Lunar resurrecting: description and reproduction of a flower, planting and care with a photo

Lunnik is a very ancient culture that today is on the verge of extinction. The flower is grown in home gardens not because of the lush and beautiful flowering, but because of the unusual shape of the fruit, resembling the full moon in its appearance. In total, 4 representatives are included in this genus, but only 2 have become widespread in culture. The rules for planting and caring for the lunar resurrection are studied before work begins in order to avoid mistakes that novice flower growers make.

General description and characteristics of the Lunnik flower

Lunnik belongs to the Cruciferous family, it can be both an annual and a perennial plant.Its fruits, due to their mother-of-pearl tint and shape, resemble the full moon, which is why the culture got its name. Only 2 representatives of this genus are found on household plots - the reviving moonwort (perennial) and the annual moonwort. The first is considered today an endangered species, which is listed in the Red Book. In the natural environment, it is found in Europe and occasionally in North America. For culture, slightly acidic, nutritious and loose soils are an ideal place, and the moonberry also grows on gravel and clay soils.

The flower has large leaves. Flowers often with purple petals, but there are varieties with white ones. They are large in the moon and have long nails. The elliptical fruit is located on the stalk, the length of which is about 15 mm.

Most popular varieties

Among the representatives of the genus, only two are used in culture:

• Annual lunar. In height, the flower does not exceed 60 cm, has flowers of purple, lilac or white.The natural habitat is the southeastern part of Western Europe. Among the popular varieties of the annual moonberry are: Munstead Purple with lilac buds, Alba with white petals and Variegata with variegated leaves and pink-lilac flowers.
• Reviving Lunar, belonging to the category of perennial. Most often found on the Balkan Peninsula in deciduous forests. It has fragrant purple flowers, there is no culture with yellow flowers.

Advantages and disadvantages

To determine the feasibility of planting a moon tree on the site, study its pros and cons.

The benefits of flower growers include:

• Bright floral scent.
• An unusually shaped fruit resembling the moon.
• Stable immunity to diseases and pests.
• Undemanding to the composition of the soil mixture.

From disadvantages:

• Fear of bright sunlight.
• The need for shelter for the winter in cold climates.
• Long breeding process.

The specifics of growing ornamental crops

The rules for growing perennial moonwort do not differ from other plants in anything special. It is important to choose the right place, prepare the soil and material for planting.

Location

If the one-year-old lunar needs bright sunlight, then the resurrecting one prefers shady places, in extreme cases, light penumbra should be present on the site. The culture does not impose special requirements on the composition of the soil, it has enough loose and fertile soil, which passes water well.To improve the quality of the land, lime and humus are added to it.

Planting material

The easiest way to use cuttings for planting a reviving lunar, if they are not at hand, is to sow the seeds at home for seedlings and only then transfer them to open ground.

Boarding process

The step-by-step landing algorithm is as follows:

1. The grooves are made in advance in the prepared and fertilized soil.
2. The distance between seedlings of the resurrecting moonberry is at least 35 cm.
3. From above, they fall asleep with the remaining soil and moisten abundantly.

Mulching the soil around the bushes or not, each gardener decides at his own discretion. Peat or sawdust is used as a moisture-retaining layer.

Features of flower care

Difficulties with caring for a resurrecting lunnik do not arise even for beginner gardeners. All that is needed for the full development of an ornamental culture is watering, fertilizing, shelter for the winter and protection from pests and diseases.

Water the plants

Abundant hydration of the lunnik is contraindicated, if you overdo it with moisture, the roots of the culture are affected by fungal diseases. The procedure is carried out either in the early morning or in the evening. For humidification, water is prepared in advance - it is defended and allowed to warm up a little in the sun. In cases where there is prolonged dry weather, watering is increased so that a dry crust does not form on the soil surface.

Spraying

It is forbidden to spray the leaves of the lunar resurrection. Culture reacts extremely negatively to such a water procedure.

Soil

After each irrigation, the soil around the flowers is loosened to ensure full access of oxygen to the roots of plants. Weeds are also regularly pulled out so that they do not drown out the crop and do not take away valuable nutrients from it.

Flowering and transplanting

From the beginning of May to June, small flowers appear on the moon, mostly lilac. Sometimes with proper care, this process is repeated in August. The resurrecting lunar does not need frequent transplants and develops without problems in the same place for several years. If you still need to do this, choose the last summer days for transplantation.

Feeding

Without top dressing, it will not be possible to get a he althy and beautiful ornamental plant. Fertilize the long-term moon regularly, do it once a month. Both organic and mineral compounds are suitable for this.They carry out top dressing from early spring, and finish applying nutrients in the second half of summer.

Disease and pest control methods

Diseases in a plant develop only in the case of an incorrectly chosen place for growing and in the absence of proper care.

It could be:

• Fungal disease. Grows in high soil moisture. To save the plant, use any systemic fungicide.
• Cabbage butterfly and cruciferous flea. With an interval of 2 weeks, spraying with an insecticidal agent is carried out, for example, Actellik has proven to be an effective drug.

It is forbidden to plant lunnik on those beds where other crops of this family grew in previous years.

Reproduction

The reviving lunar is bred in two ways:

• The easiest way is with cuttings.
• Labor-intensive and time-consuming - seed. Pre-grow seedlings in a room, then transfer it to open beds. Seeds are stratified before sowing.

Landscape use

Culture harmoniously looks in group compositions. In the company, lilies and clematis are selected for him. Also, the lunar revival is used to create a Moorish lawn or gravel garden. For the latter option, it is combined with asters, thyme or geranium.

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