Content
Cochia is slowly but firmly gaining more and more popularity among flower growers. This short and unpretentious plant looks great in combination with other flowers in any garden plot. In most cases, the shrub is used as a component in the compilation of a variety of landscape design compositions. It is ideal for border decoration. But there is very little information about growing Kochia from seeds, when to plant seedlings, how to care for and what conditions must be observed.
Brief characteristics of the plant
China is considered the birthplace of Kohia, belonging to the Marev family. It is there, in the Middle Kingdom, that it has been grown for a long time as a decorative element for decorating plots. And recently, breeders have bred new varieties of Kochia, which differ in the shade of the foliage, the shape and height of the plants.
Cochia decorative has several names. It is called an annual cypress for its external resemblance to the coniferous tree of the same name. It is called a broom grass because earlier the branches of Kohia served as raw material for the manufacture of brooms. It has two more names - Summer Cyprus or Bassia.
Kohia is a lush shrub. On average, plant height reaches from 80 cm to 1 m, depending on the variety and compliance with growing conditions. The rich green color of the bushes may slightly differ in the shade of a lush, green mass.
Cochia's leaves are long and narrow, like long needles. Thanks to them, the bushes take the form of a cypress. Some varieties by autumn acquire a bright burgundy, raspberry, pink, pale lemon, dark green or even purple color.
Bassii bloom imperceptibly. Small flowers are located at the base of the petioles. But gardeners are engaged in growing Kochia from seeds for seedlings not at all because of the flowers. The seeds ripen quickly and the plant often reproduces uncontrollably by self-seeding.
In total, there are more than 80 species of Kochia in nature, and it grows almost all over the world. The main reasons for this popularity are:
- wide range of applications as a decorative element;
- ease of growing;
- unpretentiousness in subsequent care.
Bassiya will not require any special skills or efforts from you. It is only important to figure out what rules of agricultural technology must be followed in order for the personal plot to become an example of beauty and harmony.
Agrotechnical cultivation
In countries with warm and mild climates, Kohia is grown as a perennial plant. But the tender shrubs simply will not survive the harsh winter frosts. Therefore, in Russia, Bassia is grown exclusively as an annual.
Cochia is propagated by seeds, which can be sown in late autumn or spring directly into open ground. But the broom grass has one feature - young seedlings do not tolerate even slight drops in temperature at all.
Therefore, in order to protect themselves, many growers are engaged in the cultivation of annuals using the seedling method.When to plant Kohia seeds and how to care for the plantings, you will learn from the article.
Optimal planting times
Florists often ask a number of questions: what conditions must be observed when growing Kochia from seeds, when to plant seedlings and how to care for it. In general, these activities do not require certain knowledge or skills, so a beginner can also cope with them.
Residents of the southern regions can plant seeds of Kochia immediately in open ground in mid-late May. The main thing is that at the time of sowing, the threat of recurrent frosts has passed, and the night temperature is firmly established at + 10˚С + 12˚С.
But even in this case, you will have to pay a lot of attention to crops:
- at the slightest drop in planting temperature, it is necessary to cover with lutrasil;
- strictly monitor the soil moisture and the condition of the seedlings;
- young seedlings are a favorite treat of insect pests;
- if the plantings are too thickened, young plants will need to be thinned out.
When planting Kokhia on seedlings, you need to focus on the timing of transplanting plants into open ground. In the central regions, you need to sow seeds in late March - early April. But residents of the northern regions can start sowing work no earlier than mid-April.
The main thing is, when determining the timing of when to plant Kokhia for seedlings, take into account that the seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place 2-2.5 months after sowing.
Cooking containers and soil
To grow strong and healthy annual cypress seedlings, it is important to properly prepare the soil and choose the right containers.
You can plant Kochia seeds for seedlings both in separate and in bulk containers. It can be disposable dishes, plastic molds, containers and boxes for growing seedlings. There are no special requirements, except for the presence of drainage holes, for containers.
It is very convenient to use peat cups or tablets when growing Cochia from seeds at home. In this case, it will be easier for you to replant plants in open ground.
When preparing suitable soil, it is worth paying attention to the fact that Bassias are very fond of loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity. Garden soil can be diluted with sand, peat and humus in a ratio of 1: 0.5: 1: 1. If the acidity of the soil is increased, add a little ash to the soil mixture.
The finished soil must be disinfected with a pink solution of potassium permanganate and left for 2-3 days. If you wish, you can heat the ground in the oven. Before planting Kohia seeds, make sure the ground is moist enough, but not too wet.
Seeds of Bassia remain viable for 2-3 years, no more. But it is still better that the seed is fresh enough. Otherwise, you may be left without seedlings at all, and all your efforts will be in vain.
Correct sowing of seeds
Before and when planting Kokhia, the seeds can be soaked for several hours in growth stimulants, if desired. However, even without treatment, they sprout quickly enough, 7-10 days after planting.
The algorithm of actions when sowing Kokhia for seedlings is somewhat different from traditional events:
- on the bottom of the container, as usual, lay a small layer of drainage;
- fill the container with soil prepared in advance;
- lightly compact the ground with a small wooden block;
- Spread the seeds over the surface, gently pressing them into the soil. If you are sowing seeds in boxes or containers, spread the seeds evenly in small grooves at an equal distance from each other;
- the seeds must not be buried. Leave them on the surface;
- it is also not recommended to water the plantings strongly. Sprinkle them lightly from a spray bottle, cover the containers with lutrasil and place in a dark, cool place.
The optimum air temperature for growing seedlings of Kokhii is + 18˚C + 23˚C. Water the soil as needed. Before the first shoots appear, irrigate the plantings with a spray bottle. After friendly, green shoots appear, you can water the seedlings in a stream. But it is important that the water does not get onto the plants.
Further care for Kohia seedlings involves timely watering and regular inspection.
The author of the video will tell you how and when to plant Kochia seeds for seedlings:
Seedling picking
When growing Cochia from seeds at home, it is important to dive the seedlings correctly and in a timely manner.
Considering that it is necessary to plant Kochia seeds on seedlings superficially, the root system of the seedlings is very weak. Therefore, the dive must be carried out very carefully, trying not to damage the weak roots.
The pick is made in disposable cups, small pots, or more voluminous containers. Drainage holes are required.
They start diving when the sprouts reach a height of 5-7 cm. The soil for seedlings and the soil for diving must be identical in composition.
It is advisable to dive the seedlings of Kokhia using the transshipment method. The seedlings are transferred to a prepared container along with a clod of earth, which avoids injury to the plant's root system.
In the future, you only need to water Kohia from time to time and make sure that the seedlings receive sufficient sunlight. With a lack of light, the plants stretch out and become weak.
7-10 days after picking, feed Kohia grown from seeds with mineral fertilizers to stimulate the growth of green mass. Subsequent feeding - in 2-3 weeks.
When caring for Bassia, it is important not to overdo it with watering. Too wet ground is the first reason for the appearance of a black leg. When the first signs of the disease are detected, urgent measures must be taken:
- remove infected plants immediately;
- do not water the plantings until the soil dries out;
- Sprinkle the soil with sand, perlite or wood ash.
In the future, try not to water Kohia too much.
Open ground transplant
By about mid to late May, home grown Cochia seeds should grow to 15-20 cm in height. As soon as the air warms up sufficiently, and the threat of frost has passed, the time has come when you can plant Kokhia seedlings in open ground.
Take care of a suitable site in advance and carefully prepare the soil. Cochia grows well in a sunny place protected from piercing winds. The soil on the site should be loose, fertile. You can not grow Kohia in places with a close occurrence of groundwater, as well as where melt and rainwater stagnate. Otherwise, the plant will inevitably die.
The recommended planting step for Bassia depends on the purpose of the cultivation and the type of plant. If you are growing Kokhia as a hedge or curb, plant the plants at least 30-40 cm apart. If you are growing Kokhia as a focal plant, then the distance between the seedlings can be between 50 cm and 1 m.
Prepare a suitable site in advance. If necessary, apply fertilizers, sand and ash, dig up the soil.
Prepare planting holes. The depth and size of the pits depends on the volume of the container in which the Kokhia seedlings were grown. Transfer the plants to the hole gently, along with a clod of earth, to avoid damaging the root system. Fill all voids with earth and carefully level the soil. Compact the soil slightly at the base of the bushes.
Watering Bassia after transplanting is desirable with warm, settled water in moderation. At the slightest hint of a drop in temperature, cover the planting with lutrasil.As you can see, there is nothing difficult in growing Kochia from seeds.
Caring for Bassia
Kohia grows very quickly. Literally a couple of weeks after transplanting, the bushes will take shape and significantly increase in size. Subsequent care involves performing the usual procedures for each grower:
- moderate watering;
- loosening;
- weeding;
- top dressing.
After transplanting into open ground, Kohia grown from seeds must be fed with complex, mineral fertilizers. The first feeding is done 3-4 weeks after transplanting. On average, plants can be fertilized 2-3 times during the summer.
To give a certain shape, the Cochia bushes need to be cut regularly. You will have to form a crown every 2-3 weeks. Thanks to this simple procedure, you can give these bushes a variety of shapes and realize even the wildest fantasies. After pruning, the green mass grows very quickly. After trimming, the plants need to be fed unscheduled with nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Pests and diseases
Cochia is rarely affected by disease. But non-observance of the rules of agricultural technology and the recommended planting scheme can cause damage to the black leg. In this case, you need to urgently stop watering, remove the affected foliage and carefully loosen the soil in the flower garden.
Insects attack mainly young plants. Therefore, immediately after the transfer, keep a close eye on Bassia. Another enemy of Kochia is the spider mite, which appears mainly in hot weather.
The pest can be dealt with by regularly spraying Kohia bushes with insecticides. Fitoferm, Aktellik and Neoron have proven themselves excellently in this case.
When processing Kochia, pay great attention to the dosage and do not forget about personal protective measures.
Basia in landscape design
Cochia bushes can be given any shape, which gives the ground for the embodiment of your fantasies. Round, pyramidal, cone-shaped shapes will give the site a well-groomed and unique look.
Cochia goes well with many flowers: asters, roses, marigolds, marigolds, gatsanii, ageratum, pavonia, calceolaria.
Alpine slide, rockadias, hedges, topiary - with the help of Bassia, you can create a huge variety of compositions. Also, lush, green plants will help you in the design of garden paths, small ponds, gazebos, emphasizing the uniqueness and beauty of both small and large flower beds.
Look at the photo how Kochia combines perfectly with other garden flowers and plants:
Conclusion
If you are an avid florist and love to create unique compositions on your site, when choosing the right flowers, pay attention to this inimitable plant. Kohia will help you, with a minimum of effort, turn your flower garden into a little piece of paradise.
