Content
Helichrysum or immortelle is an unpretentious annual or perennial plant characterized by a rich range of colors. The crop is used in ornamental gardening and for making dry bouquets. It is better to grow annual immortelle in a generative way, by planting seeds in open ground or by first obtaining seedlings. Perennials are propagated generatively or vegetatively.
Growing seedlings
When propagating immortelle, the seedling method is often used. It will speed up the growing season and flowering of the plant. This is especially true in regions with cold climates. The culture reacts poorly to lower temperatures. Seedlings may die from returning spring frosts. The seedling method eliminates this negative factor, because seedlings can be planted in a flowerbed when warm weather sets in. Immortelle planting material develops well in stationary conditions and quickly takes root in the designated area.
Deadlines
Immortelle is identified for flowerbeds approximately at the age of about three months. The dates are at the beginning of June.Using these parameters, the time for sowing seeds for seedlings is calculated. After planting, immortelle sprouts appear within 20 days. Another 2 weeks pass before the pick.
During the initial growing season, the plant’s growth is slow; the crop gains green mass only at temperatures not lower than +22 0C. If you place immortelle seedlings in a cool room with good lighting, the growing season will slow down and the planting material will not stretch and outgrow. The timing of the work is in March (in colder climates) and April (in regions where nighttime spring temperatures rarely fall below zero).
Preparing containers and soil
Special plastic containers are suitable for sowing immortelle seedlings; you can use wooden containers. The containers should not be high (15 cm is enough), the width does not matter. To obtain a large number of immortelle seedlings, larger containers are used. If the container is new, just wash it with warm soapy water and rinse. If the container has already been used, after cleaning it is treated with hot water and a manganese solution.
The soil for planting immortelle seeds is dry and well aerated. You can purchase a ready-made mixture or make it yourself from peat, sand and a complex of mineral fertilizers. For satisfactory air circulation, I add small pebbles to the substrate. Before putting it into containers, the mixture is calcined, only then fertilizers are introduced into the cold soil.
Before planting, the soil is moistened with a sprayer, since immortelle does not react well to waterlogged soil
Sowing algorithm
The prepared immortelle material is disinfected with an antifungal agent; a manganese solution can be used for this purpose.
Sequence of sowing immortelle:
- The containers are filled to the brim with the prepared mixture.
- The top of the soil is sprayed with water with the addition of nitrogen.
- Make longitudinal lines 0.5-1 cm deep.
- Immortelle is sown arbitrarily, because the seeds of the crop are very small and it is difficult to maintain the interval.
- Lightly sprinkle with soil; no need to deepen it too much.
Seeds are scattered over the surface and covered with substrate
Containers are not covered on top, since the greenhouse effect is undesirable. Constant soil and air humidity can impair seed germination.
Seedling care
Containers with immortelle are placed in a room with a temperature not lower than +20 0C. Periodically moisten the soil with a spray bottle to avoid stagnation of water. Sprouts will appear in 3 weeks. After this, the containers are moved to a sunny place; there should be at least 15 hours of daylight. If no nitrogen was used during planting, the shoots are fertilized to stimulate growth. After three leaves appear, strong plants are selected from the total mass and picked into separate containers. Containers with cells, peat or plastic glasses are suitable for this purpose.
Two weeks before planting in the flower bed, the seedlings begin to harden
To do this, they are taken out into the open air for 30 minutes, gradually increasing the stay time. If there is a greenhouse on the site, it is recommended to leave the plants there until planting.
Planting and caring for immortelle plants in open ground
Immortelle is a flowering plant that has no special claims to agricultural technology. If the biological requirements are met, the plant will not cause problems when grown.
Deadlines
It is difficult to determine a clear date for immortelle planting; they are guided by weather conditions. Seeds can be planted in open ground in the south at the end of April. In colder climates - in the second half of May.
Shoots will appear in 2-3 weeks and need to be protected from possible drops in temperature. In cold regions, you can sow immortelle at the same time as in the southern regions, but at night you need to cover the bed with film. Seedlings are placed in warm areas at the end of May; in cold climates they are planted in the second half of June.
Site selection and soil preparation
In the wild, immortelle grows in sunny places and dry soil. These conditions are also created for cultivated varieties. The site is determined to be open only, because in the shade the vegetation is weak and the plant will not bloom. The composition of the soil does not matter; the main condition is a well-drained area. A place with stagnant water is not suitable; the immortelle will die in such an area. Before planting, dig up the soil and add compost or fertilizer for flowering crops.
In its natural environment, the plant is common in meadow uplands or rocky soils.
Landing rules
Seeds are sown according to the same principle as for seedlings. Seedlings are placed at intervals of 20 cm. If the soil is questionable in terms of moisture, and the immortelle variety is perennial, then drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole; small pebbles are suitable for this. The root is completely covered. After planting, the crop is well watered.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Immortelle is a drought-resistant plant that can survive for a long time without watering, especially during flowering. The plant gets enough rainfall.If the season is dry, watering is carried out before flowering begins so that the soil does not dry out with a small amount of water. The frequency of the procedure is 2 times a week.
Fertilizing for annual varieties does not play a special role. If the soil is poor and the immortelle looks weak, apply organic fertilizers (preferably in liquid form).
Weeding
Weeding is included in the conditions of agricultural technology. It is multifunctional in nature, rids the area of weeds and enriches the root system with oxygen. The frequency depends on the intensity of weed growth.
Also, compaction of the top layer of soil should not be allowed, since aeration is vital for immortelle.
Diseases and pests
The crop gets sick very rarely, and only if it is located in the shade or on waterlogged soil. Under unfavorable growth conditions, white rust may develop. If the crop is perennial, it is better to treat it with Bordeaux mixture and move it to another place. Annual varieties are practically disease free. If a problem is detected, the immortelle is treated with any antifungal drug.
Among the pests, the crop is affected by aphids and caterpillars of almost all garden pests. For preventive purposes, in the spring the plant is sprayed with Bio Stop. During budding, Aktara is used.
Collection and preparation of seeds
Immortelle retains its decorative appearance for a long time. If the flowers dry out and lose their attractiveness, the flower stalks are cut off.
The culture blooms from July to October. Seeds are collected before the end of the phase, approximately in mid-September:
- Large specimens are cut off.
- Lay out in a sunny place, cover the surface with a cloth.
- Place the baskets with the cuts down.
After the flowers dry, the seeds are removed and stored in a dry place in a paper or canvas bag.
Conclusion
Immortelle can be grown generatively or vegetatively. If the conditions of agricultural technology are observed, cultivating the plant will not be difficult. The culture does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Vegetation is possible only with a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation. The flowering period is long, lasting from July to October.
