Our grandmothers, growing strawberries, or strawberries, as we used to call them, were not particularly worried about mulching. But today this agricultural practice has become fundamental in achieving High Quality berries and reduce crop losses. Some might say it's troublesome. But practice shows that labor costs in this case pay off handsomely. In this article, we invite you to get acquainted with the nine the best materials for mulching garden strawberries.
Succulents are very versatile. Despite the fact that “kids” have always been considered more fashionable, the assortment of succulents with which you can decorate modern interior, it is worth taking a closer look. After all, colors, sizes, patterns, degree of pricklyness, influence on the interior are just a few of the parameters by which you can choose them. In this article, we will talk about the five most fashionable succulents that surprisingly transform modern interiors.
Mint was used by the Egyptians as far back as 1.5 thousand years BC. It has a strong aroma due to great content various essential oils with high volatility. Today, mint is used in medicine, perfumery, cosmetology, winemaking, cooking, ornamental gardening, and the confectionery industry. In this article, we will consider the most interesting varieties of mint, and also talk about the features of growing this plant in open field.
People began to grow crocuses 500 years before the advent of our era. Although the presence of these flowers in the garden is fleeting, we always look forward to the return of the heralds of spring next year. Crocuses - one of the earliest primroses, whose flowering begins as soon as the snow melts. However, the timing of flowering may vary depending on the species and varieties. This article focuses on the earliest varieties of crocuses that bloom in late March and early April.
Shchi from early young cabbage in beef broth is hearty, fragrant and easy to prepare. In this recipe, you will learn how to cook delicious beef broth and cook light cabbage soup with this broth. early cabbage it cooks quickly, so it is put into the pan at the same time as the rest of the vegetables, unlike autumn cabbage, which takes a little longer to cook. Ready cabbage soup can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Real cabbage soup is tastier than freshly cooked.
Looking at the variety of varieties of tomatoes, it is difficult not to get confused - the choice is very wide today. Even experienced gardeners he is annoying sometimes! However, it is not so difficult to understand the basics of selecting varieties “for yourself”. The main thing is to understand the peculiarities of culture and start experimenting. One of the easiest tomato groups to grow are varieties and hybrids with limited growth. They have always been appreciated by those gardeners who do not have much time and energy to care for the beds.
Once very popular under the name of room nettle, and then forgotten by everyone, coleuses today are one of the brightest garden and indoor plants. They are not in vain considered stars of the first magnitude for those who are looking primarily for non-standard colors. Easy to grow, but not so undemanding as to suit everyone, coleus require constant supervision. But if you take care of them, bushes of velvety unique leaves will easily outshine any competitor.
Salmon backbone baked in Provence herbs is a “supplier” of delicious pieces of fish pulp for a light salad with fresh wild garlic leaves. Mushrooms are lightly fried in olive oil, and then poured over apple cider vinegar. Such mushrooms are tastier than ordinary pickled ones, and they are better suited for baked fish. Ramson and fresh dill coexist perfectly in one salad, emphasizing the flavor of each other. Garlic sharpness of wild garlic will saturate both the flesh of salmon and pieces of mushrooms.
Conifer tree or a shrub on the site is always great, and a lot of conifers is even better. Emerald needles of various shades decorate the garden at any time of the year, and phytoncides and essential oils secreted by plants not only flavor, but also make the air cleaner. Generally, most zoned adults coniferous plants, are considered very unpretentious trees and shrubs. But young seedlings are much more capricious and require competent care and attention.
Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics in the shade flowering trees have long been an integral attribute of the meeting of spring in the Land of the Rising Sun. The financial and academic year here begins on April 1, when magnificent cherry blossoms bloom. Therefore, many significant moments in the life of the Japanese pass under the sign of their flowering. But sakura grows well in cooler regions - certain types can be successfully grown even in Siberia.
It is very interesting for me to analyze how people's tastes and preferences for certain foods have changed over the centuries. What was once considered tasty and traded lost its value over time and, conversely, new fruit crops conquered their markets. Quince has been cultivated for more than 4 thousand years! And even in the 1st century BC. e. about 6 varieties of quince were known and even then the methods of its reproduction and cultivation were described.
Make your family happy and make themed Easter egg-shaped cottage cheese cookies! Your children will be happy to take part in the process - they will sift the flour, combine all the necessary ingredients, knead the dough and cut out intricate figures. Then they will watch with admiration as the pieces of dough turn into real ones. Easter eggs, and then with the same enthusiasm they will eat them with milk or tea. How to make such original cookies for Easter, read in our step by step recipe!
There are not so many decorative and deciduous favorites among tuberous crops. And the caladium is a true star among the variegated inhabitants of the interiors. Not everyone can decide to start a Caladium. This plant is demanding, and first of all - to care. But still, the rumors about the unusual capriciousness of the Caladium never justify. Attention and care allow you to avoid any difficulties when growing caladiums. And a plant can almost always forgive small mistakes.
We have prepared a hearty, incredibly appetizing and simply elementary dish for you today. This gravy is one hundred percent universal, as it will suit every side dish: vegetables, pasta, and anything. Gravy with chicken and mushrooms will save you in moments when there is no time or you don’t want to think too much about what to cook. Grab your favorite side dish (you can make this ahead of time to keep it hot), add gravy and dinner is ready! A real lifesaver.
Among the many different varieties of these most popular vegetables, we will talk about three that are distinguished by excellent taste and relatively unpretentious growing conditions. Characteristics of eggplant varieties "Diamond", "Black Handsome" and "Valentina". All eggplants have a medium density pulp. In "Almaz" it is greenish, and in the other two it is yellowish-white. They are united by good germination and excellent yield, but at different times. Everyone's skin color and shape is different.
The homeland of such a plant as purslane is the tropical regions located in the Northern Hemisphere. Varieties of ornamental culture, according to various information, approximately 100–200 varieties. The plant grows well in wet sandy places that are located on the banks of rivers and surround ponds. But it is possible to grow this ornamental crop in a garden, field and in a vegetable garden on a personal or summer cottage.
If we talk about the name of this flower, then it originates from lat. the term portula meaning "small gate". This is explained by the fact that this plant has a seed box, which, opening, seems to open small doors. On the territory of our country, in the common people, this flower is called "rug". IN garden conditions it is possible to grow only one type of this crop - a type of large-flowered purslane (Portulaca grandiflora).
The easiest way to get a beautiful front lawn
You have, of course, seen perfect lawn in the cinema, in the alley, and perhaps on the neighbor's lawn. Those who have ever tried to grow a green area in their area will no doubt say that this is a huge job. The lawn requires careful planting, care, fertilization, watering. However, only inexperienced gardeners think so, professionals have long known about the innovative tool - liquid turf AquaGrazz.
Such an ornamental flowering crop, like purslane, grown in our climatic conditions, is considered an annual plant, as it is not able to endure frosty winters, even if it is carefully covered. In height, purslane grows no more than 30 centimeters. Externally, this flowering culture is characterized by a well-branched spindle-shaped root, juicy, branched stems that have brown shade cylindrical, fleshy leaves that are hollow inside, but may also resemble flattened eggs. It blooms in white, yellow, dark red colors with separate inflorescences throughout the summer period.
The inflorescences of these plants live for only one day, and at sunset they already fade. At the same time, large-flowered purslane, for example, blooms extremely abundantly and literally continuously throughout the season - almost immediately after one inflorescence fades, a new one appears. If we talk about the fruit of this flowering culture, then it is a multi-seeded box that has the shape of a ball. In addition to such a variety as garden purslane, which is customary to grow in our country both in flower beds and in pots, and using a hanging basket or container, vegetable purslane also grows well in our country - salad and medicinal plants often mistaken for weeds.
Features of sowing purslane
Most modern domestic flower growers claim that growing this flowering crop with the help of seedlings is the most convenient way its reproduction. But there are specifics on how to get good seedlings, i.e. correctly sow the seeds. Many experts believe that the optimal time for planting the seeds of this plant is February-March, but it is allowed to sow them in the month of April - in this case, those seeds that germinate will be able to grow well and fully develop due to a fairly long daylight hours, and sown before April, the month will have to be illuminated with artificial lighting.
Purslane seeds in a box
Before embarking on such a process as growing purslane, it is necessary to properly prepare the land, create a certain mixture - this is due to the fact that almost any soil contains peat, which significantly slows down the germination of seeds of this flowering crop. For this, ordinary garden soil is taken, and approximately 20% of fine-grained sand is added to it, and everything is mixed as much as possible. After that, it is imperative to ignite the soil mixture in the oven, which will allow it to be disinfected.
Then, in a shallow container with drainage holes, it is required to pour fine-grained gravel (expanded clay), on top of which place the calcined in the oven soil mixture and pour water over it - it should be settled or melted. After that, seeds should be spread on the surface of the soil at a distance of one centimeter to each other - the easiest way to do this is if you use a wet toothpick. It remains only to gently press the seeds into the ground, to build a frame over the soil surface, on which polyethylene is stretched, that is, to make a small greenhouse. It is necessary to put this greenhouse in a bright, warm place where the temperature does not drop below +22 degrees Celsius - +30 degrees Celsius is considered the optimal temperature regime.
Getting seedlings of this plant
If there are favorable conditions, then the seedlings of representatives of this flowering crop can be obtained after a week or two from the moment the seeds were planted. After the seeds germinate, you should free the container from the film and that's it - the seedlings are received. Growing seedlings of this plant requires mandatory periodic soil moistening using settled water - in the process, the bottom irrigation method is used. In addition, if the seeds were planted in early February or March, then additional artificial lighting may be needed. This is necessary in the case when there is too much stretching of the seedlings, which indicates a lack of light - accordingly, then they need additional lighting. It can be done with fluorescent lamps or ordinary table lamps for a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening - this will provide an opportunity to lengthen the daylight hours for sprouts. If the weather is cloudy, then artificial lighting must be on throughout the day. In the case when seedlings are sown in the month of April and grow on the windowsill on the south side of the house or apartment, artificial lighting is not needed.
Purslane picking rules
At what stage and in what way should this plant be picked? When a pair of leaves is truly formed in the sprouts, the seedlings need to be planted in threes in cups with a diameter of about 8 centimeters. After one week from the date of picking, that is, after the sprouts take root well, the first complex top dressing should be performed - it is carried out by applying mineral fertilizers to the soil. In the future, this procedure must be performed once / week or once / decade throughout the entire time until the seedlings are planted in the ground (open ground).
Important: in the process of planting, one moment is extremely important, the observance of one rule - you must definitely try not to shake off the soil lump from the root system of the seedling!
The nuances of planting in open ground
When should a culture of such a plan as a large-flowered purslane, for example, or any other kind of it, be planted? It is clear that the cultivation of any variety of such a flowering crop implies the creation of optimal conditions. First, this process can be started before the start June-month - that is, when one hundred percent sure that there are no frosts or a relatively serious decrease temperature regime will no longer be. This is important, because if the air temperature in the place where the purslane grows drops below +10 degrees Celsius, the plant begins to intensively lose leaves.
It should be remembered that this flowering culture feels best in a sunny place located on the most elevated site, because even with partial shade, purslane may not begin to bloom. Under no circumstances should root system this plant was close to ground water. In addition, representatives of all varieties of this plant should not be planted in places where water stagnates - this contributes to the occurrence of putrefactive processes in the rhizome. The soil for planting this plant should be used poor, sandy, otherwise, on rich soil, the plant actively grows green mass, and the flowering period does not occur.
According to experienced domestic flower growers, seedlings of this flowering crop can be planted in open ground after 15 leaves and buds appear in the seedling. It is necessary to plant purslane in a certain order. First, the bushes should be no closer than about 20 centimeters from one another. Secondly, during the first three days after planting seedlings in a flower bed, you should water it daily - especially when the weather is dry and hot. The flowering period for those representatives of this flowering crop that are grown from seeds is about 7 weeks from the moment the sprouts appear.
Basic rule of care
Caring for such plants consists in the mandatory periodic watering, which is performed regularly. This is necessary for the normal flowering of purslane, because despite the ability of its leaves to hold moisture well, water must still come from outside. Growing this flowering crop does not require fertilizing, pruning, weeding or loosening the soil. The only rule for proper care of such plants is to ensure infrequent, but always regular watering.
What causes purslane and its pests
As is clear from the foregoing, the process of planting and caring for purslane does not require absolutely any significant effort - it is accessible and understandable even for a beginner. Even such a representative of this flowering culture as terry purslane is not difficult to grow from seeds, because its cultivation is characterized by compliance with all the same rules that are described earlier in this article. If we talk about pests and diseases, then - this plant is quite resistant to them - in this regard, problems rarely arise with it. Nevertheless, from time to time, experts note cases of a massive raid simultaneously on several nearby flower beds, gardens and aphid gardens - in such a situation, purslane also suffers. Most effective method aphid control is spraying plants with Actellik. Then, when the problem cannot be eliminated at one time, then after 7 days the treatment with the insecticide should be repeated.
Actellik from aphids
It is also possible that representatives of this flowering culture can be affected by a fungus called Albugo portulacea, which is manifested by deformation of the shoots and the appearance of numerous spots on the leaves. The struggle consists in the most thorough removal of absolutely all damaged parts and further spraying of the plant with the help of a copper-containing fungicide, carried out with the highest quality.
Positive properties
Purslane as a medicinal plant has been known for a very long time - since the time of Hippocrates. In ancient times, it was believed that the seeds of this plant were able to purify human body, sheets are an effective antidote for a snake bite.
Plant purslane (lat. Portulaca), or dandur- a species of the genus Purslane of the Purslane family, growing in the tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere and, according to various sources, numbering from one hundred to two hundred varieties. The purslane flower prefers wet sandy places along the banks of rivers and reservoirs, it grows in gardens, fields and vegetable gardens near housing. The name of the plant comes from the Latin word "portula", which means "small gate, gate" - the seed box of the plant opens, as if small doors swing open. We call this plant "rugs". The popularity of purslane in Europe came in the Middle Ages, the British especially liked it, and at first not as a garden, but as garden plant. In horticultural culture, only one species is grown - large-flowered purslane (Portulaca grandiflora).
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Read more about growing purslane below.
Purslane flowers - description
Purslane flowers are grown as annuals because they cannot stand our winters even under cover. Their height does not exceed 30 cm. The purslane has a branched spindle-shaped root, juicy, branched stems Brown color, hollow inside, fleshy leaves, cylindrical or resembling a flattened egg. The flowers are white, yellow, deep red, bloom from June to September, and although each flower lives only one day, withering by evening, purslane blooms so profusely that it seems to be continuous. The fruit of the purslane is a multi-seeded spherical box. except garden purslane, grown in flowerbeds, in pots, hanging baskets and containers, grows in our gardens the herb garden purslane, or vegetable purslane, which is a weed on the one hand, and a salad and medicinal plant on the other.
Growing purslane from seeds
sowing purslane
Many flower growers consider growing purslane seedlings the most convenient way to propagate, so we will tell you how to sow purslane seedlings. Despite the fact that many flower growers, when discussing when it is better to plant purslane seeds, believe that this should be done at the end of February or early March, it seems to me that it is better to sow purslane for seedlings in April so that germinated seedlings grow and development, there was enough light day, while earlier crops have to be artificially illuminated. Before sowing purslane, you should prepare a soil mixture, since any purchased soil contains peat, which slows down the germination of purslane seeds. To prepare the mixture, you can take garden soil, add about 20% sand to it, mix thoroughly and ignite the mixture in the oven. In a shallow container with drainage holes, lay a layer of fine gravel or expanded clay, place disinfected soil on top, pour it with settled, and best of all, melt water and spread the seeds a centimeter apart on the surface - the easiest way to do this is using a wet toothpick - then lightly press seeds into the soil and, having built a frame over the container, pull transparent polyethylene over it to make a greenhouse. It is necessary to keep a greenhouse with sowing in a bright, warm place where the temperature will not fall below 22 ºC, but it is better that it be approximately 30 ºC.
Purslane seedlings
At favorable conditions Purslane seedlings will begin to appear in a week or two, and as soon as this happens, the film can be removed from the container. Now you should know how to grow purslane seedlings. Growing purslane seedlings involves periodically moistening the soil with settled water, using the bottom irrigation method, and, if necessary, organizing additional lighting. Under what circumstances might this need arise? If you see that the seedlings are too elongated, then they do not have enough light, therefore, they will have to be illuminated with fluorescent lamps or ordinary table lamp a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening, thus lengthening the daylight hours for seedlings. IN cloudy weather lamps should be on all day. But if you sow purslane for seedlings in April and keep the seedlings on the southern windowsill, then all this trouble with artificial lighting will not be needed.
Purslane pick
When and how to dive purslane? As soon as the seedlings have a pair of true leaves, they need to be planted three in cups with a diameter of 7-8 cm, trying not to shake off the earthen ball from the roots, and a week after picking, when they take root, the first top dressing should be made with complex mineral fertilizer. Then top dressing should be carried out weekly or once a decade until the very landing in the ground.
Planting purslane in open ground
When to plant purslane
Planting purslane flowers is carried out no earlier than the beginning of June, because you must be sure that there will be no more frosts, otherwise, at temperatures below 10 ºC, the leaves fall off the purslane. Prepare a place for the plant in the sunniest and most elevated area, because even in partial shade it may not bloom, and if the purslane roots are near groundwater or in a lowland where water stagnates, putrefactive processes of the plant's root system may occur. The soil for purslane is best poor, sandy, because on rich soil purslane only increases its green mass, but does not bloom.
How to plant purslane
It is desirable to plant purslane in open ground when the seedlings grow 10-15 leaves and several buds appear. Purslane is planted in this order: the bushes should be located no closer than 15-20 cm from each other. The first 2-3 days after planting, the purslane in the flower bed should be watered daily, especially if the weather is dry. Purslane blooms from seeds 6-7 weeks after germination.
Purslane Care
How to grow purslane
Caring for purslane flowers consists in periodic watering - despite the fact that its leaves retain moisture well, the plant needs water for normal flowering. The plant does not need fertilizing, pruning, weeding, or loosening the soil. All purslane care is infrequent, but regular watering.
Pests and diseases of purslane
As you can see, planting a purslane and caring for it is within the power of both an indefatigable and a lazy lover of flowers. Even growing terry purslane from seeds is not difficult, because it does not differ from the rules for growing large-flowered or garden purslane, which were described above. As for pests and diseases, the purslane is very resistant to them, and you are unlikely to have any difficulties with this. However, sometimes there is a massive raid on flower beds, gardens and aphids, then the purslane also gets it. It is best to fight aphids by spraying Actellik, and if you couldn’t fix the problem the first time, then after a week you can repeat the insecticide treatment. Sometimes purslane infects the fungus Albugo portulaceae, which is expressed in deformation of the shoots and the appearance of spots on the leaves. Damaged parts will have to be removed and the plants sprayed with a fungicide containing copper.
Purslane Properties
Purslane after flowering
How and when to collect purslane seeds
As soon as the flowers begin to wither, remove them without regret, while they are easily removed from the ovary, otherwise they will wither, and you will not see the fruit under them, which, when ripe, will open and spill the seeds to the ground. In dry weather, the seeds ripen two weeks after pollination; in cold summer and autumn, the ripening process can be delayed for a month. In addition, you should know that freshly harvested seeds become viable only next spring and retain it for three years.
Purslane in winter
In our climate, garden purslane does not hibernate, so in the fall you need to free the area from it and dig up the soil. Purslane propagates by self-sowing, so do not worry about how and when to plant it next spring.
Types and varieties of purslane
Large-flowered purslane (Portulaca grandiflora)
As already mentioned, large-flowered purslane, a native of South America, is grown in horticultural culture, a perennial cultivated in our climate as an annual plant. In height, the bushes of large-flowered purslane reach no more than 30 cm, since its stems are decumbent. The leaves are fleshy, small, cylindrical in shape. Single cup-shaped flowers with a diameter of 3-4 cm, simple or double, look like tea roses in white, cream, beige, yellow, red or purple, there are varieties that have a two-tone color. The original species has red flowers. Large-flowered purslane blooms from June to late October. The best varieties.
Morphological characteristics of purslane
The purslane family includes more than 100 varieties of plants. Purslane got its name because of the peculiarities of the seed pods - they open like a small gate, and from the Latin portula means "gate".
Purslane can be annual and perennial, but they are all characterized by small growth. These are creeping plants up to 30 cm in height with succulent fleshy foliage and a branched fistulate stem. The leaves can be not only traditionally green, but also brownish in color. In shape, they resemble a flattened egg. The flowering period of purslane lasts from June to September, the flowers, depending on the variety, are white, yellow, red and even dark brown.
Species and varieties
More than 200 species can be attributed to the genus of purslane herbaceous plants, including succulents, hallmark which is a fleshy stem and leaves. However, today only one of the many types of purslane is grown as a horticultural crop - large-flowered.
Motherland large-flowered purslane is an South America, over time, it spread throughout the European continent, and today it can be found not only in city flower beds in England or France, but also in Russian gardens. The large-flowered variety has earned popularity because of its lush multi-colored flowering.
There are several varieties of large-flowered garden purslane. White-flowered - one of the most common varieties, giving lush double flowers.
Variety Splendens is distinguished by bright purple-pink flowers.
Purslane is grown not only for beauty, but also as medicinal plant. We will talk about useful properties a little later. For such purposes, a garden variety of a plant is bred - garden or vegetable purslane. It can be recognized by its highly branched stems and oblong-spatulate leaves. Another feature is inconspicuous, compared with other types of purslane, flowering with small pale yellow flowers. But, we repeat, it is not grown because of beautiful flowering, but for food and for treatment.
Other varieties of decorative large-flowered purslane:
- Sonya is a plant of a simple form up to 15 cm high.
- Flamenco - terry purslane up to 20 cm high with multi-colored flowers.
- Double Mix - terry variety with flowers that look like small spray roses.
- Pun - terry or semi-double variety up to 15 cm high with flowers up to 4 cm in diameter.
- Sanglo is the variety with the largest flowers.
- Cloudbeater - distinguishing feature of this variety is that its flowers do not close in cloudy weather.
- Mango is a double variety with pinkish-orange flowers.
- Flash - blooms bright red.
- Tequila Cherry is a hybrid variety with maroon flowers.
Useful properties of purslane
Previously, people were closer to nature and knew much more about plants than they do today. Modern technological progress and the development of medicine have replaced the understanding and use of plants for medicinal and sacred purposes. Today, the majority will tell you what this or that tablet helps with, what they will at least name the names of the plants under their house. As for the purslane, it beneficial features prevail over decorative ones, and if desired, it can become an excellent assistant in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
In particular, it is about garden purslane, since the large-flowered ornamental has everything vitality go into bloom. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the fleshy purslane leaves as food. Numerous positive effects of purslane on the digestive system and overall health have been described in medical writings. Despite the fact that the plant was actively used in southern and eastern countries in ancient times, Europe learned about purslane only in the 17th century. French chefs were the first to become interested in him, they also contributed to the popularization and distribution of purslane to other countries.
With the advent of modern means for studying chemical composition managed to find out that purslane, in addition to healthy chlorophyll, contains a lot of iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Also in the fleshy leaves there is carotene, ascorbic and nicotinic acid. You can eat stems with leaves, adding them to vegetable and fruit salads, side dishes, meat and fish dishes. Green cocktails with purslane are very useful.
Boiled purslane sprigs are served as a side dish to meat dishes. Dried herbs of the plant are used as a spice for soups, sausages and meat products. Pickled purslane leaves are also popular.
By including fresh or dried purslane in your diet, many diseases can be prevented. But even with existing ailments, the plant can help to cope. Even in ancient times, doctors found that purslane is able to effectively cleanse the body of toxins accumulated as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Modern medicine only confirms this knowledge, positioning purslane as an effective diuretic and powerful antioxidant. Leaves and stems are added with medicinal fees and infusions for overwork, insomnia, flatulence, diseases of the filtering organs (liver, kidneys), etc.
Among other things, purslane normalizes blood sugar levels, “levels” blood pressure. In old times fresh leaves applied to snake bites, as the purslane juice pulled out and neutralized the poison.
Growing purslane
Most gardeners breed purslane seedlings, as this is the most convenient way for the Russian climate. In the southern warm countries sowing seeds directly into the ground is more practiced, but climatic conditions middle lane not too suitable for a heat-loving plant. The opinions of professional gardeners on when it is better to prepare seeds for seedlings differ - some believe that this should be done in late February or early March, others prefer to plant purslane in April. The second option is more preferable, since the daylight hours are already longer and warmer, so that the plants do not have to be highlighted artificially.
Before sowing purslane, prepare an earthen mixture. Everything purchased soils for plants contain a fair amount of peat for “splendor”, however, this component significantly slows down the process of germination of purslane seeds. To make a suitable mixture, add 20% river sand to the garden soil, mix and bake the mixture in the oven to disinfect. Then lay the soil in a seedling container with drainage holes. For better drainage the bottom is recommended to be strewn with expanded clay or gravel. Pour the soil abundantly with settled water room temperature. If possible, use melt water. You can make it yourself by freezing settled water in the refrigerator.
Spread purslane seeds 1-1.5 cm apart and lightly sprinkle with earth. Cover the container with cling film or transparent plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect. Now it remains only to wait for the germination of seeds. To make this happen as quickly as possible, place the container in a warm, bright place, but not in direct sunlight. The temperature should not fall below +22C (optimally +30C). If the conditions are met correctly, seedlings will begin to appear in a week. When all the seeds hatch, you can remove the film.
At this stage, it is necessary to maintain the relative humidity of the soil and protect young seedlings from direct sunlight. Growing purslane seeds for seedlings requires bottom watering and additional lighting if necessary.
Useful advice: If the seedlings are strongly stretched in height, then they do not have enough light - install additional artificial lighting. It is enough to highlight them for a couple of hours in the morning and evening to increase their daylight hours in this way. If the day turned out to be cloudy, the lamp can not be turned off.
The picking and planting of the purslane is done when the seedlings have two true leaves. Seed them in pots 7-8 cm in diameter, 3 pcs. in each, trying to keep the earthen ball on the roots intact. For the first week after picking, water as the earth dries out with ordinary water, and when the plants take root, make the first top dressing with mineral complex fertilizers. Feed the purslane once a week or once every 10 days until planting in open ground.
Landing in open ground
Purslane should not be planted in open ground until June, because at this time you can already be sure that frosts will suddenly begin and destroy the plants. Purslane begins to hurt and die at temperatures below + 10C. It should be planted in a pre-prepared place, located on the highest and sunniest site. If you plant a purslane in partial shade, it may not bloom, and if its roots are in highly moist soil, the plant will rot. For all its capriciousness, purslane loves poor sandy soils and blooms most magnificently on them. And if you “take care” and plant it in well-fertilized soil, the purslane will actively gain green mass, but will not give flowers.
Before planting a purslane, make sure that the seedlings have at least 10 true leaves and a couple of buds:
- Plant bushes at least 15-20 cm apart so that as they develop, they do not block each other's sun.
- For the first few days, water the plants generously in the mornings or evenings, especially if the weather is dry.
- After 3-4 days, water twice a week.
- Flowering will begin 4-5 weeks after planting in open ground.
Caring for purslane is very simple - you just need to remember to water it. Despite the thick leathery leaves, adapted to hold moisture well, the plant needs stable watering for normal flowering. It should be understood that flowering takes all the chemical and energy resources, so if the purslane does not have enough water, it will “cancel” flowering and will economically consume the moisture accumulated by the leaves. It is not necessary to feed and fertilize it, weed and loosen the soil - too.
When lush bloom will begin to descend, and you will notice the first fading buds, pluck them without regret. At this time, they are very easy to remove from the ovary, and if you hesitate, they will dry out and close the fruit box. Over time, it will open, and the seeds will fall into the ground. IN southern countries this state of affairs is perfectly normal and natural, but in a colder climate, the seeds will simply die. Therefore, if you want to decorate the garden with purslane and next year, remove fading flowers and expose seed pods. Leave them to ripen for a week, and then collect and hide until spring. You can store purslane seeds for no longer than 3 years, then they lose their germination.
When you have collected seeds from all plants, remove the faded purslane and dig up the ground. If you grow garden, and not large-flowered decorative purslane, you don’t have to bother with collecting seeds and digging - the plant reproduces well by self-sowing.
Diseases and pests
Sometimes the fungus Albugo portulaca can settle on the purslane. Evidence of this is a strong deformation of the shoots, the appearance of spots on green leaves. If you notice these signs, do not try to treat the infected shoots - remove them and spray the rest of the plants with a fungicide containing copper. The rest of the care for purslane is regular watering.
Planting and caring for purslane: photo
Purslane is a carpet annual plant that attracts, first of all, with its flowers - single, rather large (from 3 to 6 cm in diameter), they are simple, double and semi-double, color - white, orange, yellow, cream, pink, cherry and pinkish red. Flowers are located at the ends of the stem. Flowering lasts only one day - having blossomed in the morning, the flower dies off in the evening. But due to the fact that new flowers on the purslane, under appropriate conditions, are formed constantly and very much, the decorativeness of the plant does not suffer from this. The flowering period of purslane begins in June and lasts until the first frost.
Purslane is a plant that is very convenient for use in landscape design. It grows well, covering the soil with a green solid carpet - which is why it is often used as a ground cover, especially for open sunny places, on dry soils it generally acts as a substitute lawn. He feels good on stony soils, with his help you can get a flower carpet, both on flat slopes and on slopes.
It is used everywhere in rockeries, on stone walls, in ridges, between slabs, on dry and southern slopes alpine slides. In the flower garden, it can successfully replace faded ornithogallums, muscari and other small-bulbous plants that have bloomed since early spring. IN mixborder purslane is usually planted as a foreground plant, and in dry places as a border plant.
Due to its unpretentiousness, purslane feels great in garden or hanging vases, it is well suited for growing on loggias and balconies.
Types of purslane
Despite the fact that about 200 species of purslane are known in nature, only two of its species are grown in culture.
Purslane grandiflorum
In its natural habitat, this species is perennial, but in our conditions it is grown exclusively as an annual plant, because it, even when sheltered for the winter, does not tolerate frost. This is a low (up to 20 cm) creeping plant with a strongly branching stem, the leaves are cylindrical in shape, reaching up to 2 cm in diameter. The most popular varieties:
- Scarlet- undersized (up to 12 cm) plant with a strongly branched stem. Flowers - double, scarlet, up to 5 cm in diameter, flowering lasts from July to mid-October
- Cherry- a low (up to 12 cm) plant with simple cherry-colored flowers that can reach up to 5 cm in diameter
- Hybrid "Cream" - double flowers, up to 5 cm in diameter, cream, with a more saturated color in the middle
- Splendex- this variety of purslane attracts with its flowers of an unusual, pink-purple hue
- Sunglo- a variety that has not only the largest flowers, but also retains flowering even on cloudy days
- Orange- with flowers of bright orange color, this variety is often used as an ampelous plant.
Purslane garden
Another name is dandur or a flea plant, extremely unpretentious, most summer residents are notorious as a weed that is difficult to remove. This plant has a fleshy, bare, succulent stem, shoots have a characteristic crimson pigmentation and can reach up to 60 cm in length, usually lying on the ground, only the growing parts are raised. The leaves are fleshy, palmate or oblong-oval, yellowish-green or green in color. Flowering lasts in June-September, but has no decorative value - the flowers are inexpressive, very small, yellow.
IN medical purposes purslane was used in ancient times, its leaves and shoots are rich in vitamins A, E, C, PP, K, as well as easily digestible proteins, carbohydrates, carotene, organic acids, saponins, mineral and mucous salts. IN traditional medicine purslane is used as a wound healing, anti-inflammatory and diuretic, it helps to relieve inflammation in the bladder, with kidney and liver diseases, arthritis, and eye diseases. Drinking purslane juice helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
In cooking, green succulent shoots are used, which are cut before flowering.
The greens have a slightly sour, refreshing taste with slightly burning and spicy nuances, reminiscent of sorrel or spinach. Purslane is used both for salads and in vegetable dishes, sauces and sauces for fish and meat dishes. in the Caucasus and Central Asia it is pickled and salted, as well as harvested in dried form.
Advice! You can cut off almost the entire shoot, after 25-30 days the plant is restored almost completely, one plant gives 3-4 crops per summer.
Purslane: cultivation and care
Growing purslane is easy enough, it is an ideal plant for those who cannot devote a lot of time to caring for the plant. The main thing is to choose the right soil for it. Purslane comes from Brazil and Argentina, so the main condition for its normal development and abundant flowering- the sun, this is a very thermophilic and light-loving plant. There should be a lot of sun, because on cloudy days or in a shaded place, purslane flowers do not open. With a lack of light, flowering may not begin at all, the stem lengthens, the carpet loses its solidity.
The soil
Sandy, poor soil is best suited for planting purslane - on too “fat” land, the plant will intensively increase its green mass, but flowering may not occur at all. It is very important that there is no peat in the soil. To adapt the "heavy" soil for planting purslane, you can add charcoal.
top dressing
Purslane does not need to be fed, it tolerates poor soils well, but fertilizer can cause flowering to stop.
Watering
Purslane requires frequent watering immediately after transplantation, during the period of active plant growth. As it grows, the frequency of watering decreases. Despite the fact that the fleshy leaves of purslane are able to accumulate water, mature plant needs periodic watering, on average - 1 time per week, and in very dry summers - 1 time in 3-4 days.
Care
Purslane is very unpretentious, it does not require weeding (most often, you will have to stop its “aggressive” aspirations, thanks to self-seeding, it is capable of a short time cover enough large areas, especially vegetable purslane), loosening the soil or pruning.
Diseases and pests
Purslane is extremely resistant to diseases, the only fairly rare disease is infection with the fungus Albugo portulaceae, the defeat of which is indicated by small spots that appear on the leaves of the purslane. In this case, the stems of plants begin to deform and lose their attractiveness. To get rid of the fungus, the affected parts of the plant are removed, the remaining shoots are treated with any fungicidal preparations containing copper. Very rarely, thrips can appear on the plant - insect pests that suck the juice of the plant, which is why silver specks form on the leaves.
Reproduction of purslane
The main method of propagation of purslane is seed. Due to the fact that the maturation of the boxes containing the seeds is very uneven, and when ripe they immediately crack, for harvesting seeds they are collected slightly unripe and laid out on paper. And although the seeds remain similar for 2-3 years, it is better to sow them immediately the next year.
Since purslane blooms 2-2.5 months after germination, it is sown for seedlings in early March. To do this, up to 1 cm of fine gravel is poured at the bottom of a small drainage tank. The soil is a mixture of garden soil (80%) and sand (20%). Important point- in the presence of peat in the soil, germination will be extremely low up to its complete absence.
The soil is well moistened with thawed (settled) water, the seeds are simply sown from above, after which the container is covered with a film (glass). The first shoots appear after 5-15 days, after which the film is removed. Until the plants get stronger, the soil is moistened with a spray gun. Purslane is very thermophilic, minimum temperature for the normal development of seedlings - not less than + 22C, raising the temperature to + 30C improves the development of plants. Upon reaching the age of one month, when several true leaves appear, the seedlings dive into small (7-8 cm in diameter) pots.
Advice! Seedlings develop well only with sufficient lighting - the duration of daylight hours should be at least 12 hours. Therefore, it is necessary to use lamp for plants daylight, on cloudy days to carry out additional illumination, and on other days - to carry out this procedure in the morning and evening.
Purslane is planted (planting, the photo is given below, is carried out when the seedlings reach 5 cm in height and there are at least 10 leaves) after the end of night frosts. The distance between individual seedlings is 15-20 cm, soon this distance will be quickly filled with a green rug.
Advice! To improve the survival rate, the seedlings are intensively watered, when the plant grows up, they switch to the standard watering mode.
In summer, reproduction can be carried out using cuttings - all leaves, except for a few upper ones, are removed from a 5 cm long cutting and planted in prepared soil.
Growing purslane from seeds - more on the video