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There are flowers that, due to their size and brightness, solo in the garden. In order to set off their beauty, an appropriate background is required. And here the airy bushes of gypsophila are very useful. The Snezhinka variety is especially good. Tiny terry snow-white flowers, similar to roses, completely cover the bush, contrasting with the green foliage.
Biological description
Gypsophila panic or gypsophila paniculata belongs to the genus Kichim in the family Carnation. This genus is quite numerous - it includes about 100 species. The natural area of the plant is wide. This is Europe, and Central Asia, and adjacent to it, Mongolia and part of China, as well as South Siberia and the North Caucasus.
This perennial plant can reach a height of 1.2 m. The stem branches strongly, turning the gypsophila into a ball, consisting of narrow small leaves and a huge number of flowers collected in panicle inflorescences. They can be either simple or terry, painted pink or white. The flowering of gypsophila paniculata lasts a month and a half from July to August. On the bushes, many small seeds are formed, enclosed in a fruit-box. Their shelf life is short - only 2-3 years. The plant reproduces in the wild by self-seeding. At the same time, the dried bush breaks off from the central stem and rolls, driven by the wind, scattering seeds along the road. No wonder the second name for gypsophila paniculata is tumbleweed.
Cultural varieties have been created on the basis of wild species.
- Bristol Firey. The variety has rather large double flowers of white color. Plant height from 60 to 75 cm.
- Flamingo. One of the tallest - up to 120 cm, decorated with double pink flowers.
- Pink Star. This variety has a dark pink color. The height of the bush is about 60 cm.
- Rosie Veil. The kid among the giants - does not grow taller than 35 cm. The flowers are initially white and turn pink over time.
- Snowflake. The bush grows to a regular spherical shape up to 50 cm. The flowers are rather large, densely double, snow-white.
Let's talk about the last grade in more detail.
Care features
This flower is unpretentious, but with proper cultivation, planting and care, the decorativeness of the gypsophila Snowflake will be maximum. What does she love?
Place and soil
Gypsophila paniculata Snowflake is a long-liver. With proper care, it can grow in one place without transplanting for up to 25 years. Therefore, its habitat must be chosen thoughtfully, taking into account all the preferences of the plant. Gypsophila paniculata in nature grows where there is a lot of sunlight. She needs the same in culture. She will feel best in an area that is fully lit during the day. Only in the hottest midday hours is a small lace shadow from the tall trees and bushes growing nearby.
She also has her own preferences for soil.
- Unlike the vast majority of garden plants, a lot of moisture is not needed for the Snowflake gypsophila. A dry and light-textured soil is suitable - loam or sandy loam. This plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture at all. The site should not be flooded in spring or during rain, and the groundwater level is low.
- In nature, gypsophila grows both on sand and on poor rocky soils, but cultivated varieties require a certain soil fertility. But it should contain a little humus: no more than 2% humus. Fresh manure cannot be applied under the Snowflake gypsophila, it does not tolerate it.
- This flower does not tolerate acidic soils at all.It requires an acidity of 6.3 to 6.7.
Soil preparation and planting
Before planting the bushes, you need to prepare the soil. The main condition for the successful growth of a flower is good drainage. He settles down directly in the hole before planting from small pebbles or pieces of brick. But on heavy soils, this is not enough. To increase their moisture permeability during digging, sand and small pebbles are added. In addition, for each square. m you need to add 50 g of potash fertilizers and humus, its amount is determined by the fertility of the soil, but not more than a bucket.
When planting, a hole is dug in the soil, at the bottom of which drainage is placed. It is necessary to plant the Snowflake gypsophila so that the root collar is at the level of the soil. Watering after planting is required.
If you plan to plant several plants, then a distance of 70 cm must be provided between them, and at least 1.3 m between the rows. Over time, the bushes will grow. Snowflake reaches full decorativeness of gypsophila in the third year.
The taproot is difficult to dig up completely, and if damaged, the plant may die.
Further care
Gypsophila Snowflake is an unpretentious plant. But caring for her is still required.
- Freshly planted plants need regular watering. In the future, the gypsophila is watered only during a long dry period or in extreme heat. Watering is needed abundant in order to wet the entire layer onto which the plant roots extend.
- This plant needs feeding 1-2 times a month. Make it with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. Enough 10 g of the mixture in a bucket of water. Pre-watering is required. Water the Snowflake gypsophila only at the root.
- This flower loves potassium, so feeding with ash will be to its liking. They are especially needed at the time of flowering.
- In order for the bush to retain its beautiful spherical shape and not to fall over, it is necessary to provide for a support to which it should be tied.
- If you remove the dried inflorescences, the flowering of the Snowflake gypsophila can be extended until autumn.
Features of care in the fall
After drying, the bush is cut at a height of about 7 cm, leaving 3 or 4 stems. Gypsophila paniculata is a frost-resistant plant. But in case of a snowless frosty winter, it is better to mulch it with dry leaves or humus. The latter is preferable. In the spring, humus will give the plant additional nutrition.
Reproduction
Many seed companies and online stores are involved in the sale of Snezhinka gypsophila seeds: Poisk, Aelita and NPO Sady Rossii. Therefore, with the acquisition of their problems will not arise.
For growing gypsophila, Snowflake from seeds can be sown in autumn in October on a specially prepared bedding bed. There should be about 20 cm between the rows, seeds are rarely sown, so as not to thin out later. Sowing depth - 2 cm. For the winter, the garden bed is mulched with dry foliage. In the spring, the mulch is removed. The grown seedlings are relocated to a permanent place.
For seedlings of gypsophila, Snowflake is sown in March. Loose soil is poured into a container with a good drainage layer. Seeds are only lightly sprinkled with soil. Place the container in a bright, warm place, putting on a plastic bag. After emergence, the package is removed. Seedlings need picking in the phase of 2 or 3 true leaves.
A separate pot is required for each seedling. With the onset of warm weather, the pots are taken outside. In the fall, grown plants are planted in a flower garden in a permanent place.
Most often, the Snowflake gypsophila is propagated by cuttings. How to cut?
- Cuttings are cut in May or June from non-flowering shoots. Cut off the top of the stem 5 cm long.
- The cut is treated with a root formation stimulator.
- They are planted in a cuttings with a loose substrate, to which a little chalk has been added. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
- Planting depth - 2 cm. The stalk should be planted obliquely.
- The cuticle is covered with a film, which is sometimes opened slightly for airing.
- The temperature for rooting is about 20 degrees, the humidity of the air is high, the light is bright diffused without direct sunlight.
- As soon as the cuttings take root, and it happens after 3 weeks, the film must be removed.
- The grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the fall.
The next breeding method for gypsophila Snowflake is suitable for those florists who are familiar with the technique of grafting. It is carried out in the spring with a cuttings taken from the Snowflake gypsophila, into a split on the rhizome of non-double varieties.
The place of gypsophila in garden design
Gypsophila Snowflake is a wonderful background for plants blooming with bright and large flowers. They are especially good in a frame of delicate white rose flowers. And the plant itself is so impressive that it can be a tapeworm and look great in a single planting against the background of conifers or a lawn. It is also appropriate as a curb, on a rocky hill, in a mixborder. Gypsophila Snowflake is very fond of florists - it is a classic companion for decorating bouquets of roses and other large-flowered plants.
Add this charming plant to your flower garden. Caring for him does not take much time and effort. This beauty will delight every season with an airy cloud of flowers and a delicate aroma.
Hello! This year I sowed the seeds of gypsophila, a perennial "snowflake", it bloomed, but for some reason it does not bloom terry, as they say everywhere. but simple flowers. Why?
Hello Irina! Gypsophila terry at home propagates by cuttings. If you have planted your own seeds, it should come as no surprise that the plants produced simple flowers. Although some specimens still had to keep terry. If you bought the seeds, the manufacturer is to blame.
Cutting gypsophila is a difficult task, only experienced gardeners can do it. But even they have a small number of plants. It is better to buy seeds from a trusted manufacturer. You can take several bags of different brands, sow and see where the gypsophila corresponds to the declared variety.
It is almost impossible to get terry flowers from your own seeds.
Thanks for the info. And I bought the seeds, it's very disappointing that they are all simple and not one terry.