Is it necessary to pinch alyssum? Alyssum - flowers for the soul

Alyssum, also known as Alyssum, is a plant that belongs to the Brassica family. Among them, approximately 200 are known; 40 species of alyssum can be found in the post-Soviet space.

Types and varieties

Rock Alyssum (Alyssum saxatile)

Alyssum rocky Dudley Neville

The plant can be either annual or annual, its height varies from 15 to 30 cm, and has a fibrous root system that does not take up much space. When flowering, it has lush beautiful inflorescences with very small but fragrant flowers. The number of leaves of alyssum is small, the size is also small, most often gray-green in color, they have a lanceolate shape and remain even in winter.

The plant blooms around the end of spring - April, May; The color is very abundant, and with careful care it can bloom again.

Perennial and annual alyssum have some differences: annual alyssum is less frost-resistant, but boasts a flowering duration that is much longer than perennial.

Varieties:

« Citrinum- has bright yellow flowers.
« Compactum» - a compact variety, its height can be up to 16-18 cm.
« Dudley Neville» — acquired yellow-brown flowers.
« Plenum» — the flowers are yellow-golden, double, growing up to 28-30 cm in height.
« Procumbes» - a dwarf variety, usually less than 7 cm in height.

Sea lyssum (Alyssum maritimum)

Alyssum Easter Bonnet Mix

In warm climates it can be grown as a perennial plant, but is usually an annual plant. The bush is small, the stems are branched, reaching a length of 10 to 23 cm.

Flowering occurs from July to September; in warm regions it can occur all year round. Shedding of seeds can occur several times, at each of which a collection should be carried out; they can be planted within three years after shedding.

Varieties:

« Tiny Tim"- white flowers, a dwarf variety, seven to eight centimeters long, characterized by high abundance of flowering.
« Easter Bonnet Deep Rose» - has a bright pink color.
« Princess in Purple"- an ampelous variety, white-lilac flowers and outstretched shoots.
« Violet Coning"- purple, small, dense bush, height about 10-15 cm.

Seeds

Alyssum seeds are very small, resemble ground buckwheat in appearance, are brown in color, and less than 1 mm in size. Before planting, it is best to immerse the seeds in a nutrient solution, of which the market can provide a great variety.

Tip: You can get your own seeds by grinding the seed sacs after coloring.

Planting alyssum

Planting must be done in the spring, in April in greenhouses, and then transferred to a permanent growing site in May. There is no need to place the seeds very deep - one and a half centimeters is enough. Alyssum bushes should be planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other to ensure normal growth.

It is recommended to fertilize the soil a couple of weeks before planting using organic fertilizers. The soil should be light enough and not retain moisture for a long time; if necessary, use a mixture of gravel and sand, or lay drainage.

Alyssum care

This plant does not create any special problems in care, as it is not demanding. But there are always a few tips that will help not so much to protect your alyssum, but to help it reveal itself in all its glory.

Watering

There is a lot of discussion on this issue, but still: alyssum does not withstand excess moisture, therefore, if the soil is sufficiently nutritious and there is precipitation, it is not worth watering.

During dry periods, you should not refuse watering; it should be regular, but not excessive. Watering will also help prolong the flowering of alyssum.

Annual alyssum differs from perennial alyssum in many factors, watering is no exception. It should be watered more often as its need for moist soil is much greater.

Trimming

All species need to be trimmed without exception. This will help maintain the appearance of the bushes and increase the duration of flowering. Rock alyssum should be pruned after flowering, the shoots are shortened by a third, other varieties require pruning when fruits appear on the shoots, and it costs only 5 to 8 cm to trim.

Nutrition

During active growth, alyssum requires bait to maintain the nutritional value of the soil. Perennial species in normal soil can be fertilized once - in early spring. Annuals should be fed two to four times before flowering, in the summer season. When planting perennial species in depleted soil, complementary feeding is best done according to the annual scheme.

Alyssum is an excellent decorative solution

This photo illustrates the beautiful planting of alyssum as a decorative decoration for a flower bed. Despite its simplicity, it looks quite beautiful, and in combination with other colors it emphasizes them. Such planting can decorate your flowerbed in a country house or private house and not only.

Alyssum also looks very confident as an hanging plant. Due to its spreading nature and many small flowers, it looks much more beautiful than many other plants placed in a pot. This solution is suitable for growing alyssum in the city if you do not have access to a summer house or garden.

Alyssum bushes can be a wonderful decoration at the entrance to your home or on the balcony. Again, it is noticeable how other flowers together with alyssum look much better than without it, and due to the relative ease of growing it can become an almost irreplaceable attribute of any flower bed.

If you need to set up an alpine hill, select a part of a flower bed, plant a low-growing border around the house - alyssum is the best choice as a decoration for a garden flower bed. This plant often decorates city houses, hanging from balconies in clusters of small flowers. It is enough to scatter the seeds around the area and enjoy a blooming carpet in the summer. Gardeners grow alyssum from seeds as a biennial or annual plant.

From the seeds grow compact bushes up to 30 cm in height (cultivated plants). In the wild, plants do not reach 15 cm. In spring, alyssum blooms in a continuous carpet of various shades. Flowers are used to create borders, ridges, alpine slides, and to decorate the banks of artificial reservoirs. In modern breeding, there are more species and a huge variety of varieties that differ in color, shape, and size.

Types of alyssum

Other names for the plant are lobularia, alyssum, and stoneweed. In spring, it forms a lush carpet of small flowers, depending on the variety, in white, yellow, pink, or purple shades. The aroma of alyssum attracts honey bees and other insects, which collect fragrant nectar and pollinate the plant along the way.

The following species are found in nature:

Mountain alyssum or Gmelina;
Alyssum rocky;
Alyssum pyrenees;
Alyssum repens;
Alyssum silver;
Marine alyssum.

There are about 100 species within the genus.

In Russia, alyssum is more often grown as an annual plant, since it does not tolerate Siberian cold.

Marine alyssum forms miniature bushes up to 20 cm in height, which actively grow during the summer and bloom profusely until autumn frosts.

Rock alyssum is a popular plant in the south of Siberia. A perennial species that produces clusters of flowering masses. Rock alyssum is ideal for flowerpots, balconies, and borders.

The most popular varieties grown in central Russia:

Snow Carpet (Alyssum)

Snow carpet(see photo) - a dwarf variety with a strong aroma. It blooms from June to August, subject to the removal of wilted inflorescences, and forms a scattering of snow-white flowers. Grows up to 30 cm in height. It is very popular among gardeners.

Gold placer (Alyssum)

golden wave– a miniature plant up to 20 cm tall, blooms from the second year of growth. Blooms with a lush carpet of yellow shades.

Gold placer(see photo) - fills all available space with yellow flowers, blooms in June and decorates the area until September. The height of the bush is 15 cm. A perennial subspecies of rock alyssum.

Pink Queen (Alyssum)

Pink Queen(see photo) – when it blooms, the air smells of honey. Bees flock to the smell of small lilac flowers. One of the low-growing varieties - 10 cm.

vanilla cloud- a plant 30-40 cm tall with a breathtaking aroma of snow-white flowers. It blooms from May to September and all this time immerses the surrounding space in a honey cloud of aroma.

Eastern night (Alyssum)

Big Jam- a mixture of flowers from white to dark purple, with a larger inflorescence diameter than other varieties. Throughout the summer it blooms without interruption until autumn frosts. Early planting of seeds for seedlings is recommended.

Mountain Gold (Alyssum)

Eastern night– one of the shortest growing plants, up to 10 cm. Creates a purple carpet with a delicate aroma. It is distinguished by the presence of narrow lanceolate leaves.

Mountain gold(see photo) - carpet for alpine slides with spectacular yellow inflorescences. Blooms until frost, prefers sunny places. Bush height 15 cm. Cultivation by seeds in open ground.

Agricultural technology

Growing alyssum is not particularly difficult. The flower is undemanding to the composition of the soil, as in nature it grows on poor, rocky mountain slopes. For abundant flowering, the plant requires a lot of sun and lack of nutrients in the soil. On lands rich in humus, the strength of alyssum goes into the green mass; in the shade, the plant stretches out and blooms reluctantly. The ideal practice is to grow on a small patch of soil between rocks (see video below).

Alyssum is a drought-resistant plant, is not afraid of cool nights and blooms until frost.

But you still need to water regularly. On dry days, water every day in the evening, but not abundantly. Alyssum is contraindicated in stagnant water and overly moist soil.

When the stems of alyssum grow strongly in height, the plant is trimmed, leaving 5 cm. Trimming acts as a simulator of increased growth and flowering. A haircut can be done several times during the summer.

Sometimes, under unfavorable conditions, the plant gets sick. The main ailments of alyssum:

powdery mildew;
brown rot;
cauliflower viral mosaic;
aster jaundice

The plant can also be attacked by garden pests: cabbage moth, turnip moth, cruciferous flea beetle.

How to plant alyssum

Growing plants from seeds can begin in the fall. The seeds collected over the summer are sown in the soil either in the fall or in the spring. For central Russia and the Siberian region, they practice growing seedlings at home or in a greenhouse.

For seedlings, choose small boxes and light soil with good drainage. Seeds are sown superficially, lightly sprinkled with soil. At a temperature of 16-20 degrees Celsius, seedlings appear in 1-1.5 weeks. The seedlings dive, leaving a distance of 5 cm between the young plants. They are planted in open ground 1-2 weeks after the first seeds hatch.

Seeds are sown in the soil in the garden plot before the first snow in autumn and spring in stable warm weather in the second half of April until June.

Planting seeds is carried out as follows:

Dig up the soil and scatter calcium flour.
Sow the seeds and distribute them evenly over the surface.
Lightly tamp the soil together with the seeds.
Water from a watering can, but do not overflow.
After 2 weeks, the seedlings are thinned out so that the distance between them remains 15 cm. Flowering begins after 2 months.

To visualize the beauty of alyssum, we suggest watching the following video.

An excellent solution for decorating a flower bed would be a plant such as alyssum. Growing this flower from seeds is not difficult even for novice gardeners. In open ground, it will not become the most important “star” in the garden, but its fragile and delicate flowers will perfectly highlight the brightness of other plants. A soft fluffy carpet of its buds is often used by landscape designers to decorate parks and squares. The combination of alyssum with various varieties of petunias and tulips creates the effect of a floral waterfall, which fragrant the entire area with the wonderful aroma of cut herbs and honey.

So elegant and varied

Gardeners value alyssum (alyssum) for its easy care and ability to grow on stones and between slabs. Fencing owners fill the joints between the constituent elements with soil and plant seeds. In just a couple of months, the fence is decorated with many flowing cascades of flowers. Those who like to create compositions on the balcony often use alyssum as a border for other plants. Here you need to take into account a nuance - flowerpots can attract many bees. Gardeners use this property in their plots to pollinate various crops.

Sometimes gardeners have a problem - flower beds, compiled with all their hearts, begin to thin out. Plants with early bud formation are fading. Planting alyssum comes to the rescue. The seedlings will quickly grow leaves and young shoots that will cover the bald spots.

Alyssum can be a sea or mountain alissum, a perennial plant or an annual. In our country, they prefer not to plant perennials because they have average frost resistance and even good care does not guarantee winter survival in open ground. This variety can be grown as an annual. Marine species of alyssum attract attention with highly branched branches with dark green leaves, while mountain alyssum is more compact and elegant. The height of an adult bush varies from 15 to 20 cm, and the width reaches half a meter.

The color palette of the opened buds is varied:

delicate cream, white;
rich pink, raspberry;
lily, dark purple;
yellow, with an amber tint.

The types and varieties of alyssum (and there are more than a hundred of them) have not only external differences, but also different aromas. Experts distinguish them by the specific notes of their constituent components. Despite the many shapes and colors, plant care is the same, which is important to consider when creating flower beds.

The place for these miniature bushes should be the most illuminated. Planting the plant in a dark place will lead to elongated shoots and poor flowering. Alyssum is not picky about soil; it prefers poor soils with neutral pH values. This allows the water not to linger, but to maintain the necessary moisture in the earthen ball.

Proper cultivation of alyssum

Alyssum is considered a plant that is undemanding to weather conditions, so planting in flower beds and further care is carried out in early spring. The soil is first dug up; if it is dense, then a small amount of river sand is added. Experts advise moistening the soil before planting, but watering after work is also possible.

There are only three ways to grow.

Planting seeds in beds.

Parallel grooves are made on the ground, and then small seeds are scattered sparsely. Using the bottom of a plastic cup, they are easily compacted into the ground, without sprinkling with anything. After a week, the emerging sprouts are thinned out (distance –10-15 cm) and complex fertilizer is applied. The initial dose is taken two times less than indicated in the instructions.

Pre-germination in .

When gardeners want to achieve early flowering or budding cycles, they begin planting seeds in late February. Without deepening them, they are poured sparsely over the surface and covered with glass. Grow at a temperature of 18-20°C, not forgetting to provide the sprouts with daily hourly airing. After the third strong leaf has appeared on the seedlings, they are planted in pots and further cared for.

Propagation by cuttings.

In an adult plant, cuttings (8 cm) are cut from the shoots, dried and sprinkled with a root formation stimulant. The flower is placed in a greenhouse or directly in a flower bed.

Experienced gardeners prefer to grow alyssum from seeds. You can purchase different varieties and types of plants and combine them in flower beds, taking into account the growth in a certain color scheme.

Cuttings are used extremely rarely. Typically, this method is practiced to preserve the unique characteristics of the original sample. When strong young plants appear in the beds, the soil on the surface is loosened and mulched. You can use freshly cut grass as mulch.

What can't you do without?

You need to start caring for alyssum in open ground in mid-spring with pruning. Long and dry shoots should be shortened by at least a quarter - the plant will begin to grow many new ones, which will make its shape compact and lush. When the alissum has faded, pruning is repeated, removing the tops of the shoots along with the flower stalks. In this way, experienced gardeners achieve repeated flowering, sometimes even more abundantly than the first. Despite the unpretentiousness of alyssum, it needs feeding, especially when buds are being laid. The amount of fertilizing depends on the species.

For perennial alyssums, a couple of feedings are enough. The first is produced before flowering with complex fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. Fertilizer is applied again after pruning. Some experts recommend care using only urea (0.5 tbsp per ten liters of water).
For lush flowering of annual bushes, 4-5 feedings per season are required. Every three weeks the plants are fed with mineral fertilizers, which are applied at the root.

The flower likes to be watered abundantly, but without excess moisture stagnating in the earthen coma. To determine when it is time to water, make a small hole in the soil. If the soil is already dry at a depth of 5 cm, then it is time for water procedures. You should not spray water on bushes, especially flowering ones - the buds may shrink and fall off under the scorching sun.

Many gardeners love to plant alyssum not only for its decorative qualities, but also for its healing properties. A decoction of fresh leaves will help get rid of excess fluid in the body, and women use a water infusion of flowers to whiten the skin. For colds, flowers are brewed in a thermos with boiling water and taken 50 ml three times a day.

Proper care is impossible without examining the appearance of the plant. Even if the planting of alyssum in open ground is extensive, once a week you need to inspect the bushes in search of the following pests:

cruciferous flea beetle;
mealybug;
various caterpillars;
white turnip.

Alyssum began to shed its buds, a cobweb appeared between the leaves, and the stems lost turgor? Pests have invaded the garden. Flower beds are especially often attacked by the cruciferous flea beetle. Modern insecticides easily cope with this problem with several treatments.

Gardeners love to plant these miniature bushes along garden paths. Some don’t even collect the seeds in the fall, allowing them to fall freely to the ground. After overwintering, the seeds sprout in the most unexpected combinations. All that remains is to carry out further care of the plants.

Today, many people have alyssum in their flower beds. It is planted as a medicinal plant, as a flower border, to attract bees. And what a scent wafts through the garden! It is certainly worth paying attention to this unusual bush.

An excellent solution for decorating a flower bed would be a plant such as alyssum. Growing this flower from seeds is not difficult even for novice gardeners.

In open ground, it will not become the most important “star” in the garden, but its fragile and delicate flowers will perfectly highlight the brightness of other plants. A soft fluffy carpet of its buds is often used by landscape designers to decorate parks and squares.

The combination of alyssum with various varieties of petunias and tulips creates the effect of a floral waterfall, which fragrant the entire area with the wonderful aroma of cut herbs and honey.

So elegant and varied

Gardeners value alyssum (alyssum) for its easy care and ability to grow on stones and between slabs. Fencing owners fill the joints between the constituent elements with soil and plant seeds.

In just a couple of months, the fence is decorated with many flowing cascades of flowers. Those who like to create compositions on the balcony often use alyssum as a border for other plants. Here you need to take into account a nuance - flowerpots can attract many bees.

Gardeners use this property in their plots to pollinate various crops.

Attention!

Marine species of alyssum attract attention with highly branched branches with dark green leaves, while mountain alyssum is more compact and elegant. The height of an adult bush varies from 15 to 20 cm, and the width reaches half a meter.

The color palette of the opened buds is varied:

delicate cream, white;
rich pink, raspberry;
lily, dark purple;
yellow, with an amber tint.

Alyssum shoots

Proper cultivation of alyssum

There are only three ways to grow.

Pre-germination in seedling boxes.

When gardeners want to achieve early flowering or budding cycles, they begin planting seeds in late February. Without deepening them, they are poured sparsely over the surface and covered with glass.

Grow at a temperature of 18-20°C, not forgetting to provide the sprouts with daily hourly airing.

After the third strong leaf has appeared on the seedlings, they are planted in pots and further cared for.

In an adult plant, cuttings (8 cm) are cut from the shoots, dried and sprinkled with a root formation stimulant. The flower is placed in a greenhouse or directly in a flower bed.

What can't you do without?

When the alissum has faded, pruning is repeated, removing the tops of the shoots along with the flower stalks. In this way, experienced gardeners achieve repeated flowering, sometimes even more abundantly than the first. Despite the unpretentiousness of alyssum, it needs feeding, especially when buds are being laid.

The amount of fertilizing depends on the species.

For perennial alyssums, a couple of feedings are enough. The first is produced before flowering with complex fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. Fertilizer is applied again after pruning. Some experts recommend care using only urea (0.5 tbsp per ten liters of water).
For lush flowering of annual bushes, 4-5 feedings per season are required. Every three weeks the plants are fed with mineral fertilizers, which are applied at the root.

cruciferous flea beetle;
mealybug;
various caterpillars;
white turnip.

Garden Alyssum - planting and necessary care in open ground. Florist recommendations!

Alyssum belongs to the Sacral family; there are annual and perennial varieties of the flower; most often it can be found on rocky hills and rocky river banks.

Alyssum flowers are most often grown in gardens; due to their spreading nature, low growth (0.5 m) and a large number of small flowers, one plant can look like a full-fledged flower garden.

The flowers range in color from white to burgundy, the sweet scent attracts bees and other pollinators, and flowering lasts from June to October. Alyssum widely used for landscaping and decoration balconies, curbs, alpine slides.

Due to its lodging properties, it may look like a hanging plant; for this reason, it is recommended to grow it around the perimeter of the container.

Alisium varieties

There are about a hundred species of plants, the most common are sea and rock, Based on them, breeders have developed a large number of varieties that differ not only in color and size, but also in other characteristics. Well-known varieties include New Apricot, Salmon, Paletta, etc.

Planting a plant

Plays an important role choice of location, special attention should be paid to the presence natural lighting.

In the shade, alyssum grows unevenly, instead of a head of flowers, individual brushes appear; when moving the plant into the ground, a certain feature should be taken into account; on fertilized soil, the plant blooms poorly, all nutrients go into the leaves.

The optimal condition for good growth is considered neutral soil with drainage, it feels great between slabs and stones. This feature is often used by landscape designers when creating projects.

When to sow seeds

You can sow seeds in autumn and spring; there are two main methods of seed propagation: through seedlings and directly into the ground. The first method is considered standard; the technique is no different from similar procedures.

Pre-prepared boxes must be filled with earth; to prevent diseases, it is recommended to moisten it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Plant the seeds in the soil, press them to the ground, cover the container with oilcloth or glass, creating greenhouse conditions for them.

Germination process lasts 2 weeks, after the emergence of seedlings, the glass must be removed and the seedlings must be provided with additional lighting. After the first leaves appear, picking is recommended.

Fertilizing should be carried out approximately once a week, for these purposes, complex fertilizers are used, which are sold in flower salons.

Propagation by seedlings ensures earlier flowering, but this method requires a lot of effort. Many gardeners are forced to grow seedlings of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, so they may not have time for alyssum.

Planting seeds in autumn (before winter)

It is recommended to plant seeds in the soil before winter; in this case, the first flowers will appear next spring; sowing must be carried out in such a way that each plant has enough space as it grows. The seedlings need thinning, the distance between them should be 15-20 cm. When planting perennials, it is necessary to take into account that the critical temperature in this case is considered to be 15 degrees below zero.

Flower care

Alyssum is considered a fairly unpretentious plant; caring for it will not require much effort, but it is still worth paying attention to some features.

In normal weather and regular precipitation, it is recommended to refrain from watering the plant; excess moisture can lead to the death of the plant.

In hot weather, watering should be carried out as usual; it is recommended to pay special attention to it during flowering.

Regular pruning allows you to extend flowering time and maintain decorative properties.

The frequency of feeding depends from a specific variety, for perennial varieties, a single fertilizing in the spring is enough, annual varieties will have to be fertilized 4 times a season, organic or mineral fertilizers will help improve flowering. It is recommended to fertilize before and after flowering; the amount of nitrogen should be limited.

If the plant is a continuous carpet, it is recommended to use fertilizers in liquid form; in order to prevent burns, the leaves should be watered after the procedure; low-concentrated doses should be applied several times.

The most dangerous pest is considered to be the cruciferous flea flea, in the fight against which it is recommended to use vinegar essence, for this purpose 1 tbsp. l. must be dissolved in 10 l. water.

Attention!

Caterpillars are also a danger to the flower; to remove them, it is recommended to use tobacco with soap or an infusion of chamomile. With excess moisture and insufficient soil permeability, there is a high probability of late blight - gray mold affects the root collar of the plant and the soil.

There is also a possibility of infection with powdery mildew; to combat the disease, it is recommended to use topaz and beard mixture.

Alyssum flower: growing from seeds, when to plant it, photo of the plant

Alyssum is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the ground cover crops. It can be either annual or perennial. Alyssum (lobularia or alyssum) is distinguished by a large number of small flowers of different shades (it all depends on the variety).

The plant is very popular among gardeners, and they often decorate their flower beds with alyssums because they bloom lushly and exude a pleasant honey aroma. Alyssums also bloom for quite a long time and are not particularly picky in terms of care. In the article you will also see photos of samples of these colors.

Features of alyssum

The height of the plant is only from 20 to 30 centimeters. Small flowers can have the following shades:

red;
purple;
white;
pink;
yellow.

Alyssums are grown at home in summer cottages and private households; cultivation in public city flower beds is also practiced. Most plant varieties bloom from June to October with proper care.

Alyssums are able to tolerate minor cold, in particular frosts up to up to 10 degrees below zero. And some species of this plant can survive the entire winter without shedding their foliage.

In the photo you can see how wide the variety of varieties of this flower is.

Rules for planting and growing alissum

For planting and subsequent cultivation of alyssum, you need to choose well-lit areas. It also blooms in partial shade, but one of the flower cushions will be loose. In addition to the fact that the plant tolerates frost well, it is also well adapted to dry air. However, the planting area must be ventilated.

Soil for planting must have the following properties:

ease;
fertility;
be moderately fertilized;
well drained;
neutrality.

If you plan to grow Pyrenean alyssum, then, among other things, the planting soil must contain large quantities of calcium so that the alyssum blooms well.

Places and compositions

Alyssum is planted not only in plots and flower beds. They can also be grown in pots at home and are very attractive when planted on retaining walls, rock gardens, between slabs or stones.

Alyssum looks very beautiful in compositions with other flowers. Particularly wonderful contrasts are created in combination with plants in purple, blue or pink shades. In the photo you can find such examples and evaluate how you would like to decorate your site.

And lower a list of colors is provided, with which it is best to plant alyssum:

red tulip;
bearded dwarf iris;
rose;
pelargonium;
Turkish cloves;
heliotrope;
forest forget-me-not;
phlox;
rezuha;
Aubrietta.

Features of growing alyssum

Naturally, the first question when growing alyssum is when to plant it. Into the ground planting is carried out from April to June. The disembarkation time depends on the chosen method. For example, alyssum is planted for seedlings in April, but in a flower garden - closer to summer.

The most popular methods of flower propagation are:

semen use;
dividing bushes;
cuttings

Most often, gardeners plant alyssum seed. We will talk about this planting method in more detail. In the photo you can see some moments of landing.

The soil for growing alyssum needs light and nutritious soil with a minimum of lime. This flower also loves light.

Alyssum: growing from seeds

The seeds of this flower are very small. When planting, they should not be buried too deep into the ground. They should be carefully and sparsely, approximately 10-15 cm apart, place on the surface of the soil prepared in advance. For better adhesion, it can be sprayed with liquid with the addition of potassium permanganate, which is a good prevention of a number of diseases.

Then the seed is pressed with your hand to about 2 cm deep. There is no need to sprinkle them on top, since alyssum should be grown in natural light. If you plant a seed for seedlings in April, but the container with it needs to be covered with glass or film. Or something else, only transparent.

If the plant has enough light and moisture after planting, then within a week the first shoots will appear, which need to be watered moderately. When seedlings emerge densely, they should be thinned out; this is part of the care. Otherwise, the flower may get sick and flowering will be poor. Between bushes you need to maintain a distance of about 20 cm.

What to do after planting seeds for seedlings at home?

If we talk about planting seeds for seedlings, seedlings also appear within a week, provided the air temperature is about 20 degrees. If the flower seedlings are too fragile, then you need to water the tray so as not to break them with water pressure and cause disease.

Picking seedlings is carried out when 4 true leaves appear. After a few days, when the sprouts are planted in separate containers, you can think about fertilizers.

Caring for alyssum includes regular hardening; for this, the plant is taken outside every day for a few minutes.

Alyssum is transplanted into open ground at the end of May, and flowering begins about a month later. In total, from planting seeds to flowering, provided proper care is taken, about 2 months. Do not forget to constantly loosen the soil, weed it and water the flowers.

In order for alyssum flowers to bloom beautifully and thickly from summer until frost, you need to follow the rules of care. One of them is moderately nutritious soil, which should not be oversaturated with organic matter, so as not to grow green mass to the detriment of flowers.

Dry soil will be more comfortable for a flower than saturated soil or places where groundwater is located too high. Therefore, when growing alissum from seeds in open ground, you need to choose the right site for it.

Features of winter planting a flower

In some cases, planting of alyssum is carried out immediately after collecting the seeds in late summer - early autumn. If the flower survives the winter, then shoots may appear very early and flowering will begin much earlier than usual.

But in this case, there is a big risk that the planting material will freeze due to shallow planting, and no amount of care will help. Therefore, if you are planning something like this , consider these factors:

the length of winter in your region;
average temperatures during the cold period.

Flower care and potential dangers

Behind the alyssum flowers caring isn't that hard, but you need to remember the following:

Water the plant, especially when it begins to bloom. If periodic precipitation occurs, then this moisture will be enough, but during drought it is very important not to let the plant dry out. At the same time, do not allow waterlogging and damp soil;
loosen the soil, weed, and drainage. The plant also needs light and ventilation;
Fertilizers for alissum are selected depending on its variety. If the flower is annual, it is fertilized up to 4 times per season, and if it is perennial, then twice a year in spring and autumn. Fertilizing is done in the morning at the root. Fertilizers should be chosen complex or nitrogen;
to maintain an attractive appearance and ensure regular flowering, you need to periodically shorten the alyssum;
despite the fact that most plant varieties can bloom for several seasons in a row and tolerate cold well, it is recommended to rejuvenate the bushes every 3 years, since old ones bloom worse over time and lose their attractiveness. In addition, young seedlings are more resistant to diseases.

If the plant is overwatered, it may get fungal infections. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the infected flowers and treat the remaining ones with a fungicide. Alyssum is also susceptible to the negative effects of the cruciferous flea beetle; insecticides are used to combat it.

The root system of the flower may rot if the soil is too heavy and there is no drainage, keep this in mind when caring for your alyssum.

Is it possible to extend the flowering period?

Naturally, the duration of flowering of a plant depends on the correct care for it. Many subtleties in this regard were mentioned above - this is a warm place and loose, moderately nutritious soil. Also avoid prolonged dryness and don't forget to water the flower in dry weather.

In order for the bush to retain its decorative appeal after the first flowering, it is pruned so that it grows better.

If you looked at the photo of alyssum, you noticed its original appearance. You can also use it to create original flower arrangements; in addition, the flower has an incredible aroma. And the fact that alyssum is not particularly demanding in terms of care makes it a favorite in every flower garden.

Alyssum - growing from seeds, features of planting and care

Alyssum: growing from seeds, features of planting and care

A charming, fragrant perennial that impresses with the contrast of gray foliage and dazzlingly bright yellow (or shimmering pearl in annuals) flowering on rocky hills, in mixborders and against retaining walls, alyssum is one of the most undemanding garden crops. Hardy, persistent and quite compact, with the right selection of growing conditions and minimal care it will delight you with its decorative appearance for many years.

Growing conditions

By the preference of alyssums to grow in rocky soils, in combination with rock gardens or retaining walls, one can judge the growing conditions they need.

These are extremely light-loving and drought-resistant plants that are not afraid of southern exposure and drying heat.

Only where the winters are mild enough can plants of the genus Alyssum be planted in light shade, while in regions with harsh winters they retain their hardiness only with optimal sunlight.

Otherwise, alyssums are absolutely unpretentious: they are not afraid of drafts, they are not afraid of rocky soils, or the proximity of even large boulders or other plants.

The soil for growing alyssum should under no circumstances be damp, heavy, or dense. These perennials, like annual representatives of the genus, prefer to grow in light soils, but enriched with organic fertilizers, which provide sufficient nutrition for abundant and bright flowering. In terms of acidity, the soil for growing alyssum should be neutral or slightly alkaline.

Landing

Planting alyssum is a simple process. It is advisable to improve the soil with organic fertilizers at least a few weeks before planting.

If alyssum is planted by sowing seeds, then they can be planted to a depth of no more than half a centimeter both at a permanent growing place in May and in greenhouses in April, transferring them as the seedlings grow at the end of May to a permanent growing place.
Plants obtained from seedlings or after division are transferred to a permanent location in April-May, digging holes slightly larger than the size of the rhizome, placing the plant without deep penetration and immediately after planting, watering it abundantly.

It is advisable to strictly maintain a distance to neighboring crops, which will allow the alyssum to grow and develop freely, leaving a minimum distance of 15 cm with an optimal distance of 30 to 40 cm.

If the soil at the growing site is not light enough, it is improved by adding sand and gravel or drainage is laid where there is a risk of moisture stagnation. There is no need for drainage on rock gardens and supporting walls.

How to propagate alyssum

It is very easy to propagate alyssum - these unpretentious plants can be grown from seeds, or you can take cuttings or divide old bushes.

Growing from seeds

It is advisable to sow alyssum seeds in open ground immediately after collection or next spring, in May, scattering the seeds sparsely, without digging, covering them with a half-centimeter layer of thin soil.

Many gardeners practice pre-autumn, August planting of seeds, which allows alyssum to start growing in early spring and bloom earlier (if sowed in spring, the plants will also bloom the next year).

But in most cases, the greatest results are achieved by sowing in greenhouses or seedlings in March-April, carried out at the same depth in light soil. After growing the plants until several leaves form, they are transferred to open ground according to the same rules.

Propagation by cuttings

Cuttings of alyssum can be carried out in June or August (when kept in a winter garden or a warm greenhouse), while the cut shoots take root in a light nutritious soil mixture under a hood and with active watering. Dividing the bush is carried out at the same time as planting seeds - in April, digging up old bushes and carefully cutting them into sections with a sufficient number of powerful shoots at the beginning of the growing season.

When planting plants divided or obtained from cuttings, the distance, even with dense planting, should not be less than 30 cm to neighboring crops.

Features of wintering

Perennial alyssums, with sufficient lighting, are completely winter-hardy plants that do not need shelter for the winter. Pre-winter pruning of alyssum is not recommended, because after it the plant may die. Shortening the shoots should be done immediately after flowering and long before the onset of cold weather.

Alyssum care

Watering

Watering alyssum is a rather controversial issue. With normal soil nutrition and regular natural precipitation or even minor droughts, it is better not to water alyssums, because the plant is prone to getting wet at the slightest excess of moisture.

In the hottest and driest periods, it is still better to provide maintenance watering, especially during flowering to extend its time. The only exception is annual alyssums, which need regular watering and more soil moisture.

Trimming

All types of alyssum require regular pruning. Timely shortening of shoots allows you to maintain the decorative appearance of the bushes and increase the flowering period. In rock alyssum, pruning is carried out after flowering, shortening all shoots by exactly one third; other types of alyssum are pruned at the moment of fruit formation on the shoots, shortening them by 5, maximum 8 cm.

Top dressing

To maintain stable nutritional value of the soil, it is advisable to feed alyssums during particularly active growth. For perennial alyssums on high-quality light soil, one feeding in early spring is enough to improve the soil.

Annuals require two to four feedings during the summer season, and the first one must be done before flowering. If perennial alyssums grow in depleted soil, they can also be fed according to the annual feeding scheme.

An obligatory component of caring for alyssum should also be loosening the soil while weeding, which will help maintain its looseness, lightness, air and water permeability.

Diseases and pests

Alyssum is a hardy plant, and it is rarely bothered by diseases and pests, but under improper growing conditions or excessive moisture, brown rot of the root collar and rhizome may occur; alyssum may lose resistance to powdery mildew (both downy and true), wilt, and viral mosaic , jaundice aster.

Of the pests, the greatest risk of infection is turnip white, cruciferous flea beetle and cabbage moth.

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The nuances of growing and caring for alyssum

We will talk about an ornamental plant - alyssum. We will answer the question of how to sow alyssum for seedlings and how to care for it. In this article you will find not only the necessary information, but also interesting facts about the plant.

Did you know? In ancient times, some plant from the genus Alyssum was used against rabies, as evidenced by its Latin name: lat.a - not, without (denial) and lyssa - dog rabies.

Growing alyssum in seedlings

Let's take a brief introduction to alyssum. Alyssum is planted in flower beds, using it as a living border. Alyssum, or Alyssum, is a genus of plants from the Brassica family.

The genus includes up to 200 species, which are found in Europe, Asia and even North Africa. The plant has a height of 15 to 40 cm. The fruit is a box with seeds that do not lose their viability during three years of storage.

How to plant seeds correctly

Seeds for seedlings are sown in March or April. The soil should be slightly alkaline (achieved by adding lime) and have a pH of 5.5-6.0. The soil is placed in a box, the seeds are laid on top and pressed slightly to the ground. You can lightly dig in with the same soil mixture, but this is not necessary.

How to care for seedlings

Many people are interested in the question: how long does it take for alyssumi to sprout? Is it possible to speed up the process? For seeds to germinate, the following conditions must be met: room temperature +13-15 °C, good lighting (preferably not only artificial light), covering the seeds to create greenhouse conditions (glass or film is used), regular ventilation, moistening the soil.

If all conditions are met, then alyssum will germinate in 7-8 days. After the first leaves appear, the plant needs to be fed with fertilizers, and when you notice already 3 leaves, plant it in separate pots. After transplanting into pots, the plant is completely ready for planting in open ground. You need to wait for warm weather and plant alyssum on the site.

Sowing alyssum seeds in open ground

Now we will talk about how and when to sow alyssum in open ground.

Timing and depth of sowing seeds

If you are determined to sow seeds directly into open ground, you need to wait for really warm weather. Unlike greenhouse sowing, seeds can be planted in open ground no earlier than May.

They are buried no more than 0.5 cm into the ground. If planted deeper, the sprouts will not have enough strength to break through the soil.

Important! If alyssum in the garden acts as a living border, then the distance between plants can be made minimally acceptable.

When planting seeds, calculate the distance between flowers so that they do not interfere with each other - this is approximately 15 to 40 cm.

What kind of lighting does alyssum like?

When planting and caring for alyssum, you must first take into account the lighting and location of the plant in relation to the sun. Plant alyssum in sunny places that are protected from drafts.

If this is not possible, then the plant can be planted in partial shade, but the flowering will not be as strong and uniform.

When planting, keep in mind that alyssum grows well between heated slabs and stones, which will not only warm the flower, but also decorate your garden.

How to prepare the soil for sowing seeds

Prepare the soil for alyssum: add humus or compost a month before sowing. You also need to improve the drainage properties of the soil by adding expanded clay, river sand or small pebbles.

After this, the ground is dug up and leveled with a rake. If the soil is acidic, you need to add a portion of lime, bringing the pH value to 6.0-6.3.

When preparing the soil for alyssum, you should not leave the roots of the weeds or the above-ground part on the site so that they do not weed out again.

Care during the cultivation of alyssum

To achieve bright and beautiful flowering, you need to follow the rules of care when growing alyssum.

How to care for the soil

The fertilizers applied during planting are quickly exhausted, and the plant begins to starve. If the lack of minerals coincides with the flowering period, then you will observe several flaccid flowers on the plant, which will quickly fall off.

The lack of fertilizing makes alyssum more vulnerable to many diseases, so the soil needs to be saturated with humus and mineral supplements.

During the period of rapid growth (before flowering), alyssum is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. To do this, dilute 1 tbsp per 10 liters of water. l. urea and Agricola-7; Water the plant in the late afternoon, when moisture does not evaporate so much from the soil.

During flowering, complex mineral fertilizers must be applied. Humus can also be used as fertilizing.

In addition to fertilizing the soil, it is necessary to loosen and remove weeds. If the soil becomes crusty, the alyssum will begin to starve its roots of oxygen. To achieve the best results, you need to water and loosen either in the evening or early in the morning. At this time, less moisture evaporates from the soil, so the amount of watering can be reduced.

How to prune a flower correctly

The fragrant perennial flower needs pruning from time to time to maintain its shape and resources. Plant pruning is carried out not only for aesthetic effect, but also to remove diseased, dry and damaged shoots. As soon as the alyssum has bloomed, you need to cut off all the flower stalks. This is done to conserve the plant's resources.

Important! If you plan to get seeds for seedlings, then you cannot cut off the flower stalks!

25-30 days after the alyssum has bloomed, another pruning is carried out.

Each shoot that extends from the main trunk is shortened to 3-4 cm. After this procedure, the plant sends out many new shoots in the fall and its crown becomes noticeably thicker.

In addition, by renewing the shoots, you prevent the formation of diseases or pest damage on them.

The last pruning is carried out in the spring. Cut off dry leaves, diseased or damaged shoots. At the same time, you can trim healthy shoots to give a more beautiful shape.

Did you know? In Siberia and Altai, alyssum is used internally for inguinal hernia, colds and kidney stones.

How to deal with possible diseases

Alyssum begins to get sick under unfavorable conditions: in the absence of fertilizers and sanitary pruning. And waterlogged soil creates a favorable environment for harmful bacteria.

If your flower is sick, it needs to be treated urgently so that other plants do not become infected.

Late blight (or brown rot) is a disease that develops with excessive watering. The roots and root collar begin to rot, and the plant itself dries out.

This is the same case when improper care leads to illness.

To cure alyssum from late blight, you need to treat the plant (preferably all at once, so that there is no relapse) with fungicides (“Ordan”, “Kuproksat”) and refrain from watering.

Another problem for alyssum is powdery mildew, which affects the leaves (a white coating forms). Diseased leaves stop growing, turn black and die.

Alyssum can develop powdery mildew after excessive pruning, application of large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers and strong temperature changes.

Powdery mildew is treated with Bordeaux mixture, Fundazol fungicide or Fitosporin-M biofungicide.

When is the best time to collect seeds?

To get a young healthy plant, you need to collect seeds for planting in time. The best time is the end of September, beginning of October. Choose seeds for planting from dry inflorescences. Rub the alyssum flowers with your hands. Remove large debris.

Then the seeds are sent to dry in a warm, ventilated room. They should be stored in fabric bags in a warm, dry place.

Important! Watch the timing of the flowering of alyssum so that the seeds do not fall off before you decide to collect them.

Alyssum does not require specific care, so try to follow the instructions described so that your flower does not get sick and is always the best decoration of the garden.

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The low-growing spreading alyssum belongs to the genus of the cruciferous (cabbage) family. In another way it is called alicium, and popularly it is also called marine lobularia , alyssum. However, alyssium and sea lobularia are close relatives rather than the same plant. Its Latin name Alyssum comes from the Greek word “alyssa”, where “a” is the negation of “without”, “lyssa” is “dog rabies”. There is a version about its healing properties against such a disease.

Today it is a real decoration of any landscape design. It is used in creating picturesque compositions of flower beds, rose gardens, borders, mixborders, lawns, etc. Its characteristic honey aroma is very appropriate in recreation areas of squares, parks, garden plots and even on balconies.

Thanks to the spectacular coloring of the flowers, ground cover alyssum harmonizes perfectly with many plants. These are tulips, forget-me-nots, dwarf irises, muscari, roses, phlox, etc. It can be a colorful accent in the improvement of rocky areas, masonry walls, rock gardens, rockeries. They are often used to “mask” voids after spring flowers and bulbous plants have “retired.”

Low alissum bushes with half-woody strong branches can reach a height of up to 40 cm. Small pubescent leaves of oblong or ovoid shape grow at the base of the shoots.

Small alyssum flowers appear in tight clusters with a very pleasant smell. They are painted in white, fawn, yellow, pink, red, lilac, and purple shades.

It is the fawn and yellow colors that belong to alyssum, and the rest to marine lobularia. During flowering, the bush resembles a continuous colorful foam of fragrant, delicate inflorescences.

The discrepancy in the names of the plant is probably explained by the fact that it has about a hundred species and their varieties. Among flora lovers, gardeners, and summer residents, the following types of alyssum are especially popular:

Today, breeders have developed no less interesting varieties, namely:

New varieties are distinguished by their compact shape and low parameters. They can be grown indoors and as seedlings for open ground.

Propagation of alyssum by seeds is used by gardeners more often than by dividing the bush or cuttings. The timing of this work depends on the desired timing of flowering.

For their earlier timing, alyssum seeds are planted in a greenhouse from late February or early March. If you are prepared to expect later flowering, it is practiced to sow seeds in open ground from May. At this time, the earth is already sufficiently warm and the threat of night spring frosts has passed

The optimal time for sowing seeds for seedlings is April, and for planting flower beds in the soil is May.

To sow alyssum for seedlings in March-April, soil and containers for it are first prepared. At the same time, we take into account that this plant is undemanding in terms of its composition. After all, in nature it grows and blooms even on sunny rocks of mountain slopes. The main thing is that it is light, nutritious, and contains little lime.

One good option is proximity to well-lit stone structures. Due to their rapid heating, the plant will quickly grow and bloom. But in partial shade its flowering is poor, and away from the sun's rays only the green mass develops well.

Then containers are selected: boxes, containers, cassettes with small cells. They are filled with soil, which is moderately moistened with a weak concentration of potassium permanganate solution. This is a kind of insurance against possible diseases.

Very small seeds are planted in the prepared soil, not very densely, and lightly pressed without sprinkling with soil. After this, the planted seeds are placed in a well-lit, cool place (up to +12°C).

The first shoots begin after 5-10 days. After the first true leaf appears, the seedlings are watered moderately and fed with complex fertilizers. It is important to avoid waterlogging, excess feeding, and high temperatures.

Planting seedlings into separate pots begins when two true leaves appear. Although with the rapid, active development of alyssum, it may not be needed. In this case, it is advisable to plant the seedlings immediately in open ground and after 1.5 months they begin to bloom.

Flowering alyssum is planted for a permanent “place of residence” in May at a distance of up to 20 cm between plants. If it is possible to grow developed bushy seedlings, the seedlings are divided into several parts and each of them is planted separately.

Along with planting grown seedlings, seeds can be planted directly into the soil after the threat of frost until June. Before sowing, you should dig up the soil and fertilize it with calcium.

Then level the surface and sprinkle seeds on it sparingly. In this case, they are also not sprinkled with earth, but only lightly pressed with the palm of your hand. This is explained by the fact that their germination occurs depending on the intensity of sunlight.

At temperatures above +16°C, sprouts appear within 7-10 days. However, less favorable climatic conditions can slow down this process.

Weeding is carried out 2 weeks after the emergence of seedlings. There should be more than 10 cm between seedlings. After all, initially miniature sprouts can grow widely over time, covering the ground between the plants.

These agricultural techniques contribute to more active flowering and prevent the development of powdery mildew. Seeds sown in the soil will delight you with their decorative bushes with picturesque flowers by the beginning of July.

“Winter” sowing is carried out before snow falls, from October to November inclusive. Before the cold snap, the seeds will have time to take root on the ground, and in the spring full-fledged plants will appear with further flowering.

Seeds are sown in frozen soil so that they do not germinate before winter, but germinate only in the spring.

Despite its frost resistance at temperatures below -15 ºC, alyssum still needs shelter. In mild winters, you need to sprinkle with a small layer of dry leaves, and in snowy times - with a thicker layer. Under these conditions, alyssum will survive the cold and retain greenery on the bushes.

If a plant grown in summer is left in the soil for the winter, you should not prune it on the eve of severe cold. There will be enough done here after the end of autumn flowering. The next “haircut” is carried out in the spring.

Just as planting alyssum is quick and easy, caring for it in summer is not difficult. It consists of processes such as:

Watering the soil. The frequency of watering depends on the permeability of the soil and weather conditions. After all, alyssum tolerates aridity more easily than excess moisture, which leads to rotting and death of the roots. And excessive drying out can provoke the dropping of buds and flowers.

The need for moisture can only be determined by examining the soil at a depth of up to 4 cm. Hard and crumbly soil is a signal for watering. In extreme heat, it is good to irrigate the bushes in the morning and evening. To avoid damage to the peduncles, this should not be done with a strong stream, but by sprinkling.

Weed removal and loosening the soil between plants is carried out after watering. However, if the area is mulched, then watering and weeding are done infrequently. Moreover, even in the presence of mulch, weeding is necessary for air and water permeability of the soil.

Trimming Alyssum is planted in order to prolong the time of its abundant flowering. This must be done in the fall, when old branches and thin young shoots are cut off. In spring, dried or weak leaves and shoots, peduncles are removed at the end of the flowering period even before seeds form. Along with this summer, to speed up the next flowering, you should do this again and shorten the shoots by 10 cm. This work with overgrown bushes will give them a neater and more compact appearance.

Top dressing Nitrogen or mineral complex fertilizers are carried out when the snow melts in the spring and later during flowering. On the eve of flowering, you need to apply complex mineral fertilizers. However, if alyssum is grown on alpine hills, monthly feeding will ensure a longer life for the flowers. For more intensive development of shoots and leaves, nitrogen fertilizers and urea help. Annuals need to increase the amount of fertilizing up to 4 times per season. At the same time, they must receive fertilizer for the first time before flowering.

Thanks to these accessible methods of agricultural technology, you can skillfully manage the timing and splendor of alyssum flowers.

Seed collection time is late September-early October. To do this, grind the faded fruits at the place where they grow over an oilcloth spread under the plant. After this, remove large remnants of leaves, branches, and shoots from the coatings.

Place the collected seeds in a linen bag. In this form, they are stored in a dry, well-ventilated room without drafts until the next sowing for seedlings or open ground.

If the seeds fall off before harvesting, you can sweep them out from under the raised branches. Then clear away large lumps of earth and debris and repeat the above.