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Bright gaillardia illuminates any flower garden and pleases the eye. The colorful plant is hardy, blooms for a long time, and is resistant to drought and frost. From almost 30 types of flowers, you can choose perennial or annual gaillardias, which are propagated by growing them from seeds at home.
Description and characteristics
Gaillardia belongs to the Astrov family. Its homeland is the dry prairies of North America. Gaillardias of different varieties range in height from 20 to 90 cm. Small compact bushes do not fall apart and look neat. Growing tall trees involves installing supports and garters. A dense or spreading bush is formed by dense shoots with branches; they are straight, pubescent, and a little harsh to the touch. Lower basal leaves with petioles. The leaves on the stems are sessile - elongated, jagged at the edges, pointed, growing alternately.
Inflorescence structure
Flexible, thin and long, but strong peduncles bear one inflorescence - a basket. Flowers are simple, double or semi-double, odorless. The marginal flowers are three-toothed, of all kinds of red and yellow shades and their combinations, which evenly change along the radius, forming a picturesque pattern. In the center there are tubular flowers of darker, almost brown tones. Semi-double inflorescences are formed from several rows of reed flowers. Terry flowers form densely arranged funnel-shaped tubular flowers. The diameter of the inflorescences is from 6 to 12 cm.
Flowering begins in June and continues until autumn. Gaillardia, which is bred from seeds, creates harmonious ensembles with plantings of other drought-resistant flowers, such as gypsophila or kermek. This flower tolerates even the harsh Siberian climate well.
Types and varieties
They prefer to grow all varieties of annual and perennial gaillardia by sowing seedlings.
Gaillardia is beautiful
Bushes of flowers of different heights depending on the variety. Inflorescences are 6-7 cm in size. The edges of the petals are yellow, towards the center - reddish. This is the most famous annual gaillardia, which is spread by growing seedlings.
- Lorenza - spherical yellow-crimson inflorescences;
- Red Plume – terracotta color scheme;
- Yellow Plume – yellow baskets;
- Pict - double inflorescences of juicy pomegranate color.
Gaillardia grandiflora spinosa
A perennial, tall, up to 1 m plant with huge 10-12 cm inflorescences of yellow-red or yellow color. It is advisable to propagate by growing through seedlings.
- Mandarin - bright orange-red inflorescences;
- Croftwave Yellow - dazzling yellow color;
- Dazzer – the tips of the petals are a soft sandy shade, the rest of the surface is bright red;
- Wirral flame - ruby petal center and orange edges.
Gaillardia hybrida
The result of crossing Gaillardia beautiful and spinous. Many tall varieties, with the typical range of tones of terry baskets, bloom for two months. A guaranteed shade will be provided by annual planting of seeds for seedlings:
- Arizona Sun - the lowest, 20-centimeter bush, yellow-red flowers;
- Primavera is a compact bush up to 25 cm;
- Kobold - peduncle up to 40 cm, the edges of the petals are red, the central flowers are purplish-yellow;
- Golden Goblin – medium height, with golden tones;
- Burgundy – 55 cm, dark ruby flower;
- Bremen - up to 70 cm, crimson edges, ruby-colored petals;
- Zone - golden flower, height up to 70 cm;
- Tokajer is a tall plant, 75 cm, bright orange flowers.
There are also picturesque plantings of gaillardia blunt-toothed with light cream flowers and lanceolate with red or yellow inflorescences.
Complex fertilizers for flowers are applied at 25 g per 1 square meter.
Features of reproduction
Gaillardias can spread by self-sowing, but then the characteristic shades of the flower are lost. If you like a certain variety, you need to choose the largest beautiful flower among the plantings and mark it for collecting seeds. Growing through seedlings will give you the opportunity to admire the beautiful inflorescence next year.
Growing flowers
Annual and perennial gaillardias are propagated by growing from seeds. There are tips on how to plant gaillardia seeds directly into the ground.But in our climate, plants in such plantings develop poorly. It is better to propagate flowers from seedlings.
Perennials are then propagated by dividing the bush. They cannot be left in one place for a long time, because the decorative effect is reduced.
Sowing seeds
Growing gaillardia for seedlings begins at the end of February or March.
- Seeds are planted in a moist substrate, lightly covered with soil, and a film is pulled on top, creating a small greenhouse;
- For seed germination, temperatures above 20 degrees are required;
- The container is ventilated every day and the soil is sprayed;
- Seedlings sprout on 12-15 days. The container is placed on a bright windowsill or the flower plantings are illuminated with a phytolamp. The light regime must be observed so that the seedlings are strong;
- With the appearance of the second or third full-fledged leaf, gaillardia seedlings are picked and transplanted into separate cups.
Selection of site and soil
Gaillardias, cheerful sunny daisies, prefer for planting a sunlit, warm, spacious place that is easily blown by the wind, but not a draft. In the shade, the plants are weak, and the color of the flowers is not bright, even if they were propagated by growing them through seedlings.
Light, well-drained soils with neutral or low acidity are suitable for planting these flowers. Sandy loam and sandy ones are the best option. Growing gaillardia in acidic soils, loams, and areas overly fertilized with manure will not be successful.
- To make heavy soils more suitable for the required conditions for flowers, wood ash must be added to them. This useful fertilizer will increase the nutritional properties of the soil;
- The second useful component is the addition of coarse sand, which will help rainwater quickly penetrate into the deep layers rather than stagnate on the surface.
Flower care
Planting gaillardia, which is propagated by growing seeds for seedlings, provides a distance of 20-30 cm between flowers so that the soil can be easily loosened.
The plant is watered moderately, without waterlogging. On hot days without rain, gaillardia will respond to abundant watering with magnificent flowering. The norm for once weekly watering of its plantings is five liters for each flower. Water must be heated in the sun.
Feeding
Plantings of abundantly flowering gaillardia are fed three times per season. Humus is added, and beneficial organic substances are gradually absorbed by the plant with rain and after watering. They also feed with mineral fertilizers for flowers. The recommended rate is 25 g per square meter. Feeding is carried out periodically, when the flowers need it most.
- When the buds are forming, gaillardia is fed for the first time;
- Flowering requires another feeding;
- Perennial plants are fertilized the third time after flowering, 20-30 days before frost.
Protection from diseases and pests
Annual gaillardia, which is bred by growing seedlings from seeds, develops successfully in conditions good for the plant. Shading and waterlogging can cause diseases caused by fungi. Gaillardias are affected by leaf spot, gray mold and powdery mildew. Simple prevention is to plant flowers in a place where natural ventilation is provided, as well as moderate watering.
- If there are signs of flower damage, diseased stems and leaves are removed;
- The plant is sprayed with a solution of 3 g of manganese in 10 liters of water;
- For heavily infected plants, use Bordeaux mixture and colloidal sulfur in accordance with the instructions;
- Sometimes a plant is removed if it cannot be saved.
Insecticides “Aktellik”, “Aktara”, “Decis” and others are used against aphids and whiteflies on gaillardia plantings.
A sunny flower that does not require complicated care will decorate spacious areas and give them a perky, cheerful look.
