Vasilki (Centaurea) are bright and beautiful flowers that are decoration not only meadows, fields, but also country sites. As for the origins of the name of these colors, then the opinions were separated. Some believe that Vasilek was named this because in ancient Greek mythology there was a wise Centaurrea Centaurea, who knew a sense in healing herbs. Others believe that the name of the colors comes from the word "Centaurea", which means translated from the lat. "One hundred yellow colors." This flower in the people is also called the stir, the wobbly, the bobbish, the silkwork, Blavat, and others. Vasileck familiar with many children's fairy tales and poems. It deserved such popularity. So, there are many varieties of this flower. To date, more than 550 varieties are known. Vasilek grows in Europe, America and Asia. Learn more about cornflowers, landing and caring for these colors - more.
Characteristics and description of cornflowers
Vasilek flower is considered a decorative culture. Depending on the type of cornflower, its color can also change. So, besides the usual blue and lilac flowers, there are pink, burgundy, blue, yellow and other shades. In addition, the size of plants from 35 cm (dwarf varieties) to 110 cm (tall varieties) vary. Stems are decorated with large inflorescences. Leaflets in these plants are solid or dissected. Are posted in the next order on the stem. There are rhizable annuals, two-year and perennial species of colors.
This culture is unpretentious both to climatic conditions and to the type of soil. In winter, plants may be without shelter. Vasilka bloom almost all summer, starting from June of the month and up to the end of August. Culture does not need careful care, so the simplicity and ease of growing is valued by many gardeners.
Massive inflorescences have a shape or cylinder. The rims are usually a scaly species, but there are bare. Inflorescences are located most often by groups, but there are single options. In the center of the inflorescence there are tubular flowers, and on the sides of Trusty. The varieties of these colors also differ in the shape of the roots and baskets. The roots usually have a long rod shape, sometimes a weaker root system occurs. Mountain Vasilka root, on the contrary, short. The seed box of cornflowers has an oblong shape. It contains about 310 seeds.
Perennial and annual varieties of cornflowers have some differences. So, perennial species are very persistent to different climatic conditions, as well as to diseases. They are unpretentious in care, grow in almost all types of soil, easily multiply. Throughout the year, regardless of the season, the root leaflets of many years of cornflowers are green. Therefore, these flowers like the gardeners so much, because they are decorating the country area almost all year round. The top leaves grow both in spring and autumn. That foliage that was formed in the spring period, by the end of the summer, yellowing and falls out, and the autumn leaves begin to grow in September.
By the end of the summer, the Vasilkov begins to form a seed box. It contains many small seeds. In order to be grown to grow from seeds, the seed box is carefully removed in this period. And seeds are folded into storage containers. Those flowers that begin to wet is recommended to fully correct with the flowerball.
Vasilki is undemanding culture, but still some rules when landing should be followed. So, first of all, they love solar clearing, so try to plant them on those sites where the sunlight is doing very well. If you form a floral composition, then try to plant cornflowers in the first row so that higher plants are not shaded them. This is the rule indeed and when planting colors to a bed. Rows should be formed so that the plants do not create shadow for each other. Therefore, disembark the cornflowers in a step of 40-50 cm. Less detrimental half-length only for a variety of vasil soft. However, in such conditions, his bloom will still be less bright and lush than when landing on solar pools.
Another important characteristic of cornflowers is their frost resistance. Even in the snowy winter bushes of these colors are not dying. As for annual species, they retain the green foliage until October.
Culture varieties
All varieties of culture are conditionally divided into two groups:
- Mesophytes. This group was obtained from species of colors that grow in meadows and plains. They love wet and moderately wet soils. This group includes annual plants. For example, cornflower canilelers, vasilek meadow, Vasilek Frigian and others. For growing colors of this type, neutral acidity soil is required.
- Xerophytes. These colors, in contrast to the first group of plants, do not need wet soil. They grow without much difficulties in dry soils. Wasils of this group are growing in steppe zones. These include - Vasilek Blue, Musky Vasilek (AmberBabo Musky), etc. These flowers have a massive root system, so they are better to plant them in separate containers or on the site at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other.
The high-temperature varieties of cornflowers include - cornflower and vasileck of Fisher. In the height of these plants reach from 30 cm to 150 cm. Have a massive root system.
Vasilkov landing and reproduction
When planting cornflowers at its own household site, it is necessary to observe the distance between the bushes. It should be at least ½ m so that each bush has a sufficient amount of nutrients for proper development. Otherwise, the plant can degrade, its stems will become thin, and the buds of small and faded color.
Before planting plants in the ground, it is usually "crimped." Simple words, if the soil on the flowerbe has not too high density, it is a little tamper. The fact is that possible emptiness in the ground will not give a plant normally rooted, which may cause problems in development. When disembarking, it is necessary to monitor the root direction. They should be directed both down and sides. The plant in the well is not too plugged, however, it is permissible for some varieties of plants, for example, for mountain range or Fisher Vasilka.
The planting of cornflowers produce so-called decene. They are part of the adult plant's bush. Usually, the disembarkation of cornflowers spend on the eve of the fall, at the end of August. It is necessary to neatly dig up the adult bush plants along with the soil so as not to damage the roots. Then it is lowered into a bucket with water, where the roots are gently laundered from the remnants of the Earth.
To stimulate the development of new bushes, they are cut off roots. The root length of the decene should not exceed 10 cm. After cutting the root, the adult bush is divided into several parts in such a way that each of them had a full root and several healthy shoots with a minimum of three kidneys.
After separation, each decene is planted in their place. To do this, dig a slight recess in the ground, poured it with water and after it will sweep a little soil, put out the decene. Then the earth is sprinkled and a little water is poured on top. The flowering of the new bush of Vasilka can be expected already next summer.
Some types of plants breed with seeds. This is an annual cornflower - Russian, field, Vasilek Marshal and Musky. These types are distinguished by what they have a rod root system.
You can hang up annual cornflowers in the middle of April, then in the summer it will be possible to observe his bloom. Sometimes, with the help of seeds, perennial species of this plant are planted. Sowing is spent autumn-for winter or in the middle of spring. Shoots of the sown spring Vasilka appear after two weeks, however, it can only bloom in a year.
The collected seeds of the plant can be successful for 3 years, after this period the likelihood of obtaining full shoots is sharply reduced.
Russian Vasilek and Vasilek Marshal not too well to transfer a transplant to a new place. Therefore, they are better to hang out on a permanent place, either in a flower pot, after which it is planted in open ground with "native" soil.
Vasilka: care
Vasilkov cultivation is not too troublesome. This plant does not grow in growth and does not require much care. It must be regularly watering and carrying the soil to ensure air access to roots. Blossom, although not too abundantly, Vasilek begins in mid-June. The plant does not require additional molding, as it has a rather attractive form. After the culture finishes its flowering, dried flowers cut. This does not bring any benefit to himself, but is done with the aesthetic purpose so that dried flowers do not spoil the appearance of flower. With perennial plants of the second year of life, you can collect seeds, they are already sufficiently hardened for this. Calculate at the end of August, then you can share bushes for breeding.
A perennial plant is quite successful for 10 seasons. In addition to the weeding and irrigation, it is necessary to occasionally hold the comprehensive composition of fertilizers. Balanced floral mixes can be found in any specialized store. In the middle of autumn floral bushes cut the second time. Do it up to the root leaves.
The most frequent disease that affects the bushes Vasilka is a fusarious wilt. This is a sponge disease, with which it is necessary to deal with the treatment not only the plant itself, but also the soil. To do this, use wood ash, which sprinkled ground around the plant, pour a solution of cow's manure or carry out the processing of the foundazole or top associated.