Acidantera planting and care in the open field in the suburbs

Acidantera (Latin Acidanthera) is a type of herbaceous corms of the Iris family. The homeland of the flower is tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Mozambique. Acidantera have several alternative names. So, the translation from Greek gives the name "sharp flower", which confirms the shape of the flower petals. Another well-known name is “fragrant gladiolus”. Acidantera really resembles them in appearance, care, wintering conditions, but still it is a different plant.

Acidantera has a root system in the form of small, about 5-6 cm in diameter, slightly oblong corms. The white, milky core is hidden under scales, brownish and slightly reticulate. Smooth straight stem reaches more than 1 m in some varieties of "fragrant gladiolus". The main part of the foliage, and there are quite a lot of it, is located at the base of the stem. On the shoot itself, only a few linear and rather dark leaf plates grow.

Large flowers crown the top of the stem of unreal beauty

Size 9-10 cm from the tip of one petal to the opposite. They appear even larger due to the luminous color. Collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence, in which there are about 5-6 flowers, they bloom almost simultaneously. Each bud, composed of 6 wide-open petals, is attached with a long, curved tube. Each petal is the same with the neighboring ones in size and has a pointed shape. The color of some species can be monochromatic, while others can be variegated.

Acidanters with a white color with a pearl shine are traditional, but the choice is wide enough: pale pink, pale lilac, milky cream and yellow.

Acidantera begins to bloom quite late: August-September, but it continues to bloom until the first frost. The fruit is an elongated capsule with a large number of small seeds.

The versatility of acidants

Acidantera muriel photo of flowers

The versatility of acidantera as a crop is manifested in the fact that in addition to growing in the open field as a typical garden plant, it can be grown both as indoor and greenhouse plants. More and more acidander fans want to see this beautiful cut crop bloom in the off-season. And although forcing it is somewhat more difficult than, for example, tulips and other bulbs, it is quite possible to achieve the fact that acidantera will bloom in your greenhouse in early spring.

Of course, this versatility does not go unnoticed for growing conditions. Weather conditions are strikingly different from stable greenhouse conditions. It cannot be guaranteed that the summer will not be rainy and cold. Such unfavorable conditions will not allow the acidander to bloom. The dependence on the intensity of lighting and temperature conditions and their stability imposes a number of specific conditions for the cultivation of a flower in decorative floriculture.

Necessary growing conditions

Growing acidantera in the open field and at home photo

One of the priority conditions affecting the successful growth of acidantera in the garden is the choice of a sunny location. This is due to the homeland of the flower - hot and sunny Africa. The site should be quiet, protected from gusts of wind.

If you plan to grow "fragrant gladiolus" as a houseplant

Then it is worth placing it on the southern windows, making sure that direct sunlight does not fall. If necessary (especially in winter), phytolamps are illuminated. In the summer, you can put the plant pot on the balcony. Home acidander is protected from drafts and is guaranteed a minimum temperature of about 20 degrees.

Acidantera Muriel in a pot

The second point on which the emphasis is placed is the choice of soil. It should be slightly acidic, at least neutral. It is good to introduce peat. Acidantera will appreciate the fertile, high-quality, deeply dug soil. The risk of stagnation of moisture in the soil is completely eliminated. If necessary, be sure to make good drainage. You can grow "fragrant gladiolus" on a dais.

If the decision is made to grow acidander at home, you can use garden soil or prepare a loose, breathable substrate consisting of:

• Sod - 2 parts;
• Sand - 1 part;
• Leaf humus - 1 part.

If the acidantera is planted in boxes, a distance of 12-20 cm between specimens is observed; for a single planting, a pot with a diameter of 12-15 cm is suitable, no more, since an excess of free soil will not do her good. Recommended scheme: 3-5 bulbs in one garden container.

Relevant: It is recommended to change the planting site of the "fragrant gladiolus" after 5 years.

Planting and caring for acidantera outdoors

Acidantera photo planting and care in the open field

When planting outdoors, the soil is improved in the fall, in advance, without leaving this occupation until spring. It is very important to apply organic fertilizers (for example, compost) to the soil in a timely manner. It is recommended to mulch the soil; for this, straw, peat, hay, humus are used. If necessary, add sand, drainage. In the spring, the soil is dug up together with mineral fertilizer and planted in the month of May. They are guided by weather conditions: stable warm weather in the middle lane is established at the end of May.

It is worth preparing in advance for the planting process the corms of the acidantera. The procedure is carried out a few days before the scheduled date. It includes the following simple steps:

1. The corms are examined, carefully cleaned from the dry shell.
2. Etched in potassium permanganate. Processing in a weakly concentrated solution will serve as a preventive measure against plant diseases and pests.

Scented gladiolus bulbs are planted in the ground to a sufficient depth: 10-12 cm.
Such a deepening will save them in the event of unexpected cold snaps at night. The guideline for the distance between the bulbs of the acidantera will be their size: for medium corms, the distance is 15-20 cm, respectively, it is increased for large ones, and reduced for small specimens. In order for the acidantera to feel comfortable and bloom well, the interval with other types of flowers should be at least 20 cm.

How to plant an acidander, we look at the video:

You can speed up and make the flowering of acidantera longer. For this, the corms are not planted in open ground, but previously in pots, around March.They only need to be placed denser and the size of the indentation in the ground should be reduced - 3-4 cm. The grown plants are also planted around the end of May.

If the plant is indoor, then it remains in the pot for wintering, and the transplant is carried out in the spring into new soil, according to the rules similar to the previous ones.

Growing and caring for acidander in the open field

What do acidantera sprouts look like?

Acidantera does not require time-consuming care. She needs to ensure regular watering, but their quantity and volume will depend on weather conditions. Do not allow the soil to dry out, at the same time monitor the timely departure of moisture, avoiding stagnation of water, otherwise the acidantera may die. Reduce watering during the flowering period.

Fertilizing the soil, if it meets the requirements, is enough several times during the growing period:

• During landing;
• During the growing season: increasing the volume of green mass;
• During the budding period, to stimulate the flowering process.

Loosening of the soil is not neglected, especially after heavy rainfall, so that the plant develops better. And mulching will help to avoid evaporation of moisture and nutrients from the soil. Freshly cut grass, peat, humus are the most common mulch options. For full flowering, faded inflorescences should be removed, which additionally helps the bulbs to grow stronger.

After the end of the flowering period, it is necessary to help the acidander enter the resting stage. The difference between this species and other bulbs is that it cannot do it on its own. To do this, cut off the aerial part of the plant stem, leaving the lower leaves intact.

The difference between caring activities for indoor plants is preparation for a dormant period. Acidants do not dig up corms, they should be stored in the soil, but watering is stopped.

How to properly dig acidander

How to dig acidander

After the top of the plant has been cut, the bulbs should continue to be in the ground to gain strength and supply nutrients. Only with the onset of the first frost is the digging done. Depending on climatic conditions, this period can occur in September or at the end of November.

Dig up "fragrant gladiolus" should be extremely careful, with a large supply of earth, so as not to damage the plant bulb. After the extraction is made, the onion is cleaned from the ground and dried. For drying, the following conditions are necessary: ​​a temperature of about 20 degrees and a fairly intensive air circulation.

The drying period is quite long - it is 1 month. If necessary, for prevention, you can treat the corms with fungicides - preparations against mold and rot. The drying process ends with the final cleaning of the bulbs from the scales, and for them the wintering stage begins.

Wintering

Corms acidanters can spend the winter, being directly in the ground. It is only necessary to mulch the soil. Suitable materials are peat, needles, foliage. You can additionally cover with spruce branches, cardboard boxes. Then frost will not be terrible for her. But there is no guarantee that there will be the necessary temperature stability and dryness of the soil.

Sometimes even a slight thaw in the middle of winter can destroy the acidander, because with an unplanned increase in temperature, the moisture of the soil will increase. Bulbs soaked in a small amount of moisture will freeze and die with further cooling. To avoid such a risk, they hibernate.

Dried processed corms are placed in paper bags. It is paper as a packaging material that can provide stable conditions, protecting future planting material from adverse factors: humidity, light. Alternatively, you can use a sand box for wintering. Store the bulbs in a fairly warm room - about 15 degrees, a fairly dry and well-ventilated place.For indoor plants, a slightly lower temperature is preferable - 12 degrees.

Reproduction

Acidantera can be propagated by seed, but it is quite laborious and not always successful.

• If you use this method, you will need to sow seeds for seedlings in late February - early March.
• The soil, consisting of garden soil, sand and peat, should preferably be calcined in the oven for additional protection against bacteria and parasites.
• Seedlings are germinated in bright light, in a warm room (+20 - + 25C), under a film, periodically spraying the surface from a spray bottle.
• After 2 weeks, the first shoots appear.
• When the first strong leaves appear on them, the seedlings dive into separate containers, where they should grow for 2-3 years.
• With this method of reproduction, you will see the first flowers after two years, not earlier.

Acidantera gives a lot of children

Therefore, experienced florists give preference to reproduction by children., which can be planted at home in March in a pot, and planted in summer they can already bloom. Daughter bulbs, several of them are formed, are separated in the fall when the corms of the main plant are excavated. There are a lot of them on the mother's bulb and it will not be difficult to separate it.

Reproduction of acidantera by children

It is not necessary to plant children very deeply, trying to deepen no more than two diameters of the bulb.

Pest and disease control

Pests that threaten acidander in the garden are snails, slugs, aphids. If you skip the initial stage of the appearance of pests, then the green mass of the plant will be seriously affected. The best option is to carry out prophylaxis with safe, widespread means (ammonia, mustard powder). When the first noticed pests appear, chemical agents are used (insecticide Fufanon or others), and the damaged leaves are removed.

Of the diseases, rot is a serious danger, as for all bulbous ones. Affected leaves are characterized by the presence of rusty, dark spots. Timely treatment of bulbs with fungicides will help - prevent disease (for example, Fitosporin-M). But it is best to use 1% Bordeaux liquid, which can be effective even in the later stages of the disease. It should be remembered that compliance with watering conditions, soil moisture when growing this beautiful plant is the best prevention against rot.

Popular types and varieties of acidantera

Acidantera two-color planting and care photo

There are about 40 wonderful species in the genus Acidanter. Relatively recently (in 2010), modern botany began to attribute it to the group of gladioli, but florists and everyone associated with the decorative cultivation of a flower use a familiar name. Likewise, in any horticultural literature, on seed, you will find the original name. Acidanthera bicolor (Latin Acidanthera bicolor) is the basic variety that is most widespread. Officially, this flower is called Muriel gladiolus (lat.Gladiolus muriela).

This amazingly beautiful plant is capable of reaching a height of 120 cm, while quite numerous leaves also grow up to 50 cm and more. They are of a pleasant light green color and a xiphoid-linear shape. Due to such foliage, acidantera bicolor looks great with mixed plantings, which is appreciated in decorative floriculture.

On one bush of gladiolus Muriel there are up to 10 fairly large flowers (each of which is up to 10-11 cm in diameter) enclosed in characteristic spike-shaped inflorescences. Six snow-white or cream petals have a pointed triangular shape. The amazing color allows them to look extremely elegant, very graceful, as if floating above the green mass.

At about the end of summer or a little later, you can see how these snow-white buds bloom on the outside, showing beautiful stamens from a large dark crimson, dark purple center, which has a striking contrast with the main color. By its appearance, this middle even resembles an asterisk.In addition, the flowers of acidantera bicolor have a pleasant smell that is attractive to many.

It should be borne in mind that acidantera is positioned as a species of gladioli, which are the only ones of the whole species that can winter in a climate zone characteristic of central Russia. But in fact, caring for a flower does not provide for this: it needs digging for the winter and certain conditions for storing the corms.

There are several more common acidander species in ornamental gardening, each with its own unique characteristics.

Acidanthera tropical (Latin Acidanthera aequinoctialis)

Acidanthera tropical Acidanthera aequinoctialis

Alternative name - Tropical Gladiolus (Latin Gladiolusaequinoctialis). A rather tall representative - it grows up to 130 cm. It is distinguished by ribbed leaves of a dark green color. The inflorescences consist of 5-6 buds and are double-sided. The flowers themselves are white in color with characteristic crimson-purple specks.

Acidanthera graminifolia (Latin Acidanthera graminifolia)

Acidanthera graminifolia Acidanthera graminifolia photo

The second name according to modern classifications is the abundantly flowering gladiolus (Latin Gladiolus floribundus). A distinctive advantage of this form is its foliage - it is narrow and thin, similar to cereal crops, which made it possible to give it such a name - "grass-leaved". Thin drooping peduncles give special tenderness to this species of acidander. The almost invisible tube allows these watercolor white and purple flowers to look so original.

Small-flowered acidantera (Latin Acidanthera pauciflora)

Acidanthera pauciflora photo

It has a different name - profusely flowering gladiolus (lat.Gadiolus floribundus). There are practically no differences in the leaves from cereal-leaved acidantera, they are the same atypical, but the flowers differ in color - this is a red color.

Cape acidantera (Latin Acidanthera capensis)

Cape Acidanthera Acidanthera capensis photo

Another name is Ixia paniculata (lat.Ixia paniculata). A distinctive feature is the purple streaks on the petals.

Acidanthera white (Latin Acidanthera Candida)

Acidanthera Candida Acidanthera photo

In the most modern classification - white gladiolus (Latin Gladiolus candidus). It has a straight stem, at the top of which snow-white flowers are held on a long thin tube. The petals do not have any additional pattern, which makes them perfectly beautiful. In addition, this type of acidantera has a strong aroma.

Acidanthera Fourcadei (Latin Acidanthera fourcadei)

Acidanthera fourcadei photo

The modern alternative name for Geissorhizafourcadei. It has an outstanding pale pink, slightly lilac color of the petals. Such a colored color is quite rare and for this is very appreciated in decorative floriculture. But this species of acidantera cannot boast of the number of flowers - there are only one or two of them.

Acidantera in landscape design

Acidantera in landscape design

With its exquisite appearance, Acidantera can change the look of any place in the garden beyond recognition. Depending on personal preference, it can be planted in different ways:

1. In a mixed planting, acidantera comes to the fore against the background of other, less flashy plants. It can be the final chord in the design of a flower garden.
2. Group plantings look elegant against the background of the lawn.
3. Mixed plantings - rockeries, alpine slides.
4. Decorate and give an exciting aroma to flower beds and flower beds. Location - near recreation areas, verandas.
5. Due to its growth, acidantera is applicable for decorating fences, small fences.
6. Enhances the captivating appearance of artificial reservoirs.
7. Can be grown as a pot plant, looks beautiful in garden containers, outdoor flowerpots.

How acidantera looks in group plantings

In order to avoid competition of acidantera with other inhabitants of the flower garden in mixed plantings, low-growing accompanying plants should be used: begonia, lily of the valley, alissum are optimal. Among the medium-sized ones, the following types are chosen: host, brunner, heuchera. A good combination is demonstrated by this worthy representative of its kind in partnership with aconite, sage, aster.

Acidantera displays not only external beauty, but also a wonderful delicate aroma, for which it received the second name "fragrant gladiolus".The intense aroma does not seem heavy and intrusive, honey and fruity notes create an exquisite and noble fragrance. Therefore, acidantera is known as a cut crop, but it should be borne in mind that not all varieties have such a strong aroma.

Acidantera flower planting and care

Acidantera is a bulbous plant. Its other name is also known - fragrant gladiolus. Indeed, there are external similarities with gladiolus, for example, the height, shape and color of the leaves, an erect stem. But this is where the similarities end, since the acidander is much more graceful in its beauty. As for the scent, it is similar to the scent of daffodils.

Acidantera cannot boast of abundant flowering (from one bulb), but it is long-lasting. The fact is that two or three flowers can bloom at the same time, after they have faded, they must be removed, then they will be replaced by new ones.

Varieties and types

Acidantera bicolor (gladiolus muriel). The length of the stem on which the flower is located can reach a meter in height, while the leaves are 40-50 cm long.The flowers are in the form of stars, have snow-white or cream shades, and from the center outward, a bright burgundy spot spreads, thereby bewitching and drawing your eyes to yourself.

Acidantera tropical - has long ribbed leaves and a long erect stem, a little more than a meter, with a pale pink inflorescence with bright crimson spots.

Acidantera white - has snow-white flowers, without any inclusions and spreads a very strong aroma.

Acidantera cereal - has narrow leaves, and the flowers have pale pink petals with bright crimson longitudinal stripes emanating from the center of the peduncle.

Acidantera short tubular - The flowers have bright lilac shades with light and purple stripes, reminiscent of a candle flame.

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Acidantera cultivation and care in the open field

Given the natural habitat of this flower (Africa), it is necessary to provide it with a comfortable coexistence. Therefore, if the area chosen for planting has a cold climate (severe winters), then in this case it would be better to use the flower as a houseplant, or every year, with the onset of winter, transplant it into pots and transfer it to an apartment. The room temperature should not fall below 18-20 ° C.

For normal growth, the flower needs bright, but diffused light, excluding direct sunlight. This must be taken into account when choosing the side of the house (window) where the acidander will be located.

Gladiolus is a very beautiful plant that is grown almost throughout Russia when planted and nurtured in the open field. In order for the plant to grow well and bloom magnificently, several maintenance rules must be observed. All the necessary recommendations for growing and care can be found in this article.

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Watering acidants

Not a little important factor affecting the healthy growth of a flower is proper watering. Watering is necessary often, while avoiding waterlogging.

Therefore, when planting, you need to take care of a good drainage layer. Watering must be repeated as soon as the topsoil dries out.

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Pot for acidantera

Planting pots should have a diameter of about 12-15 cm. It is necessary to plant a plant at a depth of 4-5 cm, 3-4 tubers each (for more lush flowering).

It is better not to plant many tubers, otherwise they will be cramped, which will affect growth and flowering. Less is also bad, since the flowering will be unremarkable.

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Soil for acidantera

The composition of the soil for planting acidantera should consist of the following components: one part of sand (coarse-grained), one part of sod land, two parts of humus and two parts of leafy soil.

When kept at home, the acidantera is annually transplanted into a fresh substrate.

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Acidantera landing

Planting is carried out in spring, in a previously prepared, loosened, fertilized and moistened soil, to a depth of about 10 cm and at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other and from other plants.It also depends on the size of the bulbs themselves, then the distance must be adjusted.

There is another secret: in order for the acidantera to bloom earlier and be powerful (longer and more luxuriant flowering) and healthy, it must be grown in pots in advance (in March), and only then (in May) be planted in open ground.

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Pruning acidantera

If the seed method will not be used for reproduction of this flower, then it is necessary to remove the faded flowers.

In order not to weaken the plant, but all the useful substances were supplied to the still flowering buds.

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Acidantera storage in winter

Shelter for the winter acidantera is appropriate only in case of warm winters, without severe frosts. In this case, cover the acidander with leaf or straw mulch. Then she can safely spend up to five years in one place.

Otherwise, the tubers are dug up (the ground part is cut off), dried and stored in a paper bag, making holes for ventilation.

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Fragrance acidantera

The only problem that can be encountered when growing acidantera indoors is its strong aroma. Therefore, you need to make sure that the tenants of the apartment have no allergies.

And for the same reason, it is best not to grow a lot of tubers indoors. The best place is a balcony, veranda or personal plot (garden), flower bed.

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Acidantera growing from seeds

Acidantera can be propagated by tubers (bulbs), babies and seeds.

The seed method is used very rarely, this is due to the fact that from such specimens, it takes a very long time to wait for flowering. The seeds are harvested in the fall or purchased from flower shops.

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in February. To do this, over the pre-calcined earth (warm it up in an oven to get rid of bacteria and parasites), seeds are sown and sprinkled with a small amount of soil, moistened and covered with foil or glass.

Ventilate from time to time and, if necessary, humidify with a spray bottle. The optimum temperature of the content is + 20 ... + 24 ° С. After two to three weeks, friendly shoots will appear, which dive into small pots, in which they will grow for two to three years, until the tuber grows to such an extent that it can provide flowering. After the first flowering, young seedlings can be safely planted (in the spring) in open ground.

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Reproduction of acidantera by children

Reproduction by means of children is considered the easiest, since there are a lot of them growing on the tubers. They are easily detached, planted on the site.

Care is simple: water, feed, loosen the soil and dig up for storage in the winter. At the same time, flowering will occur only in the third year, since the tubers need to grow and strength (juices) in order to be able to bloom.

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Diseases and pests

The most dangerous for acidanteurs, if not properly cared for, can be rot, which is caused by excessive waterlogging of the soil. In this case, it will no longer be possible to save the tuber, it is possible to save only children if the rot has not yet had time to spread to them.

In addition, it is possible to plant a flower (bulb) in open ground only if you are sure that there will be no return frosts. The earth should already be well warmed up, and the temperature at night should not drop below 5-8 ° C. Otherwise, the plant will die.

As a preventive measure, before storage, the tubers must be treated with a fungicide solution, then dried for a couple of weeks and stored in a dry place.

With proper care, the acidander does not suffer from diseases, but in the case when the plant is in a damp, cool place, it may appear powdery mildew, rust and root rot.

Regarding parasites, frequent guests are slugs and snailsthat need to be collected manually.

In dry weather, thrips, aphid and spider mite, in the fight against which insecticide treatment will help.

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Do you want to feel the delicate, transparent aroma of the first spring days in August? Usually, forgetting about the low flowers of the acidants, they look for daffodils with their eyes, which magically opened at the end of summer.

Other names for acidants are: fragrant gladiolus, Abyssinian or Ethiopian gladiolus, as she comes from southern countries: East Asia and Africa.

Belongs to the iris family, the genus gladiolus. The average diameter of the corm is 2.5 cm. Several peduncles develop from each bulb. An adult plant grows up to 50-75 cm. It has sharp-pointed thin leaves and longer peduncles, on which there are from 2 to 10 flowers with 6 white pointed petals. The middle of the flower is purple or maroon, characteristic of two-colored acidantera. There are other varieties of this plant, but they grow only in the southern regions or at home.

It should be noted that the optimum storage temperature for bulbs is 8-14 ° C. At lower temperatures in winter, flowering for the next season is not guaranteed.

Seat selection

Acidantera grows in sunny areas, sheltered from the winds, but also tolerates partial shade. Loose, permeable, fertile soils rich in humus are required.

Growing methods

Propagated by bulbs, babies and seeds.

The most common are bulbs, which are purchased in specialized stores.

You can independently grow children from adult corms, they are harvested in September. From autumn to spring, they are also stored as ordinary bulbs, and in May they are planted on a seedbed in loose, heated soil to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, with a distance between plants of 5-7 cm. They are cared for throughout the summer period: they are fed with complex mineral fertilizers (excluding fresh manure), monitor soil moisture and the absence of weeds, dug in September. Children bloom, as a rule, the next year.

Seeds are sown in February-March in seedling containers with fertile soil. Provide the necessary care: timely watering, feeding for seedlings, loosening the soil. At the end of May, after the establishment of warm weather, young plants are planted in a separate bed. Further cultivation is similar to caring for children. Such plants bloom only in the third year.

The choice of planting material

Acidantera bulbs are purchased in the spring shortly before planting (April-May) in garden centers or shops. It should be checked that the corms are alive, not overdried, with a diameter of 2.5 cm or more, without visible signs of disease.

Landing

Before planting in the ground, it is recommended to grow the plant, if possible, in a warm, well-lit room in a seedling pot of medium diameter. After such a start, the acidantera blooms more abundantly.

The acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic, closer to neutral. It is advisable to dig up a garden bed in the fall and add: 1 bucket of sand, 1 bucket of peat, 5-6 tbsp. l. wood ash, 1 bucket of leaf humus per 1 m². In addition, a complex organo-mineral flower fertilizer is added (Buisk fertilizers, 50-80 g). In the spring, the bed is dug again to a shallow depth (20-25 cm). In this case, when planting acidants in the ground, river sand is added to each hole, 1 tsp. ash, spill with a solution of potassium permanganate of bright crimson color, plant a bulb with sprouts, cover it with sand and fertile soil.

If we plant a bulb with a sprout of 0.5-0.8 cm, before planting it should be kept in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, Zircon preparation (1 ml per 2 liters of water, for 3-4 hours, for plant resistance to root rot and growth stimulation) or Epin (1 ml - 2 l).

When digging and preparing the site in the spring, immediately before planting, all of the above components are introduced and 30 minutes before planting, the bed is spilled with hot water.

Planting depth 6-8 cm, planting interval 15-20 cm.

Care

The plant needs timely watering, weeding, loosening the soil after rains, mulching, fertilizing, pruning flower stalks after flowering, careful storage of bulbs in winter.

Acidantera, planted in a garden with ordinary gladioli, fits well into their schedule of fertilizing, watering and digging out bulbs, and thereby you will facilitate the work of caring for your flowers.

Top dressing

Two to three weeks after planting, it is advisable to feed young plants with urea: 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water or Lebozol-Nutriplant preparation (fertilizer for spring feeding; 5 ml for 2 liters of water; 25 ml - 10 liters - 1 m²).

During the development of peduncles, pour a solution of humated fertilizer for bulbous and corms (20 g - 10 l - 1 m²), you can use nitrophoska or a complex fertilizer for flowers (Kemira or Agricola: 25 g - 10 l - 1 m²).

After flowering (end of August) - the last top dressing: potassium sulfate (1 tablespoon - 10 l - 1 m²).

Watering

Acidantera is a thermophilic plant, originally from Africa, so we water it with warm water in moderation, excluding stagnation of moisture, preferably in the evening.

Cleaning for storage

In September, in dry weather, the bulbs, new and grown-up children are dug up, the leaves are cut off, cleaned from the ground, placed in a solution of Hom or potassium permanganate for 30-50 minutes for etching. The planting material is well dried for a month in a warm ventilated room, periodically turning it over, and then stored until spring at t = 8-16 ° C.

Diseases

Fusarium (dry) rot, root rot, brown rot, hard rot (septoria), rust: copper sulfate (10-30 g - 1 l), Hom (3-5 g - 1 l).

Pests

• Gladiolus thrips: Conifor (1 ml - 10 liters of water - 10 m²).
• Root bulb mite: Agrovertin (2 ml - 1 l of water - 10 m²).
• Slugs: Slug Eater (granules), Thunderstorm (granules).

Varieties

• Most common: Acidantera bicolor.
• Acidantera cereal, Fourcade, Cape, tropical, white, short tubular.

Fragrant gladiolus, a fabulous flower - these are the epithets that flower growers give to acidander. Acidantera, cultivation and care in the open field for which in everything resemble gladiolus, in contrast to it, a rather whimsical plant, loving care and gentle attitude.

Acidanthera is a graceful late-flowering bulbous plant up to 1.2 m high with flowers of various colors: from shining white to lilac, cream and pink. Flowers up to 9 cm in size bloom not one by one, but in the form of a "spikelet", located on a straight, slightly leafy stem with thin green leaves. Acidantera flowers seem to float in the air, filling the space around them with a subtle, delicate, but at the same time quite strong aroma.

The tubers (bulbs) of the acidantera are milky with a brownish mesh, about 5 cm in size.

Acidanthera is a flower that loves stability under conditions of care - a certain temperature, lighting, watering regime. Therefore, the beautiful result of its cultivation in the open field will depend not only on the grower, but also on the weather conditions. In a rainy or cold summer, acidander may not bloom at all, and vice versa - it will delight you with lush flowering in a good summer.

For planting, you need to choose a sunny place, without drafts and winds, without stagnant water. The soil for planting the bulbs must be loose, it is prepared from the same parts of garden soil, peat or humus and sand, neutral or slightly acidic. For the best result, it is better to prepare the growing area in the fall - dig deep, apply organic fertilizers (compost is best).

The bulbs are planted in mid - late May, when the threat of return frosts has passed.Before planting, the bulbs are carefully peeled and kept in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 2-3 days for the prevention of diseases. Complex mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil. The bulbs are determined to a depth of 9-10 cm, with a distance of 18-20 cm between them. Principle: the smaller the bulbs, the closer they are to each other.

The acidantera planted in this way will bloom at the end of summer. To speed up this process and prolong flowering, this flower can be potted. In March, plant the bulbs in a suitable substrate in pots with a diameter of 12-15 cm, 3-5 pcs. in one to a depth of 4-5 cm. Let them grow to themselves until May in pots. And in May - transplant into open ground.

Acidanthera is demanding on irrigation conditions. It will be hard to bear both the slightest drought and overflow. Water in the ground should not stagnate.

Top dressing is also necessary for her - for lush flowering in the current year and so that the bulbs accumulate nutrients for growth and flowering next year.

They are fed with mineral complex fertilizers three times a season:

• at the stage of soil preparation and planting;
• during the active build-up of greenery;
• at the very beginning of flowering or during budding.

Also, do not forget about weeding, loosening or mulching with peat or humus. If acidander is not mulched, then you need to loosen the ground after each heavy watering or rain.

When the acidantera has faded, you need to cut off almost the entire aerial part of the flower, leaving only a few lower leaves at the base. They are essential for the ripening of the bulbs.

Dig in late September - early October. The bulb is carefully removed from the soil with a large clod of earth, trying not to damage even the smallest roots. Shake gently by hand. The remains of the above-ground parts of the plant must be removed. Place the bulbs in a dry place with good ventilation and a temperature of about 18-22 degrees for a month. After drying, remove dry roots and fold them in cardboard boxes or wrap in paper. Conditions for storing bulbs in winter: a room with a temperature of 15 degrees and ventilation.

Like all bulbous plants, acidantera propagates with baby bulbs. They are removed from the mother bulb by digging them out. Further steps for storage and planting are the same as for adult bulbs.

However, acidander can also be propagated by seed. Sow them for seedlings in February, in good nutritious soil. Germinate in warmth and in the light, covering the container with film or glass. The soil should be slightly moistened all the time. The grown seedlings dive into separate cups. A flower grown from seeds will bloom only after 2-3 years. Therefore, it is recommended to grow them up to this time as a pot culture. Plant the bulbs in open ground when they grow to standard sizes.

Against the backdrop of a green lawn, groups of monochromatic or multi-colored acidander attract the eye. In mixed plantings, it looks good together with asters, gladioli, monarda, coreopsis. It is good to plant Acidantera near terraces and gazebos as a fragrant accent. You can also use it as a cut flower, but do not forget about the intense aroma that not everyone likes.