Content
Helenium is a herbaceous perennial that is planted for decorative purposes. This plant is characterized by late flowering and is considered one of the easiest to grow. Planting and caring for perennial helenium involves a whole range of activities. Compliance with agricultural technology provides optimal conditions for full development and regular flowering.
How does helenium reproduce?
You can obtain planting material in several ways. The method is determined based on the presence of a mother bush and the varietal affiliation of the plant.
Propagation of helenium by cuttings
This method is considered the least effective. Cuttings are removed from the stem of a perennial helenium.It is advisable to do this in the spring, during the active growing season of the flower.
The cuttings are soaked in liquid for 1-2 weeks. During this period, small roots should appear on it. After this, the plant is placed in a container with a nutrient substrate, which is covered with a transparent film.
Reproduction of helenium by dividing the bush
This option is the most preferable. Mature bushes consist of a large number of shoots. They can be divided without damaging the perennial plant.
The bush is dug out of the soil and the roots are cleaned. Next, it is disassembled into sockets, which are placed in a new place.
The procedure is carried out in late spring or summer. Dividing and planting in the fall are allowed, but then all surface shoots from the helenium must be removed.
Nuances of propagation by seeds
This method is recommended if there is no mother perennial bush that can be divided. Helenium should also be planted with seeds when growing new varieties.
The seedling method is labor-intensive. In addition, not all types of perennial helenium can be grown from seeds. Some hybrid varieties wither immediately after flowering. Seed pods form on them, so it is impossible to collect planting material. Such varieties are grown only by cuttings or division.
Helenium seeds are characterized by low germination. However, it can be increased through proper stratification.
Dried seeds have the lowest germination rate
It is recommended to use fresh material for planting. It is collected in the fall and sown before winter.
Growing perennial helenium seedlings from seeds
First you need to prepare planting material, containers and nutritious soil mixture.Planting is carried out strictly according to the instructions in order to increase seed germination.
When to plant helenium seedlings
The plant can be sown directly into the ground. This is done in the autumn season so that the seedlings adapt to the upcoming cold. Another option is to plant perennial helenium seeds for seedlings. It is held in February or early March.
Preparing containers and soil
Seedlings require nutritious soil. Helenium seeds germinate best in well-moistened soil with neutral acidity.
Planting is carried out in suitable containers:
- seedling cassettes;
- peat glasses, tablets;
- small pots;
- food containers;
- cut plastic bottles.
It is recommended to disinfect the soil by heat treatment. You can also use disinfecting tablets for these purposes, for example, Glyokladin.
How to sow helenium for seedlings
The general principles of sowing are not much different from planting other types of perennial plants. Before the procedure, the seeds should be soaked in water. They are then placed in a growth stimulator.
Subsequent stages:
- Fill the seedling container with soil.
- Make furrows or depressions of 2-3 cm in it.
- Place the seeds inside at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle with loose soil.
- Moisten with a spray bottle.
The container is covered with film. It is left for 8-10 days until the first shoots appear. Then the cover must be removed so that the seedlings do not experience a lack of oxygen.
Seedling care
Seedlings should be grown in the cold. The optimal temperature is 6-8 degrees. It can be kept in the refrigerator, on the bottom shelf. The container with seedlings should be placed in a spacious plastic bag.Periodically, the seedlings are taken out of the refrigerator and ventilated in a sunny place.
Regular watering is required. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle once every 8-10 days. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the land. If it dries out quickly, the frequency of watering needs to be increased.
Picking is carried out when 3 leaves appear
When the seedlings grow up, they are planted in separate containers. After picking, they should be kept in a room in a lighted place.
How to plant helenium in open ground
In order for a perennial plant to fully develop and bloom, it requires certain conditions. Proper planting in open ground is of primary importance.
Deadlines
When growing helenium from seeds, planting on the site is carried out in the spring. This is usually done in mid-to-late April, when the risk of frost is eliminated. In the Urals and Siberia, planting can be postponed to the beginning of May.
Site selection and soil preparation
Perennial helenium needs an area protected from strong winds. The place should not be in lowlands where the roots can be washed away by groundwater.
The soil for a perennial flower needs to be nutritious, loose and breathable. Neutral acidity – 6-7 pH. A mandatory requirement is the presence of adequate drainage.
Before planting the plant, you need to remove weeds from the area. After this, the soil is dug up and compost is added at the same time.
Landing algorithm
Seedlings grown from helenium seeds at home need to be prepared for transfer to open ground. The plant is thoroughly moistened to facilitate removal from the soil.Some gardeners recommend soaking the roots in water for 20 to 30 minutes and then air drying them. The procedure is carried out immediately before landing.
How to plant perennial helenium:
- Dig a planting hole 3 times the depth of the roots.
- Place a drainage layer of crushed stone, expanded clay or pebbles on the bottom.
- Fill the hole halfway with soil.
- Place the seedling and straighten the roots.
- Sprinkle with loose soil.
- Water abundantly.
For abundant flowering, mineral fertilizer with nitrogen is immediately applied when planting.
Feeding will help the perennial flower quickly adapt to a new place.
When and how to replant helenium
The plant can remain in one place for up to 20 years. Typically, replanting perennial helenium is required if the site is chosen incorrectly or the bush needs to be divided for propagation.
The procedure can be carried out in spring and summer, until August. The plant needs to be dug to a depth of 1.5-2 shovels, removed from the soil and placed in a new planting hole.
Is it possible to replant flowering helenium?
Gardeners do not recommend digging up a perennial plant in the fall. When helenium blooms, it is more sensitive to adverse factors. Damage to the roots will lead to rapid wilting. If you plan to transplant helenium to another place in the fall, the surface shoots with buds must be removed. Then the plant will have time to take root before winter.
Rules for growing perennial helenium
The described ornamental culture is considered unpretentious. It is enough to know the basic rules for planting and caring for heleniums and photos of flowers in order to grow them on your site.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Perennial varieties of helenium do not tolerate drought well. The flower requires regular watering.Each bush needs 15-20 liters of water.
To prevent helenium from drying out in the summer, it is watered once every 2-3 days.
When watering abundantly, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil. If it has become dense, loosen it.
During the season, the plant is fed three times:
- In May, urea and potassium sulfate are added, 1 spoon per 10 liters of water. The mixture is injected under the root.
- When flowering. Mullein and complex mineral fertilizer are mixed in 20 liters of water.
- In October. After flowering, add superphosphate 1 spoon per 1 bucket of liquid.
Abuse of mineral fertilizers harms perennial helenium. Therefore, fertilizers must be applied in strict accordance with the schedule.
Weeding and mulching
Weeds in the area around the helenium are removed as they appear. This procedure is especially important in August, when most species of harmful plants drop their seeds.
To retain moisture in the soil, mulching is carried out. This procedure protects the roots from overheating in summer.
The following is used as mulch:
- dry manure;
- compost;
- straw;
- peat;
- sawdust;
- bark
Mulch is applied to a depth of 8-10 cm, and also scattered on the surface of the soil around the roots. Such raw materials subsequently become a source of nutrients.
Trimming, installing supports
Haircuts are carried out for preventive purposes, as well as to form a bush. Dried and wilted shoots are removed from the perennial. The procedure is carried out with pruning shears or garden shears. The bush is pruned in the spring at the beginning of the growing season and in the fall in preparation for wintering.
Perennial helenium has strong stems. Installation of supports is required only for tall varieties whose shoot length exceeds 120 cm. Frame structures or trellises are used.
Preparing for winter
In October, the perennial plant is pruned.All surface shoots are removed, leaving 5-6 cm. The cut stems are covered with moss, sawdust or dry leaves. In the south and in the middle zone, this is enough for reliable protection from frost. In the Urals and Siberia, the bush must be covered with breathable film or burlap.
Diseases and pests
Perennial helenium is resistant to infections. Fluid stagnation and excess humidity can lead to the development of diseases.
Main diseases of helenium:
- fusarium wilt;
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew.
If infected, diseased shoots must be removed and burned. The bush is treated with copper sulfate or a fungicidal agent.
Wilting and darkening of the flower indicates damage by nematodes
The most dangerous pest of perennial helenium are root worms. They interfere with the normal movement of juices throughout the plant, which leads to its death. For treatment and prevention, insecticidal solutions and disinfectant tablets must be added to the soil.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for perennial helenium is a procedure that is feasible even for novice gardeners. The flower tolerates unfavorable environmental conditions well and is unpretentious. It is enough to follow agrotechnical standards and timely water and feed the plant.
