Content
Bergenia Dragonfly Sakura is a hybrid form of culture that is one of the new products. The plant successfully combines high decorative qualities, increased resistance to adverse conditions and low maintenance requirements. Despite the fact that the hybrid appeared relatively recently, it is widely used by landscape designers to create “living” perennial compositions, as well as in single plantings.
The hybrid was named for the similarity of flowers with Japanese sakura
Description
Bergenia Dragonfly Sakura is a herbaceous perennial. It has the shape of a shrub 45 cm high. It forms a powerful root system consisting of thick brown shoots. It is located close to the soil surface and grows to 40-60 cm in length.
The leaf plates of the Dragonfly Sakura bergenia are collected in a basal rosette. They are a rich green hue, with a shiny surface, and leathery to the touch. The shape of the plates is round. During the period of cold autumn nights and early spring after the snow melts, the leaves of the bergenia Dragofly Sakura acquire a rich crimson tint, which gives the plant a special sophistication.
Bergenia leaves change color with increased anthocyanin concentration
The flowers of this hybrid are bright pink with a contrasting cherry eye in the center. Their diameter is 2.0-2.5 cm. They are collected in corymbose inflorescences. The height of the peduncles of this type of bergenia reaches 40 cm, so they confidently rise above the foliage.
The flowering period for Badan Dragonfly Sakura occurs in May-June, depending on the growing region. Its duration is about a month, which is significantly longer than that of conventional types of culture. But even after the flower stalks wither, the bush retains its decorative effect, since at this time it actively grows foliage and creates a feeling of volume of the plant.
History of the hybrid
This hybrid appeared relatively recently in 2013. Its originator is the world famous American nursery Terra Nova Nurseries, which specializes in growing new species and varieties of plants. Work on breeding semi-double bergenia was carried out for a long time, and as a result it was crowned with success.
Growing seedlings
It is quite possible to grow Dragonfly Sakura bergenia seedlings at home. But for the idea to be successful, you need to purchase high-quality planting material that will correspond to the declared species.
For planting, it is necessary to prepare wide containers, 8-10 cm high, in advance. They must have drainage holes to remove excess water. You also need to prepare a nutrient substrate. To do this, mix the following components:
- 2 parts of turf land;
- 1 part sand;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part humus.
- 1 part coconut fiber.
A day before planting, the soil should be spilled with a solution of the “Maxim” preparation and then slightly dried. This will prevent the development of root rot at the initial stage of seedling growth.
Procedure:
- Place drainage 1 cm thick on the bottom of the container.
- Fill the rest of the volume with soil and water generously.
- When the moisture is absorbed, make small grooves 0.5 cm deep at a distance of 3 cm.
- Sprinkle the seeds evenly into them.
- Sprinkle soil on top and lightly level.
After this, cover the container with film to create a greenhouse effect, and move it to a dark place with a temperature of +18-+19 degrees. They should be in this mode until friendly shoots appear. This usually happens 3-4 weeks after planting.
When the sprouts appear, the container with the bergenia should be moved to the windowsill, shading it from direct sunlight.
When the seedlings get a little stronger, they need to be adapted to external conditions. To do this, remove the film from the container for the first time for half an hour, and then increase this interval by another 30 minutes. After a week, the seedlings can be fully opened.
When 2-4 true leaves appear, the plant should be planted in separate containers with a diameter of 7-8 cm. The substrate can be used similar to that used when planting seeds.
How and when to plant in open ground
Dragonfly Sakura bergenia seedlings can be planted at the end of May. By this time, the plants should have developed a strong root system and formed a small rosette of leaves. But in order for the hybrid to fully develop, it needs to find the optimal place and provide the necessary care.
Place
Badan Dragonfly Sakura prefers moisture- and breathable soil. At the same time, it shows high decorative properties when planted in slightly alkaline and slightly acidic soil, since it is undemanding to the composition of the soil. For the plant, you should choose an area with light shade from the hot midday rays, which will eliminate the possibility of burns on the leaves.
When bergenia is placed in well-lit areas, the bushes become noticeably smaller, but there are more flower stalks. If the hybrid is planted in deep shade, the leaves become larger, but to the detriment of flowering.
The soil
2 weeks before transplanting into open ground, the area should be dug up and the roots of perennial weeds should be carefully removed. It should also be added to the soil for each square. m. 5 kg of humus, 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate. After this, level the surface.
The area for planting must be prepared in advance
Dragonfly Sakura bergenia seedlings should be planted in a permanent place in the evening or on a cloudy day. To do this, prepare holes 8 cm deep and water them generously. Plants should be placed in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 40 cm from each other.
Bergenia transplantation should be carried out with an earthen lump on the roots. Then sprinkle soil on top and compact it at the base of the plant.
Fertilizers
Bergenia Dragonfly Sakura responds well to feeding.Therefore, the plant needs to be fertilized several times per season. This will help increase the number of buds, prolong flowering and improve leaf growth.
The first fertilizing should be carried out in the spring during the active growth of green mass. During this period, you can use urea (30 g per 10 liters of water) or chicken manure (1:15). The second time, fertilizers should be applied during the formation of buds, using 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfide per bucket of water.
Watering
Dragonfly Sakura bergenia needs to be watered correctly. This must be done during the formation of buds, flowering and 2 weeks after that. Watering should be carried out only during a long absence of rain. The rest of the time, the plant can independently provide itself with moisture.
During the hot period of the year, the soil at the base of the bergenia must be mulched with sawdust or chopped bark. This will protect the plant’s root system from overheating and prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil.
Pest treatment
Badan Dragonfly Sakura exhibits high resistance to pests. But if the growing conditions are inappropriate, the plant may suffer from weevil. It is quite difficult to combat these insects at the stage of mass distribution. Therefore, bushes should be treated annually in the spring, as a preventive measure, with Actellik or Confidor Extra.
Timely treatment helps prevent pest damage
Diseases
Badan Dragonfly Sakura suffers from ramulariasis during prolonged rains. The disease can be recognized by brown spots on the upper surface of the leaves. And on the reverse side there is a white fungal coating on the affected areas. With further progression, metabolic processes in plant tissues are disrupted.This leads to premature wilting of the leaves.
For treatment, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment of the bushes. The leaves need to be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or Fundazol. You should also water the plant with a working solution of the “Maxim” preparation.
Trimming
Bergenia Dragonfly Sakura does not need pruning, as its leaves remain decorative with the arrival of winter. The lifespan of each plate is 2 years. Therefore, the plant independently replaces foliage. But during the growth process, you can remove faded peduncles, as well as damaged plates.
Conclusion
Badan Dragonfly Sakura is a highly decorative hybrid variety that looks ideal both in single and group plantings. The unpretentiousness of the plant allows it to be planted even in places where other crops die. Thanks to this, the popularity of the hybrid is growing every year. And the similarity of its flowers with Japanese sakura only increases the demand for the crop among flower growers.
