How to grow a brachyoma of their seeds is of interest to many flower growers who decided to plant this flower in their area. This flower is not as popular as, for example, a rose, but those who plant this wonderful flower will never abandon it, as they note that it is quite unpretentious and at the same time beautiful. Brachikoma belongs to the aster family, but looks more like a chamomile.
Description of brachycoma
Brachikoma is a graceful annual (sometimes perennial) highly branched plant. The foliage of the brachicoma is openwork, small, narrow, linear, green. On the bush of this plant grow numerous small inflorescences, which look like baskets with a diameter of about 4 cm.
The flowers are reed, they can be purple, white, blue and lilac-pink, arranged in one row. The tubular flowers can be blue or even black. Brachikoma blooms very profusely and for a long time.
The scent of her flowers subtle and very nice... On one growing plant, about a hundred inflorescences can bloom. The seeds ripen in autumn, and their germination capacity lasts about two or three years.
The most common type of this plant is brachycoma iberisoliferous, the cultivation of which is the most commonly practiced seed. It only grows for one year, reaching 25 cm in height. The compact plant branches well, so you get a fluffy bush.
The most popular varieties in cultivation:
- Nega - forms white, pink and blue flowers.
- Waltz - differs in lilac and dark pink shades.
- Lake of swans - can be white, purple, lilac.
- Blue baby - has bluish purple flowers.
- Blue tenderness - soft blue.
- Margot - forms flowers in the form of a star with a dark center. The variety can be white, pink, blue or lilac petals.
All these varieties are in perfect harmony with various types of plants, so flower growers are happy to use them in their plots in gardens, flower beds and even a balcony.
Growing a brachicoma from seeds
This culture is not at all capricious, so it is not difficult to care for. However, it is still necessary to read the literature and understand its features, which must be taken into account when growing a plant, to heed the advice of experienced people.
To grow brachicoma Iberisoleum from seeds, they should be stored in early autumn. The seeds can be stored without loss of quality for three years. Preparation must begin already at the end of winter.
For everything to go smoothly and the flowers that appear evoke the most pleasant feelings in you, you need follow a series of simple rules:
- To obtain seedlings, use shallow containers in which you plant the seeds.
- The seeds just need to be spread over the moistened substrate, they do not need to be buried.
- Cover the containers with glass or foil.
- The seeds will start to sprout at around 19 degrees.
- The room with the containers in it must be ventilated, and the seedlings must be sprayed.
- The first shoots will appear after a week, they should be transplanted into deeper containers. Take your time, as the seeds should have at least two leaves.
- They are transplanted, observing a five-centimeter distance between them, as much as possible.
- After picking, the plant needs regular moderate watering and fertilizing, which are carried out every two weeks.
- Seedlings must be hardened before planting in open ground. She is taken out into the open air, while the weather should be good.
Features of growing brachicoma
The disembarkation of the brachicoma Iberisoliferous is carried out at a time when the weather has already established, as a rule, this is the end of spring. If you count the time spent on the entire process from planting seeds to the appearance of the first flower, it turns out that you have been caring for the plant for about 70 days.
It is necessary to transplant seedlings into open ground together with an earthen lump... This is necessary for better adaptation to a new place, and also excludes damage to the roots. It should be planted at a distance from each other, it should not be less than 20 cm.
Caring for a brachicoma does not require much effort and special skills of a florist. For the brachycoma to bloom all summer and bring a good mood, it is enough choose the right place.
The plant prefers to grow well in a sunny place and in light fertile soil. When leaving, do not overdo it and do not flood the plant, it also good drainage required.
Growing at home
Brachicum Iberis can often be seen in pots shown in the photo, there is nothing surprising in this. So, she can overwinter, and in the spring again move to the garden.
If you plan to grow brachycoma at home, then you need a pot, the diameter of which is approximately 20 cm.The soil mixture should consist of the following components:
- sand - 1 part;
- turf - 3 parts;
- humus - 2 parts;
- sheet land - 1 part.
Do not forget to first pour out the drainage layer, after planting, pour with mineral fertilizer.
How to care for flowers
What is necessary for the correct development of a brachicoma? A number of care rules should be adhered to:
The plant needs to be watered regularly during the period of active growth.- To provide strength and strength, the flower needs feeding.
- It is required to regularly clear weeds and loosen the soil near the plant for air to reach the roots.
- To maintain the beautiful appearance of the plant, remove dried leaves or branches.
- Watch out for the roundness of the bushes - trim the tops.
If your region is warm enough with mild winters, then the brachycoma can be left in the ground until the next flowering period. To do this, before the onset of cold weather, remove all dried parts of the plant and cover it with straw or spruce branches.
Diseases and pests
If the brachicum Iberisolate is constantly waterlogged, this can cause rotting of the roots and base of the stem.
The flower is resistant to pests, parasites rarely they bother him. Sometimes snails can be found on a brachycoma, which spoil its appearance, forming holes on the leaves. The best way to get rid of them is to collect them manually, but if you want to, resort to using chemicals.
If you try to grow this unpretentious and beautiful plant, you will probably never part with it anymore.
