Flowers knifofiya: planting and care in the open ground, cultivation and reproduction

Every year the list of exotic and unusual plants on our flower beds is replenished. What was not available just a couple of years ago, today is already in the order of things. Bright spots blossom guests from Africa, Australia, South America, pleasing their spectacular view of others. One of the most interesting examples is the book. Growing, planting and caring for her is not so difficult, but the appearance can become a real decoration of the territory and its zest. A large number of bred hybrids, differing in the shape of the flower, in size, color, make it possible to create amazing compositions.

Spreading area and name

Known now as flowers knifofiya (planting and care, growing - hereinafter), the plant is a perennial herb of the same name and subfamily Asphodel. The natural habitat is East and South Africa. At the moment, the genus contains about 75 species, several of them are especially common in garden culture. An unusual name is associated with the name of the German botanist of the 17th century. Johann Jerome of Kniphof.

Biological Description

All species are perennial herbs, some of which are evergreen. As a rule, they are tall (1.5-2 m), but there are also low species. The largest plant is Knopfophy Thompson, whose peduncles reach a height of up to three meters. The leaves of the plants are collected in a radical bunch (rosette), from the middle of which there are unusual and spectacular flowers. In themselves, small, but high decorative is achieved due to the fact that they are collected in the inflorescence of the ear, located at the very tip of the high stem. Knifofiya, planting and care for which will not take much time, remotely resembles the shape of lupines, but the inflorescence is more elegant, like ruffled.

Berry bookfood

One of the species of the genus. Distributed in the southeast of Africa. All over the world it has been cultivated as an ornamental plant since the beginning of the 18th century. It is on its basis that a large number of hybrids are bred by breeders. The plant is tall, up to 1.2 m in height with a powerful rhizome of a yellowish hue. The leaves have a lanceolate shape, jagged along the edges, gray-green. The flowers in the buds are red, then can go into orange, yellow, carmine tint. Berry book, planting and care in the open ground behind which are simple, decorate any site. Virtually all the hybrids derived from it are characterized by high growth (up to 1.5 m in height) and good survival. Especially popular are such varieties as:

• Dr Kerr - has a powerful meter-long flower spike with an inflorescence up to 20 cm long, lemon-yellow color (pictured). Duration of flowering - up to 60 days (from the middle of summer).
• Orange Beauty - a hybrid with similar characteristics, the color of the flowers is bright orange.
• Fire Flame - the same flowering period, meter-long flower spike, but the inflorescence is slightly larger (25 cm) and has a sharlough-red hue.

Location on site and soil

Most of the exotic plants in our gardens are brought originally from countries with hot climates. Not exception and book. Planting and care in the open ground behind it in this regard acquire their own characteristics. It is recommended primarily to southern regions with hot summers and a short, warm winter. The farther into the northern zone, the more complex will be its process of vegetation. In the middle belt, for example, the probability of wintering in the soil is very small.

In any case, choose for the plant open, sunny places on the site where there are no cold drafts. It absolutely can not stand the lowlands, the stagnation of moisture and dampness. Therefore, the soil is nutritious, with good air and moisture permeability.

Growing seedlings

In order to grow an adult plant from seeds, experts recommend using purchased planting material. This is due to several factors. Knifofiya, planting and care in the open ground beyond which are very simple, is still a southern plant, and in the conditions of the middle band the seeds simply do not have time to ripen. However, if we assume that the flower had time, collecting material from hybrids is a useless occupation. In the second generation they give a splitting of the characteristics and do not possess the external properties of the parent specimen.

Seed sowing is carried out in late March-early April into a shallow container with a loose and light substrate. Deepen them not necessary, just evenly distribute them on the moistened surface of the soil and only slightly sprinkle. Top with a film and put in a warm and well-lit place. Shoots, as a rule, appear after 2-3 weeks. Seedlings need to be gradually accustomed to room conditions, opening the film. As soon as three real sheets appear, they must be dived into separate pots.

Breeding Multiplication

The most actual method of plant reproduction in the middle zone of Russia. As already mentioned, seeds do not have time to ripen, but a rejuvenated bush will please with its flowering the next year. The optimal timing comes in late April or early May. The maternal bush should be excavated and a sharp knife separated child sockets, formed in the sinuses of the lower leaves. The cut can be slightly dried and sprinkled with charcoal. After a few hours, start planting the plant in a permanent place.

Knifofiya: landing and care in the open ground

Frost resistance in cenophobia is weak, and therefore the care of the plant, depending on the climatic zone in which it is grown, will be slightly different. Planting seedlings in the ground is carried out only after passing the threat of recurrent frosts.

The soil must first be digged, if necessary, to introduce a good humus and to make drainage. The depth of the pit depends on the size of the plant. In any case, they need to be filled with fertile soil, watered and then planted by young plants. First time they need to shade, accustoming gradually to the sun's rays. Distance between the plants to leave 30-40 cm, flowering occurs the next year after planting.

If you want a spectacular, unusual and at the same time unpretentious plant in your garden, then let it be book. Planting and care of the flower are elementary simple. During the growing season, it is important to take care of three aspects.

First, regular and abundant watering. It is necessary for juicy leaves and abundant flowering, it is best to exercise it in the early morning hours. In parallel with it, carry out two fertilizing with fertilizers. The first application of drugs with nitrogen should take place as soon as the leaves appear in the spring. The second - after flowering, use potassium mineral fertilizers and, for example, ash.

Secondly, weeding, loosening and mulching the soil. The maintenance okolotsvetochnogo space in the order allows not only to improve aesthetics, but also it is useful to the plant.

Third, shelter for the winter. In the southern regions, it is not necessary, but starting with the middle band is simply necessary. The plant is evergreen, so in no case can the leaves be trimmed, they are neatly folded, bending to the ground. Otherwise, the next year, the book will, of course, come to life, but it will hardly blossom, as it will actively increase the green mass. Use peat crumb and coniferous lapnik for cover, and on top is a special material that does not allow moisture to pass through.

Timely and proper care of the book will provide you with a stunningly unusual and amazingly beautiful plant. The flower looks equally well, as in single plantings (large sod), and in group - around water bodies, in mixed flower beds. It can be used for cutting into bouquets.