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Tatarian Kermek (limonium tataricum) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Svinchatkovyh and the order Carnationaceae. Its other names are lemongrass, statice, tumbleweed. Found in southern and steppe regions throughout the world. On the Eurasian continent it can be found in Altai and Western Siberia, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and in Central Asia. The perennial Tatar kermek, photos of which amaze with its fragile beauty, is very popular among flower growers. It is widely used in landscape design. Translated, its name means “persistent,” since this unpretentious plant can be found even in the sand.
General description of perennial
Kermek Tatarian is a perennial herb, less often a subshrub.Large, elongated, lanceolate-shaped leaves are located in the basal region. Dense, leathery, with a glossy sheen. They have a green, bright light green or grayish emerald color. The stems are thin, flexible, branched, green, and usually do not exceed 50 cm in height. The shape of the bush is spherical.
Kermek Tatarian blooms in early summer. Inflorescence panicles are located at the ends of the shoots. The flowers are small, five-petaled, bell-shaped, with thread-like stigmas. The color is light pink, white, cream, rich cornflower blue, light lavender. Many varieties combine buds of two colors on one inflorescence, for example, white and blue.
Common types
Breeders have developed decorative varieties with a wide variety of characteristics. The most popular of them are only a few types.
Caspian
Kermek Tatar "Caspian" is a perennial. The maximum height of the bushes is 0.5 m. The flowers are painted in light lavender, soft purple. The shape of the inflorescences is thyroid.
Compact balls strewn with miniature flowers are elegant and full of charm
Sinuate
This type of Tatarian kermek is annual. The tall subshrub reaches 80 cm. The inflorescences are corymbose, and the petals of the buds are a rich cornflower blue hue.
Kermek Tatar “Notched” is an excellent option for decorating a front garden
Gmelin
A perennial variety, low-growing, compact bushes do not exceed 30-40 cm. Large emerald green leaves form a rosette at the basal part of the trunk.The stems are abundantly strewn with small flowers of soft violet and lilac colors. The root of this variety of Tatar kermek has pronounced medicinal properties.
The inflorescences of the Gmelina variety have a corymbose shape
Tatar Kermek in landscape design
Most often, the perennial Kermek Tatarian is used in landscape design to create rockeries and alpine slides. It is excellent in mixborders and in ordinary flower beds. It looks harmonious against the backdrop of green lawns, next to dwarf conifers.
The interweaving of thin stems strewn with delicate flowers looks touchingly defenseless, creating an atmosphere of peace and comfort
Features of reproduction
Limonium tartaris alba is usually grown from seeds. Since the plant’s rhizome stem goes to a great depth, it makes no sense to replant or divide it: bushes with damaged roots take root very poorly.
Growing Tatar Kermek from seeds
Kermek Tatar is surprisingly unpretentious and hardy. Growing an adult bush from seeds does not present any difficulties. Even novice flower growers and those who first decided to plant this unusual plant on their plot successfully cope with the task. The main thing in the planting process is to follow simple rules of agricultural technology.
Terms and rules of sowing
Kermek Tatarian seedlings can be planted in February-March, depending on the climatic conditions of the area. The seeds are placed in individual peat pots so as not to subsequently disturb the sensitive roots. The soil is slightly moistened.A sand-peat mixture is suitable for sowing, without adding humus and fertilizers. You can replace peat with light turf soil.
Seedling care
As soon as the first shoots appear, and this happens after a week, it is necessary to provide good lighting. Watering is done carefully, in a thin stream, at the root. Seedlings are planted in a permanent location in early May.
Planting and caring for Tatar Kermek in open ground
Kermek Tatarian is a plant for open ground. The high humidity of greenhouses and enclosed spaces with a lack of sunlight have a depressing effect on him. It is very sensitive to the length of daylight and does not like shady places. Planting and caring for Tatar kermek is quite easy, the process does not cause any trouble.
Kermek Tatarian must be planted in such a way that the bushes can grow without interfering with each other
Deadlines
Kermek Tatarian seeds are planted in the ground in early spring, as soon as the snow melts and the soil warms up sufficiently. Depending on the region and weather conditions, this could be April or May. In the south of the country, seeds are sown as early as March. It is also common to sow before winter, at the end of autumn, when consistently cold weather sets in. In this case, the seedlings are more friendly and strong.
Site selection and soil preparation
Kermek Tatar loves open, sunny places. With a lack of light, the plant stretches out, turns pale, and stops blooming. The site should be as dry as possible, without nearby groundwater, without accumulation of rain moisture.If the ground is low and flooded, the flower beds must be raised at least 0.5 m above the soil level.
The area should be dug well, removing the roots of the weeds. Kermek Tatar can be planted in any soil, except dense clay, without the use of additional fertilizers. Sandy, loose soils with good drainage are best suited for the plant.
Landing rules
Seedlings are planted in separate holes at a distance of 0.5-0.8 m from each other. The holes should be large and wide enough to fit the entire earthen ball. The root collar should remain flush with the surface; the leaf rosette should not be buried.
Seeds are planted one at a time in small holes, maintaining distance. Sprinkle with sand or soil mixture. After planting, the area should be watered with warm water, but not flooded. Cover with film or glass until shoots appear.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
There is no need to add additional fertilizers to fertile soils - Tatarian kermek grows well as is. If the soil is completely depleted, it is enough to apply a little complex fertilizer when planting, and then every month during the growing season.
Tatar Kermek tolerates heat and drought well, but does not tolerate waterlogging. It practically does not need additional moisture, especially in rainy years. It needs to be watered 2-3 times throughout the summer, when the soil dries out and the foliage withers.
If the earth is rich in humus, then it is recommended to spill the Tatar kermek with a salt solution 1-2 times: 40-50 g per bucket of water
Trimming
In autumn, when the branches become bare, the above-ground part of the plant must be cut off.Leave the stems at a height of 3-5 cm above the soil level.
Preparing for winter
To ensure that the Tatar Kermek survives the winter well, the plants can be wrapped in straw, spruce branches or non-woven material. The shelter is removed when the snow completely melts.
Pests and diseases
Kermek Tatar is resistant to diseases and is little susceptible to pest attacks. The main cause of plant disease is overwatering. In this case, the bushes may be affected by fungi and mold. Industrial fungicides and copper sulfate solution help with the former. And the composition of colloidal sulfur combats black or white mold perfectly. A weakened plant may be attacked by aphids, especially if there are many anthills on the site. In this case, you can use folk remedies by treating with soapy water and alcohol. Or spray the pests with an appropriate insecticide.
Useful properties of perennial
Kermek Tatar has healing properties. Its root contains valuable biologically active substances:
- natural phytoncides;
- organic acids – ellagic and gallic;
- tannins.
It has been established that Tatar kermek has a beneficial effect on the human body, such as:
- effective pain reliever;
- astringent and fixing agent;
- relieves inflammation and stops bleeding;
- increasing regeneration;
- an excellent antiseptic and natural antibiotic.
The root of the plant is used fresh and dried in decoctions, powders, as an internal and external remedy. For skin problems, baths and lotions with a decoction of Kermek Tatarian root are recommended.
Conclusion
The perennial Tatar kermek, the photo of which brings back pleasant memories of hot summers and flowering meadows, is popular among gardeners as a decorative decoration for personal plots. Every corner of the garden is transformed once this deceptively fragile shrub blooms. Caring for herbaceous perennials is completely simple and accessible to novice gardeners. Kermek Tatar is sensitive to the presence of sunlight and does not tolerate excess water - this must be taken into account when planting.
