement of the plant assumes constant exposure to the sun, and this will lead to a rapid loss of decorativeness. A more productive decision is to plant a crop on a slope or to arrange rockeries in shady places.
Care in the garden
Initially, saxifrage grows successfully in rock crevices, natural or artificial. When arranging alpine hills, saxifrage bushes are laid out with a rocky component that helps to retain moisture and protects the roots from the scorching sun rays. When building a rock garden, it is important to remember the need for drainage, since stagnant water is detrimental to the plant - it is easier for it to endure short-term drying out than constant waterlogging. But in dry periods, additional watering is necessary for a culture such as saxifrage.
A garden flower with regular excessive watering traps the formation of rot, which is almost impossible to fight. In such a situation, the degree of moisture is adjusted, and cuttings are cut from the healthy parts of the damaged bush and rooted.
Monthly the plant is fed with complex mineral fertilizers... Saxifrage is a flower, the care of which is traditional and consists in loosening the soil and periodic weeding. At the end of flowering, the aerial parts of the plant are cut off, and after a while it is again covered with young foliage.
Reproduction
The pollinated flowers of saxifrage give a lot of small black seeds, the germination rate of which is very high - 86%. Sown in light soil, they germinate in 5-7 days at an air temperature of 18-20˚С. With the appearance of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings dive, they are planted in open ground in the middle of summer, observing the intervals between plants of 15-20 cm. Perennial saxifrage bloom the next summer.
Vegetative propagation is also successful - by cuttings, layering or dividing the rhizome. Cut in July, the cuttings are rooted in boxes, arranged in a cool basement for the winter, and planted in a permanent place in the spring. Reproduction by layering is carried out as follows: after flowering, long shoots are pinned to the ground, placing them in prepared grooves.
In the fall, the rooted layers are mulched with humus, and with the arrival of spring they are separated from the mother bush and planted. The division of the bush is carried out after flowering, separating from mother plant young rosettes with a piece of rhizome. They successfully take root and hibernate without shelter.
In one place in the garden, saxifrage grows productively for 5-6 years, and then loses its compactness and requires renewal of plantings.
Growing indoor saxifrage
Along with the garden forms of saxifrage, there are many crops that are perfectly adapted to growing at home.
The most popular types for indoor breeding are:
- Wicker saxifrage (offspring), grown as an ampelous culture. The rosettes planted in the container release stolons on which new rosettes are formed.
- Tricolor.
- Harvest Moon.
- Cotyledon, which resembles a succulent.
- Arends (mossy).
Preferences
The saxifrage flower, planting and caring for which in a city apartment is easy, prefers neutral soils, only cotyledon develops well on soils with an acid reaction.
The plant requires a poorly nutritious, humus soil, for example, a clay-sod composition. The pot for saxifrage needs a shallow one, since the root system of the plant is shallow. Drainage is laid out at the bottom of the container, which can be expanded clay, screening, even pieces of foam.
The saxifrage is propagated by seeds, rosettes from the uterine bush or by cuttings.
Home species care
The saxifrage (indoor flower) is photophilous, like its garden cousins, but the lighting should be diffused, exposure to direct sunlight significantly reduces the decorative effect of the culture. Place containers with plants near the windows of the west or east side. The plant is watered moderately and regularly throughout the year. Useful for spraying plants, especially in the hot season or in dry air in the winter, when central heating radiators are working.
Comfortable air temperature for domestic saxifrage is 20-25˚С. With the onset of winter, culture enters a dormant period. The temperature in the room should be lowered to 12-15˚С, the intensity of irrigation should be slightly reduced.
Transplants and feeding
Spring transplants are necessary for the plant only when the pot has become noticeably cramped, and the roots are completely entwined with an earthen lump. Each time, the saxifrage flowers are transplanted into a container, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. The best material The culture container is considered pottery.
They feed the saxifrage all year round, even in a calm winter period, otherwise the stems begin to elongate and lose their beauty and decorative effect. In winter, the plant is fertilized with solutions flower dressing monthly, and from early spring to late autumn - once every 2 weeks. The culture is afraid of overfeeding, so the drug is dissolved in a double rate of water recommended in the annotation. Note that nitrogen fertilizers do not use, since they stimulate the growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering.
