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The plant, called ratibida colonial ("Mexican hat"), the cultivation of seeds of which does not cause special difficulties, is one of the most popular among amateurs. It is a very beautiful and easy-to-care culture, capable of decorating any site.
Features of ratibidae
This type of flower belongs to a group of large plants with expressive buds. The birthplace of ratibidae is a colonial or, as it is also called the "Mexican hat the land of Mexico and Canada. But despite its origin, it develops well in our latitudes.
In their homeland, the plant is also referred to as:
- thimble;
- Echinacea narrow-headed;
- Ratibida is long or columnar.
The flower belongs to a group of herbaceous plants. In nature, he prefers drier patches. Ratibida is a colony-shaped flower that grows in the prairies and along roads. Often the plant "settles" in the vicinity of abandoned houses and overcuts areas that have not been processed for a long time.
The cultivation of ratibidae began as early as 1811.
A distinctive feature of this culture is its elongated deciduous plates. They can be either pinnate or divided. Bottom leaves are grayish in color. They grow up to 16 cm in length, and their width does not exceed 7 cm.
The plant grows in the form of a bush with lots of spreading branches. On average, it reaches one meter in height. The stems of this variety are rough, slightly covered with small hairs.
On adult plants an arrow is formed on which a bud is formed. The diameter of the flower of ratibidae can be up to 7 cm. Often, loose buds have a burgundy hue, but there are also those that are painted in a brownish-yellow tone. At the end of flowering, fruits are formed in the form of seeds. Mature grains are light brown.
Care of this species is very simple. To grow a flower in your flower garden, you do not need to have special skills. Compliance with the minimum number of rules will make the plant the most colorful crop of your site.
Proper care for ratibida colonial
If you want a lot of butterflies to settle in your flowerbed, then the plant "Mexican hat" is what you need. The flowers of this culture give off a special flavor and components, which are very fond of some of the most beautiful inhabitants of our planet.
Choice of a landing site. This is an important condition in the cultivation of ratibidae coloniform. In order for the bush to develop well and to enjoy its unusual flowers for a long time, it should be planted on lots with lots of sun.The soil for a flower can be taken any. An excellent option will be a loamy substrate with neutral acidity.
It is not recommended to plant the plant near water bodies. Ratibida colonoid poorly tolerates excess moisture.
Irrigation. In frequent irrigation the bush does not need. Carry out this procedure should be only if the land is very dry and after weeding. Water for this you need to use a permanent or rainwater.
Fertilizer. As for feeding, there is no special schedule for this culture. Due to its well-developed root system, the flower is perfectly capable of obtaining useful components for itself. A few fertilizer applications are enough for a season. Complex preparations are the best. It is not necessary to get involved in such mixtures, since their excess can cause a rapid development of green mass and reduce the flowering period.
Collection of seeds should be carried out after the plants are discolored and well dried. To do this, you need to cut off the boxes with a sharp knife and rub them into the chaff, thus releasing the grains from other parts.
In autumn, when the fruit is harvested, the stems must be cut. To cover bushes for the winter is not necessary, they perfectly tolerate low air temperature.
Reproduction of ratibid seeds
To grow a new plant, you can use both the method of cuttings and grains. One of the simplest and most effective is the second method. With proper care, the flower is able to reproduce itself, thanks to its abundant seedling.
Cultivating ratibida colonoid from seeds is easy. Seeding of seeds on seedlings should be carried out in early February. This rule must be observed, this will allow the bush to please you with its flowering in the same year.
Before you place the grains in the soil, you need:
- Carry out stratification of planting material (all grains should be kept for about 30 days at a temperature of no higher than 70 C).
- The earth needs to be used only with neutral acidity.
- To grain sprouted faster, you need to cover the top with polyethylene.
- Picks to hold, when on young plants will appear on two full-leaf.
- On the site planted in mid-May, and until this time to keep in a cool room.
Before planting the seedlings on the flower bed, you need to temper them a little. To do this, within two weeks, the container with young plants should be taken to fresh air, constantly increasing the time. Before moving them to the flower bed, the soil in the flowerpot should be watered and wait about two hours. At the end of this time, the pots from each plant should be removed, keeping the integrity of the earth coma and placing it in a previously made deepening.
Grains can also be sown directly into the open ground. The procedure should be in March or April. The sowing period depends on the region and the weather conditions. Before planting the material in the soil, the area should be carefully digged and well leveled. Then do the tracks about 2 cm deep. The distance between the ridge should not exceed 30 cm. If the shoots are thick, then they will need to be weeded out, observing the distance between the plants at 35 cm.
Reproduction by seeds of ratibidae of the columnar or "Mexican hat" described above, once again confirms the simplicity of its cultivation. Observing simple rules, you can drastically transform your site in a short time and fill it with incredible aromas.
