Gypsophila dreamy, or swingy dreamy - a perennial herb from the family of cloves. People often call it tumbleweed, because in the process of growth the flower forms a ball, and when it matures, the dry stem breaks off and the wind carries a spherical bush across the field. This is how the plant self-sowing occurs. Because of its elegant form, the flower fell in love with gardeners, and they use it in landscape compositions. How to grow a plant on your own, we will tell further.
Botanical description
The flower of gypsophila forms a bush with a height of 60-100 centimeters. Its stems begin to branch near the ground, and a powerful root system goes into the ground. Leaves are whitish, thin and elongated, 2-7 centimeters long, and 3-10 millimeters wide.
The foliage that grows from the bottom of the stem fades quite early. Small white flowers form a loose whisk. The plant blooms in June-July, and the seeds ripen by August. They are in a round small box with a diameter of about two millimeters.
Did you know? The Latin name of the genus is Hyphosphilus, Gypsóphila, comes from the merger of two words "gypsos" ("gypsum") and "philios" ("loving"). The literal translation is "loving gypsum".
Spread
Swing dreamy - steppe plant native to the Mediterranean coast. Occurs in steppes, on the edges of pine forests, on dry meadows. Prefers sandy and limestone soil. The area of growth is limited to the black earth strip. North of the gypsophila can grow only if the seed will bring wind.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of the plant has not been studied, since it is used very rarely in medicine. Scientists only know that Kachim contains many saponins (nitrogen-free organic compounds) in its roots.
As well as the blizzard gypsophila, the number of perennials that bloom all summer also includes: pansies, astilbe, astrantia, army, gladiolus, cornflower, silverweed, clematis, large-flowered flax and oak sage.
Use gypsophila
Gypsophila has found wide application not only in horticulture, but also in the economy. More details below. 
In medicine
As a medicinal plant, gypsophilia is now used in traditional medicine. It has an antimicrobial, expectorant, analgesic effect. From it, prepare infusions of water and take them for colds, inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Raw materials for infusions can be dried roots, stems, leaves, flowers. All raw materials undergo rapid drying to preserve saponins.
Important! The saponins contained in the plant are poisonous. Therefore, the treatment should strictly observe the prescribed dosage, otherwise nausea, vomiting, and headaches may occur.
For business purposes
Kachima roots are used to wash sheep wool and wash wool fabrics. The stems of the plant scare away flies well and you can get a soap substitute from them. It is enough to chop the plant thoroughly - and in combination with water it will give a lot of foam. 
Gypsophila has such a strong root system that it can keep the sand from moving. Because of this, it is actively used in agriculture to strengthen the soil.
In floristics
Dreamy gypsophila divorced as an ornamental plant. It is also often used to create bouquets.
How to paint a baby's breath
While the plant is in the ground, it is almost impossible to paint it. Uncut flower can be painted only if it grows in your pot or flowerpot. When you water it with food dye, moisture gets into the flower, and does not spread throughout the soil.
Did you know? Kachim is sometimes used in cooking for the preparation of effervescent beverages and halva.
If you want to use gypsophila to create flower arrangements, then change its color easily. To do this, you need to prepare food dyes or special colors for flowers, a glass vase or a jar and water. 
- Dilute the dye in water.
- The flower stems are pruned at an angle of 45 degrees, cutting off three inches from the bottom.
- Ready flower is placed in the stained water for a day. To make the painting process faster, we put the flower in a warm, illuminated place with low air humidity.
- If you want to get a multi-colored flower, then its stem should be cut lengthwise into several parts and put each part in a vase with a certain dye.
- When the dyeing process occurs, wash the stems and place them in a vase of clean water.
Growing at home
Gypsophila attracts gardeners not only with elegance, but also ease of care. About the intricacies of plant breeding will tell below.
Reproduction and planting
We dreamy - a perennial plant, so it multiplies seeds, seedlings, cuttings and grafting. 
Also your perennial plants such as a snowdrop, trillium, garden geranium, dye dyer, carpentery, agapanthus, sanguinaria, alpine aster, atsidanthera, small-scalestone and penstemon will beautifully decorate your plot.
Seed in the open ground
It is possible to plant seeds in open ground with the arrival of spring or late autumn. Seed collection takes place in September. Seed material must be dried, and only then stored for storage.
- In order to sow the seeds, it is necessary to prepare the breeding beds.
- The first shoots appear after 10 days. At this time, it is necessary to thin the beds, leaving 10 centimeters between the seedlings.
- A week later, the young flowers are fed with fertilizers.
- With the arrival of autumn or spring, depending on when the crops were made, the young stock is transplanted to a permanent place. Here we must take into account that there should be no more than three bushes per square meter, since they have a very developed root system.
Video: sowing gypsophila in open ground
A plant grown from seeds will only bloom in a year or two.
Seedlings
Planting seeds for seedlings produced in April.
- Preparing the soil. You can take the purchase or garden. Purchase soil must be mixed with garden sand and lime.
- We sprinkle the prepared earth on rassadny cells. Do not tamp.
- Moisturize the soil and spread seeds on its surface. Sprinkle with sand.
- Covering drawers with glass or transparent lid.
- In a couple of days, young shoots will spawn. Foliage will be formed in 15-20 days.
- After 14 days, seedlings should be thinned, leaving a distance of 15 centimeters between them.
- When the root system of the plant completely fills the seedling cell, the flower is transplanted to a permanent place (2-3 shrubs per square meter).
Important! Seedlings watered when the soil dries. The root system should not be overly hydrated.
Cuttings
Harvesting cuttings begins in spring, until the inflorescences have formed on the plant. They take root very badly, so they require special care. Harvested stalk planted in the ground, delving into it by two centimeters.
In order for the rooting process to go faster, it is necessary to create favorable conditions. The temperature should be about 20 degrees, and the humidity - high. For this, a greenhouse is constructed or the stalk is covered with a can.
It is also desirable that at the time of planting the plant daylight already lasted about 12 hours. But direct sunlight should not fall on the cuttings, a light shadow is created above them. Before planting, the cuttings can be treated with a solution to accelerate growth. 
Soil and fertilizer
The best soil for gypsophila is loamy or sandy with a high content of lime and necessarily loose. The flower does not like sour soils. To keep the acidity in the norm, it is necessary to make ash or dolomite flour every year. Also, the soil should be drained.
It will be useful for you to read about what types of soil exist, how to independently determine the acidity of the soil, and also how to deoxidize the soil on your plot.
With enough sun and heat, the flower does not need additional feeding. In other cases, you must make humus (up to 10 kg per square meter), mineral fertilizers.
Watering and moisture
Only young plants need abundant watering. The rest is watered as it dries. In arid hot time, you also need to increase the amount of water poured under the root of the plant. The main thing - do not allow waterlogging. 
Kachim used to grow in arid regions, so the increased humidity also does not benefit him.
Loosening and mulching
In loosening the soil, it does not need. The powerful root system of the plant will not allow the weed to grow nearby. Mulch need only in preparation for the winter. For this, foliage or peat is used.
We advise you to read why you need soil mulching.
Preparing for the winter
Gypsophila refers to frost-resistant colors. But in preparation for the frosty period still needs. When the plant blooms, cut the shrub at a height of several centimeters from the roots. Cover the remaining stem with dry leaves or fir branches.
Important! The cut stem of the bush should be dry, so do not water the plant the day before.
Pests and diseases
The bush is attacking such mushrooms:
- Rhizoctoni genus. They appear as wet rot on a stalk near the surface of the earth.
- Rod Pythium. Causes root decay even in dry seasons.
- Sclerotinia. Manifested by white mold or black patches inside the stem.
- Genus alternaria. In spring and autumn, the plant is colored brown in color due to them.
- The genus oidium. Manifested by powder spots.
You need to fight mushrooms with the help of fungicides ("Topaz", "Gamair", "Fundazol"). Their solution is watered with a bush when the disease is manifested. For prophylaxis, spray the same substance. For example, "Gamair" is first diluted in a small amount of water and then the solution is brought to the desired volume.
You must take 2 tablets per 10 liters of water per 10 square meters of cultivated area. This concentration is suitable for irrigation. Spray need a solution of two tablets, diluted in a liter of water. If fungi and bacteria are prevented, the dose is halved.
Insects attacking the bush:
- Mining mole. It gnaws tunnels in the stems and holes in the foliage.
- Spodoptera littoralis (African cotton leaf worm). Its larvae destroy foliage and stems.
Pest control and prevention is carried out with the help of fungicides and pesticides ("Rogor-S", "Bi-58"). "Rogorom" process plants during the growing season. He divorced at the rate of 0.5-0.9 l / ha, spend two treatments per season.
As you can see, gypsophila is a very beautiful and delicate plant. It will give airiness to your garden plot, they are well decorated with alleys and curbs, and at the same time, it can be of practical use to you, helping to strengthen the soil in the garden plot.
