. Descriptionbeautiful flowering plants for flower beds, decoration of alpine gardens and green lawns. But in the middle zone of Russia zephyrans, care at home from and which is as uncomplicated as in the open field, is a pot culture found on urban window sills. Description and features of indoor flower zephyranthes
Help distinguish zephyrans from other popular bulbous plants:
- elongated leaves extending from the neck of the bulb;
- upright or lodging peduncles about 25 cm long;
- single flowers of various colors, shaped like crocuses or sparaxises that are better known to gardeners.
The diameter of the corolla with a tubular bract is 7–9 cm, and the color of the petals and the core depends on the variety and variety of zephyranthes. Flower growers consider the almost lightning development and the appearance of flower stalks with buds as a unique plant ability. But after the completion of flowering, the developing leaves most often die off, and the zephyranthes sink into “sleep” for several months.
These cultural characteristics must be taken into account when caring for marshmallows at home.
Care for zephyranthes flower during the growing season, flowering and dormancy
With the advent of buds, zephyranthes need bright sun and warmth. The plant is not afraid of southern windows, and at a suitable air temperature, a flower from the subtropics of America grows well on a balcony and even in open ground, for example, at a country garden.
With proper care for zephyranthes, planting plants in a well-lit area ensures the rapid growth of maternal and the emergence of new bulbs.
In addition to the bright sun, during the growing season the bulbous culture requires:
- heated air to 20–25 ° C;
- regular fertilization, at least once every 10-14 days;
- getting warm defended moisture.
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Watering is carried out as the top, 2-centimeter layer of substrate dries out. If the moisture is more than the plant requires, do not avoid its stagnation and rotting of the branched system of the roots and the tip of the bulb.
In summer, when the air is dry and hot, spraying greenery becomes an effective addition to watering. This measure for the care of zephyranthes at home, as in the photo, helps to preserve the freshness of foliage and flowers, even in open ground.
By September, zephyranthes begin to prepare for "hibernation."In most species of this bulbous culture, the state of rest lasts for several months. The impetus for awakening in natural conditions is seasonal climate change. At home, regulate the flow of life changes in the care of the flower marshmallows and temperature fluctuations.
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When the leaves wither and fall on the plant, it means that it is time to transfer the marshmallows to a cool room where it will be dry and dark. The optimum temperature can vary between 5–14 ° C, but if it falls below, there is a risk of bulbs freezing.
During the rest period, the plants do not need full-scale watering, they are not fed. But in order to avoid the drying of the bulbs, the soil is sometimes gently moistened with separated water.
With the onset of spring, the plant activates life processes, the first green foliage appears, followed by the buds. At this time, the pot is transferred to the light and begin feeding and watering interrupted for the winter. Care for marshmallows returns to its former direction.
In some species, the leaves do not fall off for the winter. Therefore, they are not removed in the dark, but try to keep at low temperatures, slightly limiting watering.
Planting and caring for zephyranthes in flower propagation
Every year around the small bulbs of zephyranthes, several small subsidiaries are formed, which are easy to separate and give life to new plants.
If planting and caring for marshmallows was carried out correctly, young bulbs quickly lay the beginnings of peduncles and open buds a year after separation from the mother plant.
The easiest way to collect small bulbs in the fall, when they are transplanting. For planting they take wide boxes or pots, lay a drainage layer on their bottom, and put a mixture of equal shares on top of it:
- humus;
- sand;
- peat;
- turf land.
Well, if before planting marshmallows and caring for a bulbous plant, the soil was sterilized. This will exclude infection of the bulbs with fungi or damage to rhizomes by pests.
Zephyranthes are relatively small plants, so they look much more effective in group plantings, where 8 to 15 bulbs are located nearby. When landing in the ground must pay attention to the thin graceful neck of the bulb remained above the surface of the substrate.
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Similarly, planting crops in open ground. If the plants of zephyranthes are well-kept, as in the photo, at home they can be pollinated and give seeds. From the moment of artificial pollination to the collection of seed, it takes about 60 days. Sowing is carried out in the same season, otherwise seed germination drops sharply.
The seeds are spread on the surface of a loose, ready-made substrate at a distance of 2–3 cm from each other, lightly sprinkled with soil and placed in penumbra. At a temperature of about 22–24 ° C in greenhouse conditions, the seedling boxes are located for up to 4 weeks. In most species, after this time, the first young shoots appear. Care for marshmallows brings good results. Flower cultivars grown from seeds open buds for the first year in their third year.
Video about upstart flower
