Content
- 1 Description of the sparaxis flower with photo
- 2 When to plant sparaxis in open ground in spring
- 3 Types and best varieties
- 4 How to plant sparaxis bulbs in spring
- 5 Caring for sparaxis in open ground
- 6 Planting sparaxis in a pot
- 7 Reproduction methods
- 8 Diseases and pests
- 9 Application in landscape design
- 10 Conclusion
- 11 Reviews of the sparaxis flower
All gardeners, without exception, want to find a beautiful and unpretentious crop that can easily take root on the site. Planting and caring for sparaxis in open ground will not require special knowledge from the owner, and the plant will give lush flowering.
Description of the sparaxis flower with photo
The birthplace of sparaxis is South Africa. In open ground, up to nine flowers are formed on each stem, which have their own color depending on the type and variety. Some specimens cannot boast of an abundance of buds. However, the plant does not lose its beauty.
At the moment, botanists know about only 15 types of sparaxis, although there are many more in nature
Sparaxis is experiencing rapid growth at home. This is ensured by favorable temperatures, regular fertilizing and the correct watering schedule.When growing outdoors, a grower may experience difficulties only due to the variability of the weather.
When does sparaxis bloom?
In the natural environment and in open ground, the crop blooms in May. In Russia, this deadline is postponed until the beginning of summer. Some varieties form buds only by the end of August.
Sparaxis height
It must be taken into account that this is a herbaceous crop. It is not large in size. This can be convenient both for indoor propagation and for planting in open ground. Usually the species grows up to 50 cm. In favorable conditions - up to 60-70 cm.
When to plant sparaxis in open ground in spring
The plant prefers hot climates, so it is better to plant tricolor sparaxis in spring or summer. In mid-latitudes this is done in mid-May. Gardeners living in the southern regions plant sparaxis in the fall, when the thermometer still shows positive temperatures.
Types and best varieties
The number of varieties of sparaxis is large, so it is not always possible to understand which flower the gardener is looking at. Below are the main types and varieties that have gained popularity in Russia.
Popular types:
- Elegant. The species can be described as dwarf - in open ground the height of the plant is only 15 cm. The flowers are white or orange.
A variety of graceful sparaxis under a different name is common in the store - sparaxis mix
- Tricolor (Sparaxis tricolor). The bush grows up to 40 cm, about six buds are formed on each peduncle. The flowers are tricolor. The leaves are standard sword-shaped.
The main color of sparaxis can be pink or red
- Bilbifera (Sparaxis bulbifera). One of the unpretentious varieties. Approximate height - 60 cm. Flowers are yellow, white or beige. The buds reach 6 cm in diameter.
Bilbifera flower shoots are stiff
- Grandiflora (Sparaxis grandiflora). In open ground, the crop grows up to 60-70 cm, in indoor conditions - up to 50 cm. The leaves are belt-shaped. The flowers are quite large and emit a pleasant scent.
When growing in open ground, it is worth creating protection from hares who like to feast on Grandiflora
Common varieties:
- Lord of Fire. Sparaxis received its name due to its scarlet petals that resemble flames. The core is black.
When bred in open ground, the Lord of Fire is afraid of excess moisture
- Superba. Medium-sized bush, reaching up to 30 cm. The buds are voluminous - up to 5 cm. The color is purple, white, yellow or orange. The core is golden or black.
When grown in an apartment, Superba blooms within 90 days, in open ground a little longer.
- Elegans (Sparaxis elegans). When grown in open ground, it produces an aroma reminiscent of lily of the valley. The stamens are white.
Grasshoppers are often found in the open ground near Elegance
- Moonlight. The stamens are black and the middle is golden. The color of the buds varies from white to purple.
This variety can be difficult to plant in open ground.
- Sunny day. It seems that the flowers of this variety have absorbed the warmth of the daytime sun. They have a bright yellow palette.
With a lack of sunny color, the Sunny Day variety quickly fades
How to plant sparaxis bulbs in spring
The place should be well-lit and protected from drafts. Sparaxis bulbs are not planted in a dark area. In open ground they grow well on loam. The samples are deepened to a distance of 7 cm. A distance of 10 cm is maintained between neighboring plants. The planting technology is simple. The main condition is drained soil.
Caring for sparaxis in open ground
In Moscow and the Moscow region, sparaxis is cared for in the same way as gladiolus. The crop needs regular watering, loosening and weeding. During periods of drought, the plant must be irrigated with a spray bottle, otherwise a burn may occur. Withered flowers are removed to improve the growth of new ones.
Watering
After planting in a pot or open ground, sparaxis requires plenty of moisture. After each watering, the soil is loosened shallowly. In summer, the plant needs liquid more than in other seasons. The plant is moistened 2-3 times a week using warm, settled water. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening. It is very important not to overwater the plant so that it does not get sick.
One bush requires about 3 liters of water in open ground
Top dressing
During the flowering period, sparaxis is fed with mineral supplements. You can use any complex fertilizers. In spring and summer, fertilizing is applied three times. After flowering stops, the bush is allowed to rest.
Is it necessary to dig up sparaxis for the winter?
In mid-latitudes, the crop must be dug up before the onset of sub-zero temperatures. If there is a warm winter ahead, the plant can be covered with spruce branches. In the southern regions this is not necessary.In such conditions, sparaxis can be grown as a perennial.
Planting sparaxis in a pot
In open ground, the crop grows well only in the south. As for the Moscow region, sparaxis should be planted in the house. Select a medium-sized pot, lay expanded clay (drainage) and fill it with nutritious soil mixture. To do this, use sand and loam in equal proportions, as well as organic fertilizers.
Reproduction methods
Regardless of where it grows - in open ground or in a home pot - sparaxis is propagated in two ways. The plant can be propagated from children or seeds.
Seeds
Take a container 10 cm deep and fill it with moistened nutritious soil. Distribute the seeds and then place the pot in a warm place. It is good if there is high air humidity.
In about a month the first shoots should appear. The rows are thinned out, planting samples 2 cm apart.
When the seedling grows to 9 cm, they begin planting in open ground, by which time the snow should have already melted
Children
Planting and caring for bulbous sparaxis flowers is quite simple when propagated by children. Work is carried out in the spring, preferably open ground. The shoot is separated from the plant tubers using a disinfected sharp instrument. The cut area is sprinkled with coal.
The pit is prepared in advance.
Experts do not recommend propagating Sparaxis by children in the fall, as in this case the samples have less chance of success
Diseases and pests
Sparaxis has good resistance to diseases and pests, but can suffer from chlorosis. A clear symptom is yellowed foliage, which indicates an iron deficiency.To do this, it is necessary to add iron chelate to the open ground.
If you overwater the bush, the corms may develop rot. It will no longer be possible to help such a plant.
Sparaxis has few pests, mainly aphids and spider mites
Application in landscape design
The oblong shape of the leaves will create a unique composition in the garden. This is an unpretentious plant that gets along with other neighbors without any problems.
To prevent sparaxis from being lost against the general background, it should be planted closer to the entrance
Designers advise not to limit yourself to one bush. A luxurious group of several dozen stems looks most colorful. The garden plant is also remarkable in its hanging form.
The culture looks great in bouquets, it is often used in floristry
Conclusion
Planting and caring for sparaxis in open ground will be simple if the owner has experience growing gladioli. The plants are similar in many ways, but have the same requirements for soil and maintenance conditions.
Reviews of the sparaxis flower
