Aconite: planting and care in the open field, cultivation and propagation methods

There are many names of aconite among the people. It is often called the wolf root, king-grass, wrestler, wolf-boy, blue-eyed or iron helmet. Aconite can only be planted in open ground. When caring for him, do not forget that this is a poisonous plant. But it's more about natural species. Still, aconites should not be planted where children often visit.

Description and characteristics of aconite

Aconite is a perennial herbaceous plant growing up to 1.5 m tall. It belongs to the Buttercup family. The leaves are shiny, dark green. The stems of the plant are long and straight.The flowers are often blue or purple, sometimes white. The shape resembles a helmet or a lady's shoe, in connection with this, many legends have been created about the flower.

Every year, new plants grow from last year's tubers. So aconites "capture" the territory. In a year, their place increases by 2-3 cm.

Varieties and varieties

There are many types of aconites; in our latitudes, the hooded species and its garden forms are more common. Other species are often found depending on climatic zones.

Oriental Aconite

On a stem up to 1.5 m high there are inflorescences of white, yellow and rarely pale lilac. The flowering period begins in July.

Aconite Violet

For aconites, this species is undersized, as it does not grow above 1 m. It has large purple flowers, sometimes they are found in white. The flower brush reaches up to 40 cm. It blooms in July-August.

Fischer's Aconite

The height of the stem reaches 1.6 m. The leaves are dense, palmately incised into 5-7 lobes. The flowers are bright blue, collected in a brush. Blooms from July to October.

Aconite Kammarum

Has thinner stems and openwork foliage. Flowers are more elongated. Color - pale pink, lilac, white or blue. Height 130-140 cm.

Aconite Curly

Decumbent stem up to 4 m long. The flowers are blue, bloom in August-September. Unpretentious plant, loves semi-shady areas. Curly aconites are used for vertical gardening.

Aconite Arendts

Arends hybrid, which is obtained by interspecific crossing, grows up to 1 m in height. The flowers are blue or white, bicolor plants are often found. Flowering occurs in the middle of summer.

Aconite Bearded

This variety, although it has a slightly gloomy yellowish color, looks quite impressive and unusual. The flower brush is relatively short, only 25 cm. At the same time, the height of the plant is 1.2 m. It blooms in July.

Planting a flower

You can plant a flower in any soil, you should only avoid waterlogged, gravelly and sandy soil.

Site selection and soil preparation

Most of these flowers prefer shady areas. For climbing species choose the most shaded and cool places. They do not tolerate direct sunlight, getting burns from them. The exceptions are Carmichel aconite and Antorra aconite, they should be planted in elevated sunny places.

In autumn, the area where aconites will grow should not be stagnant water. Otherwise, the plant roots will rot and die.

Before planting, organic compounds and mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil. Biofungicides are also applied to prevent diseases.

Fitting technology

For planting, choose tubers that have a large bud and strong roots. 2-3 roots are placed in a prepared hole 20 cm deep, one is allowed. The distance between seedlings should be at least 20 cm.

You can also plant cuttings or part of a divided bush. The landing process is the same. Planted sprouts quickly become stronger and grow into a strong bush.

When to plant

Planting through tubers or seeds should be carried out in the autumn. When choosing seeds as a raw material for planting, you need to take into account that the first flowering will come no earlier than in 3-4 years.

Transfer

Replant flowers to a new place every 4 years. It is better to transplant in the fall. This is done to improve flowering and a more accurate look of the bush.

Care Tips

Aconites are picky to care for, but still you can't do without some simple actions.

Fertilizer and top dressing of aconite

After awakening the soil from winter rest, organic fertilizers must be applied. It can be an infusion of mullein or bird droppings. It must be diluted in water at room temperature. For 10 liters of water add 2 liters of infusion.

After fertilizing, the plant is watered with clean water to wash off particles of substances from the sprouts. Compost is also used, pouring it under the bushes. This will give rich hues to the flowers of the plant.

During the formation of buds, the bushes are fed with nitroammophos. 40 grams of the drug is added to 10 liters of water. In the future, the plant is fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, sprinkling it under the bushes before watering. Between feeding should be at least 20-25 days.

Important! It is impossible to use ashes for feeding bushes. It reduces the acidity of the soil, and this negatively affects the plants.

Water the plants

Crops should be watered moderately, because they do not tolerate too much humidity. During dry periods, irrigation is carried out 2 times a month, pouring cool water under the root of the plant. The rest of the time they are not watered at all.

Loosening the soil

It is imperative to loosen the soil around the aconite flowers, because if a crust forms on top, then oxygen will not be supplied to the root system of plants. It is also necessary to weed weeds so that they do not deprive the bush of nutrients.

Protection from diseases and pests

The bushes are prone to both diseases and various pests.

Powdery mildew

Amazes the plant most often.This is a fungal disease that manifests itself as a white coating on all ground parts of the bush. The plant gradually withers until it dies completely. To get rid of the disease, you need to remove all the affected parts of the bush, remove the topsoil and replace it with a new one. Treat the plant with a fungicide.

Ring mosaic

Leaves are covered with a large number of spots of different sizes and colors. They are yellow, brown or grayish. The reason for the appearance is a virus that spreads aphids. The disease is practically not treated, so preventive measures should be taken to prevent it. The main action is the fight against aphids.

Green Flowers

Also a viral disease. Because of it, the inflorescences are deformed and acquire a green tint. The carriers are sucking insects and herbivorous mites. Noticing such lesions on the bushes, they should be immediately removed and disposed of so that the disease does not spread to other plants.

The most common pest.

Nematode

The smallest worm, which, despite its size, causes quite a lot of damage to the plant. To combat it, the bushes are sprayed with Lindane, Phosphamide and Mercaptophos solutions.

Aphid

Small black flies, one colony of which can destroy the whole plant. To combat it, the bushes are treated with insecticides such as "Arrivo" or "Confidor". Biological preparations are also used - Akarin, Aversectin and Fitoverm.

Crop propagation

There are several ways to propagate aconite:

• Shanks. This is the fastest way to reproduce. In the spring, while the young shoots have not yet become hollow inside, they are cut off and immersed in the soil. Cover with a film on top, forming a greenhouse.
• The division of the rhizome. Also an easy way. In the spring, the lateral part of the rhizome is separated and planted separately.
• Seeds. They are sown in the fall, immediately after harvest. The following year, their germination rate drops by 50%. Seeds are sown in moist soil and wait for germination in the spring.

Landscape use

Aconite bushes look spectacular in areas both alone and in groups. Also, when decorating flower beds, they are often combined with other flowers, for example, with phlox, yarrow and daylilies.

Thanks to the height of plants, landscape designers use them as a backdrop for other flowers. Curly representatives of aconites are planted near hedges and arbors. Their creepers weave around the fences, thus creating hedges.

You can experiment with color, because aconites have quite bright colors. For example, blue varieties will pair well with yellow or red flowers.

When growing aconites, one should not forget about their safety, although garden plants are not too poisonous, but when working with them, it is better to play it safe and wear rubber gloves.

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