Content
In nature, Robert's loosestrife is found along the banks of lakes and rivers and in places with high humidity. The culture has excellent immunity to various diseases and is practically immune to temperature changes and frost. Robert's loosestrife is characterized by its decorative qualities and ease of care. This has ensured his enormous popularity among experienced and novice gardeners.
Description of Robert's loosestrife
Plakun-grass (merlin) is a perennial plant that is characterized by long and abundant flowering. The culture produces a large number of seeds. The plant is characterized by high frost resistance.
Robert's loosestrife has long, erect stems with pink-violet flowers, each of which has 6-7 petals
The inflorescences located at the ends of the stems are collected in spike-shaped panicles. The height of adult plants is from 50 to 100 cm.When growing on soils enriched with fertilizers and complex fertilizers, loosestrife can reach up to two meters in height.
One rhizome can have up to 50 tetrahedral stems. On each of them, many seeds ripen that can be spread over many kilometers with the help of water and wind. To avoid self-seeding of loosestrife and thickening of plantings, it is necessary to collect seeds in a timely manner.
The culture is distinguished not only by its decorative qualities, but also by its medicinal properties. The composition of loosestrife contains a number of vitamins, glycosides, essential oils, tannins and polyphenols. The highest concentration of nutrients is observed in the roots, seeds, leaves and inflorescences. Merlin has long been used as an antiseptic and a means to stop bleeding and heal small cuts. The culture has a calming, anti-inflammatory and restorative effect.
A decoction of the roots treats diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract, headaches and toxicosis that develops during pregnancy.
An infusion of loosestrife leaves or flowers is effective for prostatitis, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, various gastrointestinal problems and neuroses.
A decoction is prepared from finely chopped fresh plants. For this, 2 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured with two glasses of boiled water and kept in a steam bath for 15 minutes. After filtering, the decoction is taken warm, 50 ml per day.
Application in landscape design
The natural habitat for the crop is swampy places, meadows with high humidity, and the banks of lakes and rivers.Robert's loosestrife (pictured) can be used in landscape design for landscaping ponds, decorating various mixborders, flower beds and flower arrangements. It is preferable to add crops in the neighborhood that have similar characteristics. When designing a garden plot, adhere to the following recommendations:
- Yellow goldenrod looks very harmonious next to the violet-lilac inflorescences of Robert's loosestrife.
- Spot loosestrife and Siberian iris are excellent neighbors with which you can create contrasting compositions along ponds and artificial dams.
- A mixborder of phlox, veronicastrum, eryngium and loosestrife in combination with cereal crops will decorate any garden plot.
Also suitable for Robert's loosestrife are: saplings, bells, liatris, heucheras and tansy.
Plakun grass is characterized by rapid growth, so it is preferable to plant it next to hardy and strong crops
Features of reproduction
In addition to the seed method, Robert's loosestrife is propagated by cuttings and by dividing the rhizome. The last option is considered the most difficult, since the plant has a woody root system, which is not easy to divide into parts. It is necessary to act according to the following algorithm:
- The bottom of each hole is filled with compost and fertile soil.
- Separated sections of the rhizome, together with the stems extending from them, are planted into holes.
- Cover with soil, water and mulch.
Cuttings for propagation are prepared in early June. It is necessary to cut off the root shoots. Before the root system develops, the cuttings are kept in bottles or jars filled with clean water.
If you do not plan to collect seeds, you should immediately trim off faded inflorescences to prevent self-seeding
Growing loosestrife seedlings Robert
Robert's loosestrife is distinguished by its excellent adaptability to environmental conditions. It is preferable to grow it in well-lit places.
The soil should consist of fertile, slightly acidified soil. Excess nitrogen is detrimental to shrubs.
Collect seeds every year after the end of the flowering period
Planting material for seedlings is sown in March. Temperatures should be between 18–22 °C. After 25–30 days, the first shoots appear. Robert loosestrife, which was planted from seed, begins to bloom only in 2–3 years. When 3 true leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings are planted in separate containers.
Planting and caring for loosestrife Robert in the ground
Robert the Merlin is very unpretentious and does not require special care. Plant seeds must undergo stratification before planting in the ground.
Recommended timing
The seedling method guarantees the best result. They resort to it so that Robert's loosestrife blooms in the first year. Seeds are sown in March. Pots or other containers are filled with soil, on the surface of which the seeds are laid. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle. Boxes with seedlings are covered with plastic film or glass and placed in a well-lit place with a temperature of +19 °C and above, which is necessary to create a greenhouse effect. Planting in open ground is carried out only after the threat of frost has disappeared.
Site selection and preparation
Peat soils with low nitrogen and alkali content are best suited for Robert's loosestrife. Loose or dense soils are contraindicated for the plant.
You can plant loosestrife even in shallow water conditions at a depth of up to 20 cm
Robert grows well in both well-lit and slightly shaded garden areas. They must be protected from winds that can break or damage the stems of the bush. The soil is first dug up and enriched with humus.
Landing algorithm
Between holes in open ground it is necessary to maintain an interval of about 0.5 m. The distance between holes for seedlings must be at least 30 cm. Organic fertilizer is added to the bottom of the soil. The seedlings are placed in the holes, after which they are provided with abundant watering.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Robert's loosestrife is a moisture-loving plant that is not afraid of waterlogging. A short drought is not critical for the plant. When planting bushes near a pond, they do not require regular watering. Prolonged drought entails the loss of the decorative qualities of the crop. During the first year after planting in open ground, plants need care in the form of loosening the soil around the bush and abundant watering during the dry period (2-3 times a month).
In order for the bushes to fully develop, add 10 buckets of high-moor peat to the soil for every 1 m2 garden plot. The soil is fed after planting and mulched. Peat and compost not only fertilize the soil, but also help retain moisture in it. To improve decorative qualities, mineral fertilizers are used, the nitrogen content of which is minimal.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Before planting seeds or seedlings, it is necessary to weed and loosen the soil.Organic mulching is an excellent alternative to mineral complex fertilizers.
Trimming
Robert's loosestrife has a tendency to self-sow. To prevent unwanted growth of bushes, get rid of faded flower stalks before the seeds ripen. With the onset of spring, it is recommended to perform a sanitary pruning procedure by removing the ground mass that remains from last year. Pruning can also be done in the fall, when the summer season comes to an end. Ground parts are removed using pruning shears.
Dried Robert's loosestrife bushes are great for decorating winter gardens and greenhouses
Wintering
Robert's loosestrife tolerates temperature changes and the cold season well. For a plant to successfully survive the winter, it does not even require shelter in the form of dry leaves and spruce branches.
Pests and diseases
The perennial crop is very resistant to diseases and pests. In the case of growing Robert's loosestrife in a flower garden, you only need to ensure that aphids do not migrate to it from neighboring plants. If parasitic insects are detected, the bushes should be treated with special preparations (Aktara, Iskra, Fufanon).
Conclusion
Loosestrife Robert (Robert) is a perennial crop characterized by high frost resistance, excellent immunity and decorative qualities. The plant is suitable for creating various compositions, mixborders and decorating garden plots. Merlin also has therapeutic value. The culture contains substances and compounds that have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, relieve headaches and toxicosis, and increase the body's defenses.
