Content
Growing bergenia from seeds is the most common method of plant propagation. This herbaceous evergreen perennial is easy to care for and quickly takes root in the garden. Serves as a decoration for areas, looks especially good against the background of stones and near bodies of water. Its leaves have long been used to make tea drinks. Planting bergenia seeds is not difficult. It is enough to know the simple rules of agricultural technology.
How to grow bergenia from seeds
Sowing of bergenia from seeds is carried out before winter. To do this, perform the following steps:
- take a planting container and fill it with ready-made soil;
- furrows are made at a distance of 3 cm from each other, their depth should be about 5 mm;
- water the ground with water slightly warmer than room temperature;
- seeds are placed in the furrows and sprinkled;
- The planting container is taken out into the garden and buried in the snow.
Crops are brought indoors with the onset of spring. They are kept at a temperature of +18 degrees, in the shade.
The first bergenia sprouts appear after 3 weeks. Take care of them like this:
- water as the soil surface dries;
- loosen;
- thin out plantings;
- The room where bergenia is grown is regularly ventilated.
The next stage in propagating bergenia by seeds is picking. It is performed in May. This requires large landing containers. There should be enough space so that the distance between furrows is at least 15 cm, and between adjacent specimens - 5 cm or more.
Bergenia grown from seeds is planted in open ground in early August. Select garden areas with light, loose soils. Plants prefer partial shade, since the rhizomes, directed horizontally and often protruding above the soil surface, are afraid of overheating. Seedlings are planted like this:
- dig holes 6–8 cm deep;
- the bottoms are sprinkled with sand;
- the bergenia is carefully rolled over the earthen lump;
- sprinkle and water.
Bergenia, which was grown from seeds, begins to bloom in the third or fourth year after planting
Other methods of reproduction
In order for bergenia to retain its varietal characteristics, it must be propagated correctly. In addition to the seed method, there are others: dividing the bush and cuttings.
Dividing the bush
Propagation of bergenia by dividing the bush is best done in the fall, in September. For this, an adult plant is selected. It is advisable for him to be about 4-5 years old. A section of at least 10 cm in length is separated from the above-ground part of the rhizome. At the same time, make sure that there are at least 3 living buds on it. The resulting propagation material is transferred to a new place and slightly buried.
By cuttings
To propagate bergenia by cuttings, parts of rhizomes with young rosettes are cut from healthy, mature plants. This procedure is carried out in the spring so that the plant has enough time before the onset of cold weather to take root well and begin to grow.
Cuttings are planted immediately in open ground, since bergenia does not like frequent transplants
To root cuttings, perform the following steps:
- soak the planting material in any root formation stimulator;
- holes are dug in the soil, the depth of which should be about 6–7 cm, and the distance between adjacent ones should be 50 cm;
- Place the cuttings in them and lightly sprinkle them;
- water abundantly;
- mulch.
Further care for bergenia cuttings is simple. It consists of weekly watering, loosening and clearing the area of weeds, as well as applying fertilizers. For feeding in the spring, potassium is added, and in the autumn months - superphosphate.
Care after breeding
Varieties of bergenia growing in nature have such qualities as unpretentiousness to living conditions, endurance and frost resistance. They were also transferred to decorative and garden varieties. Therefore, caring for bergenia is simple and requires basic agrotechnical operations.
In early spring, dead and damaged foliage is removed from overwintered plants. Fertilizers are applied to each bush. Preference is given to complex formulations. The purpose of their use is to stimulate growth and development, as well as prepare for flowering. When buds and flowers appear, plants require more nutrients.
The next application of fertilizers is carried out during the period when the bergenia fades.This helps replenish the supply of necessary substances and activate the growth of rosettes.
Fertilizers can be applied simultaneously with watering, or this procedure can be carried out after moistening the soil.
Bergenia loves moisture, so it needs to be watered regularly. Particular attention is paid to water procedures during the following periods:
- during the formation of flower stalks and blossoming of buds;
- in dry, hot weather.
Most varieties bloom in spring, in April and May. After the flowers fade, the arrows must be cut off with scissors. They are left only in cases where they plan to collect seeds.
In autumn, dead, old and damaged foliage is torn off. The flower tolerates frosts well, withstands temperatures down to -40 degrees, provided that it overwinters under snow. If there is no cover or it is too thin, then the bergenia rhizomes should be covered with straw and spruce branches.
Adviсe
When propagated by dividing the bush or cuttings, or after transplantation, bergenia may grow poorly for several years. Experienced gardeners in such situations advise checking how deep the rhizome is and whether there is stagnation of water in the area. If the roots do not lie too deep and do not rot due to excess moisture, then it is worth allowing the plant to take root in a new place. It may take some time for the bergenia to adapt.
If growth and development remain slow for more than 5 years, then it is better to transplant the plant to a new location. Badan does not like heavily shaded areas. It is better to give preference to light partial shade or even open, well-lit spaces.
Often, when sowing bergenia by seeds and propagating by other methods, gardeners encounter the following problems:
- The seeds do not germinate for a long time. To prevent this situation, you need to choose high-quality planting material, inspect it for damage, and check the expiration date on seed packages.
- Not good, new roots are slowly forming. The rhizome is weakened. To avoid this, seedlings are soaked in root growth stimulants before planting.
Conclusion
Growing bergenia from seeds allows you to decorate the area with decorative and at the same time unpretentious plantings. Plants look original not only during flowering. Their large foliage in beautiful colors decorates different corners of the garden.
