Aquilegia - a flower, popularly known as an eagle or a catchment. One of the most popular flowers among gardeners. It is famous for its light small flowers, which are represented by different types and forms. In the scientific literature, the name stands for "flower collecting water."
Aquilegia: description, characteristic of a flower
Aquilegia flower develops over two years. The first year of life is characterized by the nucleation of a kidney, the so-called renewal point, which is located at the base of the stem. The formation of the rosette at the root occurs in the fall, and in the spring the leaves of the rosette die off and a flower stalk is formed in their place. During flowering, single flowers form on the stems.
Aquilegia
The appearance of the flowers of this ornamental plant depends directly on the variety of seeds. There are such varieties of alpine, ordinary, ferruginous and many other species. You can see flowers of different colors and shapes with terry petals. It can be both one-color, and multi-colored petals. The flower itself can be red, purple, pink, yellow and other shades. The background for such a trembling flower is bright openwork leaves, as well as spurs, thanks to which it is quite difficult to confuse aquilegia with other flowers. The most popular varieties:
- ordinary aquilegia, grows up to 80 centimeters, tolerates cold well, popular varieties - undersized and terry;
- hybrid - can be found more often than others, the most famous variety is called the Snow Queen, grows about 60 centimeters high;
- Siberian aquilegia, which is found in the forests of Siberia, grows to 70 centimeters;
- fan-shaped - frost resistance is different, grows up to 30 centimeters in height;
- small-flowered variety is distinguished by small flowers, grows up to 30 centimeters;
- star - is distinguished by openwork flowers, grows up to 80 centimeters in height.
Aquilegia - seed growing
Growing aquilegia from seeds is the most famous way to grow this ornamental plant. You can either buy or assemble them yourself. Collect them after the appearance of pods on the shoots. If you miss this moment, then the seeds fall to the ground, forming empty small boxes. That is why if you do not want crosses, then plant aquilegia separately from other flowers. After collecting the seeds, they should be dried at room temperature.
Important! Seeds should be stored with extreme care, as they are toxic.
Interestingly, the collected seeds have a shelf life. After two years, the seeds may not rise. This is worth considering when buying seeds.
Aquilegia: when to plant for seedlings?
Harvested and dried seeds can be sown, both in boxes for seedlings, and immediately into the soil. It is customary to sow seeds almost immediately after harvesting - that is, in the fall, because their harvesting usually begins in August. In mid-autumn, they can be planted both on seedlings and in the ground. And in the early autumn it is better to plant them only on seedlings. If planting is planned in the spring, then it is better to keep the seeds in the refrigerator.
Aquilegia: planting seeds
To understand how to plant aquilegia from seeds, you do not need to be an experienced gardener. For planting these seeds, it is worth picking up deep containers. If there is no desire to mess with plastic or wooden boxes, then you need to find containers, with which it will be possible to plant seedlings directly in the ground. For example, paper bags. Then the landing will be easier, and there will be no need to be afraid that the roots will be damaged during the transplant.
Tanks for planting seeds
There is no need to select a special substrate for aquilegia. It is enough to take a standard substrate or a simple land mixture.
Conditions for growing aquilegia from seeds
In order for the seeds to sprout successfully, you need to adhere to some growing conditions. Nothing much to do. Aquilegia loves light, humidity and air temperature of at least 15 degrees. Also, for a better climb, the boxes with the plant need to be covered with a film.
Note! Direct sunlight is not acceptable for aquilegia cultivation.
Seedlings need watering. To do this, you need a spray bottle and room temperature water.
Subject to all favorable conditions for the flower, the first leaves should appear on the stems. Then it’s time to remove the film and plant the seedlings in separate containers.
Aquilegia - seedlings
As already mentioned, seedlings need to be dived into pots of paper or peat. This is the most reliable way, which increases the likelihood that aquilegia will grow, seedlings during transplantation will be more intact. When the pick is done, it is necessary to water the plants and observe all other conditions for growing seedlings.
When and how to plant seedlings in open ground
Seedlings are ready for planting. To transplant it into the open ground, you need to make sure that there will be no frost, since aquilegia is afraid of the cold. Once the temperature has stabilized within 15 degrees, a suitable place is chosen.
Note! For aquilegia, moist, loose soil is most suitable.
Before planting, the area where the flower will grow, you need to dig and fertilize. Next, small indentations are made at a distance and flowers are planted. After planting, you need to ensure that direct rays do not fall on the plants.
Transplantation of aquilegia to the ground
How to grow aquilegia from seeds
Small aquilegia requires special care. In order that other vegetation does not interfere with their growth, flowers need to be regularly weeded. It is also necessary in order to loosen the earth around the stem, especially after precipitation in large volumes.
Young aquilegia needs to be fertilized with minerals, which should be done mainly in the summer.
Aquilegia begins to bloom fully in its third year. To prolong its flowering, you need to pick flowers that have bloomed.
Landing and care of aquilegia in Siberia
Since in nature aquilegia can be found in all regions of Siberia, it is very simple to grow it in this climate. By itself, it is unpretentious, resistant to frost and is not afraid of the cold.
Siberian aquilegia
To plant aquilegia in Siberia, it is worth remembering that it can be found wild in a birch forest, and there are better conditions for it. That is, in the shade, where there is loose, moist earth.
No special conditions for Siberia in the planting of such an ornamental plant as a catchment are needed. She will feel fine in the soil rich in humus, and with proper care will bloom for more than one year.
Aquilegia: Reproduction
The reproduction of the catchment occurs by seeds, as well as division of the bush and cuttings. A young bush can be easily divided into several parts and planted. But the old bushes are difficult to divide, because with this method of reproduction, it is very easy to damage the roots. If this happens, then the plants get sick.
Note! Most often, aquilegia is produced using seeds. Depending on the season, they can be sown both for seedlings and in open ground.
Also, in open flowerbeds, reproduction can occur self-seeding. If the seeds are not collected on time, then they fall off and sow throughout the site. In order to prevent crosses and extra bushes, most of the seed boxes need to be cut.
Seed propagation
The easiest way to breed a catchment is by seed. For a good harvest, they need to be collected on time and properly stored. Seeds can be planted either in spring for seedlings, or in autumn directly into the ground.
For good germination, the seeds must be stratified. Stratification is the effect on seeds of low temperatures. Therefore, if the collected seeds lie before planting, then in mid-spring they are mixed with soil and placed in the refrigerator. It is also possible to sprinkle seeds with snow.
Seeds
Aquilegia: how long it blooms
Aquilegia begins to bloom in June or in July, depending on when it was planted. Blooms profusely, mostly about 30 days.
Note! To prolong flowering, you need to conduct a regular cut of inflorescences, which have already faded. It is also worthwhile to produce plant fertilizer using mineral complexes for flowering plants.
What to do with aquilegia after flowering
Aquilegia faded what to do next:
- stems that have bloomed and lost their appearance, need to be cut. Cut them mainly at the very outlet;
- what is cut off can be used for compost, if the flower was healthy, if the bush was sick, then it is better to take out the leftovers and burn it better so that healthy plants do not become infected;
- the catchment has faded - it's time to collect the seeds by cutting the seed boxes from the stem;
- also if the plant is propagated by division, then this must be done precisely when the flowering has stopped.
How to collect aquilegia seeds
As already mentioned, the collection of seeds can be done independently. The collection mainly takes place in early August. This is done by cutting the boxes, after flowering. The boxes are cut, dried, and then, pressing on the base of the boxes, the seeds are collected. Keep them in a cool and dry place.
Propagation by cuttings
One of the methods of propagation of aquilegia is cuttings. Cuttings are much easier to do than mess with seeds and seedlings.
There are certain rules for grafting:
- in the spring, before the leaves open, you cut the young shoots and treat the cut with a product that stimulates growth;
- the cut shoot is planted in the ground or put in a container and covered.
For the handle you need to choose a suitable place:
- the stalk, like seedlings, is planted in the soil with humus;
- the place on the bed should be selected darkened and with sufficient moisture.
Note! The planted stalk needs to be watered without removing the film from it, and within a month it should be taken. Once the stalk has taken root, it can be transplanted to a prepared place in the flowerbed.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
The division method is used only for plants that have been growing for at least three years. Do this in early autumn, so that the plant has time to take root before the frosts come.
The procedure for dividing the bush:
- a bush is being dug up;
- the root of the bush is divided by a knife into how many parts it is possible;
- the cut is lubricated with activated carbon;
- bushes are planted in a new place with suitable soil and well watered;
- the surface around the bush is covered with mulch.
Aquilegia: transfer to a new place
Aquilegia needs to be transplanted to a new place over time. Transplantation is carried out after five years of flowering. Only young bushes are subject to transplantation.
How to transplant aquilegia to another place
When transplanting, certain rules must be observed. Necessary:
- dig a bush for transplanting;
- choose a suitable place for a transplant;
- to loosen and pour soil in this place;
- plant a bush without shaking off an earthen lump from the rhizome;
- water and compact the soil around the plant.
Note! As a result, we can say that aquilegia is a beautiful, picky flower that does not require special care. In order to grow a catchment on a flower bed, you need to follow a few simple rules.
Namely:
- plant a flower in the soil enriched with humus;
- protect the plant from direct sunlight;
- fertilize the soil with mineral additives;
- feed the plant with vitamins;
- make a transplant on time.
And the flowers will not hurt, and from year to year they will delight the eye with lush flowering.
