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Planting and caring for limonium ((Limonium) - universal, do not differ in complex agricultural technology, the plant has several names: statice, kermek. The plant belongs to the Pig family, which has more than 350 different species. In its natural habitat, the culture can be found on all continents. For decorative purposes, limonium has been cultivated since the 17th century.The name of the plant translates as "persistent", "unyielding".
The culture is called white Tatar lemongrass, immortelle, sea lavender, marsh rosemary
Full description of limonium
You can see the features of the plant in the photo. The description of the statice flower gives a general idea of the subshrub perennial herbaceous culture.
Limonium has the following characteristics:
- a large rosette of basal leaf plates;
- erect shoots, leafless, densely pubescent;
- the height of the shoots is from 30 cm to 90 cm;
- inflorescences are spike-shaped, panicle or corymbose;
- flowers are small, five-membered;
- the color of the cups of flowers is white, yellow, salmon, crimson, blue, violet, pink, purple.
Types and varieties of statice
The widest variety of species and varieties of limonium can be divided into two main groups:
- annuals;
- perennial.
Different varieties differ not only in the size and shape of the leaf rosettes, but also in the tint characteristics of the inflorescences. In the photo of limonium flowers, you can see the widest range of shades.
Blossoming of limonium flowers begins in July and lasts until the onset of autumn frosts.
Suvorov
The limonium suworowii variety is popularly called the plantain flower (Psylliostachys suworowii). This is an extravagant annual, which is characterized by a pink or pink-lilac shade of small flowers that make up the spike-shaped inflorescences. The height of the peduncles is from 40 to 70 cm.
Long, curved spikelets of the Suvorov variety reach a height of 80 cm
Gmelin
The cultivar of the statice Gmelin (Limonium gmelinii) is a typical perennial, which is characterized by a basal rosette of gray-green leaves and a densely pubescent tube with a five-lobed limb, with numerous, blue-violet or lilac-purple flowers collected in spikelets.
The height of the limonium bushes of the Gmelin variety - up to 60 cm
Notched
Kermek notched (Limonium sinuatum) is a classic perennial with pinnate, thin, oblong leaf plates collected in a basal rosette. The foliage is pale green. Dense ears, collected in corymbose or paniculate inflorescences, consist of numerous five-membered flowers with a light yellow or white corolla. The color range of inflorescences from blue-violet, pink, to cream, yellow and pure white. The diameter of individual flowers is up to 10 mm. In their natural habitat, plants grow in the countries of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor.A variety of color varietal mixtures are very popular:
- Variety of decorative limonium Crimean (Crimean) with color of inflorescences of yellow, pink, purple, blue shades.
The height of the peduncles of this variety is 30-80 cm
- Decorative limonium variety Mixed Hybrids with yellow, purple, pink, blue, white inflorescences.
The size of the bushes of this Kermek variety is up to 45 cm
- Ornamental limonium variety Shamo with various shades of orange or salmon.
The height of the Shamo peduncles is 70 cm
- The decorative limonium Fortress is characterized by various shades of white, pink, purple, blue, yellow.
The height of the Fortress bushes - 70-80 cm
- Ornamental limonium of Compendi with pink, blue, blue inflorescences.
The height of peduncles of this variety is up to 50 cm
- Decorative limonium Petit Buquet is presented in delicious shades of cream, white, pink, blue, lilac.
The height of the Petit Buquet bushes up to 30 cm
- The ornamental Blue River limonium variety is distinguished by sky-blue inflorescences.
Height of Blue River shoots up to 50 cm
- Ornamental limonium Lavendel is represented by a delicate lavender shade of small flowers.
The height of the Lavendel bush is up to 80 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Apricot is characterized by pink-orange inflorescences.
Apricot bushes are up to 60 cm high
- The ornamental limonium variety Iceberg is distinguished by the white color of the inflorescences.
Iceberg shoot height up to 75 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Night blue is represented by a dark blue shade of the smallest flowers.
Height of Night blue bushes up to 90 cm
- The decorative limonium varieties American beauty and Rosen schimmer are distinguished by their carmine-pink flowers.
The height of the varieties of bushes is up to 60 cm
Broadleaf
Broad-leaved limonium (Limonium latifolium) is a popular perennial, which is characterized by a large basal rosette of wide leaves. The color of the inflorescences is lilac, lilac. The varieties Violetta with a bright purple tint of flowers and Blue Cloud with lavender inflorescences are especially beautiful.
The height of broad-leaved kermek bushes is usually 60-70 cm
Caspian
Kermek Caspian (Limonium caspium) is a perennial, thermophilic plant with numerous branched stems. Leaves are thin, obovate, small. On each peduncle there are several small, closely spaced, branched shoots in the form of leaves. The color of the inflorescences is pale purple. The original appearance of the Caspian kermek makes the flower a popular component of floristic compositions.
When dry, the color of the inflorescences of the Caspian kermek does not change its color
Tatar Kermek
Tatar kermek (Goniolimon tataricum) is popularly called "rolling stone". The plant prefers thin, scanty, stony, dry soils. The culture is a unique perennial with powerful, branched stems. The height of the bush is no more than 40 cm, its shape is rounded. The scutellum inflorescences are characterized by the white color of individual funnel-shaped small flowers with a scarlet corolla.
The height of the Tatar Kermek bushes reaches 30-50 cm
Kermek Peres
The island, exotic Kermek Perez (Limoniumperezii) is distinguished by large, showy inflorescences. The color of the flowers of the unique variety is bright purple. It is believed that the Canary Islands are the birthplace of Perez's limonium. The variety is attractive not only for landscape designers, but also for florists.
The height of the bushes Kermek Peres - 60 cm
Application in landscape design
Recently, limonium has been overwhelmingly popular among landscape decorators of the local area. The photo shows an example of a flower bed with statice flowers, which delight with abundant budding throughout the summer until late autumn.
Since limonium emits an unpleasant odor during flowering, the plant is not placed near gazebos, benches, air zones, next to the house
Kermek has many advantages for use in landscaping:
- the richest color palette of inflorescences of decorative varieties;
- undemanding to the composition of the soil;
- high resistance to burnout of inflorescences under the influence of sunlight;
- the ability to decorate stone elements;
- they can decorate dry streams;
- the possibility of using a rock garden, alpine slide, rockery for decoration;
- with its help, it will turn out to form undersized mixborders, side framing of the tracks.
Plants such as rudbeckia, calendula, marigolds, sage, gravilat, asters, roses, echinacea, and garden chamomile are harmoniously combined with limonium.
As ideal "neighbors" in the flower garden for tall and medium-tall varieties of statice, one can name ground cover flowering crops: heliantemum, arabis, saxifrage.
Breeding features
Since the root system of Kermek does not tolerate division well, the vegetative method of reproduction is practically not used.
For propagation of limonium, the seed method is used. The main difficulty in reproduction is seed germination. They are covered with a dense, thick, ribbed skin that cannot be peeled.
You can speed up the germination process:
- rub kermek seeds with sandpaper;
- treat with a growth stimulant (Epin);
- germinate for 2-3 days in well-moistened sawdust.
The prepared seeds are placed in a well-moistened, disinfected, loose substrate in separate containers (peat or humus pots, glasses). The seeds are not deepened into the soil, they are sprinkled with earth a little and create a greenhouse effect.
The optimum temperature for growing kermek seedlings is not lower than + 20 ⁰С. Periodically, the shelter is removed, the crops are sprayed. After 2.5-3 weeks, the first shoots appear.
Sowing statice seeds for seedlings in room conditions is carried out in February
Planting kermek in open ground
In open ground, limonium is planted in the form of seedlings or by direct sowing.
Seedlings of decorative kermek are transferred to the ground in spring or early summer (depending on the climatic conditions of the region).
Statice seeds are planted directly into the soil (non-seedling method) in autumn or early spring. Seedless sowing is used exclusively in warm, southern regions with a mild climate, in early spring.
For the central regions of Russia, only the seedling seed propagation method of kermek is used.
Before moving to open ground, seedlings of decorative limonium are hardened for 2-3 weeks.
Recommended timing
After the final end of the season of night spring frosts, limonium seedlings are moved into open ground:
- in the southern regions - in mid-May;
- in the middle zone of the Russian Federation - at the beginning of June.
By the time of transplantation into open ground on the limonium bushes, a rosette of bright green leaves is already sufficiently developed
Site selection and soil preparation
Planting and caring for a statice in the open field does not differ in complex agricultural technology. Limonium is a unique, unpretentious decorative culture.
When choosing a place to place plants, the following factors should be considered:
- illumination, a good level of natural light is needed, since the plant develops slowly in the shade, practically does not bloom;
- soil moisture, the species does not tolerate stagnant water, does not tolerate the close occurrence of groundwater;
- soil requirements - sandy loam, loamy, neutral, alkaline, loose, well-drained with sand.
To grow a compact statice bush, you can plant the plant in poor, depleted soil. In fertile, well-fertilized soil, limonium bushes grow well, branch.
A persistent statice is not afraid of drafts
Planting seedlings in the ground
In open ground, individual bushes of seedlings are moved along with a lump of earth.When transplanting, it should be remembered that the root system of the statice is fragile and fragile.
Algorithm for moving seedlings:
- planting holes are formed at a distance of up to 30 cm from each other;
- a small amount of complex mineral fertilizers is placed at the bottom of the planting hole;
- the seedlings are taken out of the cups along with a lump of earth;
- the plants are carefully moved into the planting holes, while the root collar should be located at the same level with the ground;
- the bushes are sprinkled with earth and moistened with salted water (for 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp. l. table salt).
Move the seedlings into open ground carefully, using the transfer method, so as not to damage the fragile root system.
When and how to sow statice
The rules for direct sowing of statice seeds in open ground are extremely simple. Kermek seeds can be sown in autumn (before winter) or early spring. Sowing a plant in spring is characterized by a risk of damaging seedlings during frosts.
Direct sowing of limonium seeds carries risks
Rules for growing statice in the open field
In the open field, the statice can grow and develop without the participation of a gardener. The main care for decorative limonium is the classic agricultural technique:
- rare watering;
- watering with salted water 2 times during the summer season;
- loosening the soil;
- weed removal;
- top dressing.
Ornamental statice varieties are a suitable plant for those gardeners who have the opportunity to care for the beds once a week
Watering and feeding schedule
Limonium is a drought-resistant crop that does not need additional watering. For statice bushes, natural moisture is sufficient during the rainy season.
Twice during the summer season, the plant needs additional salt watering (at the rate of 1 tbsp. L. Water per 10 l of water).
The plant needs delicate irrigation with warm, settled water. Watering is carried out in the evening. For one limonium bush, 300-400 ml of water is enough.
Limonium is an unpretentious plant that practically does not need special feeding. The introduction of mineral fertilizers enhances the flowering intensity. Feeding with complex mineral compositions is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 1 week after moving the seedlings into open ground;
- subsequently - once a month.
- no feeding has been done since September.
If limonium leaves begin to lose turgor, plants need additional watering.
Weeding and loosening
Loosening around the limonium bushes is carried out regularly. At the same time, weeds are removed.
Loosening the soil around the kermek bushes improves the oxygen supply to the roots
Features of growing statice in a greenhouse
In greenhouse conditions, the statice is grown for seedlings. The prepared seeds are planted in greenhouse soil in March-April. In late May or early June, mature greenhouse seedlings are moved into open ground.
For the constant cultivation of limonium for cutting in a greenhouse, classical agricultural techniques should be followed:
- periodic, gentle watering;
- loosening the soil and removing weeds;
- fertilization with complex fertilizers for flowering plants.
In greenhouse conditions, statice is grown for cutting to form bouquets
Growing statice for cutting
Decorative, luxurious varieties of statice are grown for cutting. The uniqueness of limonium lies in the fact that cut branches retain their attractive appearance for up to 6 months. The following varieties look most exquisite in bouquets:
- Ornamental variety Twinkle. The height of the stems with corymbose inflorescences is up to 80 cm.
Variety Shimmer is distinguished by the radiance of bright, saturated colors
- Decorative statice German (German) with a snow-white cloud of inflorescences. In the central part of the white flowers there are graceful burgundy stars. The height of the bushes is up to 40 cm.
Statice Germanis - a popular perennial with snow-white inflorescences
- Statice Supreme (Supreme) pink has powerful, erect stems with pale pink inflorescences of the shade of an ash rose.
The height of the bushes of the Supreme pink variety is up to 75 cm
- Statice Blue is characterized by a rich blue color of bright inflorescences.
Dark blue flowers-stars of the variety resemble stars in the night sky
Preparing for winter
Some varieties of kermek can withstand temperatures as low as -30 ⁰С. Before wintering, the leaves of frost-resistant limonium turn yellow and dry out. After the onset of the first frost, the stems and leaves are cut to ground level, the bushes are covered with brushwood, leaves, needles, straw.
Heat-loving limonium varieties do not tolerate low temperatures. In the fall, the bushes are dug up.
Cut inflorescences of Kermek can be used to make dry decorative bouquets, since dried flowers do not lose their beauty and attractiveness
Why limonium does not bloom, what to do
Perennial limonium varieties begin to bloom only 1-2 years after planting in the ground. In order for Kermek to please with spectacular flowering, favorable conditions should be created:
- placement of bushes in open, well-lit areas;
- location of the species in alkaline, neutral, loose soil;
- lack of shading elements;
- consistently warm, sunny weather.
Plants with a well-developed root system are characterized by active flowering.
Diseases and pests
Kermek is a resistant crop with stable immunity to pathogens of fungal diseases and pests. Sometimes decorative limonium can become infected with the following ailments:
- Botrytis gray is manifested by mildew spots on the sheet plates. Disease spores multiply rapidly in humid conditions.
When the first signs of gray botrytis are found, the kermek bushes must be treated with a solution of fungicides
- Powdery mildew manifested by the presence of a characteristic white bloom on the leaves.
Sulfur preparations are the most relevant remedy for combating fungal white mold
- Aphid - the main pest attacking plantings of decorative kermek. Insects settle in large colonies, sucking juices from stems and inflorescences.
As a means of combating aphids, the treatment of bushes with soap or alcohol solution, modern insecticides is used
Conclusion
Planting and caring for limonium is distinguished by simple agricultural techniques. Decorative kermek varieties are not only a spectacular decoration of the local area. Flowering shoots of statice are widely used to create magnificent floristic compositions and bouquets. In bouquets, limonium inflorescences are in perfect harmony with roses, freesias, lisianthus, ranunculus, chrysanthemums, eucalyptus, agapanthus, lavender, mattiola, tulips, snapdragon, oregano, ornamental onions.
