Content
Selecting the right variety of ornamental plant for your site is the key to a balanced and beautiful garden. Badan Galina Serova differs from its counterparts in the bright color of the leaves and a rather early flowering period. Simplicity in care and agricultural technology will allow even novice gardeners to easily grow it.
Description
Badan Galina Serova is the only representative of its species that has multi-colored leaves. Yellowish-white blotches are scattered unevenly on the green leaf blade. The variegated color of bergenia is explained by the result of crossing several varieties. In one place, the bush can grow up to 8-10 years without replanting.
A special feature of this variety of bergenia is the two-color color of the leaves.
The height of an adult bergenia reaches 30-40 cm with a crown diameter of 40 cm. Flowering begins quite early - at the end of April or early May, depending on the climatic situation. The elongated peduncle of the red plant reaches 40 cm in length.Bergenia flowers are pinkish-purple and form small panicles.
History of the hybrid
The variety received its name in honor of the Siberian researcher and breeder G. Serova. This type of bergenia was developed on the basis of Asian mother varieties, taking into account the specifics of the climatic zone. The resulting plant ultimately has class 4 winter hardiness, which means almost no problems with wintering at temperatures down to -34 degrees.
Galina Serova easily tolerates the hot summer of a sharply continental climate. Bergenia is quite patient with minor droughts, and with sufficient drainage it can easily survive prolonged rains.
Growing from seeds
Considering the hybrid origin of the perennial, one of the most popular ways of propagating it is by planting seeds. Long studies have shown an excellent percentage of germination of G. Serova’s planting material. The only problem for a novice gardener may be the mandatory preliminary stratification - the process of keeping bergenia seeds for a long time at low temperatures. The algorithm for propagating Galina Serova with seeds consists of the following steps:
- At the beginning of December, pots with rich soil mixture are prepared. It is best to purchase land from hardware stores. The seeds are buried 2-3 cm into the soil, planting up to 10 seeds in each small pot. The containers are placed in the refrigerator for 3 months at temperatures up to 4-5 degrees.
- In early March, the containers are moved to the windowsill in a room with a stable temperature of 18-20 degrees. The first shoots will appear in 3 weeks. They need to be thinned out with scissors, removing the weakest and most stunted shoots.
- A month after germination, the bergenia sprouts are stopped and planted in separate peat pots.
Bergenia variety G.Serova is characterized by excellent seed germination
As soon as the height of Galina Serova’s seedlings reaches 15 cm, they begin to harden them - take them out into the open air for a few minutes. Gradually, the time of such walks is increased so that the plant is completely accustomed to the environment.
How and when to plant in open ground
In order for any plant to quickly take root in a new place, it is necessary to strictly follow several simple requirements. First you need to clearly select the time for planting bergenia in open ground. It is also important to choose the right place in your garden. Finally, you should follow the planting technology and add the necessary bait for the first time.
A prerequisite for transplanting Galina Serova bergenia into open ground is to establish a stable night temperature of at least 12 degrees. In the climatic conditions of the Siberian region, such a period begins in the first decan of June. In warmer areas, seedlings are rooted in the second or third decade of May.
Site selection and preparation
The correct planting location provides the plant with the necessary amount of sun. The Galina Serova variety is not light-loving, so it is better to root it in shade or partial shade. The ideal location would be the north side of the house or garage. Bergenia thrives in the shade of larger ornamental plants.
The holes for seedlings are prepared in advance - 2-3 weeks before planting in open ground. The diameter of the planting holes is about 20 cm, the depth is no more than 10 cm. The distance between the holes should be at least 30-40 cm.
Planting stages
Galina Serova is quite demanding when it comes to soil drainage. The soil should be light and loose. A 2-centimeter layer of small pebbles or broken bricks is poured into the bottom of each planting hole. This layer will allow the plant to retain moisture in the future and be less dependent on the vagaries of the weather.
The soil around the bergenia is generously mulched with small pebbles or sawdust
The seedlings are rooted in a new place along with a lump of earth from separate pots. Planting is done so that the root collar of the bergenia is 1 cm below the soil level. Planting holes are filled with loose soil and the tree trunk circles are immediately mulched to protect the roots.
Watering and fertilizing
Regular addition of nutritional components is the key to the health of bergenia and its active vegetation. The first watering of G. Serova is carried out immediately after planting in open ground. Up to 5 liters of settled warm water is poured under each bush. To speed up the engraftment of bergenia, you can use special growth activators - Kornevin and similar drugs. Further watering is carried out when the soil around the plantings dries out.
It is recommended to apply complex preparations as fertilizers for bergenia according to the instructions from the breeder. In autumn, potassium fertilizers are applied. In the spring, immediately after the snow melts, flower beds are nourished with organic compounds - mullein and bird droppings.
Diseases and pests
Considering the hybrid origin of Galina Serova, it is not difficult to guess that the breeders tried to make the plant as invulnerable as possible to most diseases of related species. This type of bergenia is practically immune to fungal diseases. It also has good immunity from traditional pests of flower beds - pennies and nematodes.
The only serious problem for a novice gardener may be garden slugs and common snails. Most often they start in too thick bergenia plantings. They are also attracted to old, blackened leaves. To get rid of garden pests, you just need to periodically thin out the plantings and remove dead shoots.
Trimming
Considering the rather miniature size of an adult plant, bergenia Galina Serova does not need traditional types of pruning - sanitary and formative. The only time when it is necessary to cut off part of the plant is after flowering has ended. If the gardener does not have a goal to collect seeds for planting, the peduncle is cut off to the base already in June.
Preparing for winter
Taking into account the excellent winter hardiness of the bergenia variety G. Serov, you don’t have to worry about maintaining its vegetative processes even in the most severe frosts. The plant can easily withstand temperatures dropping to -34 degrees.
In the case of cold winters with little snow, it is necessary to create an additional layer of mulch in order to preserve the root system of bergenia Galina Serova. Coniferous sawdust, peat or spruce needles are suitable for it.
Reproduction
Over time, the appetites of flower growers increase, they increase the area of planting ornamental plants. Considering the fairly high prices in supermarkets for planting material, it is recommended to propagate Galina Serova bergenia yourself. The most popular methods include:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- collecting seeds for further planting.
The most popular way to propagate bergenia is by dividing the root system.
The most popular method of breeding Galina Serova's bergenia is the first method. It involves dividing the root system of an adult plant into 5-6 parts and then planting them in open ground. This allows you not only to save on planting material, but also to rejuvenate the perennial.
Conclusion
Badan Galina Serova captivates with its two-color crown and simplicity of agricultural technology. Even an inexperienced gardener can create a luxurious flower garden by following simple tips for caring for a plant that is becoming increasingly popular every year among both summer residents and professional landscape designers.
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