Growing statice from sowing seeds to luxurious decor
A bright bouquet of unfading limonium serves as an original souvenir, as well as an exquisite decoration for any interior. For this reason, millions of gardeners are cultivating statice in their country house. Some practice sowing seeds in open ground, while others for seedlings. It is important to know when and how best to hold the event and take into account the basic rules of crop care. Moreover, many people find it difficult to choose a variety. Familiarity with the 5 varieties of kermek will help you make the right decision.
The flower belongs to the genus Piggy, which has about 350 other shrubs and herbaceous plants. In nature, they grow in the coastal strip of Asia, and are also found throughout Europe.
Growing statice: a description of several ways
Sea lavender is particularly hardy. Thanks to its well-developed root system (long rod-shaped root), it thrives on sand dunes and loose soil. Therefore, the cultivation of notched kermek from seeds does not require special preparation. You just need to define the following points:
- sowing time;
- method of germinating seedlings: in a pot or in greenhouse;
- the composition of the planting substrate;
- seed preparation technology for planting.
Since limonium grows near the shores of the sea and rivers, it is planted in windy and well-lit areas. The soil should be sandy loam or have a crumbly structure. In such a soil, air circulates well, and water does not stagnate.
Statice is popularly and in different parts of the world called limonium, sea lavender, immortelle or kermek.
Growing a village from seeds: what the gardener sows, so will reap
The collection of planting material is recommended in the middle of summer, when the seeds ripen. Grains are very carefully obtained from miniature capsules. Then they are put in a glass jar and tightly closed so that no air gets into it. At the beginning of spring, when it is possible to plant a statice for seedlings, they are taken out and sowed.
Limonium is sown in pots in mid-February. To grow a crop in a greenhouse, sowing is carried out in late March or early April. By that time, the temperature of the ground is optimal for growing statice from seed, when planting it is less risky.
Containers with drainage holes are thoroughly washed and then disinfected. A layer of expanded clay is placed on the bottom of each. The containers are filled peat or a commercially available seedling soil. It should be lightweight, loose. To do this, add 1 part of sand to it. The earth is also spilled with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate to kill all fungi and bacteria. Then the following activities are carried out:
- abundantly water the soil with warm water;
- wait for the liquid to drain;
- form grooves up to 2 cm deep;
- evenly sow seeds in them;
- sprinkle on top with a mixture of sand and peat;
- moisturize again;
- covered with foil, glass or flexible plastic lid.
The container is placed in a room where the temperature is about 18-22˚С, and the air humidity is 50-60%. This is one of the secrets of how to grow statice faster than usual. Then the seedlings will appear in 2-3 weeks in the form of several full-fledged leaves. Next, they need to dive 3 pieces into separate pots filled with peat and sand (of each component in a flat part). After a month, the seedlings are planted one at a time in different containers.
Every day, the seedlings are ventilated and watered with a spray bottle. It is not necessary to allow both drying and waterlogging of the soil.
The seedlings are transferred to the flowerbed and to the front garden in the middle May... The gardener should not be afraid of the return of frost, since limonium successfully tolerates them, although there are exceptions.
Growing statice in the open field
Many farmers decide to sow the crop immediately in the garden. The event is advised to be scheduled for April, when the ground and air warms up to 18-20˚С.
Since the seed coat is very dense, it will have to be broken piece by piece. The sharp ends of the grains are gently cleaned with sandpaper. After that, they are placed in sawdust, moistened with warm water, and left for 2-3 days. In another case, the planting material is placed in a solution with a growth activator for several hours.
The stratification procedure is followed by planting the statice in open ground and caring for its seedlings. It is important to follow these rules:
- dig up the earth with humus;
- level the surface with a rake;
- make rows at a distance of 20 cm from each other;
- form grooves at a depth of 2 cm;
- sow seeds in 10-15 cm increments;
- fill the bed with a sandy mixture: peat and sand;
- water the area thoroughly with warm water.
When sprouts appear, it is necessary to thin out the planting. The grower must remove weak and unhealthy seedlings so that the space between the specimens is not less than 30 cm. Then they will grow fully and not interfere with each other.
Features of limonium care
The decorativeness of kermek largely depends on proper watering and the introduction of timely dressings. Moreover, you need to know how to properly cut and dry dried flowers. Above were tips, as well as a photo of planting limonium and caring for seedlings, seedlings. In the process of their growth, it is also important to carry out the following procedures:
- Watering. The culture belongs to the group of drought-resistant plants, therefore, the soil is moistened only during prolonged drought. Up to 300 ml of liquid is added under the root of the bush.
- Top dressing. The event is carried out at the beginning of planting. Complex mineral fertilizers are added to the soil with the calculation of 3-5 kg per one hundred square meters of land. Poor soils are fertilized every 15 days with organic matter.
- Preparation for wintering. Sea lavender (only a perennial variety) can withstand temperatures as low as -30˚С. Nevertheless, experts recommend covering it for the winter with spruce branches, straw and leaves, covering all this with non-woven material. Before this, the stems are cut at the root.
In the spring, it is important to remove the shelter in time to protect the plant from waterlogging. Then the melted snow will not flood the landing. At this stage, the cultivation of statice practically ends, because many varieties of the crop are annuals.
Some farmers add salt to the water for irrigation: 2 tablespoons of preservative are taken for 10 liters. Compounds of this mineral have a beneficial effect on the root system of the plant.
Statice varieties that make the heart beat faster
A luxurious bouquet of bright kermek flowers awakens the senses of even the most serious people. This plant is very popular with pragmatic natures, since it retains its decorative effect for six months. Gardeners will love growing limonium as it is easy to care for. It remains only to choose the right variety.
Statice Shimmer - a scattering of gems
In a flower bed, these flowers look like real gems. Flower shields grow on high stems (up to 80 cm). Most of all, gardeners love the statice shimmer variety for the variety of bright colors. The dried cups with corrugated edges are painted in the following shades:
- pink;
- purple;
- white;
- yellow.
This unique multi-colored scattering will become a highlight of landscape design. Contrasting bouquets can be a delightful decoration for both the central and the back area of a small front garden.
It is necessary to cut off the stems only after all the buds have bloomed. At the same time, they can fade in the sun or turn brown, so there is no need to delay with this.
Statice German or when it snows in July
One of the brightest shades in nature is white. To highlight the top of the alpine slide, you can use the German statice as an ornamental plant. When a culture blooms, it conquers all passers-by with its snow-white cloud. However, if you look closely at the flowers, then a burgundy star is exquisitely hidden in their middle. And the flower shields themselves look more like an ear than an inflorescence.
The variety is recommended to grow through seedlings: from March to May. In August or early September, limonium is transferred to the site, which will serve as his permanent residence.
Statice Germanicus is a perennial plant. The bush reaches 40 cm in height. Cremek begins to bloom in mid-June or July.
Statice Supreme pink - a reflection of tenderness
Powerful erect stems are crowned with delicate inflorescences of an ash rose shade. It is in this graceful form that the Statice Supreme pink conquered many flower lovers. Its color is an invariable advantage of the variety, since it retains its decorative effect for the longest time. The bush of the culture grows up to 75 cm, the funnel-shaped flowers reach 1 cm.
Statitsa Crimean mix - the leader among dried flowers
The successful combination of 7 shades in the colors of the statice, the Crimean mixture, makes the variety the most popular for creating unique arrangements. Bouquets and compositions come to life thanks to the harmony of a bright palette, which consists of the following colors:
- fiery yellow;
- Orange;
- cornflower;
- purple;
- white;
- pink;
- scarlet.
Some of them are from the same spectrum, which makes the composition monochrome. Others are too contrasting, but together they look impressive.
Statice Blue - a cool shade in a sophisticated design
One of the popular varieties is the statice Blue, which is often confused with the mascot variety. The difference between these two types is the color. The dark blue inflorescences of the Kermek talisman are complemented by lonely snow-white buds that resemble the stars in the night sky.
Plain limonium varieties are more suitable for elegant and kept in the same style.
From the above, it can be noted that growing statice is an exciting and enjoyable activity. Moreover, the culture will appeal to a busy gardener, since it is picky about care.