Ornithogalum (poultry farm)

The poultry plant is a herbaceous bulbous plant, which is one of the brightest representatives of hyacinths. In natural, natural conditions, most often this plant can be found in the subtropical and temperate regions of South Africa, the Mediterranean, and the poultry farm is also often found in the territories of Western Asia. In total, there are about 150 plant species today. It differs in that the flowers of the plant have an unusual shape of stars, due to which the plant in different countries received different names - in England the bird farm was called the star of Bethlehem, and in Germany - the milk star.

In this article, we will dwell in more detail on what features this culture has, how to plant a poultry farm in open ground, how to properly care for and observe the subtleties of agricultural technology. We will also define some of the properties of the poultry farm, give a description of the common species and varieties of this culture. The article will be of interest not only to less experienced gardeners, but also to those who have already repeatedly planted poultry farms on the site, but seeks to find new and interesting varieties and species that will satisfy all the interests and needs of the florist himself, landscape designers. In this article, we have collected all the information and all the interesting facts about the poultry farm, which just make it obvious the features of this plant, its unique features.

Description of the plant, planting and care

The bush can be from thirty to ninety centimeters high, the bulbs are small, their diameter is from two to five centimeters, they can be elongated or ovoid in shape, they are also rounded bulbs... On their surface, dense scales are usually formed, which protect them from any external influences. The basal plates have a belt-like shape, they are quite dense, the central vein stands out due to the whitish color and, as a rule, the basal leaf plates are formed much earlier than the flower arrows. There are some types of plants, the leaves of which develop and grow in the fall, and the leaf cover remains until the onset of summer, and in the summer the leaves dry up and crumble.

As for the inflorescences, they can be either in the form of brushes or in the form of scutes, inflorescences consist of light yellow flowers, which can also have a snow-white color. There is absolutely no aroma coming from the flowers, but one feature is worth noting: a strip runs along the top of the leaves, which is painted in a juicy green hue, and it looks incredibly attractive. As for the fruit, it looks like a box, which inside itself contains a certain number of rounded flat seeds, the seeds are painted black, they are often used for propagation of culture, but here it should be borne in mind that for propagation by seeds you need to have some skills and abilities , since without experience, a gardener is unlikely to have enough even skills and patience for this.

If a florist has decided to grow a plant, then he should take into account that, in addition to the usual species, there are also poisonous varieties of plants that can negatively affect the health and condition of humans and the inhabitants of the garden - animals. Sprouts and bulbs of some species can be safely eaten, and they are eaten in the same way as asparagus can be eaten. About ten species of ornithogalum are cultivated today, we will talk about them in more detail in this article, but later.First, I would like to give a clear and in-depth description of how to plant this plant, how to grow it and propagate it in any conditions, and we will also describe the medicinal characteristics of the plant, since it is very important to keep them in mind so that the poultry farm becomes even more versatile and useful in floriculture.

The poultry plant is a plant that can be grown from seed, but flowering in this case will come only four years or five years after the very first shoots appear on the site. Gardeners who already have experience in growing a poultry farm recommend purchasing planting materials in a specialized store or nursery. Usually, the bulbs of the plant are bought, which are planted in open ground either in August or at the beginning of September. Planting and growing a plant is a completely simple procedure, therefore, in principle, even those flower growers who previously had absolutely no experience in growing plants and flowers can cope with this.

The plant needs a well-lit area, but it can also thrive in shaded areas. As for the soil mixture, the soil should permeate water well and allow air to pass through. Therefore, the soil should not be clayey, but ideally can be sandy. The planting depth of the bulbs should be from six to ten centimeters, while a certain distance is maintained between the bulbs - from 15 to 20 centimeters, so that the plantings do not interfere with each other's normal growth and development, so that the roots and ground parts do not get confused, since this is also can become an obstacle to the normal development of plantings. When the hole is prepared, then the bulb is carefully placed in it and covered with soil on top. Next, the plants must be watered with water, which should be settled, thawed, rain or filtered. The water temperature must be at room temperature - the plant experiences a shock from too cold a temperature. Then the gardener has only to gain patience and wait for the first shoots to appear in the spring.

Next, you should consider caring activities, since they are really very important for this plant. In principle, there are no difficulties or unnecessary requirements in leaving, so even an inexperienced gardener can cope with it. Periodically, the plant must be watered, and this should be done in moderation in order to prevent waterlogging of the root part and its gradual decay. If there is stagnation of water in the soil, this will lead to the development of rot on the bush, the inflorescences will begin to gradually die off, and the leaves themselves will turn yellow, which will also become a clear signal that something is wrong with the plant, and that it needs support from the gardener. During the growing season, watering should be abundant, but when flowering begins, it is still better to reduce it, and also reduce its volume by the time the bolls appear, which are filled with seed. The plant blooms depending on its species and varietal affiliation, flowering begins in the first days of May and stops in the last. The average flowering time is about twenty days, no more and no less. But you can prolong flowering - it will be enough to give the plant the necessary care and support, so that it feels that the gardener really cares about him.

In autumn, this flower can be fed organically. But if the soil in the place where the poultry farm grows is sufficiently saturated, then you can not carry out any additional fertilizing at all, the plant can completely cope without them. In principle, if the question concerns fertilizing, then it is best for the gardener to focus on the general condition of the plants and decide for himself whether it is worthwhile to apply mineral fertilizers or organic matter at all, or the plant will cope well without it.

Sometimes pests can develop in plants, the spider mite is considered the most dangerous. In order to fight it and destroy it, it is necessary to use special preparations - insectoacaricides. You can also spot aphids on the plant, which can also be got rid of if you notice this pest in time. For this, agents such as antitlin and biotlin are perfect. But do not be alarmed if these pests are noticed, because if you identify them earlier, then there is a high probability that the gardener himself will get rid of them in the very near future. Taking care of a flower is still almost no difficulty, the most important thing is to follow all the rules of agricultural technology, be very attentive and be active and proactive.

In order for the plant to develop in accordance with all the rules and regulations, it should be transplanted from one place to another in a timely manner. If the gardener did not have the opportunity to do this on time, then the bulbs will begin to form children in large numbers, and all the forces of the plant will go to their maintenance. In this situation, it is the external characteristics of the landing itself that suffer very much. If the poultry farm is not transplanted, then he can do without this procedure for no longer than six years. But experienced gardeners still recommend this activity, and a transplant should be done once every four years, at least. When transplanting, the babies are carefully removed from the bulb, and they are planted in a new place in a fresh substrate. The new permanent place for the poultry farm can be sunny or shaded. It is recommended to carry out this procedure in the very last days of the summer period. You can also do a transplant in the spring, the main thing is to follow all the rules and regulations, and then the plant will certainly take root safely in the new site, will demonstrate its decorative features and capabilities.

As we mentioned earlier, this plant can be propagated in different ways - by children, as well as by the seed method. It is worth remembering that the seeds must be stratified, and stratification must last for three to four months. Focusing on this, planting in open soil is carried out before the onset of winter, and this should be done in pre-prepared barbs of not very great depth. In the spring, the seedlings themselves can emerge, and if the grower has such a desire, then the poultry farm can be propagated, and this can be done by planting seedlings.

Sowing for seedlings is carried out in early spring, so that the materials themselves have time to form. For sowing seeds, plastic containers are used, as well as a container, and to fill them, you can use pre-prepared loose and light soil. After three to four formed leaves appear on the seedlings, it is worth starting to gradually harden the seedlings. To do this in accordance with all norms, it is necessary to take out containers with seedlings to the open air daily for 18 days. At the same time, gradually the time spent on the street seedlings should increase, but in no case should this be done very abruptly, otherwise the seedlings will experience stress, and the immature sprouts will die. Planting is carried out only when the seedlings are able to spend around the clock in the open air and do not react at all to such changes.

After the flowering stops and the flowers fade, it will be necessary to cut off all the wilted parts. If the plant grows in the middle or southern regions, then in these places the plant may not even be covered for the winter. But if winter promises to be with little snow and frosty, then in this case it is recommended to prepare additional shelter for planting, ideally spruce branches are perfect for this.If the gardener initially grows a rather thermophilic type of plant, for example, an Arabian or dubious poultry farm, then the bulbs are dug up in the fall and planted in separate containers for flowers, for the winter they are removed away so that they are constantly in warm places and in no case freeze ... But in the spring, these bulbs move back to the personal plot. Thus, the gardener protects his plantings from unnecessary stress in the winter, and there is a high risk that the plantings will be even more decorative and stronger.

The poultry garden is a plant that has a wound healing and analgesic effect. In addition, it is also an excellent antiseptic, it can disinfect any damage. With the help of this plant, you can heal bruises and sprains, wounds, eliminate inflammatory processes that are observed in the body. In addition, the poultry farm perfectly helps with headaches, depression, symptoms of irritability, neuroses. In an apartment, a plant is able to purify the air, since it contains a sufficient amount of substances such as phytoncides.

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that only one type of poultry farm can have such medicinal properties and characteristics - crested, which also has another name, which sounds like an Indian onion. All parts of this plant can be used for medicinal purposes. At the same time, the properties do not appear in the plant immediately - young plantings are unlikely to give any effect, but when the plant reaches two years of age, then in this case it begins to gradually give a therapeutic effect. But before using this plant, it is best to consult with doctors, since if the poultry farm is used incorrectly, this can lead to the development of allergic reactions, especially in children.

Varieties and types of poultry, their description

Now we will look at the species of ornithogalum that are especially popular. We will give them a description so that it will be easier for the gardener to distinguish the different species from each other, and to make it easier to understand which species fit better in the garden and backyard conditions, and which ones should be further thought about.

The Arabian birdhouse - this species comes to us from the Mediterranean. In natural, natural conditions, the Arabian poultry farm is most often found in Israel, and in this country this name can also be translated as "hawk milk". Agree, it sounds very unusual. The root rosette of the plant consists of leaves painted in a pale green tint. The height of the peduncle does not exceed 85 centimeters. The inflorescence is loose, not so many flowers are formed in it. One flower in diameter reaches about five centimeters, no more, it is painted white, the peduncle is quite long. It is worth noting that the cultivation of this species dates back to about 1574, and since then this species has been considered almost the most popular and famous.

The second species that we will consider in the article is the Boucher poultry farm. In more natural conditions, this species can most often be found in the European part of our country, as well as in the regions of Asia Minor, the Balkans and Moldova. At the same time, the plant feels best in river valleys, since the poultry farm needs a sufficient amount of moisture for ideal growth and development. In height, this bush usually reaches half a meter, no more. The leaves are grooved, linear, their width can vary from five millimeters to one and a half centimeters, the color of the leaves is saturated green. With all this, if you look at the leaves more carefully, you will notice a clear light longitudinal strip, which makes the plant even more attractive in terms of external characteristics. The racemose inflorescences contain from twenty to fifty flowers.The edge of the leaves is not straight, but wavy, so they look very playful and decorative at the same time. The plant as a whole is not the most whimsical, it must be constantly kept moist, and then it will reveal the maximum of its decorative features and characteristics.

The birdhouse is doubtful - its homeland is South Africa, the inflorescences can be pyramidal, collected in tassel-like panicles, they consist of flowers that are painted in a bright orange hue, there are also red and rich yellow flowers, there may be white flowers, but at the same time the base of the pericarp nutty bronze, incredibly attractive. The leaves are greenish-yellow in color, slightly pubescent, which looks incredibly attractive. This plant is very often used to make bouquets and flower arrangements. The whole point is that for a long time the plant can maintain its attractive and very fresh appearance. In Europe, this species, by the way, is not cultivated at all, but at the same time there are several popular varieties that have their own characteristics and characteristics. These varieties include the following:

- ballerina - this variety can grow on a personal plot, and at home, indoor conditions. The color of the flowers is special - rich orange

- Sunshine - the color of the flowers is yellow, everything looks really incredibly interesting, both in a single planting and in a group.

Fisher's poultry farm - in natural conditions, this type of plant can be found on the territory of Kazakhstan, Western Siberia. He is also a frequent visitor to the regions of the European part of our country. At the same time, the plant takes root well in wormwood steppes and salt marshes. In height, the plant usually reaches a little more than half a meter, the inflorescences are racemose, their length is about 25 centimeters. The inflorescences include from eight to twenty attractive, not very large flowers. On the front surface of the leaves, you can see a narrow strip, which is colored green and looks incredibly attractive. Of course, the plant needs care, but in general it can withstand for a long time and without supervision from the gardener. The main thing is to inspect the bush for damage or disease, water and feed it in a timely manner.

The drooping birdhouse - in natural conditions, the species is found in the Mediterranean, in the Balkans, in Scandinavia, since there the most favorable conditions have been created for it by nature itself. In addition, the species can be found in the European part of Russia, as it is resistant, it can withstand the most unfavorable and harsh conditions. The height of the bush is about 50 centimeters, a white strip runs along the inner surface of the leaf, and the leaves themselves are painted in a greenish-gray attractive and unusual shade. The inflorescences are slightly drooping, they consist of flowers in the amount of five to twelve. This species has been cultivated since about 1600, it looks really incredibly decorative and attractive, so it is especially popular with gardeners and florists in many areas.

The Pontic poultry farm or the Pyrenean poultry farm - in nature, most often it can be found in the Crimea or on the territory of the Caucasus. At the same time, the plant perfectly takes root on rocky slopes and in similar areas, on the edges, it can perfectly take root among bushes, along roads or in meadows. The height of the bush can reach almost one meter, the color of the leaves is green, with a bluish tint. The inflorescences are long - about forty centimeters, and the width is about seven centimeters. The inflorescences include about 30-95 flowers. A rather narrow strip, which is colored green, runs along the outer surface of the leaves.In principle, the plant is quite unpretentious, the result of planting is decorative and attractive. It is enough to water the plant in a timely manner, feed it with the necessary mineral and organic fertilizers, alternate them and make sure that insects and pests do not settle on the plants.

Saunders' birdhouse - in the wild, this species can only be found in South Africa, and for this reason its frost resistance was recognized as low as possible. The leaf blades can be painted in a dark green tint, there are also greenish-gray leaves, they can reach sixty centimeters in length. The height of the shoots is about one meter, the inflorescences take the form of pyramids, they consist of cupped flowers, which are painted either in snow-white or in a cream shade. At the same time, the flowers are really incredibly attractive, since black or greenish-black ovaries are visible on the white or cream petals, which certainly looks very decorative. Flowers can be cut and used as an element to create bouquets and flower arrangements. This type of poultry farm also differs in that it is very demanding on constant moisture. This point should be taken into account by the grower, since it will depend on him whether the flower will receive what it wants, or whether it will suffer from a lack of moisture, which can lead to the death of the plant.

Narbonne poultry - in its natural habitat, this species is found in southern Europe, North Africa, as well as in regions of Western Asia. Moreover, in general, these plants take root well on clay soil, so this should be taken into account when a florist decides to plant this species in his own garden plot or in a room. The height of the bush can be different, it varies from forty to eighty centimeters, the leaves are painted in a greenish-gray tint, they themselves have a linear shape. The inflorescences are racemose, they include about fifty medium-sized flowers, which are painted in a white shade. Outside the leaves there is a thin strip painted in a green tint. Flowering is usually observed in the very first days of June, the duration of flowering directly depends on how favorable conditions were created by the gardener for planting, as well as on how the flower itself feels, whether it receives all the necessary nutrients. It should also be borne in mind that this species includes several varieties that also differ from each other in certain indicators, forms and types of flowering, and the flowering time can also differ. In principle, this species is not too whimsical, so that its cultivation will be up to any grower, even one who does not yet have sufficient experience in such matters.

The poultry poultry is large - in natural conditions, this species is found most often in the Caucasus, as well as in the territory of the Transcaucasus. The color of the leaves is normal, pale green. The flowers are white, have a very narrow strip, which is colored green, which makes this plant quite attractive and decorative and at the same time incredibly delicate. The inflorescence is racemose, loose, but more like a loose brush, the inflorescence consists of flowers in the amount of twenty to sixty flowers, no more. It looks really interesting enough, flower growers speak of this species as unpretentious, but nevertheless the plant needs to be created conditions, in watering, feeding.

Pyramidal poultry garden - these bushes are naturally found in Central Europe, as well as in the Balkans. The bush in height can be from thirty centimeters to one meter. The leaves are painted in a typical greenish-gray shade, they look, albeit not very bright, but massive and interesting.Outside the whitish perianth leaves, you can see stripes that have a green fresh color. The length of the inflorescences ranges from 25 centimeters to half a meter, it all depends on the varietal affiliation of the plant. Moreover, each racemose inflorescence includes from twenty to one hundred flowers, this species has been cultivated since ancient times - since 1574. Since then, it has been studied and gained the greatest popularity. Although today a large number of other varieties and species have been bred, and the activity of breeders does not stand still, the plant still remains one of the most demanded and most popular.

The poultry farm balances, the poultry farm of Schmalhausen are different names for the same species. More often, the plant can be found in its natural habitat in the subalpine or alpine belts of the Caucasus and Asia Minor, and hence some of the needs of this plant in caring activities and agricultural technology. The bush reaches a height of only ten centimeters, it is very compact, dwarf. The leaves are sickle-shaped, curved, they are painted in olive or green shades. As for the peduncle, it can reach only five centimeters in height, there are about three white flowers on it, a greenish stripe is visible on them. The diameter of the flowers is no more than three centimeters. Even despite its diminutiveness, the plant still looks incredibly attractive and decorative. It looks great both in single and in group planting, it is used to mark paths on the site, as well as to create accents on miniature flower beds.

Umbrella poultry - this species is perhaps the most popular among many others. In natural conditions, it can be found in forest areas in the Western Mediterranean, as well as in Asia Minor and Western Europe. The bush reaches a height of about 25 centimeters, sometimes a little higher, if all the most favorable conditions are created for the plant. The leaves are linear, there is a small groove on them, and there is also a longitudinal stripe on the leaves, painted in a white tint. Inflorescences in the form of umbrellas (hence the name of the planting), the inflorescence consists of 15-25 flowers, the diameter of one flower is about 2.5 centimeters. The flowers are painted in pure white, and they also have a wide longitudinal stripe, which is painted in a green shade, which creates a kind of accent on the flowers, looks incredibly attractive and interesting.

Tailed poultry - in other words, this species is also called Indian onion. This flower, unlike all other types of poultry, has incredible medicinal properties, although it is poisonous. The homeland of the poultry farm is South Africa. Spreading bush, consists of a large number of belt-like and rather wide leaves, they are flat and hanging. The length of one leaf is about eighty centimeters, which makes the bush spreading and quite voluminous. The length of the brushes reaches one meter, the brush consists of fifty to one hundred flowers. The flowers exude a very pleasant aroma, you can also see a pale greenish center in them, although the flowers themselves are painted in a snow-white shade.

Of course, these are far from all the species that are cultivated by flower growers - these are also species such as arcuate and fringed, Gusson and mountain poultry farms. There are flat-leaved poultry farms, Shelkovnik, Zintenis, Temp. Each species has its own specific characteristics, since they are home to very different regions and continents. But they attract the attention of flower growers precisely because they have incredible properties, visual appeal. They remain very popular in floriculture, they can be purchased in nurseries, or they can be propagated independently - much depends only on what the gardener himself wants and what skills he has in this matter.