Echinacea: description, planting and care

Echinacea (Echinacea) - a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Astrov family. Distribution area - North America, the Caucasus. In Russia, she became the favorite of many gardeners only at the beginning of the XXI century.

The first time Echinacea as a herb was described by Karl Linney in the mid-50s of the XVIII century. But only after 40 years she was singled out.

Description of Echinacea

Echinacea is the most popular medicinal plant in the world. It has a creeping, rooting rhizome, straight trunks of approximately 2 m in height and small inflorescences-baskets. Extensive foliage, almond-shaped with a serrated rim. Petals are purple, yellow, scarlet. The central half of the inflorescence has a pure burgundy color with a brownish tone. The flowering period begins from mid-July to September. It is perfect for decorating the garden, parks and forest corners. Many fans of flowers prefer it to her.

But, admiring the beautiful flowers, people do not realize that this miracle plant is a healer of many ailments, strengthens the immune system.

Types of Echinacea

The following species are most common among florists:

Varieties of Echinacea purpurea

Most popular in the middle lane:

Growing echinacea from seeds and sowing in open ground

A common method among gardeners is the seed method. This propagation method applies only to cultivated plants. Mixed types do not retain their traits in generative cultivation.

You need to purchase high-quality seeds and prepare a tray with the ground. At first, in March or at the end of October, sow them to a depth of 1-2 cm in trenches after 20 cm, cover them with a small layer of soil. Daily humidity control, avoid dry land. The first shoots are observed on the 14th day after sowing.

In late spring, they are allowed to be planted in open ground in the flowerbed. Be sure to observe the adaptation of the sprouts.

Growing Echinacea seedlings and planting it in open ground

Seeds for growing seedlings are soaked in a growth promoter. Sown in February in a container with light, airy soil, deepening by about 7 cm and observing a distance between them of about 5 cm. Crops are moistened, covered with a transparent cover (film), placed in a well-lit place at + 13 ... +15 ° C. They germinate for about a month. When the sprouts grow up, the film is removed, periodically watered. In early May, seedlings are carried out into the air, gradually increasing the period of their stay on the street. Planted after the threat of frost.

For planting seedlings choose a well-lit place. The soil is fertile, not sandy. If required, fertilizers, peat are applied, lime in acidic soil.

Dig holes 5 cm and maintain a distance of about 25 cm. A small amount of special compost is poured onto the bottom. The seedling is placed in the soil with an earthen lump.

Methods of propagation of echinacea

In addition to the seed method, the production of new echinacea is practiced by the bush method and cuttings.

Bush division

For the most part, gardeners prefer to propagate the plant by dividing the bush. It is recommended to use this method provided that the age of echinacea is 3-6 years. The procedure can be performed in autumn and spring. Carefully dig out the flower and divide it into parts for 3 buds of growth. Then put in the prepared wells.

Cuttings

This method is performed in June. Cuttings are cut and left on the stem for two leaves, and the places of the slices are lubricated with a growth stimulator. Then they are planted in a well-fed and moistened soil. The room temperature should be between + 20 ... + 25 ° C. After a half to two months, the formed sprouts are transplanted into open soil.

Echinacea Care

Since echinacea is an unpretentious plant, the care is simple:

• It is very important to spray it a lot and constantly. Experienced gardeners recommend doing this in the evening after sunset.
• Regular weed removal, top dressing, soil loosening and insect fences are needed.
• Fertilizing is recommended twice a year: in March and after flowering. Seeds are harvested from cut wilted flowers for the next year. If this is not required, you need to cut dry inflorescences to a green petal.
• In autumn, it is imperative to cover the flowers with a mixture of earth and peat compost or humus, complex top dressing.

Diseases and pests of Echinacea

Echinacea has a fairly stable immunity to parasites and infections, but some diseases can affect it. Therefore, it is important to know their reasons for speeding overcoming:

• Fusariosis is a fungus in the soil. To eliminate the disease, you need to remove the affected plant and burn.
• Powdery mildew is the dampness of the earth. Processing with Bordeaux fluid will return the flowers to their original appearance.
• Whitefly - high humidity. To combat it, use a soap solution, tincture of garlic, spraying with water and chemicals such as Bona Forte.

If you adhere to the above recommendations, the cultivation of echinacea will not cause difficulties. Each plant requires care and attention.

Echinacea wintering

Echinacea is a heat-loving plant that tolerates frosts without shelter only in snowy winters and in places with a warm climate. Therefore, for complete certainty, experts advise covering the flowers with dry foliage or needles to help them survive the frosts. This contributes to easy wintering and early blooming in spring.

Mr. Dachnik recommends: the healing properties of echinacea

This beautiful flower contains many healing properties. In folk medicine, echinacea is an indispensable source of vitamins and minerals. From it make decoctions, masks, balms, ointments that contribute to the fight against colds, diseases of the stomach, liver, eyes.

For quick and effective healing of wounds and burns without scars, herbal compresses and poultices are made. To use the funds all year, home medicine fans take care of this in advance. They collect flowers, leaves, roots and stems, which are dried in moderate daylight, shadow or oven on a piece of fabric. Then they are placed in a glass jar or container, tightly closed and stored at a temperature of + 20 ... +25 ° C. The roots are best harvested in the fall.

Medicines can be easily prepared at home:

• In case of flu, tea is prepared: 1 teaspoon is poured into 100 ml of boiling water and insisted for an hour. It is recommended to take 3 times a day after meals.
• With burns, juice from fresh flowers helps to relieve swelling and quick healing.
• Tincture of Echinacea for insomnia and depression: 15 g of grated root pour 120 ml of alcohol and leave for 24 hours. Take 3-4 times a day for 15-20 drops.
• Decoction of stems for infectious diseases and fatigue: 1 tbsp. l dry herbs pour 300 ml of water and boil for 30 minutes in a water bath. Cool and take 1-2 tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals.

Echinacea is contraindicated for allergy sufferers, pregnant women, patients with arthritis, leukemia, tuberculosis and with angina.

Echinacea in the landscape

Echinacea is used in garden design. She is planted in groups, but asters, phloxes and monards will be good neighbors for her.

Watch the video: How to Grow Beautiful Echinacea Coneflowers (November 2024).