Reproduction
Miscanthus reproduces best vegetatively by splitting the root system. Since the roots are strongly compacted and in some species they penetrate deeply into the soil, the procedure can be traumatic for the plant, which then regenerates for some time. Therefore, try to use specimens for reproduction, the diameter of which does not exceed 50 cm.
Separated part of the root, ready for planting
Reproduction is carried out at the end of May. The bush is dug up and the roots are cut into 2-3 parts with a sharp tool, or they are immediately divided into two parts with a sharp shovel, without digging the plant out of the soil. Delenki are planted at a distance of 70 cm and at first watered abundantly.
Planting erantis in the ground
How to grow from seeds
Seeds are sown in autumn immediately after they are harvested. Also, this procedure can be carried out in the spring, however, in this case, the seeds must be stratified, for this they are folded into a container filled with moistened sand, which is removed to the refrigerator on a shelf for vegetables. Do not forget to systematically shake the seeds, as well as moisten the sand. They will stay there for 2 winter months. If you sow before winter, then the seeds will be able to undergo natural stratification.
For sowing, you can choose a well-lit place or something that is located in partial shade under trees or shrubs. It is not recommended to plant such flowers in the lowlands, as they often die there under the crust of ice. It is better to choose a soil for sowing moistened, light, slightly alkaline. The seeds must be buried five centimeters deep into the soil. The first seedlings will appear in spring, however, in the first year, only cotyledonous leaf plates appear in erantis, and they die off after a fairly short time. One should not think that the plants have died, they just have at this time all their forces are directed to the formation of small nodules, which outwardly resemble clay lumps, already next spring they will have a real leaf plate. Do not forget to dig up young plants and plant in a new permanent place, while the distance between the bushes should be from 6 to 8 centimeters, do not forget to do this until the last days of August. Most often, erantis begins to bloom already in the third year of life. In the event that you want to plant the dug nodules in open ground only in spring, then they need to be stored in moistened peat or sand, this will protect them from drying out.
When growing a spring, it should be borne in mind that it is able to reproduce well by self-sowing.
Landing in open ground
After 2-3 years, erantis will already have a well-developed rhizome, and it is at this time that it can be propagated with tubers. It is necessary to make division after the plant has faded, but be in time before the leaf plates die off. The tubers should be removed from the ground along with the rhizome, then the daughter nodules are separated and the rhizomes are divided into parts. Places of cuts must be sprinkled with crushed charcoal, then nodules and cuttings are immediately planted in open soil in a permanent place, they need to be deepened by 5-6 centimeters, while observing a distance of 10 to 11 centimeters between the holes. It is recommended to plant no more than 3–6 nodules in one hole. Before planting the spring, the holes must be watered and one handful of the substrate, which includes broadleaf wood ash and humus or compost, should be poured into each of them.
What does Chinese lemongrass look like?
Chinese Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a small genus of plants from the Schisandra family.In nature, it is distributed mainly in China, Japan, in the north of the Korean Peninsula. It is also found in Russia - in the Far East, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands. Its first scientific description was given in 1837 by the botanist N.S. Turchaninov.
Schisandra chinensis in nature forms dense thickets
The habitat of the plant is river valleys, forest edges, old clearings, clearings, burnt places. Accordingly, it is quite cold-resistant and shade-tolerant, which makes it suitable for cultivation in most of the territory of Russia.
In nature, lemongrass is a large plant. The length of a vine with a curling stem, if not limited by anything, reaches 12–15 m. The stem is quite thin, only 2.5–3 cm in diameter. Flexible shoots are covered with brown bark. On young branches, it is smooth, elastic, shiny, darkens over time, changing color to black-brown, and peels off.
In autumn, Chinese lemongrass looks elegant and very impressive.
Leaves are dense, leathery, ovoid or in the form of a wide oval. The edges are carved with almost imperceptible teeth. The petioles are rather short, colored in various shades of pink and red. The front part of the front plate is glossy, bright green, the wrong side with a gray-gray tint, along the veins there is a strip of short soft "pile".
The flowering plant also looks nice. Lemongrass flowers resemble those made from magnolia wax. The petals are snow-white, before falling off, acquire a delicate pastel pink hue. The buds are collected in inflorescences of 3-5 pieces, located in the axils of the leaves. Pedicels are long enough, slightly nodding under their weight. Flowering occurs in the first half of July.
Schisandra chinensis flowers, spreading a pleasant aroma, attract pollinating insects to the garden plot
Schizandra fruits are small spherical bright scarlet berries, collected in 15-25 pieces in a cluster 8-12 cm long, resembling bunches of grapes or red currants. They also have a characteristic citrus aroma. Each contains 1–2 large seeds. The taste is extremely specific due to the high content of organic acids, resinous and tannins, essential oils. The skin is sweetish-salty, tart, the juice is very sour, astringent, the seeds are bitter.
It is almost impossible to eat fresh berries of Schisandra chinensis (especially its wild varieties)
The average yield of Schisandra chinensis is 3-5 kg of berries from an adult plant. But once every 3-7 years there are "bursts" when the vine bears 1.5-2 times more fruits than the gardener expected. The harvest ripens in August or early September.
The yield of Schisandra chinensis is not amazing, but its fruits are, rather, not a delicacy, but a medicine
Application
In folk medicine, seeds and dried fruits of lemongrass are used. They are distinguished by a high content of vitamin C, as well as microelements vital for the body (iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, manganese). Lemongrass has the ability to relieve fatigue caused by intense physical and mental stress, sharpen vision and hearing, and relieve depression. It is also extremely useful for strengthening immunity and stimulating tissue regeneration, helps with vitamin deficiency, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and the respiratory system.
Dried berries of Chinese schisandra - a powerful tonic
There is also a fairly long list of contraindications. Lemongrass is prohibited for pregnant women and children under 12 years of age, as well as those who suffer from vegetative vascular dystonia, any allergies, chronic insomnia, high intracranial pressure, infectious diseases. At the same time, it is recommended to take drugs from it before noon, so as not to provoke insomnia. The simultaneous use of any sleeping pills, tranquilizers, neuroleptics, psychostimulating drugs is strictly prohibited.In general, it is undesirable to "prescribe" lemongrass yourself, it is better to consult a doctor first.
Reproduction methods
Amateur gardeners most often propagate Chinese lemongrass by vegetative methods. You can also try to grow a vine from seeds, but in this case, the preservation of the varietal characteristics of the parent is not guaranteed. In addition, this process is quite time consuming.
Vegetative propagation
For vegetative propagation, root shoots, cuttings and layering are used.
As a rule, lemongrass is abundant in root growth. This breeding method is provided by nature itself.
You just need to carefully dig out the soil, separate the "offspring" from the adult plant and immediately plant it in the chosen place. In regions with a warm climate, the procedure is carried out both in early spring and after fruiting.
Where it does not differ in softness, the only suitable time is the beginning of March.
Root cuttings can also be used. The root is cut into pieces 7-10 cm long. Each should have 2-3 points of growth. The planting material is kept for 2-3 days wrapped in a napkin moistened with a solution of any biostimulator, then planted in open ground or a greenhouse horizontally, keeping a distance of about 10-12 cm between the cuttings. They are not buried in the soil, sprinkled on top with a layer of humus or rotted compost 2-3 cm thick. Care of cuttings is basically regular watering. Those of them that give shoots are transferred to a permanent place next spring.
For propagation by layering, only non-lignified green shoots at the age of 2-3 years are used. The procedure is carried out in the fall. The branch is bent to the ground, fixed at a distance of 20-30 cm from the top, covered with humus or fertile soil, and watered abundantly. A new layer should appear in the spring. By the fall, it will get stronger enough, it can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place. You can bend to the ground and cover the entire shoot with soil. Then he will give not one, but 5-7 new seedlings. But they will be far from being as powerful and developed.
Germinating seeds
Seeds of Chinese magnolia vine remain viable for a very short time, literally 2-3 months. Therefore, it is best to sow them immediately after harvest. Seedlings are not grown at home, planting material is embedded in a garden bed before winter. They are deepened by a maximum of 1.5 cm; they must be sprinkled with snow on top, as soon as it falls out enough.
Before planting, Schizandra seeds must be thoroughly cleaned of pulp and dried to avoid the development of rot.
You can save the seeds until spring, but stratification is required - imitation of the cold season. During the winter, seeds are stored in a refrigerator in a small container filled with a mixture of peat chips and sand, constantly kept in a slightly moist state and previously sterilized.
After stratification, the seed skin begins to crack. In this form, they are planted in individual peat pots filled with a mixture of humus and coarse sand. The first shoots should appear in 12-15 days, but if the seeds were not constantly in a humid environment, the process can take 2-2.5 months. The seedlings do not differ in growth rate, stretching only 5–7 cm per year.
Stratification has a positive effect on seed germination
Further care consists in providing protection from direct sunlight, keeping the soil in a moderately moist state and periodically watering with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases.
Schisandra sprouts can be waited for a long time, they do not differ in growth rate
In the first decade of June, the seedlings are transferred to the garden bed, leaving at least 10 cm between them. During the summer, they are protected from the hot sun, and a shelter from frost is erected for the winter.After 2-3 years, the matured plants can be transplanted to a permanent place.
How miscanthus is propagated
Miscanthus is propagated by dividing the bush with seeds.
It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings in the fall. Peat pots or other compact containers are prepared in advance by filling them with soil mixture. Place 1 - 2 seeds in each pot, slightly burying them in the ground. After planting, the soil is moistened, the pots with crops are removed to a well-lit place. In order for the seeds to sprout faster, they create conditions close to those of a greenhouse, covering the pots with foil or glass. After emergence, the film or glass is removed.
Seedlings are kept in a room with a temperature of no higher than 20 degrees. In hotter conditions, the seedlings will begin to stretch quickly. In winter, they create additional lighting using phytolamps.
Until the onset of spring, they regularly take care of the plantings, watering them as the earthen coma dries.
Fortified, grown plants are planted in open ground at the onset of warm weather without night frosts.
Before planting in the ground, the seedlings need to be hardened so that they successfully take root in a new place. To do this, plant pots are taken out into the street and left in a well-lit place, closed from wind and drafts. First, the seedlings are left in the fresh air for 2 hours, gradually increasing the residence time. As a result, the plants must spend the night outside. Hardened seedlings quickly adapt to new conditions and grow.
After planting miscanthus seedlings in open ground, it is important to take care of young plants, this will allow them to grow quickly. Propagate this culture and dividing the bush
This work should be carried out no more than 1 time in 3-4 years, since miscanthuses react painfully to transplantation.
Propagate this culture by dividing the bush. This work should be carried out no more than 1 time in 3-4 years, since miscanthuses react painfully to transplantation.
The optimal time for planting this plant is April - June. For division, choose a strong, healthy, large plant and carefully, using a sharp knife, divide it into parts. Each part of the dug out and divided bush should contain 5-6 shoots and a root system. It is advisable to plant all delenki at the same time, or leave them in a cool place and plant in a few days. Planting holes are dug 90 cm deep. Organic fertilizers are added to the soil during planting.
Growing eukomis from seeds
Seed propagation of pineapple lily is most often used by breeders. To obtain a large amount of planting material, you can resort to this method and gardeners, but keep in mind that if you take seeds from a hybrid plant, the resulting seedlings do not inherit the characteristic features of the parent plant.
How to collect seeds
Eukomis seeds photo
Seeds are purchased at specialized points of sale, but if there is no possibility of collecting them independently. The seeds ripen fully in September. You can use the following collection method. Do not wait until the seeds are fully ripe, so as not to weaken the plant, cut off the arrow and put it in a container with water, when the pods are dry, you can remove the seeds.
How to plant
Start sowing eukomis seeds right away. Fill the containers with nutrient soil (a universal substrate for growing seedlings is suitable), spread the seeds over the surface, the planting depth should not exceed the size of the seeds themselves, moisten with a fine spray. To maintain the greenhouse effect, cover the top with foil or glass, provide warmth (about 23-25 ° C) and bright diffused lighting.
Eukomis from seeds photo shoots
Ventilate crops daily, maintain moderate soil moisture by spraying. The shelter is removed after germination. In the spring, the bulbs are transplanted into open ground. Under these conditions, flowering will occur approximately in the 3rd year of growth.In regions with a warm climate, seeds can be sown directly into open ground in the spring - then flowering can be observed already in the next season.
Reproduction methods
Miscanthus is propagated in two main ways: either by dividing the bush or by seeds.
By dividing the bush
If division is chosen for reproduction of the culture, then it will be possible to use it on one shrub only once every three or four years. The shrub should be divided from April to June. The healthiest and most resistant specimen is selected, which is divided into the required number of parts with a sharp knife
It is important to leave a full-fledged root and 5-6 shoots for each delenka. The resulting miscanthuses are either immediately planted in a new place, or they are kept in a cool place for several days, and then they are already moved into the open ground.
The immersion depth of the cut should be 6 centimeters.
Seeds
If the seeds are planted to obtain seedlings, then it is worth starting the procedure in the fall. It is more convenient to use peat pots or other small containers that will only hold one or two seeds each. The containers are filled with ordinary nutrient mixture, and the seed is deepened by no more than a centimeter. Next, the plantings are irrigated, and the pots are rearranged where there is good lighting. Immediately it is worth puzzling to create a greenhouse using cling film or a glass sheet. As soon as shoots appear, the cover must be removed.
Until spring, seedlings should be kept at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. To create the required length of daylight hours, it is better to use special lamps. Watering should be regular, but carried out only when the earthen lump dries out, that is, one should focus on the current state of the soil. Landing in open ground is carried out when warm weather sets in, and there will be no need to fear the return of frost. The plants will need to be hardened beforehand, taking them outside for an interval from 2 hours to the whole night.
Reproduction of schisandra chinensis
Chinese lemongrass propagates by seeds, shoots and root cuttings, but all the properties of the mother plant are preserved only during vegetative propagation.
Reproduction of schisandra chinensis seeds
The easiest way is to sow lemongrass seeds in prepared beds before winter, immediately after they are harvested. You can sow in spring, but in this case, the seeds are stratified: for two months they are kept in the lower drawer of the refrigerator. There is a very effective way of preparing seeds for sowing, developed by professionals: they are stored in fruits until January, then they are washed from the pulp, folded into a nylon stocking and placed under constantly flowing water. At home, the seeds in the stocking can be kept in the toilet cistern so that they are in fresh, clean water after each flush. Four days later, the seeds are squeezed out, placed directly in a stocking in a container with wet calcined sand and kept at a temperature of 18-20 ºC for a month, after which the container with seeds is buried in the snow for stratification. After a month, the seeds are brought into a room with a temperature of 10 ºC and observed: after a week or two, they begin to crack, and then they can be sown to a depth of 5 mm in boxes with a mixture of sand and humus in equal parts. The crops are covered with paper and watered daily. Seedlings with large cotyledons, similar to cucumber sprouts, will appear in 1-2 weeks. Seedling care consists in protection from direct sunlight, watering and 1-2 treatments with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to prevent blackleg and other fungal diseases. At the stage of development of 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings dive into larger boxes according to the 5x5 cm scheme, and in early June, after the heat is finally established, the hardened seedlings of Schisandra chinensis can be planted in open ground in partial shade. The feeding area of one plant is 10x10 cm².Protect the seedlings from too strong sun, and with the onset of autumn, cover them with spruce branches or a thick layer of foliage. Chinese lemongrass from seeds is planted in a permanent place at the age of two to three years.
Reproduction of Schisandra chinensis by shoots
The most effective way of reproduction is to shed the shoots. Liana is literally surrounded by many shoots, on which dormant buds are located. The offspring are separated from the bush and immediately transplanted to a permanent place. In the southern regions, this can be done before the start of sap flow and after leaf fall, and in the northern ones only in early spring.
Reproduction of lemongrass by root cuttings
Pieces of roots from 5 to 10 cm long with several dormant buds are cut from the rhizome, and so that the overgrown roots do not dry out, immediately sprinkle the pieces with moist soil or cover with a wet napkin. Then root cuttings are planted in a garden bed or in a cold greenhouse according to a 10x10 scheme and covered with a layer of fertile soil 2-3 cm thick. Planting care consists in regular watering. In the spring of next year, the cuttings that have sprouted are planted in a permanent place.
