This southern beauty has long ceased to be the property of only residents of African regions, proving a great ability to grow in any climate. Even in areas of the middle band, the plant blooms no less magnificently than in its homeland. These luxurious flowers look great in bouquets, as well as in a flowerbed or in pots. And not only the beauty of scabiosi pleases flower growers, but also the simplicity of planting and caring for it, which even beginners can do.
When growing this flower, it can be cultivated as a perennial plant. However, most often growers prefer to multiply it, which allows you to maintain the purity of the variety and excellent flowering for a long time.
Sowing seeds directly in open ground
Scabiosa is a fairly resistant flower and allows use several methods of growing from seed: by planting on seedlings or directly into open ground.
Did you know? Scabiosa was first described by an Australian botanist and mountaineer. After some time he had followers who discovered several more varieties of this wonderful flower.
Optimal timing
In open ground, seeds of scabiosa are sown in spring - in early April.
Choosing a landing site
Since this flower has southern roots, it will suit an open, sunny place. In this case, the soil must also be approached carefully. The optimal soil for planting is lime, rich in various nutrients.
Seed method also propagated: streptocarpus, marjoram, petunia, clematis, chrysanthemum, pansies, magnolia.
Sowing depth and pattern
All perennial scabiosa is cultivated according to the same technology: seeds are laid out on moist soil at a sufficient distance and sprinkled with a layer (8-10 mm) of sand or compost. To create a mini-greenhouse, seedlings are covered with a film on top.
Wherein pritenyat seedlings can not, and at a sufficiently high temperature, the film can be removed for several hours.
After a couple of weeks, the seedlings will germinate, they can be thinned out, leaving 25 cm between the plants.
Important! You can not plant scabiosi on acidic soils - it will die.
Combination with other plants
This southern beauty is distinguished by erect or branched stems growing to a meter, its inflorescences are collected in dense bunches. Decorative they are combined with almost all plants. After all, many species are bred with a wide range of colorings.
The flowering of this plant leaves no one indifferent, and with the right combination, you can get a bed of fabulous beauty:
- White and blue flowers look great with seaside lobularia.
- Violet species are combined with paniculate phlox, catnies, and nivyanik.
- By flavor, scabiosa can be combined with gypsophila, asters, yarrow, iris.
Care Tips
Anyone who knows what scabs looks like is interested in the question: is it not difficult to care for it? Experienced gardeners claim: care for this beauty not difficultbecause this flower is pretty unpretentious.
Watering, weeding and loosening
Scabiosa is a drought resistant plant. Therefore, watering should be moderate. The top layer in the interval between irrigation should dry out.
Important! Excessive watering can be detrimental to the roots: they will begin to rot, leading to the death of the flower.
In addition, the soil around the flower should always be loose and free from weeds.
Fertilization
Although scabiosa is not too demanding on the soil, before it is planted, the land is fertilized with manure (a bucket of 1 square meter).
After the development of the root system, the plant must also be fertilized throughout the season. To do this, use liquid fertilizer for perennial plants (20 g per 1 sq. Meter).
Scabiosa perfectly respond to the introduction of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: potassium sulfate, superphosphate, potassium salt, potassium nitrate.
Pruning
In order for the flower to please its beauty until the fall, it is periodically necessary cut off the flowering buds. This will also help prevent plant self-reproduction.
Fight against diseases and pests
These flowers are immune to various pests, but they can be affected by fungal diseases and powdery mildew. To get rid of them reduce watering and apply special chemicals ("Topaz", "Tilt EC").
Did you know? Perennial species of scabiosa can be replanted at any time, even during active flowering.
Collecting and storing seeds
Scabiosa seeds are harvested when fully ripe, in the fall.
Seed material retains its germination for three years. At the same time, if you stratify, the germination rate will be much higher. In the fall, the collected seeds are placed in a cloth (preferably cotton), buried in moist sand and stored in a refrigerator or cellar. So the seeds are kept until planting.
Wintering
For this flower no snow at low temperatures undesirable. Therefore, the ground around the plant for the winter harbor. To do this, use mulch from leaves or large branches.
In some cases, the plant is dug out in the fall and kept indoors, and in April it is planted on the site again.
Other breeding methods
Seed method is not the only one that can grow scabiosi. This can be done using seedlings or by dividing rhizomes.
Through seedlings
When it is time to sow scabiosi, and the air and the soil are not heated enough, reproduction through seedlings will be a salutary option for you.
Seedlings can also be propagated: Shabo cloves, Turkish carnation, Levkoy, Clarky, fragrant tobacco, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, kale cabbage, white cabbage and Savoy.
In February or early March, a container with soil is prepared and seeds are planted there. After that, the container is covered with a film or glass, put in any room in which the temperature will not be below + 15 ° C. Seedlings watered regularly and "air" (at least 60 minutes a day).
After the first shoots appear on the seedlings, the shelter is removed. And after the appearance of the first leaves, the seedlings can be swooped into separate containers.
In the open, seedlings are planted at the beginning of May, leaving a distance of 20 cm between the flowers. Transplanting should be done along with the earthy clod and then watered abundantly.
Division of rhizomes
Some types of scabiosity can be propagated by dividing the roots. For this spring carefully dig up the roots, trying not to damage the rhizome.
Gorgeous scabiosa with proper planting and care will long delight gardeners in an open area and will serve as a wonderful decoration for any bouquet.
