Features of reproduction and cultivation of aquilegia
Aquilegia is a very attractive low growing plant with original colorful flowers. Due to the versatile appearance of this plant, it is widely popular and is very often used in a variety of landscape design.
Content:
Description of the plant
Aquilegia belongs to the category of herbaceous plants, which are characterized by unpretentious care and exquisite beauty.
This plant can be planted not only in sunny places, but also in the shade. This is perennial belongs to the buttercup family. The genus of aquilegia has more than a hundred species, which makes it possible to choose the most optimal plant option for planting in a flower bed.
Aquilegia characteristic:
- The length of the leaves of this plant is 5 centimeters, and the width is about 2-3 centimeters.
- The flowers of the plant are characterized by an unusual shape and varied color. They can be yellow, blue, pale pink, red, etc.
- The corolla of the flower includes five separate petals, which look like a funnel.
- Also, the flowers have five sepals, which gives them even more originality.
- The root rosette of a plant is created from leaves. A stem emerges from it, the length of which can be from 20 centimeters to 1 meter.
Features of the reproduction of aquilegia
Aquilegia can multiply in four ways, which will allow the gardener to choose the option that is most convenient for himself.
The most popular ones are:
- Growing from seeds.
- Growing from seedlings.
- Growing by dividing the bush.
- Growing by cuttings.
In order to grow aquilegia by cuttings, you must:
- Break out cuttings from the mother bush.
- The cuttings are planted in clean river sand.
- For the successful reproduction of this plant, a small greenhouse is created.
- It is also possible to simply cover the planted cuttings with foil.
- Before planting aquilegia, it must be treated with a growth stimulant.
- Also, the cuttings are regularly sprayed with clean water.
In order to propagate aquilegia by dividing the bush, you must:
- Dig up a ripe bush and divide it into several parts.
- To do this, it is necessary to cut the taproot lengthwise, leaving several young root branches on it.
- The root system of the bush must be thoroughly rinsed and cut off almost all the leaves... Several young and strong leaves should remain on the bush.
- With this method of reproduction, the plant requires regular watering. This will greatly speed up the breeding process.
- After the aquilegia begins to care for it, it is necessary as for an adult plant.
In order to plant a plant from seeds, you must:
- Pick up mature and well-developed plants.
- Seed collection, like planting, is carried out in the autumn.
- It is also possible to plant seeds in the spring.
- For planting a plant, special boxes are used.
- Seeds can be planted directly into the ground.
- If it is produced in the autumn, then the seedlings will be more lively.
- If the planting is done in the spring, then the seeds will be best frozen beforehand.
- The first shoots of the plant appear in a month.
- In order for the aquilegia to rise amicably and quickly, it is necessary to provide a temperature of 18 degrees.
Planting aquilegia from seedlings is more troublesome than her planting from seeds... To perform this action, it is necessary to prepare a special substrate, which includes sheet earth, sand and humus in equal amounts. The substrate is leveled, trampled down a little, and also watered. Seeds are planted on top of the ground. You do not need to sprinkle them with earth on top. This action is performed in the month of March. It is not worth overmoistening the substrate, as this can cause plant disease.
A month later, after the first leaves are formed, the plant can be planted in the ground.
Absolutely all aquilegia planting methods are productive. The choice of breeding method directly depends on the wishes and capabilities of the gardener.
Plant care
Aquilegia is quite unpretentious in care. This plant grows most productively and develops in semi-shaded places, which requires the selection of such a place in the flower bed. For planting this plant, it is best to pick it up in moderation. moist or loose soils... If you plant a plant in heavy loam, then the flowering of the plant will not bring the desired results.
When planting this plant, the planting hole should be at least 20 centimeters, which will ensure the full development of the plant.
When planting low-growing varieties of aquilegia, it is necessary to maintain a distance between the bushes of 20 centimeters. If tall varieties are planted, then the distance between the bushes should be about 40 centimeters. To ensure good ventilation in shaded areas, it is necessary to plant the aquilegia at a great distance.
This plant is very fond of:
- Loosening, therefore, he needs to ensure regular weeding, which will have a beneficial effect on its growth and development.
- In order for the aquilegia not to stick out from the ground, in the spring it is necessary to fill the hole with the plant's rhizome with loose earth. To this end, you can use humus or compost.
- For high-quality flowering of aquilegia, it is necessary to provide a moderate plant moisture. This requires constant watering of dry soils.
- Fertilizers should be applied in early spring and after flowering. For this, it is necessary to use a complex fertilizer.
- With the weakening of the color of the flowers, as well as the loss of the abundance of flowering, it is also necessary to apply fertilizers.
- After the flowering of this plant, it is necessary to prune the shoots. In this case, only the decorative rosette of the root leaves is left.
- In the event that it becomes necessary to collect seeds, then their rosettes are collected in a brownish form. Otherwise, the sockets will open on their own, which will lead to self-seeding.
Aquilegia can be used as ornamental plants on lawns, in pots, in rock gardens, etc. While caring for this plant, it is necessary to monitor its condition, as it is susceptible to some diseases and pests.
It can be affected by scoops, aphids, minerals, spider mites.
Also, this plant can succumb to gray rot, powdery mildew, rust, etc. At the first signs of any disease, it is necessary to immediately remove the affected areas, and also treat the plant with insecticides. These drugs can be purchased at a specialist store. They must be used in accordance with the instructions.
Aquilegia care is quite simple. This plant requires watering, weeding, and pruning. Even an inexperienced gardener can perform this action, which gives special value to this plant.
More information can be found in the video.