How to grow flax at home?

A gardener, choosing flowers for growing in the garden, often undeservedly bypasses perennial flax. The fact is that this flower has long been considered an excellent decoration for the house, which, moreover, will be able to protect it. This culture is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, but at the same time it has a relatively high decorative effect, since it has very beautiful flowers. There is an opinion that the flowers of this plant must necessarily be painted blue, but this is far from the case.

Description of perennial blue flax

Flax is a herbaceous plant. This genus unites about 200 of the most diverse species. Often, flax is not very large bushes, the height of which does not exceed 50 centimeters. Despite the fact that the shoots of such a culture are very thin, they are comparatively powerful. The flowers are of various sizes (from very large to small). They can be painted white, bluish or red-pink.

This plant is widely cultivated by gardeners in the middle lane. It feels great in a temperate climate, so it can be found in nature in Africa, North America, and also in some regions of Asia and Europe.

Types and varieties of flax

Among all known types and varieties of flax, the following are the most popular among gardeners:

1. Oilseed... This decorative variety is very often cultivated indoors. Most often, such a plant is grown in order to obtain flax seeds, which are distinguished by their high nutritional value, as well as medicinal properties. As a rule, the bush does not exceed 0.3 meters in height. The flowers are not very large. They can be colored yellow, bluish, or even red.
2. Decorative... This species is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, so even a person far from gardening can grow it. In addition, you should know that a durable fabric is made from various decorative varieties of flax, which is used for sewing clothes, linen, etc.
3. Large-flowered... This variety of flax has been grown in mid-latitudes not so long ago. But in this short time, he managed to become one of the most popular varieties among gardeners. The height of a medium-sized bush, as a rule, does not exceed 50 centimeters. The flowers of this variety are very large, and they can be painted in a variety of color shades. Such a plant is perennial, if it is provided with favorable conditions for growth, then without transplanting in the same place it can be grown for five years.
4. Perennial flax... This variety, in comparison with the rest, is the most widespread. Very attractive bushes of such flax are used to decorate borders, flower walls, etc.

Planting flax in open ground

Flax is not very demanding on growing conditions, which greatly facilitates the choice of a suitable place for planting it.However, if you want it to grow and develop within normal limits, then for planting, choose an exclusively open, sunny area, on which no shadow should fall either from shrubs with trees or from various buildings. If there are very few sunny days in your area, then you are unlikely to be able to grow perennial flax.

Also, this plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil. It can be grown in almost any soil except swampy soil. For planting, choose an area with light soil, where the groundwater is relatively deep. Perennial flax can be grown quite successfully on slightly steep slopes.

Sowing seeds of perennial flax varieties is recommended to be carried out in boxes at home. If you live in a region with a relatively mild and warm climate, then you can sow seeds in open soil. It is not recommended to bury them in the ground. Seeds are evenly distributed over the surface of a previously prepared area, and then the crops are moistened with water from a sprinkler. It is possible to sow seeds in open soil both in spring (when the weather is warm and the daytime temperature will be about 20 degrees) and in autumn (you need to catch it before the cold weather, while the average daytime air temperature should be at least twenty degrees).

If you are planning to sow perennial flax in open soil, do not forget to take the cold factor into account. Sowing is strictly prohibited on a rainy or damp day. The area with crops must be covered with a not very thick layer of soil, then they are insulated in the same way as most garden flowers.

Flax propagation

There are several ways in which flax can be propagated quite successfully. They will be described in more detail below.

Generative (seed) way

You can grow such a flower from seeds in containers. And you can sow seeds directly into open soil, such sowing is carried out in spring or autumn (before winter) time. All you need to do is spread the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil, and then they are simply sprayed with a spray bottle. They should not be buried in the ground. It is possible to sow perennial flax seeds into the soil, if necessary, in the summer.

If you decide to sow seeds in containers, then you should know that grown seedlings cannot be transplanted into open ground, because they get very sick after such a procedure and often die. When the seeds have been sown, the containers are immediately transferred to fresh air.

Dividing the bush

If you grow two-year-old flax on your site, then it can be propagated by dividing the bush. In the middle of spring or in August after the plant has faded, the bush is divided into several parts. The plots should be immediately planted in open soil, keeping a distance of 0.2 m between them. They should be watered regularly and often enough, and protected from direct sunlight.

Blue flax care

If you want flax flowering to be as effective as possible, and he himself grows and develops normally, he will need to provide good, proper care. The features of perennial flax care will be described in detail below.

For normal growth and development, such a flower needs a sufficient amount of water. In this regard, it must be watered systematically. However, make sure that there is no stagnation of water in the soil.

Please note that flax reacts extremely negatively to liquid stagnation in the soil. Depending on the air temperature and rains, flax is watered on average 1 or 2 times every 7 days. It is important that the soil under the bushes is slightly moist all the time. After the fall begins, watering is gradually reduced, and then they must be stopped altogether.

It is also necessary to weed in a timely manner, since the thickening of the planting and weeds negatively affect the decorativeness of flax.

Often you will not have to feed perennial flax, which greatly facilitates caring for it.Before proceeding with sowing seeds in open soil, it is necessary to add not a very large amount of organic matter to it, and also add a little potash fertilizer. During the growing season, it is recommended to feed flax at least two more times, while using liquid dressings. It is recommended to feed such flowers only after they have been watered.

The gardener does not have to deal with a bunch of diseases and pests, because flax has a fairly high resistance to them. However, in some cases, a flax flea can settle on the bushes. If you decide to fight it with various folk methods, then keep in mind that they will all be ineffective. Therefore, without wasting time, process the infected bushes with specially designed chemicals.

In order for such a very beautiful and rather unusual flower to grow normally in your garden, as well as to ensure the most spectacular flowering, it should be planted next to only those plants that have a very similar development pattern, and also need the same growing conditions. ...

Linen in landscape design

Perennial blue flax is quite popular among gardeners. Such a flower is recommended for use in a variety of group compositions, for example: in mixborders, rock gardens, flower beds, and also in very picturesque borders.

It has been noticed that flax goes well with those crops that need a lot of sunlight and have a fairly high drought tolerance. Perennial flax has excellent growth when planted on a Moorish lawn. It is recommended to plant it together with such beautiful flowers as marigolds, clover, chamomile and cornflowers.

Perennial blue flax certainly deserves attention from gardeners. Its advantage is that it is not too picky about growing conditions, it is relatively easy to care for, and this flower is also very beautiful.

Since ancient times, flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been grown in Russia, the use of which in the household was very diverse. Today you will hardly be fiddling with linen to get yarn out of it and weave linen with your own hands. But this plant has both medicinal and decorative properties that are worth taking note of the modern gardener. Wise ancestors said: "You sow flax - you reap gold."
 

 

And it seems that these simple flowers have accompanied a person throughout his history. In any case, archaeologists claim that flax seeds and linseed oil were already known in the Bronze and Iron Ages. The ancient Egyptians cultivated flax to weave linen from it, and the Romans considered this plant a symbol of purity, light and fidelity.
 

What is flax

Sowing flax - annual family of flax. It does not occur in the wild, but is cultivated in various forms. For industrial purposes, a distinction is usually made between longs - tall (from 90 to 150 cm) plants, grown mainly for fiber; curls - undersized (from 30 to 60 cm) varieties; mezheumki - medium-sized plants.

Flax, familiar to us, is inconspicuous in appearance: it has a thin stalk on which there are numerous narrow leaves and small flowers of a pale blue or light blue hue, collected in loose umbrella-shaped inflorescences. But breeders have bred many varieties, among which there are decorative ones - with rather large and expressive flowers.

 

How to grow flax

Flax is sown in the spring; usually randomly. The crops are harrowed by embedding seeds in the soil to a depth of 1.5–2 cm. When sowing in rows, the distance between them is about 20 cm.
 

Flax is not afraid of cold weather, young seedlings are resistant to frost down to -3 ° C, so it can be sown already in the end of April... After 1.5 - 2 months, flowers will appear, and then - rounded seed pods.Flax seed, which is a medicinal raw material, ripens in July - September, depending on the variety and sowing time.

For planting, it is advisable to choose an area where the soil is well-drained and fertilized. Despite its unpretentiousness, flax develops better on fertile soil... When the buds are tied and the first flowers appear, you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out - at this time the plant is very moisture sensitive... In addition, you will only need to weed and loosen crops once or twice a season.

The healing properties of flax

At home, flaxseed (whole or crushed) is most often prepared slimy decoctions and infusions, using them for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Crushed or ground into flour seeds are used for poultice or compresses; dry seeds, falling asleep in a linen bag, are warmed up and applied to a sore lower back with sciatica.

A decoction of seeds in folk medicine is used for various diseases of the kidneys and bladder; in dental practice, it is used for stomatitis and inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa - as an enveloping agent.

Used and linseed oil - it is prescribed for violation of fat metabolism, in the treatment and for the prevention of atherosclerosis. It also has a mild laxative effect; externally used in the treatment of burns. Linetol is produced from linseed oil.

Useful properties of seeds last 3 - 4 years (if stored in a dry place away from moisture).

Flax is also worth sowing simply because it is beautiful. Low varieties can be placed as a curb in a pharmaceutical garden or along garden paths; delicate flax flowers on graceful stems will look good in a mixborder.

Despite the fact that flax, in terms of its survival characteristics, is a plant that, when growing, is capable of capturing a large territory, drowning out other representatives of domestic flora, amateur gardeners cannot resist its beauty.

Long flowering for three summer months attracts summer residents, for whom growing flax at home is becoming more and more popular.

Growing features

In the old days, people were guided by folk signs that allowed them to choose the right time for planting flax - a plant that was considered the main agricultural crop in Russia, because linen was woven from linen, they beat oil, made flour, and insulated with linen tow at home.

The sages said: "You sow flax - you reap gold" and they were right.

Flax has been a strategic crop for many centuries, so its cultivation was treated in a special way. As soon as the mountain ash blossomed, the cuckoo barked and buds began to open on the oak trees, which meant it was time to sow flax.

Agricultural flax - cultivation and care of which, in families, took place according to certain rules, but planting and harvesting were unchanged for each peasant:

1. Flax was sown in the second half of May, while keeping an eye on the condition of the land - the soil should be sufficiently moist and warm well.
2. Until June 3 - on the day of the celebration of Saints Helena and Constantine, the planting of flax was to be fully completed.
3. Today it is very convenient to plant this crop, according to the lunar calendar, in which all favorable periods for its sowing are spelled out. Modern meteorological conditions already allow planting flax even in late April or early May, depending on the state of the weather and soil.
4. The plant is not frost-resistant, it cannot withstand temperatures below 3 degrees, so it should be uprooted during the harvest period.
5. Flax does not like strong waterlogging of the soil.
6. In the fight against fungal diseases, gardeners treat the plant with fungicides.
7. The soil for this crop must be loose enough to allow the root system to be enriched with oxygen.
8. When growing flax, special attention is also paid to weeding. Weeds should not be allowed to drown out young shoots of this culture.
9. In early September, in warm and dry weather, the flax is pulled out and laid in sheaves to dry. At home, it is easier to notice the readiness of flax for harvesting. You should pay attention to the fact that the stems do not dry out - they should have a light yellow color.

Types of flax and their cultivation

Flax is of several types - oilseed, decorative, large-flowered. Its height can vary from 30 cm and more to one and a half meters in height. In appearance, its flowers are narrow leaves, small and large, depending on the type, the flowers are pale blue, blue, yellow and even red. Modern collectors can boast of new decorative types that differ in many respects from the familiar flax.

At home, the cultivation of oil flax has long been in demand due to its particularly useful properties of the seed composition, which is processed into linseed oil. The seeds of this type of flax contain 42% fatty oil. In industry, this particular type is used for the production of drying oil, paints, soap, artificial leather.

Those who are focused on growing oil flax at home on their site need to know that this crop has a more developed root system than its other species, so it needs to be planted in a separate spacious area. Flax loves moderate watering, but is thermophilic. The height of a plant ready for harvest reaches 20-70 cm. For sowing on a personal plot, such varieties of oil flax as "Novinka-198", "Lubensky - 7", "Start" and others are suitable.

You should not plant flax in a place where its predecessor was corn or flax - this reduces the yield, it is better if it was melons or winter crops.

Sowing of oil flax is carried out in an inter-row method at a distance of 15 cm between rows, with a seeding depth of up to 7 cm. Before planting seeds, they are disinfected with protective and stimulating drugs according to the instructions for them.

During the growing period, weeds must be weeded. The emergence of the first shoots begins on the 7-10th day, from this moment the plant requires careful protection from weeds and pests.

From mineral fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium are suitable: nitrogen is used from sunrise to flowering, phosphorus - the entire growing season, potassium - during the budding period. Spraying with herbicide compositions is used against pests.

Oil flax is harvested in a separate way - first, the head is removed, cleaned and dried, then the stems are removed from the roots, the ground must be plowed or dug up. When storing flax seed, the humidity in the room should not exceed 10%.

Large-flowered flax

More recently, large-flowered flax appeared in the domestic decorative floriculture, growing from the seeds of which attracts lovers of home flora. The main factor that testifies to the demand for this plant is its rich color range - from pale pink to bright blue. This type reaches a height of 60 cm, has flowers that may not fade for several days. This type of flax blooms from June to October, provided it is planted in the month of May.

Large-flowered flax can grow in one place without losing its appearance for up to 5 years. With poor external quality of leaves and flowers, it should be planted in another place.

This species loves well-lit areas, preferably on slopes, so that water does not stagnate in the soil. For early flowering, seeds can be planted in April in a greenhouse or on a windowsill. In warm weather, seedlings can be planted in open ground in May.

In the soil under favorable conditions, seeds are planted at a temperature of at least 12 degrees Celsius. After 10-14 days, flax sprouts can be observed.

Sometimes, in order for flax to bloom up to six months, the seeds are transplanted to a new place in the summer after two weeks.

Flax is not afraid of transplanting, so it can be transplanted by separating it from the bush. On the damaged root, soil with compost can be poured and flowering will resume. Pits are dug no more than 50 cm, a solution of water and phosphate-nitrogen fertilizers are poured. The bushes are laid and covered with earth.

Decorative types of flax

For beautiful and durable fabrics and beautiful clothes made of them, one should thank decorative flax, the cultivation of which is the most simple process in comparison with other types of flax. Thanks to the beautiful color palette of shades of this plant, the personal plot takes on a beautiful appearance, which prompts summer residents to plant decorative flax on alpine hills, yard beds and as an addition to already formed flower beds with other flowers.

Decorative flax is planted only in places with moderate soil moisture, in a brightly lit area not darkened by trees and bushes.

The method of growing decorative flax is seed. If the soil warms up well in late May or early June, the seeds can be safely laid in the ground, if weather conditions do not allow this, flax can be planted in greenhouse conditions, and then the seedlings can be planted in open ground in a favorable period.

The soil should be with sufficient drainage and humus, organic matter can be added. When planting seedlings, the distance between them should not be less than 5 cm, and also no more than 7 cm deep.

Decorative flax should be taken care of constantly:

• watch out for weeds, weed them in time;
• in dry weather, water;
• do not water the plant in the fall - it should dry out naturally;
• fertilize should be done 2-3 times a season;
• it is imperative that when a flax flea appears, the number one pest for flax, use the appropriate chemical protection by spraying.

It is advisable to plant flax only with those plants in the same flower garden that are similar in terms of growing conditions, not moisture-loving and with a moderate root system.

Perennial flax

The most popular type of flax for decorating flower walls, lawns and borders is perennial flax, growing from seeds of which is the most convenient and fastest way of propagation. These types include Rudbeckia, Gaillardia, blue perennial flax, Aquilegia, Terry Kaspeya, Lupine and others. Simple recommendations of professional gardeners will help grow perennial types of flax at home:

1. It is better to plant perennials indoors, then plant them in the ground at a temperature above 20 degrees.
2. Flax seeds should not be planted in wet ground in rainy weather.
3. In a warm climate zone, seeds of perennial flax are planted in the fall.
4. Seeds of perennials can not be laid out in the ground, but simply sown. This will help them establish contact with the soil faster.
5. In a warm climate zone, plants reproduce by self-sowing.
6. Some types of perennial flax (Rudbeckia, Aquilegia) can be simply spread on the soil surface for the first time and watered.
7. the first year, perennials sown in spring bloom, in the second year - in the fall.
8. Seeds sown in autumn must be covered with soil and insulated for the winter like any flower crop.
9. when flax germinates about 5 cm in height, the sprouts should be thinned out, leaving a distance of 10 cm.
10. Among perennials, there are species that do not like transplanting, this should be discussed with the seller immediately before buying seeds.
11. Perennial flax should be accustomed to cold soil gradually if the seeds are planted in the fall. To do this, the seed is placed in a damp paper towel. Wrap in a bag and put in the refrigerator for a week.

Germinating seeds

Sprouted flax seeds have long been considered a product with a healing effect, therefore, sprouting flax at home for planting, you can combine the useful with the pleasant.

A flax seed sprout is a green shoot, which, under the influence of the process of photosynthesis, receives energy for growth, as well as all the useful vitamins and minerals.At the time of seed germination, its adaptation begins, so in order to get strong shoots that will give a good harvest in the future, you need to know how to germinate flax seeds correctly:

1. When carrying out the germination process, you will need potassium permanganate for disinfection, as well as a jar with a wide neck, water, and a sieve.
2. Before the disinfection process, flax seeds should be poured into a jar and poured with cold water. Floated dry seeds should be removed. Thus, it will be possible to weed out the bad grains.
3. During the soaking process, flaxseed produces mucus that must be removed by repeatedly washing the seeds.
4. Selected seeds should be dipped in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.
5. Rinse the seeds under water and pour hot (60 degrees).
6. After the water has cooled, add 1 tbsp. l. complex of minerals. Soak in the composition for 1 hour.
7. Now you can start the germination process: take a small lattice, put a cloth on it, on top of the seeds in a thin layer. Spill with water. The water will gradually drain from the grate.
8. Keep the container with a wire rack on the sunny side at a temperature of 24 degrees.
9. Germination takes place within 4 days. Overnight, the container is left in the refrigerator to harden the seed. This will make it possible to already plant seeds in the ground, which has only warmed up to 2 degrees.
10. Laying in the ground is carried out at a depth of 3 cm.

Such sowing measures will help to enhance frost resistance and perennial flax species.

loading ...

Growing up: easy

Temperature: resistant to both high and low temperatures

Bloom: spring-summer

Location: bright light

Height: 20-50 cm

Watering: depending on the type

LATIN NAME: Linum

FAMILY: Linaceae

HOMELAND: Southern Europe, Southwest Asia

Transfer: in the spring

Care: cutting withered inflorescences

The flax genus includes more than 200 species of herbaceous and semi-shrubs, annuals and perennials, hardy and delicate plants, which are characterized by simple leaves without stems and funnel-shaped flowers.

Some types of flax are widely used in agriculture and production (for example, common flax Linum usitatissimum and two of its subspecies: Vulgare, from which textile fibers are made, and Humile, grown for seeds). Many types of flax have decorative value and are highly valued by flower growers.

Among them, one can distinguish perennial creeping alpine flax (Linum alpinum), bell flax (L. campanulatum) with oblong-spear-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, head flax (Linum capitatum), reaching 40-50 cm in height, with spear-shaped leaves and delicious flowers golden yellow hue. Plants belonging to the species of perennial flax (Linum perenne) have straight spear-shaped leaves and blue flowers that bloom in spring-summer. Large-flowered flax (Linum grandiflorum) is quite popular among annuals. Numerous varieties of flax have been developed by breeders.

See also: How and which houseplant to choose for an apartment

ON A NOTE

Flax seeds are widely available for sale. In addition, young plants in pots can be purchased in flower shops in spring (perennials are available from spring to autumn).

Growing flax

The annual large-flowered flax (Linum grandiflorum) is usually grown in boxes that are placed on windowsills or balconies, perennial species are used to decorate borders and alpine slides. Note that perennials should be updated every three to five years. Flax requires alkaline, well-drained soil, fertilized at the time of planting with organic or three-component fertilizer. In spring, a complex liquid fertilizer for flowering plants is added to the water for irrigation once or twice, or a little granular fertilizer is applied to the soil.

Location for the plant

Flax needs bright sunlight.

Temperature for the flower

Perennial species are resistant to both high and low temperatures.

Watering the plant

Perennials require moist soil, so watering should be frequent; annuals tolerate drought well.

Flax care

After the end of flowering, wilted inflorescences must be cut off.

Flax propagation

Perennial seeds are sown directly into the soil in spring or autumn. Later, the seedlings are thinned out so that a distance of 20 cm remains between adjacent plants. Annual seeds are sown in containers. Young plants are then placed in pots. In late summer, perennial species can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing bushes. In the first year, young plants should be sheltered for the winter by placing them in a sheltered place.

Reference by topic: Catharanthus pink - growing and care

Diseases and pests

Flax is susceptible to fungal attacks, which can lead to wilting of the plant and the appearance of rot on the stems. This disease is fought by using appropriate drugs. Root nodules can be caused by nematodes. In this case, marigolds are planted next to flax, which act as repellents.

Below are other entries on the topic "Cottage and garden - do it yourself"

Flax (photo) types for the garden: Types of flax that can be used ... Perennial flax (photo) - planting and care: Now perennial flax grows in ... Flax as green manure - planting and use: Using flax plantings for cleaning ... Indoor jasmine - flower care : Indoor jasmine - growing a plant ... Maidenhair (photo) - home care: Maidenhair fern and care ... Bouvardia (photo) - home care: Bouvardia flower at home LATIN ... Leptospermum small seed (photo) - home care: Leptospermum or small-seeded plant - planting ...

Subscribe to updates in our groups.

Let's be friends!