Content
- 1 Description of the mesembryanthemum
- 2 Types and varieties
- 3 What mesembryanthemum seedlings look like
- 4 Growing mesembryanthemum seedlings from seeds at home
- 5 Planting and caring for mesembryanthemum in open ground
- 6 Reproduction methods
- 7 Diseases and pests
- 8 Mesembryanthemum in a flowerbed
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews about mesembryanthemum
Photos and descriptions of mesembryanthemum will help gardeners become more familiar with this interesting plant, which can be grown not only in open ground in a flower bed, but also in containers and pots on the balcony. This is a drought-resistant, low-growing, creeping crop that blooms with large chamomile-like buds throughout the summer. In particular, it is an annual, but biennial varieties are also found.
Mesembryanthemum refers to succulent plants that store water in the aboveground part
Description of the mesembryanthemum
Crystal daisy (the second name of the flower) is a succulent native to southern Africa. Belongs to the Aizov family. It is characterized by green leaves, arranged in an opposite pattern at the bottom of the stems and in an alternate pattern at their tops.They are usually rosette, round in shape, fleshy, and have small growths on their surface that look like drops of dew, which is why the mesembryanthemum is often called crystal or glass. The shoots of the plant are thick, but fragile, long, and can stretch up to 80 cm. Chamomile-like flowers, usually large, cover the plant abundantly throughout the summer and until mid-autumn. Their petals are narrow, numerous, varied in color: white, yellow, pink, cream, purple, and there are two-color varieties. After flowering, fruit-boxes are formed in their place, in the chambers of which small seeds ripen.
Mesembryanthemum height
Crystal chamomile is a low-growing ground cover, the height of which is usually 10-15 cm. Almost all species die off after fruiting, although perennial varieties are also found.
Types and varieties
The mesembryanthemum includes a large number of species that have not yet been studied in full. Most often found in gardening is the heart-leaved crystal daisy (cordifolium), or rather its hybrids.
The most popular varieties of culture are:
- Crystal mesembryanthemum (сrystallinum) is a species no more than 15 cm high, with spreading stems and flowers very similar to chamomile. The leaf blades of the plant are soft green in color, with wavy edges, and heavily covered with papillae. The buds can be red, pink, purple or white.Among the varieties of this species, mesembryanthemum Sparkles with flowers of various colors and white-yellow leaf blades are distinguished, Harlequin is distinguished by its bright colors and the ability to grow up to 0.5 m, Limpopo is spreading bushes with large delicate flowers.
Inflorescences of crystal mesembryanthemum are triflorous
- Mesembryanthemum grass-like (tricolor) is a species about 12 cm high, with a spreading structure and beautiful stems that form a carpet. Pink buds with a dark core.
The leaf blades of the cereal mesembryanthemum are completely covered with hairs
- Crystal daisy (bellidiformis) is a low-growing (up to 10 cm) annual with gray-green leaves and reddish stems. The buds can be orange, red, purple, pink, white. They bloom only in the sun.
Daisy mesembryanthemum forms a dense carpet on the ground
What mesembryanthemum seedlings look like
Crystal chamomile seedlings, despite the dense green leaves, are quite tender, with a branched root system, which even at a young age grows greatly in width, which is why the plant does not particularly like transplants. When planting seeds, it is advisable to immediately sow several pieces in one container to avoid picking and damaging the seedlings.
Growing mesembryanthemum seedlings from seeds at home
There is an opinion among gardeners that growing mesembryanthemum is easier and more convenient through seedlings. The seeds of the crop have good germination, and if the work is done correctly, you can get quite a lot of seedlings.
When to sow mesembryanthemum for seedlings
Crystal chamomile is planted with seeds in early spring, usually in March or the first half of April. The climate of the growing region is taken into account. The sooner stable heat arrives, the earlier sowing is done.
Sowing mesembryanthemum seeds for seedlings
Crystal chamomile seeds are planted according to the following algorithm:
- The prepared containers are filled with a damp mixture of sand and earth in a 2/1 ratio.
- Perform surface sowing of seeds.
- Cover the containers with glass or film and leave them in a room with a temperature of +12-15 °C.
- After a couple of weeks, when friendly shoots appear, the containers are placed in a room with a temperature of +10 ° C, the shelter is removed.
- After a couple of weeks, if necessary, a pick is carried out.
Mesembryanthemum seeds are very small; they do not need to be embedded in the ground when planting.
Caring for mesembryanthemum seedlings
Caring for young mesembryanthemum seedlings is generally accepted. After emergence, seedlings are opened, placed on a sunny windowsill, and moistened as the soil dries.
Planting and caring for mesembryanthemum in open ground
Growing mesembryanthemum in open ground does not cause much trouble for gardeners. Plants are planted as soon as the threat of return frosts has passed, approximately from mid-May. The place for it is chosen on the south side of the site; it should be well lit, ventilated, but without drafts. The soil should be rocky or sandy, with a drainage layer of expanded clay or sand.
The planting scheme for crystal chamomile is as follows:
- In the prepared bed, dig planting holes at a distance of 15 cm from each other.
- Place seedlings in the holes.
- Cover the plants with loose soil.
- Compact the soil.
- Water.
When growing two-year-old mesembryanthemum varieties, they are left to overwinter in pots
Watering
Mesembryanthemum needs moderate but timely moistening of the soil with warm water, and in humid weather it is recommended to cover the crystal chamomile with a film to prevent the soil from becoming soggy. During moderate precipitation, watering is avoided; in winter, watering is carried out after the leaves are compressed, and in pots when the soil dries out.
Top dressing
Crystal chamomile does not bloom much in fertile soil, so it does not need fertilizing. But if we are talking about a plant that is grown as a potted crop, then in this case it will need fertilizers, and they need to be applied frequently, every 15-20 days. It is best to use special compounds for succulents.
Wintering
Mesembryanthemum is one of the non-frost-resistant ornamental crops, which is why it is grown as an annual in Russia. But it is worth noting that if you dig up the bushes, plant them in containers and leave them in a cool room (glazed loggia or veranda) for the winter, they will overwinter well.
Mesembryanthemum should overwinter in a room where the temperature is kept at +8 ° C
Reproduction methods
Most often, crystal chamomile is propagated by seeds, which can be collected independently. They are usually sown at home, less often directly into flower beds. The mesembryanthemum begins to bloom in the spring, with the arrival of stable warmth.
Some gardeners propagate mesembryanthemum from cuttings. This is usually done in the fall, but sometimes in early spring, using strong shoots and rooting them in water, sand or soil for at least two weeks.
Diseases and pests
Mesembryanthemum is characterized by strong immunity and practically does not get sick, but in too wet soil or poorly drained areas it can rot.
Among the pests, the spider mite poses a danger to the mesembryanthemum. If it is detected, all plants must be immediately treated with special products such as Aktara or Aktellika.
Mesembryanthemum in a flowerbed
The crystal daisy flower, judging by the photo, looks great in the garden with different plants. It looks especially beautiful in rocky flowerbeds, on sunny alpine hills or slopes, where its long shoots effectively hang and creep along the ground. Mesembreanthemum grows well, due to which it looks decoratively as an independent plant, but also combines well with other flowering crops. It can often be found in the same flower bed with drotheanthus and purslanes, which are excellent companions for it.
The long period of budding of mesembreanthemum and low shoots make it possible to grow it in high and hanging pots, and balcony boxes. The flower will be an ideal solution for a terrace or veranda.
Crystal daisy gets an additional decorative effect due to the overflow of colors.
Conclusion
Photos and descriptions of the mesembryanthemum indicate that the plant is quite attractive and does not require special efforts when planting and caring for it. It has an unusual appearance, for which people call it “crystal daisy”. Recently, the culture has begun to rapidly gain popularity among gardeners, although several years ago not many flower lovers knew about its existence.
Reviews about mesembryanthemum
