Content
Buzulnik Vicha (Ligularia veitchiana) is a perennial from the Aster family and belongs in its biological genus to the group with pyramidal inflorescences. The first description of this species was given by the British botanist William Hemsley. The plant has decorative qualities and is therefore used in landscape design.
Description of the species
Buzulnik Vicha comes from the western regions of China. Due to its decorative properties, this species is popular in gardening. It has been cultivated since the beginning of the 20th century.
Buzulnik Vicha is a powerful upright plant.
Its main characteristics:
- height up to 2 m;
- the stem is thin, but strong and tough;
- tall spike-shaped inflorescences, blooming from bottom to top;
- flowering begins in August and lasts more than a month;
- disk flowers in large numbers, yellow in color;
- yellow baskets, diameter up to 6.5 cm;
- flowers have 12-14 reeds, oblong shape, length up to 2.5 cm;
- the foliage is dark green, smooth and bare on both sides;
- basal leaves up to 30-40 cm in length and 35 cm in width, heart-shaped, edges with sharp teeth, characterized by elasticity and shine;
- petiole length 45-60 cm, semi-cylindrical shape;
- the fruit is an oblong achene with a tuft;
- high cold resistance – the plant can withstand frosts down to – 29 °C;
- decorative throughout the season.
Both flowers and leaves of the Vicha buzulnik have decorative properties.
Application in landscape design
Buzulnik Vicha, thanks to its large leaves, looks good in single plantings. It can be planted on the lawn, placed under a tree or near a pond.
Buzulnik Vicha is moisture-loving, therefore it grows well near natural and artificial reservoirs
Buzulnik Vicha also looks impressive in group plantings. It can be combined with various green and flowering plants. For harmony in the shape of the inflorescences, its neighbors can be: Speedwell, loosestrife, lupine, fennel polygonum (fennel), foxglove and Transylvanian sage.
Buzulnik Vicha is effectively planted along paths, fences, and various buildings.
Leaves and inflorescences of Vicha buzulnik are suitable for cutting
Features of reproduction
Buzulnik Vicha can be propagated by seeds or by dividing the bush. The second method can be used throughout the season, but it is better to plan for May or September-October. When planted in spring, plants take root better.
You can collect Vicha buzulnik seeds yourself. To do this, you need to wait until they are fully ripe. It is convenient to wrap the inflorescences with gauze. After this, the seeds need to be dried and placed in paper bags.
Dividing a bush is easy:
- Select a plant and carefully dig it up. This measure is optional; you can simply separate the desired part with a shovel.
- Rinse the bush with water.
- Using a knife, cut it into pieces. Everyone should have a growth bud. Treat the sections with crushed charcoal or potassium permanganate solution.
- Plant the cuttings in a dug up and fertilized area. Bury them so that the growth buds are 3-5 cm above the surface.
When propagated by seeds, buzulnik begins to bloom only after 3-4 years. When dividing, this happens already in the next season.
Planting and care
Buzulnik Vicha is planted in open ground with seeds. Growing seedlings is not required.
Buzulnik needs comprehensive care. It can include pruning to maintain the decorative appearance of the plant. You need to get rid of faded flower stalks.
Recommended timing
Buzulnik Vicha seeds are planted in spring or autumn. It is better to plan work for May.
The plant can also be planted as seedlings. This should be done in the spring.
Site selection and soil preparation
In order for Vicha's buzulnik to successfully grow, develop and maintain its decorative properties, you need to choose the right place for planting it. It must meet the following requirements:
- partial shade, although it is permissible to place the bushes in the sun if you water them regularly and abundantly;
- the soil is preferably light and loamy, rather loose and moist;
- Soil acidity is neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline reaction is allowed.
The area chosen for the buzulnik must be dug up, going deep to the bayonet of the shovel. Thoroughly loosen the surface.
In addition to fertile garden soil, humus is needed when planting - 1 bucket for each seedling. Fertilizers include wood ash and superphosphate.
It is convenient to plant buzulnik under trees that provide the necessary shading.
Landing algorithm
Planting Vicha buzulnik is not difficult. If you grow it from seeds, then the algorithm is as follows:
- Prepare the area.
- Make grooves or holes.
- Sow the seeds, cover with soil and compact it. Deepen by 2 cm.
- Before winter, cover the bed until spring.
When planting buzulnik in the fall, the seeds undergo natural stratification. As the plants grow, they need to be thinned out. As a result, at least 0.5 m should remain between the bushes.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Buzulnik Vicha is moisture-loving, so it must be watered often and abundantly. It is enough to do this once a week. On dry days, watering is increased more frequently, every 3-4 days. If the air is too dry, you should spray the plants in the morning or evening so that they retain their decorative properties.
The first fertilizing is carried out when planting plants, when humus, wood ash and superphosphate are added to the soil. Then 2 feedings per season are enough for the buzulnik:
- mullein solution (10%) - apply under each bush by the end of spring;
- humus in the fall after flowering.
Loosening and mulching
During the season, the soil around the bushes must be loosened. This should be done after watering or precipitation. The first loosening is carried out in the spring, as soon as the snow melts and the frosts have passed.
You will need to loosen the soil less if you mulch its surface. It is better to use humus or peat. Mulch will retain moisture at the roots and prevent weed growth.
Preparing for winter
Buzulnik Vicha is cold-resistant, so it survives the winter well. No special preparation is required for it, except for pruning at the root before the first frost.
Shelter should be made only in regions with harsh winters or little snow cover.In other cases, preventive mulching with pine needles or tree bark is sufficient.
Diseases and pests
One of the attractive features of Vicha buzulnik is its resistance to diseases and pests. The main problem with the plant is slugs. They feed mainly on young leaves. There are several methods to combat these pests:
- mechanical obstacles - mulching with stone chips, pine needles, ash, crushed nut or eggshells, ash;
- chemical compositions – granules with “Groza” metaldehyde, aluminum sulfate powder;
- traps - a plastic glass with beer or milk buried in the ground (pour only to the bottom), cabbage leaves or wet burlap laid out on the surface;
- natural enemies - birds, lizards, toads.
To prevent slugs, autumn garden cleaning and burning of plant residues are important.
Buzulnik Vicha may suffer from powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease that must be combated with fungicides - copper sulfate, Fitosporin, Topaz. Prevention is done by burning plant residues.
The main symptom of powdery mildew is a white coating on the leaves.
Conclusion
Buzulnik Vicha is an unpretentious perennial that is easy to grow in the garden. It can be planted with seeds or seedlings, or propagated by dividing the bush. It is not difficult to care for it; all measures are standard for garden plants.
