Blue and blue varieties of gladioli (27 photos): "Blue Topaz" and "Blue Butterfly", "Blue Snowflakes" and "Blue Blizzard", "Blue Abyss" and other varieties

Planting a plant

For better germination, before planting, it is necessary to remove the scales from the bulbs. After peeling, the bulbs should be kept in a warm room. When the shoot has sprouted, the bulbs are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, basezole or potassium permanganate.

After processing, the plant can be planted in the soil. Gladioli do not tolerate stagnant water. Therefore, be sure to drain. Choose a horizontal area where water cannot collect.

For growing a plant, the optimum level of soil acidity is considered to be 6.5-6.8 pH. In acidic soil, the tips of the leaves of the plant will darken and wither, and the flowers may not open at all.

The optimal planting time is the end of April or the beginning of May. Large bulbs should be planted to a depth of 10-15 cm, small ones - 8-10 cm.The distance between the beds should not be less than 20-25 cm. as a top dressing of the soil you can use phosphorus and potash fertilizers.

Population and status of the species

Photo: Blue Magpie

The blue magpie is a typical example of a zoogeographic phenomenon. Why? It's just that the area of its distribution is divided into two populations, which are located at a fairly large distance from each other (9000 km).

At the same time, one is located in Europe (southwest) on the Iberian (Iberian) Peninsula (1 subspecies), and the other, much more numerous, in Southeast Asia (7 subspecies). The opinions of scientists on this matter were divided and some believe that in the Tertiary period the habitat of the blue magpie covered the entire territory from the Mediterranean Sea to East Asia. The Ice Age caused the division of the population into two parts.

According to another point of view, it is believed that the European population is not local, but was brought to the mainland more than 300 years ago by Portuguese navigators. However, this point of view is subject to great doubts, since the European subspecies of blue magpies was described as early as 1830 and already at that time it had significant differences from other subspecies.

This was confirmed by the new genetic studies of the European population, carried out in 2002, proving that it still needs to be separated into a separate species - Cyanopica cooki. According to recent studies by the European Bird Census Council, both populations of blue magpies are quite numerous, stable and do not need protection yet.

As already mentioned, the blue magpie is the main character in fairy tales, legends and songs among many peoples. Since ancient times, our ancestors believed that if a person manages to see a blue bird at least once in his life, touch it, then happiness and good luck will always be with him. Now this delusion is far in the past, since lovers of wildlife have long known that such a bird lives in the real world and has nothing to do with happiness and the fulfillment of desires.

Growing from seeds

They are sown in April-May, directly in open ground. Shoots - in 2 weeks. They are thinned out, keeping a distance of 20 cm. Plants will bloom in the middle of summer.

Anagallis Monelli and others are also grown by seedlings: sowing at standard dates (March-April), but earlier - in February. Seedlings at cool temperatures (optimal - 15-18 ° C) appear in a week and a half. They can be thinned out or dived into seed boxes or individual containers. In late May and early June, they are planted in open ground. Plants grown by seedlings will bloom at the end of June.

Flowering is long, the plants will be covered with flowers until frost.

Propagation by cuttings

Cuttings are cut in the spring, in mid-May, planted in the prepared soil mixture (garden soil and sand in equal proportions), you can pre-treat the cuts with Kornevin or another stimulant. Plants obtained from cuttings bloom after 2 months.

Since the plant is a perennial, the cuttings can be saved for the winter, they are cut in the fall, rooted in the substrate, and kept in rooms. Transplanted in the spring in open ground.

Peculiarities

Blue and blue gladioli are rare breeding hybrids that, when propagated by seeds, often do not give the desired result. You can get purple or crimson flowers when planting. In order for the plant to inherit the characteristics of the variety, it is recommended that reproduction be performed by children.

It is worth paying attention to the peculiarities of domestic and foreign selection.

Russian blue and blue gladioli are characterized by the large size of the flower, the corrugated structure of the rosette. Peduncles are always high and strong. Some hybrids and varieties show stem heights up to 2 m and look great when cut. Foreign breeders often get by with simpler options. Their varieties are quite compact and focused mainly on landscape decoration.

All blue and blue gladioli belong to the same group as purple - there is no separate classification for them. When choosing a plant, it is worth considering that in the international plant designation system, plants can begin with numbers from 1 to 5, which indicate the size of the flower itself. Further in the number should be the number 8, corresponding to the blue color. The intensity of the color can be:

0 - pale;
2 - light;
4 - main;
6 - dark.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: A pair of blue magpies

The mating season in blue magpies begins at the end of winter. Their mating dances usually take place either on the ground or on the lower branches of trees. At the same time, males gather in large groups, showing their presence with loud cries. When courting, the male, having fluffed up his tail and wings, gallantly nodding his head, walks around the female, showing himself in all his glory and showing her his admiration.

A married couple builds a nest together, using all available means:

small dry branches;
needles;
dry grass;
moss.

From the inside, the birds insulate the nest with everyone: down, animal hair, rags, small pieces of paper. Birds do not reuse their old nests, but always build new ones. Usually the nest is placed in the crown of a tree on a thick static branch at a height of 5-15, and the higher the better. Its depth is 8-10 cm, and its diameter is 25-30 cm.

Females lay eggs around early June. In one clutch of blue magpies, there are usually 6-8 beige spotted eggs of irregular shape, the size of a quail or slightly larger. Females incubate them for 14-17 days, content with regular offerings from caring spouses. Also, males during this period perform the role of cleaning ladies, carrying feces of females away from the nests. Chicks hatch quite amicably. They are covered with dark fluff and their beaks are not yellow, like most chicks, but crimson-pink.

Arrival of parents with food (small insects, caterpillars, worms, midges) chicks always greet with a joyful squeak.If there is even the slightest danger, then at the signal of the parents, the chicks quickly subside. Chicks leave the nest at the age of 3-4 weeks. At first, they fly very badly because of their small wings and short tail. For this reason, the chicks are near the nest for about two weeks, and their parents feed them all this time. At the age of 4-5 months, the juveniles acquire an adult color, but at first the chicks look somewhat darker than their adult companions.

This multifaceted aster: varieties

The perennial aster plays with bright colors, which gives the autumn flower garden a special charm and attractiveness. It's like a goodbye from summer to a long, cold winter. Bush forms are diverse: there are undersized and tall varieties from 35 to 150 cm.

Regardless of the height, the bush is powerful, spherical, capable of growing rapidly. The plant with lanceolate leaves at the top is strewn with flowers with an inflorescence-basket from 2 to 8 cm in diameter. They form simple and terry shapes. The colors are distinguished by an enviable variety: from white to bright red and blue, and in different shades.

Garden varieties of asters are divided according to a number of characteristics. Consider the species popular with gardeners with different flowering periods:

Alpine aster is light-requiring and frost-hardy. Forms large single baskets 6-8 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in the second year. Early flowering dates: late May - mid June.
New Belgian aster (Virginia) is a native of North America. Interesting flowers of blue and burgundy shades. Large flowers remain open in the evening and in cloudy weather. If the place is sunny, then flowering continues until frost. Despite its large size, it looks great in flower beds. It can be placed in the center, and low-growing crops can be planted around the edge as a frame. Shield inflorescences form beautiful bouquets that can be combined with dahlias, herbs and autumn leaves.
Star-shaped aster refers to the plant during the summer flowering period.
A popular variety, the Italian aster, is a medium-sized shrub with an average size of flowers of a wide variety of colors. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the end of August.
Shrub aster is a creeping variety in various sizes, from dwarf to tall. Feels good in cool, sunny areas, but does not like drought and heat. Grows in one place up to 6 years.
New England aster is large in size (up to 150cm). Flowers are double and numerous. The whole plant is covered with them and stands out against the green background as a bright sunspot. The color scheme is varied: red, pink, purple and dark blue. Thanks to this, it is easy to create a unique floral arrangement.
Golden aster in the last month of summer will delight you with its yellow flowers. The inflorescences have a pineal shape and are located on strong shoots.
Aster bokosvetnaya differs in the form of shoots, reminiscent of a grape vine. Small inflorescences are white or slightly pink at first, and turn purple by the end of flowering.
Aster heather is a meter-long compact bushes. Small inflorescences open at the end of September.

If you plant them on the lawn, you get an interesting composition of "flower balls". They go well with cereals or low conifers.

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Low-growing perennials can serve as the lower tier: autumn helenium, Korean chrysanthemum, thick-leaved berry or hosta Siebold.

Perennial aster, the varieties of which are so diverse, provides an opportunity to dream up and create a beautiful floral design that will decorate your site and will delight the surrounding summer residents. Read about:perennial Gaillardia - planting and care

Application

In industrial plants, blue shiny FCF is rarely used individually.By adding various chemicals of group E, manufacturers have the opportunity to paint products in numerous shades of purple, brown, black. This property plus its low cost makes E 133 a popular additive in various industries.

The food industry uses colorants to restore lost color or make products look attractive.

You can find the E 133 supplement as part of many products:

ice cream, popsicles;
canned fruit and vegetables;
dry breakfasts (potato and grain);
gelatin;
confectionery;
juices, carbonated drinks;
flavored dairy and fermented milk products;
wine drinks;
minced fish, seafood.

A complete list of products that include shiny blue FCF would take several pages.

Food coloring E 133 is added to the composition of cosmetic products, household chemicals:

shampoos, soaps, bath gels;
Hair Dye;
deodorants;
cleaning products for baths.

Pharmacological enterprises use E 133 additive only for coloring the coatings of drugs and tablets.

It is forbidden to enter into the composition of medicines blue shiny FCF.

The food coloring is approved for retail trade under the name FCF Blue Lustrous (E 133).

Brilliant blue FCF is allowed in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, some EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA.

Banned in Norway, Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark.

What does the blue magpie eat?

Photo: Blue magpie in flight

In food, blue magpies are not too picky and are considered omnivorous birds. Most often they eat different berries, plant seeds, nuts, acorns. One of the birds' favorite treats is almonds, so they can be seen quite often in gardens or groves where there are many almond trees.

Also popular foods for forty are:

different insects;
worms;
caterpillars;
small rodents;
amphibians.

Magpies hunt rodents and amphibians on the ground, and insects are very deftly caught in the grass, on tree branches, or extracted from under the bark with the help of their beak and clawed paws.

In winter, when there are very few seeds and edible animals in the forest, blue magpies can dig for a long time in garbage containers and in landfills in search of edibles. There, their food can be discarded bread, cheese, pieces of fish and meat products. In especially difficult times, magpies do not disdain carrion. Also magpies, along with other birds, can be frequent guests of feeders, which are arranged in order to help them get through the winter.

Spreading

The habitat covers the temperate climatic zone of the Palaearctic region. Blue ribbons are common throughout the European continent except for the southern and northern regions. The species is absent in Portugal, Greece, the Mediterranean islands with the exception of Corsica and in the north of Scotland and Scandinavia.

The southern border of the range runs along the Black Sea coast of Turkey and stretches through the Caucasus, Western Siberia, Altai and China to the Far East, the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

To date, 4 subspecies have been identified. The nominative subspecies inhabits most of the range, C.f. jezoensis in Japan, C.f. legionensis in Spain, C.f. yuennanensis in the Chinese province of Yunnan.

The product's name

Official designations and names of food coloring in Russia according to GOST 32745-2014:

Brilliant Blue FCF;
E 133 (European code);
133 (INS number - International Numbering System for Food Additives);
E-133 (designation of the additive in the requirements of the sanitary and epidemiological supervision of the Russian Federation);
42090 (number in ColorIndex, international dye catalog);
Brilliant Blue FCF (synonym);
Food Blue 2 (synonym);
Food Blue2 (European dye designation);
FD&C Blue No. 1 (USA).

In unofficial documents, on the packaging of various goods, you can find other names of the food additive E 133:

Blue No. 1;
Aniline blue;
Patentblau AE; Amidoblau AE (German designation);
Bleu brilliant FCF (French product name).

Description

The average wingspan is 82-96 mm. The forewings are light gray or brown with a whitish coating. The edging is blackish and whitish, with characteristic denticles along the edges.

The hindwings are dark brown with a wide bluish stripe in the shape of a semicircle. The lower part of the wings is decorated with contrasting black and white stripes that resemble a crescent moon.

Caterpillar light gray, with a transverse annular dark thickening on the eighth segment. At the last stage of development, the body length reaches 65-75 mm. The head is relatively large, light brown with a dark brown mesh.

The lifespan of the adult of the blue tapeworm is about 2 months.

About field anagallis more

Since this is a wild-growing species widespread in our country, it is worth talking about it separately. The habitats of the species are quite diverse: Europe, West and North Africa. Now it can be found anywhere, even in Oceania. In many countries, the plant is considered a weed - it is perceived as an indicator of light loose soils. In some countries, it is an archaeophyte (that is, a plant that has been mentioned in archaeological finds since prehistoric times).

The flowers are medium-sized, up to 15 mm, solitary, blue or bright red (depending on the habitat).

All parts of the flower are poisonous due to the content of saponins and can cause poisoning, contact with the leaves can cause an allergic reaction. Dangerous for pets (in large mammals, such as dogs, causes gastroenteritis).

It is not used in official medicine, but it is used in homeopathy, although not too widely - it is included in the composition of drugs for the treatment of nervous disorders and skin diseases. Some of these drugs have a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and sedative effect, dissolve kidney stones, regulate the menstrual cycle, and strengthen the immune system.

Anagallis Arvensis Caerulea

Anagallis arvensis

Gladiolus Blue varieties

Gladiolus Blue Tropic will delight with its flowering from July to September. The height of the flower varies from 80 to 160 cm. The flowers are dark purple and triangular in shape and are located at a height of 50 cm. The average diameter of one flower is 12-18 cm.

Gladiolus Blue Abyss has a tall and sturdy flower stalk. During the inflorescence period, there are about 22-24 buds. Plant height 150 cm. The flowers are lilac-blue with a slight purple blotch. Corrugated edges.

Gladiolus of the Blue Topaz variety surprises with its depth of color. It reaches a height of 130 cm. The edges of the flowers are corrugated. The buds are large and are located at a height of 60 cm.

The champion at exhibitions and the best in its color group is the Blue Butterfly gladiolus. This variety has not left any grower indifferent yet. The flowers are sky blue with a slight blue splash. You can see this for yourself, the photo (Fig. 1.) is presented below. During the inflorescence period, there are about 25 buds. The flowers are large and strongly corrugated. Flower diameter 14 cm. Plant height 160 cm. It can contain 10 open buds at a time.

The Blue Beauty gladiolus variety deserves special attention. It also belongs to the large-flowered class. The diameter of the flower is 16 cm. The buds are slightly corrugated and arranged in 2 phalanges. The flowers are rounded and blue-violet with a purple-pink spot in the center. This variety is resistant to weather conditions. Plant height 170 cm.

The large-flowered gladiolus Blue Isle has vertical and single stems 150 cm high. The flowers are collected in a spiral inflorescence and are at a height of 80 cm. The plant will delight with its flowering from July to September.

Fabulous beauty variety of gladiolus Blue Snowflakes. The flowers are snow-white and corrugated at the edges. A pale blue edge is located along the edge of the petals. The diameter of the bud is 14 cm.The height of the plant is 150 cm.

The Blue Frost gladiolus variety will surprise you with its unusual beauty.The flowers are blue with a characteristic lilac pattern along the edge. Slightly corrugated. Flower size 15 cm. Height - 130 cm. Ideal for landscaping. The only drawback is low frost resistance.

When growing a plant, you should adhere to the following rules:

Never grow a plant in one place for more than 2 years.
Follow the rules of crop rotation. Transplant gladioli into different soil compositions each time.
When choosing a particular variety, take into account its adaptation to the climatic zone.
It is not recommended to plant large bulbs with small ones. In this case, small bulbs will not have a chance to adapt.
Gladiolus is a light-loving flower, so be prepared for the fact that it may not bloom in the shade.
The landing site must be ventilated, otherwise gladiolus is susceptible to fungal diseases.

Natural enemies of blue magpies

Photo: What does a blue magpie look like

Blue magpies are rather cautious birds, but their innate tendency to steal often plays a cruel joke with them. The thing is that when trying to steal bait from a trap or trap set by hunters, birds quite often become their victims themselves.

In addition, a bird caught in a trap is a breeze for a wild cat, lynx and other felines. Also, these predators can easily destroy forty nests in order to feast on fresh eggs or small chicks. In flight, blue magpies can be hunted by hawks, eagles, eagles, buzzards, eagle owls, large owls.

For chicks that have barely left the nest and have not yet learned to fly well, martens, weasels and large snakes (in the tropics) pose a considerable danger. Because of their striking appearance and quick learning ability, blue magpies are a highly sought-after product in pet stores. Because of this, they are specially caught in large quantities and often injured.

There are some advantages to life in captivity for blue magpies. So, for example, if in nature birds usually live for 10-12 years, then in captivity their lifespan is doubled. Only magpies won't say if they need such a comfortable, problem-free and well-fed life without the ability to spread their wings and fly away wherever they like?

General rules for growing

Phlox is propagated mainly by cuttings. The optimal time for planting is late spring (April-May) or early autumn (September-October). It is necessary to choose the timing so that the sprouts have time to take root well before the start of frost. In the selected area, the ground is loosened, small holes are made and cuttings are planted; the distance between them is kept about 30 cm. The sprouts must be moistened for the first 2 weeks every day.

You can also breed blue phlox using layering. Using this method, the shoot of the bush is tilted to the ground and sprinkled with soil, you can additionally fix the branch. After the formation of roots, the stem is separated from the parent bush and transplanted to a separate growth site. You can try to dilute phlox by dividing the bush. An adult plant (4-5 years old) is dug up and divided into several parts, but so that each has a full-fledged root. Delenki are planted in their places.

Care blue and blue phlox not too embarrassing. They need:

landing in partial shade, so the flowers retain their bright color;
the soil is suitable for flowers, nutritious, preferably light, non-acidic;
blue-blue phlox love watering, but moisture stagnation must be excluded;
for the first time, the bush is fed in the spring (complex fertilizers or containing nitrogen), when setting buds and after flowering (phosphorus-potassium).

Most blue and blue phloxes are quite resistant to diseases, but flowers can still be affected:

mosaic, when spots appear on the leaf plates, the color changes, the bush cannot be treated, it is burned;
fomoz, manifested by the browning of the lower leaves, the diseased plant is not treated, it must be removed, in order to prevent it, the bush is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid (during the flowering period);
powdery mildew, a fungal disease, which is expressed by white spots on the foliage, the bushes are treated with Bordeaux liquid and avoid excessive moisture.

Of phlox pests, nematodes do the most harm. These miniature worms feed on the sap of the plant, weakening it, and as a result, it dies. Fighting them is very difficult and practically ineffective.

Package

Food coloring packaging must meet the standards of the states in which the product is manufactured.

In Russia, the following are used as packaging for the additive E 133:

woven bags that meet GOST 30090;
paper bags for food;
corrugated cardboard boxes in accordance with the requirements of GOST 13511.

Inside any container, bags with a thickness of 0.08 mm made of food-grade polyethylene must be inserted.

Manufacturers set the type and size of packaging themselves.

The use of other containers (for example, plastic drums) is not prohibited if it is not toxic and meets the rules for safe storage of the product.

Benefit and harm

According to some reports, the substance triarylmethane helps restore the function of the spinal cord after injury.

Research on the effects of the E 133 supplement on human health continues to this day.

Food additive E 133, according to the degree of negative impact on human health, belongs to class 3 (moderately hazardous substance). When using such dyes, it is forbidden to exceed the established doses.

The permissible daily intake of food additive E 133 has been revised several times in the course of numerous scientific studies. Now a person with an average weight of 60 kg is allowed to consume up to 12.5 mg of the supplement per kilogram of weight. Based on the latest research, Russian and foreign regulatory committees determine a safe dose per 1 kg (or 1 liter) of the finished product:

100 mg for canned sugar and cereal green peas, flavored processed cheeses, soft drinks;
150 mg for ice cream, desserts;
200 mg for jams, canned fruits and vegetables, baked goods and pasta, alcoholic beverages (including sparkling wines);
300 mg for canned cucumbers;
500 mg for sauces, seasonings.

Supplement E 133 is considered an allergen

Products containing blue dye should be used with caution by people with bronchial asthma and sensitivity to aspirin.

There are no exact data on toxicity.

Care Tips

When planting unusual blue and blue gladioli, it is recommended to choose already acclimatized varieties of Russian selection. Even the most beautiful North American hybrids in unusual conditions can lose their decorative effect and not give full flowering. The best place to plant them is in a sunny area. Gladioli need a long day of light, otherwise they will later begin to form buds, and in the full shade of flowering, you can not wait at all.

Curvature of the stems is a fairly common problem in gladioli. To eliminate it, it is necessary to deepen the corms by 15-20 cm during planting. In this case, they do not have to be tied up, the stems will grow in a forward direction. It is possible to prevent the development of fungal diseases in a plant in rainy seasons if the soil is well drained and generously sprinkled with sand.

Gladioli need feeding. At the spring exit of the third leaf, 10 liters of water with a solution of superphosphate and nitrate (50 g each), potassium sulfate (25 g) are added per 1 m2. When the leaf outlet has 6 shoots, the feeding will have to be repeated, slightly changing the composition. For him, you will need 1 tbsp. l. ammonium and potassium sulfate, as well as a similar amount of superphosphate.

The most important feeding is during the budding period.Superphosphate in a volume of 50 g and potassium sulfate in half of its volume are added to 10 liters of water. This volume is enough to fertilize 1 m2 of plantings. Subject to the feeding regime, the plant will give abundant flowering even in unfavorable weather.

An overview of the varieties of gladioli in the video.

Overview of varieties

Among the most popular blue and blue varieties of gladioli are plants with different saturation of the tone of the petals. The following options are best suited for breeding and cultivation in central Russia.

"Blue Topaz". Heavily corrugated gladiolus with early flowering. Belongs to the group of monochromatic plants of the Russian selection, bred in 2006. The color is medium saturation, juicy and clean, blue. There are no spots or streaks on the flowers.

"Blue Butterfly". Large-flowered variety of Russian selection, bred in 1998. The main tone is sky blue, there is a blue-violet spot at the bottom of the flower bowl. The variety is very decorative, with spectacular color transitions.

Blue and blue phlox