Gypsophila
Content:
Surely you have decorated bouquets more than once with this amazingly beautiful plant or bought ready-made compositions with the "participation" of this beauty. Gypsophila is still considered a herbaceous plant, however, due to the high decorative properties of this small shrub, it is classified as a clove. This herb is also called tumbleweed, and in translation the name of this flower means - loving lime. As you can imagine, this plant loves soil with a high limestone content. Gypsophila has more than 100 varieties, they are classified as herbaceous perennials, shrubs. However, there are also annual plants. In its natural habitat, gypsophila grows in African countries, on the Eurasian continent, as well as in New Zealand. This plant is grown both as a perennial and as an annual. This culture looks great on any garden plot, usually the flowers are white, and due to the number of inflorescences, this grass looks like a sparkling carpet, which is why many summer residents have chosen such a plant.
Gypsophila characteristic
This culture has a fairly strong root system, the root itself is taproot, and leaves practically do not form on the stems, this plant reaches half a meter in height. However, there are also semi-shrub varieties that can rise more than a meter above the soil surface. Small leaves are lanceolate, slightly oval and lobed. The inflorescences of this culture have a paniculate shape, the flowers in them are loosely adjacent to each other. At the beginning of flowering, they are greenish white and then pure white. However, some varieties have flowers of a different color, for example, in the Pacific gypsophila, they are pink. In different varieties, flowers are also both simple and double. Fruits are collected in capsules, nesting achenes are usually ovoid in shape. These seeds germinate well within two or three years, so it is not necessary to plant them the next year after harvest.
Gypsophila landing
Gypsophila can be propagated in different ways, both through vegetative division and by the usual seed method. Plants that are considered annuals are best propagated by seed, however, many perennial gypsophila can be fully propagated by seed. It is recommended to plant one-year-olds in late autumn, and immediately in open ground. First, the seeds are planted on the growing bed, and in the spring the seedlings are transplanted throughout the site to their permanent habitats. As you understand, seedlings are grown directly in the open field. However, perennial plants are recommended to be planted in greenhouses. Moreover, they can be grown only by the seedling method. To do this, you will need to fill the boxes with fertile soil in the spring, make furrows in the ground and plant seeds, deepening the planting material into the soil a few millimeters. After that, it is advisable to cover the containers with foil or glass in order to create a favorable microclimate for germinating seeds, and when seedlings appear, the shelter should be removed. But if you are growing seedlings not on a windowsill, but in a greenhouse, a greenhouse, then you will not need a film either. Usually, after a week or two, shoots appear, after which it is imperative to thin out the beds regularly so that the plants have free space for growth and development. The distance between the seedlings should be about 15 cm, you can, if desired, transplant the plants into separate containers, for example, in peat pots.The duration of daylight hours on the site must be within 12-14 hours, this is how much light is needed for normal development, if there is not enough illumination, then you can build an artificial backlight. When a pair of strong healthy leaves appear on each plant, it will be possible to transplant the flowers outside. In order to choose the right place to grow this crop, you need to consider many factors. The fact is that many varieties of gypsophila are considered perennials, so it is preferable to immediately choose the right places for planting seedlings. It is best to plant plants in well-lit places, groundwater should not lie close to the surface of the earth, lime should be in excess in the soil, since this culture loves it very much. You can add humus to the soil, and if you have a problem in the area with lime, then it must be added to the soil. Your garden should also not be damp, excess moisture negatively affects the development of plants, so keep an eye on the moisture content of the soil. Observe the distance during planting of seedlings, leave a little more than a meter in the aisles, and 50-70 cm between neighboring plants. Do not forget that the root collar of plants cannot be buried, otherwise the culture will grow poorly. After planting, the seedlings will definitely need to be watered abundantly, if you plant a perennial variety of gypsophila, then after a few years the beds will definitely need to be thinned out, so that one plant remains on one square meter. However, you can completely extra bushes and transplant, it is best to do this on a cool, windless day. In order for the bushes to bloom profusely and effectively, you will need to form the crown in a timely manner, cut the plants. From the inflorescences of gypsophila, as we noted at the beginning, you can build a wonderful bouquet. For the first time, the plants will bloom when at least 12 pairs of strong and healthy leaves are formed on one bush, the peak of fruiting and flowering falls on 3 years of age, it is at this time that gypsophila becomes the most attractive.
Gypsophila care
Even a novice gardener who has no experience can grow this beauty. Watering plantings is recommended only during dry periods. It is advisable to pour water directly under the root, but it is recommended to feed the culture no more than three times in the entire season. At the same time, it is best to alternately introduce organic matter into the soil, and then mineral fertilizers. As a folk remedy, a tincture of mullein is introduced into the soil, but do not forget that fresh organic matter cannot be introduced into the soil, it is best to use ready-made mixtures, as well as humus, peat for compost.
Gypsophila reproduction
These plants propagate both with the help of seeds and by cuttings. However, it should be said that double flowers can only be propagated by a vegetative method. Cuttings are usually harvested at the end of spring, they should be cut, choosing young stems, on which flowers are just beginning to form. Sometimes cuttings are cut at the end of summer, but this will also require young branches to be selected. In order for the cuttings to take root faster, they will need to be planted in loose fertile soil, and it is important to note that at least a little chalk should be added there. The cuttings are buried a few centimeters, in order for the plants to root normally, the air temperature in the room should be about plus 20 degrees. For cuttings, the length of daylight is also important, it should be within 12 hours. The air humidity in the greenhouse should also be high enough, therefore, a shelter is often erected above the cuttings, which will keep warm.If the cuttings did not have time to root well before the arrival of cold weather, then these plants will not survive the adaptation process well, therefore it is best to plant them in open ground, for example, in September.
Pests and diseases
How to collect seeds
Seeds are usually harvested in the fall, when the plants are well dried, usually the seeds are stored in small boxes, and it should be said that they are very small, so do everything very carefully and carefully during harvesting. The seeds are a bit like brown grains of sand, in order not to scatter them, the boxes are recommended to be cut a little unripe, and dried directly at home on paper or newspaper. Make sure that there is good ventilation in the room so that the planting material does not rot. After the seeds are completely dry, they are recommended to be stored in paper bags or boxes made of cardboard or paper, it will also be possible to sign the collection time and the name of the crop on them, so you will definitely not confuse anything in the spring.
Preparing for wintering
Gypsophila begins to prepare for wintering at the end of autumn, for this you will need to cut off all unnecessary shoots from the perennial, no more than 3-4 strong shoots should remain on each bush. After that, you will definitely need to cover the near-trunk circle with fallen, well-dried foliage, and also cover the bushes with spruce branches, if the winter turns out to be little snow, then this procedure will save them from frost.
Gypsophila - varieties
Gypsophila naturally has its own varieties. Usually, its perennials grow to a height of no more than 1 m, the crown of the bush is spherical, the shoots branch very well, and narrow leaves are formed on them, noticeably lowered. The flowers are small, less than 1 cm in diameter, but in one inflorescence there are a lot of such flowers, usually they look like a panicle. Bouquets are often decorated with these flowers, since gypsophila has a wonderful decorative appearance. Flowers can be either pink or white in color. In addition, depending on the type of culture, they can be either simple or terry.
A fairly well-known variety at the present time is the Graceful gypsophila, this plant is a one-year-old, the bushes are spherical, relatively small. The shoots reach half a meter in length, the leaves are magical, the flowers are small, they are usually pink or white. And at the ends of the shoots, openwork panicles are formed, this variety blooms profusely, but not for long.
Graceful gypsophila has its own varieties, such as Carmen, Rosa.
Creeping gypsophila is slightly different from the previous variety, this plant is annual, the bushes are quite small, usually the shoots grow in height by no more than 30 cm.The leaves are dark green, linear. The flowers are white and pink, the panicles are small, the inflorescences are simple. Pacific gypsophila blooms luxuriantly and profusely. This plant is already perennial, the bushes grow in height by more than 1 m.The branches are highly developed, the leaves are bluish-gray, lanceolate, the flowers are simple, have a light pink color. However, they are also small.
Of course, this culture has other varieties and types, we have described only the most common ones, gypsophila flowers come in different shades, shapes and sizes. So you can definitely find the perfect variety or species for your garden. And we have already told you how to properly grow this amazing plant in your area. So try it! All in your hands!