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Kamchatka sedum or sedum is a plant that belongs to the genus of succulent crops. The scientific name comes from the Latin word sedare (to pacify), due to its analgesic properties, or from sedere (to sit), since many species of this plant prostrate on the ground. As for the Russian name, it comes from the Ukrainian word “cleansing”. The distribution area of this culture is quite wide; it can be found in Africa, America, and Eurasia.
Description of Kamchatka sedum
Kamchatka sedum looks very impressive in garden plots
Kamchatka sedum is a perennial or biennial plant; it can be herbaceous, shrubby or subshrub. Likes to grow on dry slopes and meadows.
The peculiarity of its appearance is its thick, fleshy leaves. They are devoid of petioles and are painted in a wide variety of colors - from rich green to red shades. It is noteworthy that the color of sedum depends not only on the plant variety, but also on environmental influences and on the place of growth.Those specimens that receive more sunlight have brighter shades. The presence of reddish stains on the leaves indicates a special composition of the soil. There are varieties of plants with cylindrical, oval, and round shapes.
Kamchatka sedum blooms very beautifully. Small buds form umbrella inflorescences in white, blue, pink and yellow. They are not devoid of aroma, and quite persistent. For many varieties, flowering begins in the second half of summer, closer to autumn. Another feature is the ability to grow quickly, thanks to a well-branched stem.
Kamchatka sedum contains many useful substances:
- alkaloids;
- coumarins;
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- glycosides.
In addition, the composition contains vitamins, especially the high content of ascorbic acid. Due to its rich composition, sedum is widely used in folk medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, and tonic.
Varieties of Sedum Kamchatka
There are more than 500 varieties of sedum, many of which are not cultivated and grow in natural conditions. Each variety has its own merits and is in demand among many gardeners, despite the fact that the crop can hardly be called beautiful. However, true fans successfully use it in garden plots in landscape design, and some grow it at home in the window.
Kamchatka sedum Variegata
Kamchatka sedum Variegata blooms in small inflorescences in summer
This variety differs from others in its ability, during development, to form strong, straight shoots up to 30 cm high. The leaf blades of sedum are bright green in color with denticles along the edges. Each grows alternately, having only one leaf at the nodes. They have a white or cream border.
The inflorescences are predominantly yellow or orange in color and very small. Flowering occurs in summer. Growing Kamchatka sedum is easy - it is completely unpretentious and does not require special care. The culture takes root well on different types of soil, even on rather depleted soil.
Sedum Kamchatka Caramel
Sedum Kamchatka Caramel grows tall, forming a small bush
It is a perennial plant. It develops in a vertical direction, reaching a height of 20 cm. The leaf blades are ellipsoidal in shape, with jagged ends. The flowers are very small yellow with an orange center. If the growing location is sunny, the leaf along the edges acquires a pink tint. Flowering begins in June and lasts about a month. Growth is moderate, so frequent rejuvenation of the flower is not required. Like many other varieties, Sedum Kamchatka Caramel is successfully grown from seeds.
Sedum Tricolor
Sedum Tricolor is characterized by abundant flowering of pale pink small inflorescences
This crop is compact in size. The bush is no more than 15 cm high, green leaves with a white or pink border are densely spaced. Sedum blooms profusely, forming umbrella-shaped inflorescences, especially if it grows on the sunny side. Flowering begins in August. The agricultural technology of the bush is very simple. It easily adapts to any soil. It can even grow on rocky terrain.
Thanks to its triple colors, it is valued by gardeners, but in an overly nutritious environment it can lose its decorative properties by replacing pink flowers with green ones. Does not require frequent watering, which harms the crop.
Sedum Weihenstephaner Gold
Sedum is popular for its abundant yellow blooms over a long period
The culture belongs to a hybrid variety. It is a very hardy plant, grows quickly and therefore requires rejuvenation every 2-3 years. Attracts gardeners with abundant, lush flowering. The flowers are very small and rich yellow. The petals are sharp, the inflorescences are star-shaped. The leaf blades are curly with jagged ends and have a rather dense structure. The stems are raised and weakly branched, they can form a kind of carpet on the ground or a small bush up to 20 cm.
Sedum Ellacombianum
Sedum Ellacombianum blooms profusely and can grow like a mat.
This hybrid variety, like many others, is a perennial. Its leaves are fleshy and green in color, but in autumn they change color to burgundy. It is characterized by abundant flowering, which occurs in the first months of summer. The bush is quite low, has a dense structure, usually grows in a hemisphere. The flowers are small, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, and the inflorescences of the crop are corymbose. Looks beautiful on hills, in containers, rocky slopes, as the decorative appearance grows like a mat. For beautiful flowering you will need loose, fertile soil.
Sedum Golden Carpet
Sedum Golden Carpet attracts gardeners with large inflorescences
This variety is popular among gardeners due to its large bright yellow inflorescences with a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in the first month of summer and lasts 25-30 days. It belongs to perennials with a thick root system, raised stems up to 30 cm high. The leaf blades are flat, green, with a jagged end. The variety tolerates both humid climates and drought equally well.
Planting and caring for Kamchatka sedum
Kamchatka sedum develops well on rocky and sandy soils, but it does well on other species. It is important that the soil allows moisture to pass through well, then the plant will grow and bloom profusely. The culture requires a place well lit by the sun. When planting, it is necessary to avoid low areas where water accumulates. Excessive shading does not have the best effect on the culture - it loses its decorative effect.
Kamchatka sedum should be planted at the end of May, when frosts are unlikely. Planting is done as follows:
- Prepare holes 20 cm deep, 50 cm in diameter.
- Place drainage at the bottom of each. Gravel, pebbles are suitable for this, you can use broken bricks.
- The hole is not completely filled with soil.
- Set the plant up, spreading out the roots.
- Sprinkle with soil and water.
The culture can be planted in a pot and decorate the room
In this case, there should be 20 cm of free space between the plants so that they do not interfere with each other during development and growth.
The most important thing when caring for Kamchatka sedum is not to overwater the soil. This has a very negative impact on culture. Excess moisture leads to disease. Watering is necessary only after the soil has completely dried. As for adult specimens, they need moisture even less than a young plant.
Sedum is not picky about soil nutrition. It grows even on poor soil composition. However, if you feed sedum, then no more than 2 times per season - before and after flowering.
Reproduction of Kamchatka sedum
Many people purchase sedum from nurseries, but it can also be propagated by seeds, although this is a rather labor-intensive procedure. In addition, gardeners propagate sedum by dividing the bush and cuttings. It is worth noting that division is necessary for an adult perennial to rejuvenate, since otherwise it will lose its decorative appearance. The dug up bush is divided into 4 parts, the root system is sprinkled with activated carbon, especially the damaged areas, and left in a dark place for several hours. After this, they begin planting.
Diseases and pests
Only those specimens that are regularly flooded or grow in lowlands where moisture accumulates are susceptible to disease. Then they are damaged by rot, which appears in the form of dark spots. In this case, the plant must be treated with the drug, and the affected areas must be trimmed with a sharp knife.
Among insect pests, sedum is susceptible to attack by aphids, weevils, and nematodes. To avoid the death of the plant, it is necessary to inspect it more often, and if insects are detected, use special preparations.
Conclusion
Kamchatka sedum has gained popularity among gardeners due to its decorative appearance and ease of care and maintenance.There are quite a few varieties of sedum; mixing them, they make beautiful alpine slides, and when planted in pots or cache-pots, they decorate gazebos.
