ATSIDANTERA (SWEET-SCENTED GLADIOLUS): PLANTING AND CARE IN THE OPEN FIELD, PHOTO

Flowers are considered an authentic decoration of any cottage. Fortunately, there are no problems with the assortment - the stores offer a huge variety of varieties. However, the advantage is given to spectacular, but at the same time unpretentious species.

Consider what is remarkable popular atsidanthera and what kind of flower.

Description and photo

This perennial plant has come to us from tropical regions of Africa. The natural habitat is rocky slopes.

It has a fairly high (1-1.2 m) and slender-looking peduncle, which is surrounded by two xiphoidal sheets with sharp tips, they can reach 55-60 cm in length. These shoots are very soft to the touch, and plasticity only underlines their decorative effect throughout the season. The root system is represented by a small (4-6 cm in diameter) corm of a rounded shape. It is tightly covered with a shell in the form of a brown mesh.

Inflorescence in the form of a small spikelet can "throw out" up to a dozen flowers. The flowering period is in August - September (depending on the timing of planting). At this time, the aciduria of the line Muriela pleases the eye with white flowers with a diameter of 5-12 cm. Bordered with six sharp petals, they may have a dark purple or black color in the center (this option is less common).

Important! Do not rush to buy bulbs brought from abroad. In a more temperate climate, the bulba, accustomed to warmth, may simply not be adopted.

During flowering, you can catch a pleasant sweet smell emanating from the open flowers. This “amber” is not too strong, and more intense aromas emanating from neighboring plants can “kill” it.

Autumn is the time of fruiting. Flowers gradually fading form oblong seed pods. They can be used to collect planting material.

Types and varieties

Novice flower growers are often confused in the names of externally similar species and varieties. In the case of this perennial complexity adds more confusion in the catalogs of shops and nurseries. Let's try to bring some clarity.

Seeing the price tag in the store, indicating that there is an atsidanter in front of you Murielae varietieskeep in mind - this is a general name that applies to all flowers of this type.

But this is the old name. The last 15 years, the plant is officially listed as gladiolus. Muriel. The former “name” of the fragrant flower remains in the course, which creates some difficulties in choosing. In the people he is also known as a fragrant (or fragrant) gladiolus, some call him a sword. It happens that these simple names help to explain to the seller what you need.

Did you know? In ancient Rome, magical properties were attributed to gladiolus, the gladiators considered it to be their flower: they used the gladiolus root as an amulet and carried it on their chests. It was believed that he always brings victory.

Having dealt with the "pedigree", go to the very varieties. In total, there are about 40, but not all take root in our area. Most often on the sites you can see the "representatives" of such lines:

Two-tone, "classic" atsidantera with large flowers, in the center of which there is a black and red spot. This is a kind of standard, with proper care can "give out" flowers with a diameter of 10-12 cm.

Bicolor with different design of the "core" (mostly dark overflows).

Short tubular. From the name it is clear that the flowers are placed on a small tube. Their distinguishing feature is the deep purple color.

Tropical. It is distinguished by bilateral inflorescence on 5 (maximum 6) flowers. The main white background is "diluted" interspersed with crimson spots.

All of them are united by one thing - appearance as if combines modesty and visual effect. This was the key to the popularity of the plant. Other factors contributing to it were simple procedures for planting and further caring for a young acidant who grew up in open ground.

Landing

It is divided into two stages - preliminary (for quenching) and the main. This combination allows you to get strong and durable seedlings.

Important! Excess moisture invariably attracts slugs. Moreover, the rainy, gloomy and cold summer flowering can not wait.

"Pot" planting for better germination is usually done like this:

In early March, pots with a diameter of 13-15 cm are taken.
Substrate is poured into them (an "orchid" from the store will do).
The bulbs are placed at a depth of 3-4 cm and sprinkled with soil. The number of seedlings depends on their size. It is advisable to take one per pot, although many place 5-6 small onions in a 15-centimeter container or 3 large ones.
Then everything is as usual. The pot is placed on a well-lit window sill. As soon as the substrate begins to dry, the seedlings are immediately watered. In April, as warming occurs, the pots are carried out to the loggia or greenhouse.

When the frosts recede completely (usually this is the month of May), Muriel is transferred to open ground:

First, a well-lit place is selected. If this is not possible - it does not matter, and partial shade will do. As for the soil, the flower is well taken on almost any soil (except perhaps the heavy "clay").
Dug holes of 8-12 cm each. Focus on the size of a particular sapling. The "gap" between the holes also depends on these parameters - the minimum interval is at least 12 cm, while between large bulbs 15-20 cm are left.

Did you know? In the Middle Ages, gladiolus corm flour was added when baking bread.

Having moistened "seat", you can fall asleep there a little river sand. The bulb is placed in the hole and sprinkled with earth, after which abundant watering is immediately carried out.

As you can see, atsidantera is simple in terms of planting, to match it and further cultivation.

Care

Unpretentious plant requires ordinary, but at the same time, and constant care. These procedures are capable of every thing that you are now and see.

Regular watering

Despite its African origin, perennial needs frequent watering. Humidification is carried out continuously, the soil should not dry out (otherwise the bulba will instantly dry out).

In the hot summer, a plant takes 2-3 buckets a week, one for each set. On the other hand, the overmoistening of the rhizome is undesirable. With the beginning of flowering, the volume of watering is slightly reduced, which is good for the appearance of the flowers that have appeared (the dark tones that are present in the color become more saturated).

Mulching helps to retain moisture during the growing season. In the course are "powder" of cut grass, peat or crushed humus. True, you need to be careful with the latter - too much of a dose can "burn out" the onion.

Loosening and weeding

After each watering, the soil near the flower is necessarily loosened, so that the rhizome gets the necessary portion of air.

Of the tools for such a procedure would be better suited trident sap - so safer. It happens that, without having calculated the strength, some owners damage the peduncle with a chopper, or even reach the “bulba” itself. With accurate work "trident" is excluded.

Important! Constructing an alpine slide, some planted purple aconite next to fragrant gladioli. It looks beautiful, but many species of this plant are poisonous. It is impossible to use for decoration such a "wild game" collected from the nearest field!

Weeding is done as needed. It is advisable to remove the barely appeared weed, without waiting for it to chase growth. If you miss the moment, the inflorescences will be sluggish, with small flowers.

Top dressing

The scented “inhabitant” of the site, which looks like the most common gladiolus, requires regular fertilization.

Top dressing is carried out once every 2 weeks (for "difficult" soils "the break is reduced to 10 days) and combined with the next watering.

For such purposes, take complex mineral compounds like nitroammofoski. Before making, pay attention to the composition of the purchased product - if it contains a large amount of ammonia compounds, then the spike and leaves will grow, while the flowers will turn out to be medium.

Protection against diseases and pests

Atsidantera has a good immunity, but do not forget about such factors as "neighborhood" with other cultures. It is from there that various sores and parasites become infected.

Most often perennials bake such ailments:

Mealy dew. To combat it use potassium permanganate - 2.5 g per 10 liters of water. After the first spraying, do 1-2 control (with an interval of 5 days). If it does not help - in 5 liters of hot water add soda ash (25 g) and liquid soap (5 g). They process not only the plant, but also the soil, in 2-3 doses with a week break.
Root rot. It is dangerous because with the slightest delay the plant will have to be thrown away (this is typical of all species with bulbous roots). Prevention is important here - before planting, the bulbs are placed in plastic containers and powdered with dry fungicides. There they are stored in a dry place until the landing.

Did you know? In the XVII-XVIII centuries, gladioli were used as a medicine for toothache and as a milky agent for nursing mothers.

Rust and mosaic damage. A painful “ornament” that has just appeared can be eliminated with a solution of colloidal sulfur (25 g / 10 l). For the best effect, the treatment is repeated three times, after waiting a week.

Among the "opponents" are listed such pests:

Aphid. It does not tolerate the action of insecticides of the type "Aktellika" and "Tanreka." Ampoules in 2 ml enough for 2 liters of water. If there are too many insects, the same capacity is taken for 1 liter. Allowed one (maximum two) processing.
Thrips. The drugs are the same as against aphids, but a strong "Decis" also helps a lot. 0.1 g / 10 l - and the problem is solved, small midges will begin to die in literally 5 minutes. Note the duration of the drug (15 days).
Slugs After treatment with similar means, they are unlikely to appear on the peduncle. As a preventive measure, it is advised to collect them from growing crops nearby.

Breeding

Two main methods are used. They are well known to all flower growers, but there are still some points that are worth mentioning separately.

Seeds

This method with all its simplicity is used quite rarely. The fact is that sprouted seeds reach the stage of flowering only in the third season after planting in open ground. For some, it takes only 2 years (but this is rare even on well-groomed soil).

If such difficulties do not frighten, and time is available with prosperity, the whole procedure is done according to the following algorithm:

since autumn, seeds are selected from the boxes, which are stored in a dry, darkened place;
in early February, a box under crop is taken in which the prepared substrate is poured;

Important! A sharp transition from a cool spring to a dry summer provokes the appearance of root rot. In regions with such weather conditions, acididers need special care.

the seeds are laid out in this box and pressed into a depth of 0.5-1 cm. You can not press, but simply sprinkle with a layer of earth of the same thickness;
Watch the temperature, it should be at least +20 ° C.

The first time the crops are moistened by spraying, and only then you can gently water the seedlings. By the way, it will also have to be dived, while placing it in different pots or right into the ground.

After the main landing, the rhizome is dug up and sent to hibernate in order to re-plant small bulbs in the spring. A year later, this work is repeated, and only then you can wait for flowers.

Not everyone is satisfied with such a long wait, and then they resort to another, more rapid method of reproduction.

Bulbs

The ripe onions dug out in the fall dry. They have kids that have to be separated. Select the most healthy "offspring" with a smooth, not parched skin.

One and a half weeks before planting, the scales are carefully removed and the baby is moistened in warm water (up to +35 ° C) during the day. This is followed by germination in the soil with admixtures of pure sand and peat at + 22 ... +25 ° C.

Did you know? Currently, a large amount of vitamin C has been found in gladioli. Petals of black and red gladioli are included in some medicinal fees that enhance human immunity.

Landing is carried out already on the heated earth in the hole. At the bottom of the pits fall asleep 1 cm of river sand, and then pour a solution of copper sulfate or permanganate (1 g / 10 l). Children are laid out at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other. The gap between the holes is the same as for mature bulbs.

Leaves should be repulsed in a month.

We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of bulb flowers that will decorate your flower bed: crocuses, irises, muscari, freesia, narcissus, tulip, lily, gladiolus, autumn crocus and snowdrop.

Preparing for the winter

Many are interested, and when is it possible to dig out such a delicate flower as an acidaler. Everything is traditional here: the rhizome is extracted with the first frosts.

But up to this point it is worth remembering a few simple nuances. The first concerns watering, which is gradually reduced after flowering. Do not forget about fertilizers - after the flowers have faded, their introduction is prohibited.

On the eve of frosts, the stem is cut to the level of the lower leaves, which for the time being have to be left. And only after that the plant is dug. Immediately removed the earth and the growing roots, and the children are separated from the bulbs and the stem itself.

Acidanter, as we already know, is not too whimsical, and this quality also applies to storage in winter.

Important! Long before planting (even during the autumn digging), check the soil for the presence of larvae of Khrushchev and Medvedka. Even if there are only a couple of them, they still pose a threat to flowers.

The first 2-4 weeks after this treatment, the bulbs are kept in a ventilated room at + 20 ... +22 ° C. After a month, the coarse "crust" is removed, and the onion itself is placed in a not too dense paper bag or napkins, in which it will "overwinter" (at a temperature of about +15 ° C).

Atsidantera in landscape design

Beautiful perennial is often used as an element of site design. A plant with a high stem will perfectly fit into such variants of a decorative landscape:

Alpine slide. This is an ideal option for a flower that grows in a “wild” form on a rocky plateau.

Alpine slides are often decorated with such flowers and plants: alpine aster, mimulus, lumbago, hionodoksom, young, purslane, basilus, juniper, armeria and foxtail foxtail.

Saturated flowerbed. If such an array is planned to be rounded in shape, the acidanter is planted closer to the center, which enhances the effect of the “living pyramid”.

"Framing" of an artificial reservoir. High "leg", coupled with the characteristic leaves causes persistent associations with reed, but at the expense of color looks much more profitable.