Erigeron: planting and care, a description of popular varieties and the rules for growing small-flowered

Among the variety of flower crops, some species occupy a special place. This applies to those flowers that adorn any flower beds and suburban areas, but do not impose increased requirements for maintenance. Erigeron or small-flowered is called an extensive type of garden flowers, planting and caring for which even novice flower growers can master.

Description and features

The Asteraceae family is one of the largest flower families. It includes a variety of species with common characteristics. Erigeron or small-flowered is a bright representative of the family.It is represented by perennial and annual plants with a developed root system and small frequent petals in a flower.

North America is considered to be the homeland of the small-scaled flower, from there it was brought to Europe and Asian countries. A variety of hybrid varieties have been bred by selection, which are successfully cultivated in different climatic conditions.

Growing seedlings

The most common method of growing erigeron seedlings. It is planted in open ground after the bush gets stronger.

Date of planting

Seeds of the small-flowered plant are sown in winter. February is suitable for sowing if planting in open ground is planned for late spring.

April is suitable for the greenhouse sowing of the small-flowered. Seedlings will become strong enough for permanent planting in spring or early summer.

Seed selection and preparation

Seeds for sowing are purchased in specialized departments of gardening stores or harvested independently in the fall. Small-flowered seeds are small, their germination is not stable, so the seedling method of growing is considered the most suitable.

How to plant

Due to the peculiarity of the small-sized seeds for planting, large containers are purchased. They are filled with prepared soil mixture. Then seeds are distributed over the surface, lightly sprinkled with sand or vermiculite on top. Seeds are not completely covered with soil, otherwise they may not sprout at all.

Temperature and light conditions

Special conditions must be provided for germination:

• temperature - not lower than + 20 degrees;
• light day - at least 12 hours, fluorescent lamps are used for supplementary illumination.

Picking

Seedlings can be too frequent, so they dive after the appearance of 1-2 true leaves. To do this, they acquire separate containers and fill two-thirds with soil.

Hardening

After the sprouts of the small-flowered plant get a little stronger, they are transferred to the veranda or glazed balcony. The air temperature should be reduced to +15 degrees. The small-spreader tolerates hardening well, provided there is a constant supply of diffused sunlight.

Irrigation

The first watering is carried out with a spray bottle. Before the appearance of full-fledged shoots, the upper part of the soil is moistened in this way. Then water the soil as it dries.

Feeding

At the stage of growing seedlings, regular top dressing is not carried out. A single watering with potassium-phosphorus solutions during the budding period, as well as adding nitrogen at the stage of growing green mass will be enough for a small-scale pest.

At the same time, the soil for sowing must be fertilized with nutrients in advance, this stock is enough before landing on a permanent place of growth.

Landing in open ground

For seating, choose strong sprouts of small petals. Those who did not have enough time can be planted 1-1.5 weeks after the main seating. Weak seedlings can remain for growing in the greenhouse.

When to plant

Seedlings are planted at the end of May-beginning of June. By this time, the sprout should grow up to 4-5 leaves. The soil should warm up to +15 degrees so that the seedling roots quickly and easily adapt to new conditions.

Soil Requirements

Erigerons do not make high demands on the soil. They can grow on a variety of soils, but prefer slightly alkaline loose soils with a drainage layer.

Plant pattern

Landing is carried out by transshipment method. This means that from a separate container, the plant, together with a clod of earth, is transferred to a prepared hole. Between the bushes leave about 25 centimeters. As a rule, bushes are planted in rows. Leave at least 20 centimeters between them.

Care

After landing on the site, they adhere to the rules for caring for the small-scale. Erigeron needs stability.

Irrigation

Flowers do not need excessive watering. Constant waterlogging of the soil can lead to root rot.

Loosening and weeding

The soil around the bushes of the small-sized bug is loosened after each rain. Also make sure that weeds do not spread around. They often become carriers of diseases and parasitic insects.

Mulching

Many gardeners recommend mulching the soil around bushes to prevent weeds from spreading. For this, cut grass is used. The layer of mulch should not be too thick, so that the soil does not become damp and hard.

Feeding

Erigeron does not need to be fed. They are carried out only at the stage of budding to add additional potassium and phosphorus to the soil. An excess of fertilizer can lead to a change in soil acidity, which negatively affects the development of the stems.

Diseases and pests

Small bug easily gets sick with varieties of rot. These fungal infections form due to excessive soil moisture. First of all, the root rots, then wet spots begin to appear on the stems and leaves. To combat diseases and pests, the plant is sprayed with fungicides before and after flowering.

Cutting

Pruning is necessary for culture throughout the entire period of existence. It is carried out with sharp garden shears at various stages.

Rejuvenation

Pruning perennials regularly in the spring. Old and damaged shoots are cut at the root.

After flowering

To prolong the flowering period, faded inflorescences are regularly removed. Overgrown bushes are pruned in order to maintain the quality of flowering.

Collection and storage of seeds

After flowering, the stalk of the small petal is tied with gauze. This helps to collect the seeds when they are fully ripe and start to fall off.

Preparing for winter

Before wintering, the stems are cut, leaving about 2-3 centimeters above ground level. These bushes are covered with spruce branches or industrial material.

Advice! In order for erigeron not to freeze, it is mulched with a layer of peat, and then covered with additional materials.

Views

Breeders have bred a wide variety of varieties of small petals. The basis for this was popular species that have similar external characteristics.

Beautiful

This is one of the main types of erigeron. The stem grows up to 70 centimeters, the diameter of the flowers reaches 5-7 centimeters. The shade of the petals of this species varies from lilac to burgundy, the center of the flower is decorated with a yellow core.

Karvinsky

This species is called daisy-leaved. The small flowers are similar to daisies. The bush grows up to 60 centimeters. The peculiarity of the species lies in the gradual change in the shade of the petals. The beginning of flowering is marked by a white color, then the petals turn pink, and by the end of the season they turn orange.

Orange

Erigeron of this species grows in the northwest of the Chinese provinces. The height of the bush reaches 40 centimeters. Small single flowers of an orange hue grow up to 30 millimeters in diameter.

Alpine

One of the oldest species, found in the mountainous regions of Asia and Europe. The bush reaches 30 centimeters, small lilac-pink flowers have a yellow center.

Elongated

The bushes grow up to 80 centimeters. The roots lie deep in the soil. As a rule, this species has large overgrown bushes.

Naked

Named so due to the fact that the stems are almost devoid of leaves. Sheet plates surround only the base. Flowers lavender, solitary.

Single flower

A small bush stretches up to 8 centimeters. Single flowers adorn a thin bright green stem.

Dangling

The root system of this species is better developed than above-ground. Flowers solitary, blue, with bright yellow centers.

North

The view is similar to representatives of the Alpine type. The difference between them lies in the shade of the petals. In the northern small-bloomer, they can take on pale blue and lilac-blue hues.

Wool-cup

This species can be found in the thickets of the tundra. Stems can grow from 5 to 35 centimeters. Petals can be blue, cyan, purple.

Canadian

This plant is not grown for decoration purposes. Small white flowers with a yellow center are inconspicuous from afar. The bush stretches up to only 20 centimeters.

Caustic

The bushes reach 75 centimeters, small pale flowers bloom on them. According to flower growers, this species is similar to wild ranunculus.

Popular varieties

Hybrid varieties are the most popular among small-flowered varieties. Each of them has special features and is used in different ways in landscape design.

Rose triumph

This is a terry variety with reed-type petals. Shades range from pink to deep red.

Violetta

The petals of the variety have a dark purple hue. By type, they belong to terry varieties.

Prosperiti

The flowers look unusual because of the color. They are always light blue with a yellow center inside.

Azur Beauty

The lavender blooms are known for their wind resistance. Bushes grow up to 70 centimeters. Green mass is actively developed on the stems.

Dimity

Unusual variety. On one bush, baskets of pink and peach shades bloom at the same time. The tongues of both species are bright yellow.

Rote Shengait

Inflorescence-baskets of red color are classified as semi-double varieties. The bushes are small, stretching up to 30-40 centimeters.

Foerster's Laibling

The variety belongs to terry varieties. The shade of the petals is pink.

Reproduction

If there is an adult bush on the site, it is quite easy to breed any variety. In addition, there is always the opportunity to use the seed method.

Shanks

In the spring, a suitable cutting is chosen on an adult small-flowered. It is separated with a sharp tool along with the heel and planted near the mother plant under the film. After the appearance of green leaves on the handle, it is transplanted to a permanent place of growth.

Seeds

The seed method involves growing seedlings. The seeds of the small-flowered are very small, so when sowing, they use the entire harvest harvested in the fall .

Dividing the bush

Overgrown adult bushes are propagated by division. To do this, part of the root system is dug out, carefully cut off. Then the mother plant is strengthened in its original place, and the delenka is transplanted to another place. It takes only a few days for the delenka to adapt, as the small-scale pest easily tolerates plantings.

Features of growing at home

Home cultivation of a crop is associated with constant control over the state of the soil. Excessively moist soil threatens the development of fungal diseases of the root system. The plant is known for its adaptability to any environment.

Benefits and dangers

Erigeron is famous as a medicinal plant. The properties of petals and flowers are especially valuable when using decoctions and infusions. Small-scale is taken to stabilize hematopoiesis and improve blood counts. Means based on it help with rheumatism, arthritis, joint pain.

Warning! The flowers of the Alpine small-flowered are not used for infusions, since when exposed to auxiliary alcohol elements, they release harmful substances.

Landscape use

Small-petal bushes are suitable for decorating the site:

• make it a space limiter;
• planted as a border element;
• grown in alpine and multi-level flower beds.

Tall shrubs need extra support, as heavy baskets-inflorescences pull thin stems to the ground. Low bushes look more impressive on the upper tiers of multi-level flower beds.

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