Knifofiya planting and care in the open field in the Urals

Probably, in every garden, among the flowers familiar from childhood, there is a corner with exotic plants from other continents. The garden literally transforms before our eyes and ceases to seem too ordinary, like everyone else. Plant an African guest with a knifophia. This article will tell you how to grow knifofia in the open field, as well as how to choose the right variety for further reproduction with the necessary care for the plant.

Knifofia: varieties and varieties

Some species of this African plant, as well as hybrids of perennial bniphophy, are distributed throughout the globe as ornamental garden plants.

Types of kniphofia are divided into groups:

Berry. This is the tallest group. Some popular varieties:

• Dr. Kerr Lemon;
• OrangeBeauty Orange;
• Macowen.

Berry knifofia

Tukka. This is the most stable species for our climate.

Knifofia tukka

Hybrid. Hybrid varieties are mostly bred on the basis of berry knifophy. The most popular varieties:

• Cobra;
• Cardinal;
• Rocket;
• Atlanta.

Hybrid knifofia

Attention! Existing plant names: knifofia, kniphofia, tritoma, notosceptrum.

Planting a plant

Knifofia prefers moderately humid sunny places, sheltered from the wind. The soil should be nutritious and free of moisture stagnation. At the end of May, seedlings of knifofia are planted in a permanent place. The distance between the bushes is 20-35 cm. If a rosette obtained by dividing the plant is planted, then the distance should be about 30 cm between the bushes.

Plant care

Cultivation of knifophy does not require any special hassle. The difficulty lies only in preparing the plant for winter. Basic care includes weeding, mulching and timely watering, fertilizing twice a season.

Every 5 years, the plant requires division and reproduction of the bush with rosettes. At the end of flowering, the peduncles are cut off, and the leaves are tied in a bunch for the winter and covered with sawdust or leaf litter, coniferous spruce branches. Cover from above with any waterproof material.

The main task of the gardener is to protect the knifofia from freezing in winter.

But if there is little snow in winter or a wet winter, then the knifofia can die from freezing or from damping out. It is better to play it safe and transplant the plant into a container for the winter. Tie the leaves and place the container in a dry room with a constant temperature of 1-8 degrees. It will periodically need to moisten the soil. The plant is planted in open ground at the end of May. If there are sheltered plants in your garden, then you should gradually open them so that they get used to the sunlight. After the appearance of the first leaves, fertilizing is performed.

Fertilization and feeding of knifofia

In the spring, when the first green leaves appear on the plant, it is necessary to feed the cniphophy with nitrogen fertilizers. This can be an infusion of chicken manure, diluted in the right proportion, or mineral fertilizer bought in a store. The plant responds well to the application of organic fertilizers:

• compost;
• humus;
• peat.

For the rapid development of the plant, spring feeding is required.

In the second half of the growing season, potash fertilizers or ash can be applied. This will help the plant to better endure the period of winter dormancy.

Reproduction of the plant of knifofia

Perennial bnifophyia in the open field can be propagated by seed or by dividing the bush.

Seeds Knifofia is rarely grown, since in the middle lane the seeds of the plant do not have time to fully ripen. Therefore, it is possible to plant perennial knifofia only using purchased seed material. Seeds are sown in seedling pots in early spring to speed up seedling, cover with glass. After three weeks, the first shoots will appear, the film is removed, and when the plant has three leaves, they dive. In early summer, the plant can be planted in the garden in a permanent place. After 2-3 years, the first inflorescences will appear.

Seeds of knifophy

Dividing the bush allows you to achieve flowering cnifophya within a year after planting. In early May, the bushes are dug up and daughter rosettes are separated from them. They are planted in prepared holes at a distance of 30-40 cm and watered well. After planting, young bushes should be shaded for the first time, so they will take root better.

Advice. Knifofia loves moderate watering, excess moisture can lead to the death of the plant.

Diseases and pests

With good care, timely watering and top dressing with potash fertilizers, the knifofia will not be capricious and sick in the open field. With excessive watering, the plant can get sick with root rot, if this does happen, then immediately take measures for treatment - pour it with fungicide. If time has already been lost and the plant is not subject to recovery, then remove the affected plant from the flower garden as soon as possible so that other flowers in your garden do not get sick.

Spider mite

Insects are also not averse to feasting on an African beauty. These are mainly leaf-eating and sucking insects: aphids, spider mites, thrips. Spraying with an insecticide will help here.

Attention! All sucking insect pests love plants overfed with nitrogen and other fertilizers.

Knifofia: combination with other plants

When composing a composition for a mixed planting of knifophya with other plants, one should take into account the flowering time, as well as the care and watering requirements for the plants to be comfortable.

Knifofia in the flowerbed

In landscape design, knifofia is often combined with other perennials:

• sage;
• bearded iris;
• gypsophila;
• decorative cereals;
• eremurus;
• lupine;
• dahlias.

Knifofia in landscape design

Perennial knifophia does not lose its decorative effect throughout the growing season, therefore it is often used in landscape design. She looks great as a solo soloist on the lawn, as well as in combination with other plants in flower beds, she feels good near reservoirs and in dry gardens.

Knifofia feels good in different conditions

Tall varieties can be used as a screen, but low-growing varieties in landscape design can decorate a rockery or an alpine slide. Knifofia looks great not only in the garden, cut inflorescences will stand in a vase for at least two weeks as a home decoration.

Planting knifofia: video

Types of bnifophy: photo

Knifofia is a herb that was brought to Russia from Africa. This exotic flower will adorn the garden plot, but it is necessary to provide it with favorable conditions. In the article we will tell you when to plant, how to plant, care, reproduce and grow knifofia + we will give a description of the best varieties.

Description and varieties of the flower

Knifofia is a perennial that grows up to 1.5 m in height. It forms bright inflorescences, which are located on a peduncle measuring 30-40 cm. The leaves of the plant are large, gray-green.

The perennial amazes with its incredible decorative flowering. It blooms all summer, and in spring it pleases with beautiful leaves. The flowers are small and collected in large inflorescences, they are red, orange, yellow, scarlet and even green. The flowers open gradually from the bottom up. The shade in the upper part of the peduncle is more saturated than in the lower one. Read also the article: → "Perennials in the country."

There are up to 70 species of this perennial. Varieties differ in color of inflorescences, height and flowering period. There are the following types:

1. Knifofia Tukka. The most resistant of all varieties.
2. Berry knifophy. A feature of the species are green-yellow and orange-red flowers. There are many varieties of this species. Representatives are preferably tall. Among the popular varieties are Macowena and Prince Maurito.
3. Hybrid. All varieties are bred on the basis of berry knifophy. There are Cobra and Atlanta varieties.

Conditions for the cultivation of knifofia

Knifofia is accustomed to the hot climate, so it does not tolerate frost and cold. For the winter, the flower needs shelter, but if the temperature in winter drops below 15 degrees, then even under the shelter there is a possibility of the death of the plant. In the table, we will consider the conditions for growing knifofia.

Condition	Characteristic
Site selection	A sunny place, preferably on a hillock, but not in a lowland
Soil type	Light and loamy soils, well fertilized
Soil moisture	The plant does not like excess moisture, therefore, when choosing a place for planting, drainage or drainage of melt water is organized
Air temperature in winter	Not lower than -15 degrees
Winter shelter	The plant must be covered

If you choose the wrong place for planting a plant, unfavorable conditions are created and the risk of a flower freezing in winter increases.

Knifofia Thompson reaches 3 m in height

Knifofia is a heat-loving plant, therefore, in the northern regions there are problems with flower survival. Knifofia prefers the southern regions and feels great in the middle lane.

How to propagate knifofia by seed and vegetative method

There are two ways to breed a plant: by seed and by dividing the bush. For seed reproduction, only purchased seeds are used, because the seeds on a flower do not have time to fully ripen before the onset of cold weather.

A flower is grown from seeds like this:

1. At the end of March, seeds are sown for seedlings. Seeds are spread in pots with a nutrient mixture to a depth of 10 mm, water the ground and cover the pots with foil or glass.
2. The first shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. During this time, crops occasionally ventilate and moisten the soil.
3. After the amicable descent of all the seeds, the film is removed.
4. Seedlings dive when three leaves appear. Read also the article: → "When is the best time to plant flower seedlings."

Seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in July, when the seedlings get stronger. They are planted at a distance of 40x40 cm. Knifonia is a perennial plant and some varieties reach 2 m in height, so it needs space. The final transplant is done in the spring of next year.

Knifofia blooms from June to October

Dividing the bush, as a way of breeding knifofia, is more popular. The plant blooms in a year. Cuttings can only be obtained from a three-year-old bush. In April-May, the bush is dug up and the daughter bushes are separated. They are planted at a distance of 40x40 cm.

Tip # 1. Until the layers take root, they are shaded. Young plants are watered carefully so as not to flood.

Fertilizing knifofia in the garden

Knifofia belongs to those garden plants that prefer fertile soils, therefore it responds well to fertilizers. For sowing seeds or fertilizing a place for planting seedlings, a soil mixture is prepared, which consists of sand, turf and humus.All components are taken in equal proportions.

The flower is fed annually. Top dressing contains mineral and organic substances. In the spring, root dressing with a high nitrogen content is done. Use an infusion of chicken manure or mineral fertilizer in the form of ammophoska, urea and ammonium sulfate.

The flower is fed twice a season: in spring and autumn.

In the summer, the bush is rarely fed. Basically, the plant needs phosphate fertilizers for abundant flowering. The mineral agent is chosen based on the acidity of the soil:

• on alkaline and slightly acidic, superphosphate is used;
• on acidic soils - dolomite flour.

It is worth considering that superphosphate is more concentrated than dolomite flour. If necessary, use liquid organic fertilizers, for example, mullein solution. Also in the southern regions, the soil around the plant is mulched. Mulch retains moisture and nourishes the soil as it decomposes. Compost, peat and sawdust are used.

In the fall, the flower is fertilized with organic matter and minerals. Compost, humus, peat, sapropel and vermicompost are used. After the plant has faded, potash fertilizers are applied. Potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate are suitable. These funds help prepare the flower for wintering.

Tip # 2. It is advisable to apply organic fertilizers every 5 years. To do this, the bush is dug, fertilizers are poured into the hole, and the plant is again planted in this place.

Caring for knifofia in the garden

The plant does not need any special care. All agricultural practices consist of the following procedures:

• removing weeds and loosening the soil;
• regular watering and fertilization;
• preparation for winter;
• mulching the soil in summer;
• removal of yellowed inflorescences.

Despite the fact that the knifofia is afraid of wet soil, it is watered abundantly in the summer. It is advisable to water in the morning. Read also the article: → "Perennial flowers in the garden."

When watering, do not allow stagnation of water at the roots.

In the summer, inflorescences that have bloomed are removed as needed. In the fall, all peduncles must be cut off. For the winter, the plants are carefully covered with straw, leaves or inorganic covering material. In cold regions, so that the roots of the knifofia do not freeze, the plant is planted in pots (one flower in a separate pot) and brought into a room with bright lighting. But the temperature should not exceed 8 degrees. In winter, the perennial rests.

Diseases and pests of knifophy

A well-fertilized plant that grows less frequently under favorable conditions. To increase the resistance of perennials to diseases, timely watering and potash fertilizers are important.When the soil is waterlogged, root rot develops... The disease is contagious, so if the plant could not be saved, then it is necessary to remove it from the flower garden and burn it.

Among the pests of knifofia, thrips, spider mites and aphids are distinguished. Consider how to overcome pests and flower diseases.

Diseases	Description	Control measures
Root rot	This is a fungal disease that leads to root rot and death. The disease develops with waterlogging and high soil density	To prevent disease, soil permeability is improved. Compost and gravel are brought in. With minor damage, remove the affected parts and sprinkle the sections with sulfur, charcoal or ash. Be sure to spray with Bordeaux mixture.
Pests	Description	Control measures
Aphid	Small insects that suck the sap from the plant and lead to its death	For prevention, do not overfeed the flower with nitrogen fertilizers. Nettles, fragrant herbs or siderates (rye, oily radish, lupine and others) are planted nearby. With a large population of aphids, plants are treated with insecticides.
Thrips	Pests are 1-2 mm in size. Suck the juice from the flower and carry various diseases	Plants are treated three times at weekly intervals. Fitoverm is used to fight.
Spider mite	A pest that sucks the sap from the plant, eats the leaves and wraps the flower in cobwebs.	For the fight, acaricides and insectoacaricides are used. Fitoverm and Aktellik are suitable.

One of the signs of root rot is yellowing of the leaves.

Shelter of knifophia for the winter

In the southern regions and the middle lane, the flower is left to winter in a flower bed. He must be covered. Shoots and leaves are tied into a bunch, peat crumbs or fallen leaves are poured on top. Then cover with spruce branches, and on top with a film.

In warm winters, holes are made in the film for airing, otherwise the mulch will rot along with the flower. In March, the shelter is removed gradually so that the flower gets used to changing conditions.

What methods of growing knifofia exist

Knifofia is grown outdoors in summer and in pots or heated greenhouses in winter. They are planted in a flowerbed in spring, and transplanted into pots in October. When transplanting, they make a deep hole, because the roots of the flower are branched and tough, they are easy to damage.

Knifofia in landscape design

The plant is used for group planting in flower beds. Be sure to take into account the timing of flowering plants and their growing characteristics.

It is advisable to lay stones or dark mulching material around the knifofia, which would keep the heat.

The advantages of using a flower in landscaping:

• does not lose its appearance throughout the growing season;
• goes well with any flowering plants;
• looks on the lawn as a single planting;
• grows near water bodies and in sunny areas.

With the help of undersized varieties, an alpine slide is created. The flower goes well with sage, iris, eremurus, lupine, dahlias and cereals.

Answers to questions from gardeners

Question number 1. What varieties of knifofia are available for growing in the middle lane? Are there varieties resistant to diseases and pests?

There are three groups of flower varieties: berry, tukka and hybrid. For the middle lane, it is better to choose the type of Knifofiy Tukka. It is resistant to disease and cold. The plant is medium-sized. Leaves are light green, up to 40 cm long. Inflorescences up to 15 cm yellow-red or light red.

In a vase, knifofia flowers last up to two weeks.

Question number 2. Why does not knifofia bloom?

Most likely, an inappropriate landing site was chosen. If the site is poorly warmed up by the sun or is in the shade, and the soil is waterlogged, then the plant will not bloom. After a while, if conditions do not improve, the knifofia will perish.

Question number 3... Is it necessary to cover the knifofia for the winter?

Yes, even in the southern regions, knifophia is sheltered in winter. The plant is not hardy enough and can die even at -15 degrees.

Question number 4... I planted the knifofia in the open ground. When will it bloom?

If a plant was grown from seeds, then with proper care and fertilization, the plant blooms for 2-3 years. If you received a seedling by dividing the bush, then flowering should be expected next year.

Question number 5... Do I need to transplant knifofia?

No, this is not necessary. The flower feels great in one area for many years, you just need to feed it regularly.

Common mistakes gardeners make

We offer gardeners' mistakes in growing knifofia:

1. In the northern regions in the open field, the knifofia are not left to winter. It is dug out so that an earthen lump remains on the roots, and placed in containers. Store at a temperature not exceeding 8 degrees, moisten the soil if necessary. They are transplanted into open ground only after the threat of frost has passed.
2. In warm winters, it is necessary to provide air access. For this, the film is not pressed tightly to the ground, but a small space is left. If this is not done, then the plant will overheat, the central rosettes will rot, and the root will die.
3. Fertilizers are not advisable to apply immediately after planting or transplanting knifofia. The first feeding is done two weeks after the plant has taken root in a new place.
4. For the winter, the knifofia is not cut off, otherwise the next year the flower does not bloom, but increases the green mass.

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Knifofia is a widespread perennial ornamental plant native to Africa. This is a rather unusual plant, from 50 cm to 3 meters high, with a spike-shaped inflorescence of tubular flowers. Flowers periodically change their bright color from red to orange and yellow, which can be clearly seen in the photo. Flowering lasts almost all summer - from July to the beginning of frost.

Knifofiya: planting and care in the open field

Despite the fact that the cultivation of plants is recommended mainly for southern regions with warm winters and hot summers, knifofia takes root well in the more northern zone.

Exist about 75 varieties of this flower, which are divided into several main types:

• Tukka is the most frost-resistant variety; it takes root well in Central Russia. Up to 80 cm high, the inflorescence of cniphophia reaches 15 cm, flowering begins in July and lasts more than a month.
• Berry is a tall, hardy plant (up to 2 m), grown in the open field. It has a large inflorescence up to 25 cm, the flowering period is 65 days, it is the most decorative of all species. On its basis, most hybrid varieties have been bred.
• Hybrid - a group of garden plants bred by crossing the berry variety with other species. The height is less than natural (up to 130 cm), the flowers have different shades, all the main qualities of the cniphophia are preserved (the duration of flowering, the size of the inflorescences, etc.).
• Macowena - has a length of 80 cm during the flowering period, the inflorescences reach up to 10 cm.The buds are orange-red, yellow when blooming. It tolerates moisture well.

Reproduction and planting of cniphophia

The plant is grown by seeds and vegetatively (by dividing the bush). Seeds are sown in the second half of March - early April in specially prepared boxes or pots. Sowing soil cniphophy should be loose and light, the seeds are evenly distributed over wet soil, without deepening, lightly sprinkling with earth. To speed up sprouting, they are covered with foil and placed in a warm, well-lit place.

The seedlings appear in about three weeks, after which the film is removed. After the formation of 2-3 leaves, plants are planted in another place for better acclimatization. The first inflorescences appear only after 2-3 years. At the end of May, seedlings are planted in open ground. Planting bushes of cniphophia is done at a distance of 20-35 cm from each other.

The division of the bush is carried out in late April - early May. To do this, the bush is first taken out of the box, and then carefully separate the daughter sockets, the cuts are dried and sprinkled with charcoal. After a few hours, you can start planting plants for growing in a permanent place. As a result of this procedure, the plant can bloom next year.

Knifofia is a thermophilic plant and it is quite sensitive to low temperatures, therefore, planting of bushes in open ground is carried out after the end of frost (not earlier than mid-June). Loamy soil mixed with sand is best suited for this. You can prepare a mixture of turf, leafy soil, sand and humus. To prevent water from stagnating near the roots, drainage should be done to ensure good water permeability.

Plants are planted on the sunny side, and since the cniphophy is quite large, there should be enough space between the bushes. The plantings are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm and watered abundantly. For some time, the sprouts are shaded from the sun's rays so that they take root better.

Plant care

Growing by seeds and vegetatively, caring for plants is not particularly difficult. It is only necessary water regularly, weeding and mulching the soil.Watering should be moderate, as excessive moisture negatively affects the plant. However, on sunny days, it is made more abundant.

For the winter period, the knifofia is prepared in a special way in order to protect it from freezing. After flowering, the flower stalks are cut off from the plants, the leaves are tied in bunches and everything is covered with sawdust, fallen leaves or spruce branches of coniferous trees. The top is additionally covered with roofing material, leaving small ventilation holes to avoid overmaturity.

If the winter is with little snow or too wet, then the plants may die from freezing. To be on the safe side, knifofia bushes are transplanted into special containers in which the soil periodically needs to be moistened... The containers are kept in a dry basement at a temperature of 1-8 degrees. Planting of plants for growing in the open field is carried out only at the end of May - beginning of June.

If the bushes remain hidden in the ground, then they must be gradually opened to acclimatize to sunlight. It is not recommended to prune the leaves for the winter period, since knifophya is an evergreen plant. Otherwise, it can negatively affect flowering. In the spring, before the start of the season, plant care begins, they are examined, dry leaves are removed and healthy ones are cut.

Top dressing and fertilization of knifophytes

Fertilizing is done twice in the entire season. After the appearance of young leaves, fertilizing is carried out with mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen and organic substances. Diluted chicken manure can be used. As an organic fertilizer compost, humus, peat are used... In the second half of summer, after flowering, potash fertilizers or ash are applied, which helps the plants to endure the winter. Dark stones can be placed near the cniphophies, which emit additional heat necessary for growing flowers.

Pests and diseases

If the plant receives proper care, regular watering, and feeding with the necessary fertilizers, then it is not susceptible to diseases and feels good. Excessive watering can cause root rot.

In this case, the method of treating cniphophia is fungicide treatment. If the plant no longer responds to treatment, then it must be urgently removed, as there is a risk of contamination of other flowers.

Of insects that can harm a plant are aphids, spider mites, thrips... They are destroyed by spraying with an insecticide.

Tips for plant care and cultivation

• It is better to plant bushes or seeds of cniphophia in an elevated, sunny place; there should be no cold drafts on the site.
• For better flowering, the plant must be watered regularly and abundantly, it is better to do this in the morning. At the same time, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is applied.
• Knifofia does not tolerate stagnant moisture and dampness, so the soil must be nutritious, moisture and air permeable.
• It is necessary to check the moisture content of the soil in order to avoid rotting plants, rotted weeds can also be the cause of this, so flower care and regular weeding are needed.
• Seed propagation, division and planting of the cniphophia bush is done every five years.
• If in winter the air temperature drops to -15 degrees, then it is better to transfer the plant to a special room.

Growing and caring for flowers of cniphophia is not very difficult. For several years, the plants continue to retain their decorative properties. In landscape design, they are often used both in a single form and in combination with other plants... In the photo you can see the compositions of the kniphophies in the form of an alpine slide or rockery.

Cnifofia flower

Of the 75 known species of the cniphophia flower that can be observed in South and Central Africa and Madagascar, some grow in the mountains at a great height - up to 4 km from sea level.

There is no consensus among experienced flower growers in our country about whether it is easy or difficult to cultivate these perennial plants in our conditions, but those who managed to do this appreciated all their charm. For the middle zone of the Russian Federation, only one, the most stable, species is directly suitable - the cniphophia Tukka.

Varieties and types

Berry knifofia - the most popular, many varieties of species from South Africa. It is characterized by the greatest growth (up to 2 meters), xiphoid grayish-green foliage (elongated by 50 cm in length). In the upper parts, the flowers are painted in a coral-red hue, in the lower ones - in a greenish-yellow.

The end of flowering is accompanied by their hanging. The length of the dense spike-shaped inflorescence is completely about 25 cm. Flowering lasts for 50-60 days, starting in July.

The following varieties of berry knifofia are in particular demand:

• Flamenco Knifofia about 1 meter high, with dense red-yellow inflorescences resembling flaming torches;

• Knifofia popsicle the same height and with an unusual color of inflorescences (below the color is yellow, on top - orange or coral red);

• Knifofia surprise flaunts with bright dark pink (lower parts of flowers) and creamy yellow (upper) shades.

Hybrid knifofia includes a considerable list of forms and varieties derived from berry knifofia.

The most common are:

• Knifofia alcazar 90 cm high, with orange inflorescences;

• Knifofia the African guest which is a mixture of burgundy, maroon, yellow and pink inflorescences, up to 1.2 meters high;

• Knifofia bengal fire the same growth, with small red, coral and yellow inflorescences of a sultan-shaped or spike-shaped form;

• Knifofia fleming torch up to 60 cm in height, having red-yellow flowers;

• Knifofia emizing fan more than a meter in height, with small orange-red flowers in sultan-shaped or spike-shaped inflorescences (turn yellow at the end of flowering).

Knifofia tukka is the most resistant to unfavorable climatic factors species, which, with an increase of about 1 meter, is endowed with frost resistance and resistance to sudden changes in temperature.

Its inflorescences-spikelets, consisting of light red flowers, reach a length of 20 cm, leaves - 40. This knifophya blooms for about a month with the beginning in July. It is she who is recommended for growing in a temperate climatic zone.

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Knifofiya planting and care in the open field

Like all other exotic plants, knifofia came to our gardens from hot countries. In this regard, planting her and taking care of her must be strictly defined. With the exception of the previously mentioned knifofia tukka, it is recommended to grow in the southern regions, where the summers are hot and the winters are relatively warm and short.

As you approach the north, in particular in the middle lane, it becomes more and more difficult for this plant to winter in the open field. General guidelines for choosing a suitable site are good lighting and no drafts.

Eremurus is also a member of the Asphodelic family. It is grown when planting and nursing in the open field without much hassle, subject to the rules of agricultural technology. All the necessary recommendations can be found in this article.

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Watering knifofia

For the growing season, you need to prepare to water the knifofia abundantly so that its flowering is lush and the foliage is juicy.

It is best to do this early in the morning, observing an interval of 4-7 days. The plant generally tolerates not very long dry periods.

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Primer for knifophy

The requirements for the soil are fertility, good moisture and air permeability. Water stagnation is absolutely contraindicated, since dampness in most cases leads to decay of the root system.

Moreover, sandy, well-loosened soil is only welcome, and you can prevent excessive evaporation of moisture by mulching the ground within the radius of the stem with small pebbles or pebbles.

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Knifofia transplant

The transplant is performed only when there are problems with growth, or there is any disease.

For knifofia, this procedure is very painful in itself, and unless absolutely necessary, it is not carried out.

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Fertilizer for knifofia

Regular feeding will help to increase the volume of flowering and stimulate growth.

In early spring, you should feed it with complex fertilizers, and before planting you need to add organic matter (in the future, its introduction will also not be superfluous - every year in spring). As soon as flowering ends, potash fertilizers or ash are applied.

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Pruning bnifophy

Open field pruning is necessary. This is done in early spring after the covering material has been removed. When pruning, all yellowed and cold-affected foliage is removed.

After flowering ends, the peduncles are cut to the root, not paying attention to the seeds (there is absolutely no benefit in collecting seeds of hybrid varieties, since the species qualities of the mother plants are not inherited).

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Blossoming of knifophya

The bloom of bnifophya is special! Blooming of buds occurs gradually, and can start from the lower tiers or from the upper ones, depending on the species and variety. Another amazing feature of its inflorescences is their ability to change the color palette.

Each species / variety has an initial color (for example, red), which subsequently changes to another (for example, orange), and in some specimens more than once.

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Knifofia wintering

In different climatic zones, the wintering of knifofia is organized in different ways. In the south, it is capable of wintering in open ground conditions only if there is shelter. They begin to prepare it in the fall, tying the foliage so that moisture cannot penetrate the sockets, and sprinkling with leaves.

It is allowed to use spruce branches and film insulation, but in the latter case, holes must be made for ventilation, although sometimes they are limited to simple loose pressing of the film to the ground surface with the formation of gaps. These measures will increase the plant's frost tolerance threshold to -15 ℃.

In the north, it is by no means impossible to leave knifofia in the open air in winter - it is dug up, placed in a container with a nutrient substrate and a good layer of drainage, then transferred to a room. In this case, the temperature during the winter is maintained at +8 ℃. The return landing is carried out upon the onset of warm weather, when the threat of return frosts has completely passed.

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Knifofia growing from seeds

The seed method of growing knifofia involves the purchase of new seeds for two reasons:

• Firstly, the plant from the south is not used to giving seeds that can ripen on time in the middle lane.
• Secondly, as mentioned above, varieties of hybrid bniphophy do not transmit their qualities through seeds.

Sowing procedures are carried out in late March or early April. To do this, use shallow containers filled with a loose and light soil mixture. Deepening is not required, the seeds are simply evenly distributed over the wet surface of the substrate, sprinkled a little, covered over with a film and placed in a warm and well-lit place.

Seedlings should appear in 2-3 weeks. By periodically lifting the film, you can gradually accustom the plants to indoor conditions, and when 3 leaves appear, they should be planted in separate pots.

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Reproduction of knifophy by dividing the bush

Reproduction by dividing the bush is the most suitable for the middle zone of the Russian Federation.While the seeds are not relevant, the split specimen will even delight the next year with the splendor of flowering.

For division, they are taken already in late April or early May, digging up the parent plant and using a sharp knife to separate the daughter rosettes that form in the axils of the lower leaves. The cut is dried a little, sprinkled with charcoal and after a few hours the plant is planted in a permanent place.

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Diseases and pests

The high incidence rate should also be attributed to the peculiarities of knifophy. If you follow all the rules of care, she is unlikely to get sick, but even so, there is a low probability of being affected by leaf-gnawing insects.

In such situations, insecticidal spraying saves. Once again, it should be emphasized that waterlogging of the soil significantly increases the risk of developing root rot, which fungicides help to get rid of not severe degrees of development (terminally diseased plants must be immediately removed from the flower garden in order to avoid contamination of neighboring plants).

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