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Fischer's aconite (lat. Aconitum fischeri) is also called fighter, since it belongs to the species of the same name in the Ranunculaceae family. This herbaceous perennial has been cultivated for almost 2 centuries. The wrestler is valued not only for its decorative properties, but also for its healing properties.
Description of Fisher's aconite
In nature, Fischer's aconite prefers coastal forests and is often found in large groups in clearings. Under natural conditions, the species grows in the Russian Far East, China and Korea. Main characteristics of the perennial:
- height 1-1.5 m;
- erect, bare stems, strong and round;
- the top may be wriggling;
- the inflorescence sometimes has barely noticeable pubescence;
- practical conical tubers;
- diameter of basal leaves up to 8 cm;
- the flowers form a loose cluster, the color is bright blue, less often white;
- the size of the upper deeply palmately incised leaves is up to 4 cm, they have 5-7 lobes 3-4 cm wide, the edges are coarsely and sharply serrated;
- flowers with arched long lower pedicels and shortened close upper pedicels;
- the diameter of the middle thin and unequal perianth lobes is 1.5 cm, the length of the lower unequal and lanceolate lobes is 1.4 cm, and the width is up to 0.5 cm;
- stamens are bare, expanding from the middle;
- nectaries are up to 0.8 cm long, up to 0.5 cm wide, have a widely swollen plastic, a short capitate spur and an upwardly curved lip;
- 3 bare ovaries, there is slight pubescence on the ventral side;
- flowering occurs in July-September;
- development of additional tubers by autumn.
Fischer's aconite has good frost resistance - the plant can withstand temperatures down to -34 °C
The wrestler is highly poisonous. This is mainly due to the aconitine in the composition, only 3-4 mg of which is a lethal dose for humans. The action of the substance leads to depression of the nervous system and respiratory paralysis. This is what causes death.
Along with the strong toxicity of Fischer's aconite, there are its healing properties. The plant helps with many diseases, which is actively used in oriental medicine.
Application in landscape design
Fischer's aconite blooms beautifully and is attractive with dense and shiny dark green foliage. All this makes the plant popular in landscape design. It can be planted under trees or to fill the space between bushes.
Wrestler is a tall plant, so it is effective to place it along various buildings and fences.
Fischer's aconite can be a beautiful background or camouflage
The wrestler looks good on his own. Its neighbors can be:
- aquilegia;
- astilbe;
- delphiniums;
- goldenrod;
- irises;
- lilies;
- peonies;
- rudbeckia.
Fischer's aconite looks good against a background of greenery and trees
The plant can be planted in flower beds, borders, mixborders, it looks good on the lawn.
Fischer's aconite looks impressive in small individual groups
Features of reproduction
Fischer's aconite is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings, and tubers. In the first case, the material can be purchased or prepared independently.
It is recommended to divide the Fischer bush every 4 years in the spring. This is important for renewing the plant and preserving its decorative properties. The algorithm is simple:
- Dig up the selected bush.
- Carefully separate part of the plant along with the roots. The seedling must have at least 3 buds.
- Plant the separated fragment in a pre-prepared hole.
- Fill the free space with soil and compact it.
- Water the new bush and mulch it.
Young shoots of aconite are used for cuttings. Their length should be a maximum of 15 cm. Cuttings are cut in early May, then germinated in a mini-greenhouse. They are moved into open ground after the leaves appear.
Aconite is propagated by tubers in the fall. First, they are germinated to produce buds. Then the tubers are divided and placed in holes in 2-3 fragments. Growth buds should remain on the surface.
Planting and care
Fischer's aconite is attractive for its unpretentiousness. It has minimal requirements for the landing site, and care involves standard measures.
Recommended timing
Seeds of Fischer's wrestler are planted in spring or before winter. In the first case, the material is first hardened off, then seedlings are grown, and in the fall they are transferred to a permanent place. When sowing in winter, the seeds are prepared naturally and germinate together in the spring.
Site selection and soil preparation
Fischer's aconite feels good both in the sun and in a shaded place. The site for this plant must meet the following requirements:
- the soil is light and loose;
- loam or sandy loam is recommended;
- remoteness of groundwater;
- good drainage.
The landing site must be prepared in advance. They do this in the spring.The selected area needs to be dug up, all weeds removed, peat and organic matter added. Preparation should be carried out when the earth has already warmed up.
If the soil is dense, then sand, sawdust, and peat should be added. Drainage is required.
When planting Fischer aconite with seeds, the material is not buried in the soil, but distributed over its surface. Fine sand is poured on top.
Landing algorithm
Planting a plant is easy:
- Prepare the area.
- Make planting holes at a distance of 0.7 m. They should be slightly larger in size than the root system.
- Organize drainage at the bottom. For this, it is good to use expanded clay and large pebbles.
- Apply mineral fertilizers or compost.
- Carefully place the plants in the planting holes, deepening the root collars by 2 cm.
- Fill the free space with soil and compact it.
After planting, Fischer's aconite should be watered and mulched abundantly.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Flower culture does not like excess moisture. It requires additional watering only in hot weather and drought. In this weather, it is enough to moisten the plant every 2 weeks. After watering, you should get rid of weeds.
Fischer's aconite is undemanding when it comes to fertilizers. Over time, the soil becomes depleted, so in the spring it is necessary to add compost under the bushes. This makes the plant more resilient. After winter, an infusion of mullein or bird droppings is effective.
Additionally, the fighter can be fed before flowering to make it brighter and more luxuriant. For this purpose, mineral fertilizers are used. Nitroammophoska is effective - 30-40 g per 10 liters of water.
Aconite can be fed twice more during the season. Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied at intervals of at least 3 weeks.
Loosening, mulching
After each watering or heavy rain, the soil around Fischer's aconite must be loosened. This prevents the formation of a crust on the surface.
To reduce weed growth and maintain soil moisture, you should mulch the soil. Use sawdust and pine needles effectively.
Care during the flowering period
In order for the flowering of Fisher's aconite to be beautiful, you need to monitor the condition of the soil. It is important that its top layer does not dry out.
Dead inflorescences should be removed regularly. This measure is important for preserving the decorativeness and splendor of the plant. Timely pruning stimulates re-blooming.
Preparing for winter
Fischer's aconite tolerates frost well. You need to take care of the shelter if the region has frosty winters or little snow cover. To do this, you need to cut the plant short and cover its root system with dry peat. A layer of 20 cm is enough, which must be sprinkled with dry leaves.
Pests and diseases
The toxicity of Fischer's aconite does not save it from pests. One of them is aphids, which feed on plant sap. You can get rid of it using the drug Aktara or spraying with folk remedies.
In small quantities, aphids can be washed off with water
Another enemy of aconite is the nematode. The affected plant weakens, grows and develops poorly, blooms poorly and may die. You can fight the pest with Akarin, Fitoverm, and organophosphorus pesticides.
Prevention of nematodes is the introduction of bird droppings
Of the diseases, the crop is most often affected by powdery mildew. It appears as a white coating on the foliage and stem. Without timely intervention, the plant will die.
Effective drugs against powdery mildew: Fundazol, Vitaros
Conclusion
Fischer's aconite is unpretentious, so it is easy to grow. It can be propagated in different ways; care for the perennial is minimal. The plant has healing properties, but is also poisonous.
