Escholzia better known as california poppy.
The plant is appreciated by gardeners and flower growers for its unpretentiousness, variety of color and lush long-term flowering.
In addition to the ornamental, the healing properties of esholtia are not in doubt, in traditional medicine the Californian poppy helps both adults and children.
How to plant a California poppy in open ground
California poppy prefers to grow on solar elevations, categorically does not tolerate stagnant moisture. The plant feels most comfortable on sandy, well-drained soils, with a slightly acid reaction. A deep digging with the addition of wood ash or dolomite flour will help reduce the acidity of the soil.
Autumn sowing with proper care, bloom in May. Autumn planting is carried out in October. Seeds planted before winter undergo a process of natural stratification, which determines a high percentage of germination. When planting the seeds need to be pressed into the soil, after - be sure to cover with mulch, you can additionally insulate with a layer of dry foliage.
When spring plantingIn April, the moment of flowering comes later. Seeds are planted, also pressed, and in case of frost - covered with mulch. For uniform sowing, seeds are mixed with sand. The first growth will appear within two weeks. When the seedlings gain a height of about 15 cm, they need to thin out, leaving the strongest.
Leave about 20 cm between sprouts. During growth, keep an eye on the soil moisture, it should not dry out, but you should not over-wet it - excessive moisture damages the roots. At this stage, escholcia does not need additional feedings.
Combination of escholcii with other plants
Escholzia - not an aggressive plant and is well co-located with various herbaceous and flowering crops. The flower gets along well with herbs and flowers on lawns. It is planted next to clover, cornflowers, meadow bluegrass, mattiola, lion's mouth, flax, chamomile and many others.
Escholzia on flowerbed it is perfectly combined with a carnation, iberis, purslane, lobelia. A bright flower can also be the center of flower arrangements, dilute less bright groups, and look beautiful in a single planting.
The plant is applicable in various landscape forms: flower beds, rabatki, lawns, alpine slides. Organically looks like poppy among evergreen ornamental shrubs and trees, next to thuja, juniper. The extravaganza will look extraordinary with bright yellow flowers against the background of a no less bright juicy green boxwood.
Did you know? According to a preserved legend, in the 17th century, Spanish navigators, sailing to the shores of modern California, saw golden lights on the far shore. The Spaniards decided that they had found deposits of the precious metal, but when disembarking it turned out that these were just fields of yellow flowers. Hispanic people still call the Californian poppy the Golden Bowl.
Californian Poppy Care Tips
Eschsoltsiya Californian - one of the most unpretentious plants. She does not need close attention, and care for her is minimized.
How often to water flowers
The peculiarity of irrigation is that water it preferably in the evening. The plant does not require frequent watering, it lacks rain, so watering is needed when the ground is too dry. If the weather does not indulge in rain, watering is necessary.
Important! The stagnation of moisture, abundant watering will lead to decay of the root system. If this happens, the plant must be removed from the lawn or flower beds.
Weeding and loosening the soil
Weeds grow always and under any conditions, taking nutrients from the soil and drowning out healthy crops. When growing an escholtium, weed the soil, removing weeds, and be sure to loosen it for oxygen to reach the root system.
What to feed the culture
In the care of scholtice organic fertilizer is not used. Before the flowering begins, the plant is fed with mineral compounds. For this fit nitrophoska or any other composition for flowering plants. For 10 liters of water, one tablespoon of fertilizer is enough. Under the bush pour about two liters of solution.
Do I need pruning flowers
Cutting of flowers is carried out in order that the plant long and magnificently blossomed. As soon as the inflorescence begins to wither, it must be removed, and in its place a new flower will bloom. Do not leave seed boxes on the branches, they also hinder the development of new inflorescences.
Interesting! The flower has one feature - on an overcast day, in rainy weather and in the evening the petals are closed. They are open in sunny weather before dusk.
How does an escort relate to transplant
Eschsoltia is rarely grown by the seedling method, since the root system of a plant is rod-shaped and very fragile. When seedlings are planted in open ground, there is a high probability of damaging long roots during planting itself and during removal from the seedling box.
Seedling method they use only experienced flower growers, knowing about the characteristics of the plant to take deep roots, besides, the seedling method is complicated by more careful care of the shoots.
The seedling method is used at home, planting eshsholtsiyu in peat pots or pills to reduce the risk of root damage during transplantation. In addition, after transplantation, the plant may be sick for a long time or even die.
Diseases and pests of the California poppy, how to combat them
Californian poppy pests are aphids and spider mites. Bean aphid feeds on plant sap, damaging the leaves. To combat it, use the drug "Commander". The drug should be sprayed, as recommended in the instructions.
Spider mitebesides, that gnaws a plant, can bring a fungal infection. A web on the leaves or between the branches of the poppy will tell you about its appearance.
If you notice the parasite in time, before he has had time to breed, you can spray the flower, all its above-ground parts, with a solution of soap. In a more difficult situation, use acaricides. These drugs destroy both the tick and its offspring.
Attention! To completely get rid of the presence of mite eggs, the plant will require more than one treatment.
The most common disease in escholcium is root decayrarely stems and leaves. It is to blame for the natural conditions (heavy rainfall, flooded place) or excessive watering. The above-ground parts that are affected by rot need to be removed; if the rhizome is affected, dig up the whole shrub.
Another unpleasant disease - powdery mildew. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered with white bloom, darken with time and die. In order not to poison the plant with aggressive chemicals, you can use the "grandfather's" methods:
- soda ash and soap 4 g each - for 1 liter of water; spray twice at weekly intervals;
- wood ash (150 g) and boiling water (1 l), insist day; then add soap (4 g) and spray twice at weekly intervals.
Extract of Escherzia used in official medicine. On the basis of preparing antidepressants.
In folk medicine, poppy stalks and leaves are harvested. The plant has a sedative, antispasmodic and analgesic effect.
For incontinent children cook infusions of escholcium, adults can cure insomnia and normalize sleep. 
In addition to bright splendor in flowerbeds and rock gardens, the benefits of escholtia are also obvious for health. It can be said that the plant is a dream of a summer resident visiting the site on a daily basis. Not only is it not demanding to care, its seeds retain the quality of germination for three years.
