Content
Russian hazel grouse (lat. Fritillaria ruthenica) is a perennial plant belonging to the genus of the same name, of the Liliaceae family. This type of crop pleases with its early flowering, when the snow has just melted. However, you can not find it in nature very often, since the Russian hazel grouse belongs to the category of rare plants and is listed in the Red Book. But on its basis, decorative varieties have been obtained that can be successfully grown in garden plots and summer cottages. However, for this you need to follow the rules of planting and further care of the plant.
Russian hazel grouse has a short growing season
What does a Russian hazel grouse look like?
This herbaceous crop reaches a height of 50 cm. The shoots of the Russian hazel grouse are thin, smooth, bare. In their upper part there are thread-like pointed leaves, the ends of which are twisted in the form of a spiral. Thanks to this, the plant is able to cling to the stems of nearby growing crops and thus hold on even in strong gusts of wind. The lower leaves of the Russian hazel grouse are longer than the upper ones.
The root system is represented by bulbs consisting of expanded bare scales, renewed annually.
The flowers of the Russian hazel grouse are collected in apical inflorescences of 1-5 pieces.They also appear from the leaf axils. The perianths are bell-shaped, dark red on the outside with an unclear checkerboard pattern of a darker shade. And inside they are yellowish with a green stripe on each lobe. The pistil of the Russian hazel grouse is shorter than the stamens, divided into three stigmas up to the middle of the length. The flowering period begins in the first ten days of April and continues until May.
The fruits of the Russian hazel grouse are hexagonal boxes that are slightly narrowed downward and have a blunt, rounded top. Their length is 3.5 cm and width is about 1.8 cm.
Where does it grow
The plant is found in the European part of Russia, Western Siberia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Russian hazel grouse prefers to settle in meadows, on the edges of deciduous forests, along roads, and also near water bodies.
The hazel grouse blooms when the bulb reaches a certain size
Growing
Russian hazel grouse is an unpretentious plant, but in order for it to successfully take root in a personal plot and delight you with lush flowering every year, you need to choose the right place for it and plant it. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with the cultural requirements in advance, which will allow you to avoid serious mistakes.
Soil preparation
For culture, you need to choose a sunny, open place. But it is also permissible to grow perennials in a slightly shaded area. However, in this case, the flowering period will occur later.
Russian hazel grouse prefers well-drained, nutritious soil. The best option for it is sandy loam soil with a neutral acidity level.Two weeks before planting, the area needs to be dug up and humus added at the rate of 10 kg per 1 sq. m. m. You can also plant Russian hazel grouse in a loamy substrate, but then, in addition to organic matter, you need to add sand and peat to it in a proportion of 5 kg per meter of area. At the end, the area must be leveled.
Landing technology
The bulbs of the Russian hazel grouse do not have a top protective layer and are susceptible to any mechanical damage, so care must be taken when planting. Before planting them in a permanent place in open ground, it is recommended to soak them in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for ten minutes and then rinse them with plain water.
The perennial should be planted in open ground at the end of August, at the beginning of September. For planting, prepare holes at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other. Their depth should be three times the size of the bulb. At the bottom of each depression, pour a layer of coarse sand 1.5-2 cm thick. And on top you need to place a bulb of Russian hazel grouse, tilting it slightly to one side. This will eliminate the possibility of moisture accumulating between the scales.
If the bulb is not deepened enough when planting, the plant may not bloom.
Care
The Russian hazel grouse reacts poorly to stagnation of moisture in the soil and its lack. Therefore, you need to water it as needed when there is no rain for a long time. To do this, you need to use settled water at a temperature of +18-20 °C. The frequency of watering is 1-2 times a month. After flowering, moistening must be continued, as the leaves nourish the bulb.Watering can be stopped at the stage of sharp wilting of the above-ground part of the plant.
The Russian hazel grouse needs to be fed twice a season. The first time it is necessary to apply fertilizer to the plant during the active growing season in the spring. At this time, you can use nitroammophoska at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water. The second fertilizing for the crop is recommended immediately after flowering. At this time, it is important to use 40 g of superphosphate and potassium sulphide per bucket of water. These fertilizers help restore wasted energy and accelerate the development of the bulb.
How does it reproduce
Russian hazel grouse can be propagated by seeds, by dividing bulbs, and by cuttings. Each of these methods has features that need to be taken into account.
Seeds
To propagate the perennial, it is necessary to sow the seeds in open ground immediately after the fruit-pods dry out. It is recommended to do this in furrows 10 cm wide and 1 cm deep, at the bottom of which pour a thin layer of sand. After this, water the area using sprinkling method and sprinkle the surface of the soil with peat. The perennial shoots will appear only next spring. And these hazel grouse will bloom in 5-7 years.
By dividing the bulbs
The flower can be propagated in this way only if there are large bulbs. To do this, they need to be cut in half, and then slightly dried and sprinkled with wood ash. After this, the divisions must be immediately planted in a permanent place so that they have time to take root before the arrival of cold weather.
When dividing the bulbs, the hazel grouse blooms the next season
Children
As the Russian hazel grouse grows, babies form around it, which subsequently begin to interfere with each other. Therefore, it is recommended to plant perennials every 3-4 years. This should be done immediately when the above-ground part of the plant begins to dry out.To do this, you need to carefully dig up the plant and separate the daughter bulbs from it.
After this, they need to be placed in a damp mixture consisting of sand and peat in equal quantities. And at the end of August, the children need to be planted in a permanent place in open ground.
Diseases and pests
The Russian hazel grouse can suffer from pests. The lily rattle causes damage to the plant. The insect has a red body and a black head. To eliminate it, you need to spray the plant with Actellik.
Also, the Russian hazel grouse is susceptible to attack by root mites, which damage its underground part. In this case, the affected bulb stops developing. To combat the pest, you need to spray and water the perennial plantings.
This crop is affected by rust if the growing conditions are inappropriate. The disease manifests itself as a brown coating on the leaves. In this case, the plant stops developing and blooming. To solve the problem, you need to spray the perennial with Bordeaux mixture or Fundazol.
When moisture stagnates, fungal infection of the bulbs is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to dig them up, separate healthy specimens and immerse them in Maxim’s solution for half an hour. And then drop it off in a new place.
Use in landscape design
This unique plant can successfully complement any landscape design and emphasize its sophistication. And how impressive the Russian hazel grouse flower looks in mono-plantings can be seen in the photo. Such compositions are suitable for rockeries and alpine slides. The plant can also be used to create color accents in small flower beds.
Successful combinations with these colors:
- hyacinths;
- crocuses;
- tulips;
- forget-me-nots;
- Muscari.
Russian hazel grouse can be combined with early flowering spring crops
Conclusion
Russian hazel grouse is a unique plant that is on the verge of extinction. If it appears on a personal plot, then it is necessary to try to create the most favorable conditions for its development and reproduction in order to preserve it for descendants.
