Purslane growing from seeds planting care cooking recipes. Purslane large-flowered - a flower without the hassle

Purslane planting and care

Purslane is a unique flyer. And it's not just that this field weed in landscape design unrivaled among creeping seasonal accents. The legendary "rugs" can surprise even the most experienced gardener with their beauty and multicolor. But their main advantage is amazing endurance, drought resistance and undemanding. Purslane creates colorful carpets even in the poorest soil. This miracle is grown from seeds, and its sowing does not require any tricks.

Growing purslane grandiflora from seeds.

Purslane is an ancient plant. This is one of the first ornamental crops, which began to be used as both decorative and healing in the Middle Ages. Despite the fact that there are about two hundred species in the purslane genus, only one of them is grown as an ornamental plant - South American in origin and popular on all inhabited continents and in all countries - purslane grandiflorum (Portulaca grandiflora). A compact creeping perennial, which is grown as an annual, with a modest height of only 20 cm, surprises with small, green or brownish fleshy cylindrical leaves, and the similarity of greenery with needles, and the beauty of flowers shining against the background of rugs. Shoots are light green, with a reddish tint, juicy and creeping. Cup-shaped, simple or double, up to 3 cm in diameter, the flowers still seem huge on such a plant. And the multicolor - after all, purslane are usually distributed as variety mixtures - and does not just make the plant elegant, but also cheerful. Pink, yellow, orange, white, cream or red, purslane flowers always look fresh and original. This is a summer plant in every sense, which blooms from June to September.

Purslane and for decorating container compositions or outdoor vases, balconies and potted gardens, ampels and window boxes, and for growing in the soil in the garden are obtained in the same way - from seeds. Moreover, the most simple varieties, and fashionable novelties among variety mixtures with especially large double flowers are equally easy to propagate.

Purslane is best grown through seedlings. When sown in the soil, you will have to wait for the onset of stable heat, and the plants bloom much later, may suffer from hot weather and not form spectacular mats. But sowing in the soil is also acceptable.

Self-collection of purslane seeds and their selection for sowing

Purslane seeds, due to their good preservation and abundance, are classified as budget flowers with low cost. This plant is easy to grow, no difficulties with industrial cultivation and there is no cultivation in garden centers, so purslane seeds can be safely bought from any trusted manufacturer. The choice of individual varieties and variety mixtures is so great that it is better to use only purely aesthetic qualities as a selection criterion. In 1 gram of purslane seeds - up to 13 thousand potential plants.

After the flowering of purslane, in favorable weather, multi-seeded single-nested fruit boxes are tied. The highest quality seeds are harvested from potted, not grown in open ground purslane. To collect seed pods and optimal seed ripening, purslane are brought into rooms at the end of August, protecting plants from cold snaps even up to 10 degrees at night. AT room conditions in bright light, the seeds gradually ripen, and after browning the boxes, they can be safely collected, dried and opened the fruits. But you can collect your seeds from plants growing in the soil. True, a single procedure is not enough: the boxes open slightly when ripe, the plants need to be monitored, systematically removing the fruits as soon as they turn yellow. In terry purslane, you should try to collect seeds from the first two pairs of flowers, in which terry is less pronounced, but a normal pistil develops and then full-fledged fruits are formed.

Purslane retains seed germination for up to 3 years, provided it is protected from light and hot temperatures. As a rule, even from one plant you can collect so many seeds that they will last for several years.

Soil and containers for sowing purslane

Purslane can be sown in any universal light soil mixture, not necessarily a special substrate for seedlings, but the better the soil is in terms of its water permeability, the better. It is recommended to add up to 1/5 of the sand to the soil and charcoal. Purslane is not sown in peat mixtures, as well as substrates with organic fertilizers.

In addition to the substrate, it is worth preparing drainage - at the bottom of the containers, even for seedlings, a drainage layer must be laid. For purslane, you can use fine gravel, and even coarse sand.

Containers for purslane are chosen shallow, but the sizes are selected depending on the number of seeds and their capacity to accommodate containers. Sowing can be carried out in small pots, large boxes or even in mini-greenhouses. The main condition is good and numerous drainage holes.

For purslane, you need to take care of another parameter - the quality of water, which will be used both for sowing and then for care. These plants do not like hard water; to work with a plant, its characteristics are selected in the same way as for the most capricious indoor stars, using soft, settled water. room temperature or a little warmer.

Self collection ornamental purslane seeds.

Sowing purslane seeds

Purslane is best sown in March. If it is possible to provide additional lighting or favorable weather, sowing can be carried out from the end of February, and the last allowable time for sowing purslane for seedlings is limited to the first decade of April.

Before filling the containers with soil, for purslane, a layer of drainage must be poured onto the bottom of the containers. After the containers are filled with soil, it must be evenly moistened. Classical watering is not the only option. You can put the containers in a pan with water and slowly soak the soil with moisture using the bottom method.

Sowing purslane seeds is not an easy task. Very small seeds require careful handling and care. It is more convenient to use pelleted seeds or mix them with sand before sowing, but according to the classical method, the seeds are laid out with a toothpick or skewer. Optimal distance when sowing - about 1 cm between seeds. Sowing is carried out shallow, pressing the seeds no more than 1 mm. You can also carry out the classic superficial dense sowing, but with this option you will have to take care of diving later.

Repeated moistening of the soil and wetting of seeds is not carried out. From above, crops must be covered with a film or glass.

Conditions for germination of purslane seeds

For purslane, two main factors must be provided - bright lighting and warm. Containers with crops are placed in sunny places or provide additional lighting if there is still not enough light on the brightest window. Install lamps in the morning and evening, and on cloudy days - and for the whole day. The later the sowing is carried out, the less the need for purslane in supplementary lighting, but the later the plants will bloom.

The temperature range for seed germination is from 20 to 25 degrees.

Growing purslane

Glass or film from containers should be removed immediately after the seedlings shed their seed coat. For young plants, they provide the same, as bright as possible lighting with additional illumination (if necessary) and stable temperatures.

Caring for young purslane comes down to maintaining a stable light soil moisture. Overhydration is detrimental.

Diving purslane seedlings and caring for young plants

Dive will be needed for purslane only if the sowing was carried out not individually, at a distance of 1 cm, but more densely. Plants after the appearance of the third or fourth leaf dive into large boxes with a distance of 5 cm or into individual containers. When sowing seeds at a distance of 1 cm, diving can be omitted by transferring the plant from containers in small groups to permanent place.

Caring for young purslane is very simple. Plants need careful watering, light humidity, do not tolerate waterlogging. In the first month, when the purslane develops very slowly, you need to be especially careful with watering. Seedlings need to provide the brightest lighting. If there are signs of stretching, lack of light, it is better to provide additional lighting. Seedlings cannot be fed.

Hardening seedlings of purslane

Purslane can be taken out to balconies and fresh air as soon as the weather permits. Plants react poorly even to slight cold, but after the appearance of 6-7 true leaves minimum temperatures for them they are not 20, but 10 degrees. On warm days, taking out to sunny balconies or slightly opening a window, moving it into the garden for several hours allows you to stimulate the development and thickening of bushes, get more hardy plants. When taken out to open air purslane seedlings must be protected from precipitation.

Planting seedlings of purslane large-flowered in open ground

Planting purslane seedlings

It is very simple to choose the timing of planting in open ground for purslane: this plant will shed foliage when the temperature drops even to 10 degrees. Therefore, transplanting seedlings can be carried out only when consistently warm weather sets in.

Transplanting into pots or containers, ampels and boxes can be carried out earlier, because such containers are easy to bring into the room on cold nights. Planting in a container can be carried out as soon as the purslane reaches a height of 5-6 cm and it grows more than 10 leaves. Often at this stage, the plants are already releasing buds.

Special conditions are selected for purslane - hot, sunny, dry areas. This plant needs the brightest light and is not afraid of southern slopes or southern window sills. Purslane has become famous for its ability to tirelessly bloom even in the poorest soil, so you can ignore its nutritional value. But the characteristics of the soil in terms of water permeability are very important: purslane does not like raw, compacted and containing fresh organic matter, too nutritious and acidic soils. The best choice for purslane there will always be sandstones.

When planting seedlings in the soil, plants are placed at a distance of 15-20 cm between seedlings.

Young purslane should be carefully cared for. This plant needs frequent watering only when grown in pots and containers, in the soil, purslane is drought-resistant and can do without watering at all, but you won’t admire spectacular flowering throughout the summer, and you can’t do without support at the adaptation stage. Purslane is watered on hot and dry days precisely to maintain the splendor of flowering, but carefully. Feeding for purslane is not carried out; the plant also does not need other care measures. But young purslane will not refuse timely weeding - until they create a dense rug.

Sowing purslane in the soil

In the ground, seeds are sown in seedling beds or in a permanent place of cultivation in April-May. In fact, purslane is sown as soon as the weather permits, and the sooner the sowing is done, the better. But since seedlings appear very quickly, return frosts can destroy crops. The soil is prepared in advance, loosened, carefully processed. Seeds are not covered with soil, but only pressed down. It is easier to mix them with sand before sowing. If sowing is carried out later than mid-May, it is better to protect the crops with shelter from drying out. Young plants should be given light maintenance watering.

Alternative breeding methods for purslane

The best varieties of purslane, favorite terry hybrids or special colors when seed method reproduction is not always preserved. Therefore, purslane with the most interesting characteristics it is better to save and renew using another method - cuttings. True, for him it is necessary to keep the mother plants cool for the winter and cut the apical cuttings only in the spring. They take root in both water and sand, provided high humidity, very fast.

Purslane usually give abundant self-seeding. And young shoots can be safely used instead of seedlings and transferred to the desired places as soon as the plants get stronger and release the fifth or sixth leaf.

This is a favorite flower of many gardeners, refers to decorative look purslane large-flowered.

This is creeping plant grown as annuals, height no more than 15-20 cm, its flowers are in the form of a cup, can be simple or double, very colorful, all colors of the rainbow.

Looks like a bright flower rug in the garden.
Domestic flower growers call it as a "rug".

Large-flowered garden purslane is open only during the day when the sun is shining.

Now, however, varieties have been bred that do not close even in the absence of the sun: Sundance, Sunglo. Large-flowered terry purslane is especially popular:

summer dream

Purslane garden

Wild purslane (dandur) has been known for about 4000 years, has been used and is currently used as a garden food plant. It has also been used as a medicinal plant for a very long time.

As a field weed, purslane is found in warm regions of America, Europe, and in our Caucasus.

Some species of this plant are cultivated in vegetable gardens for food use.
In the past, in France in the 17th century, it was the most important vegetable crop, and from there it also penetrated other European countries.

Young leaves and stems of this plant are rich in easily digestible proteins, microorganisms, vitamins, carotene, greens quenches thirst, stimulates appetite, the taste is slightly sour, with a spicy tint.

Garden purslane is quickly becoming a disaster on summer cottages. It can quickly clog the site, since its seeds have a germination capacity of up to 3 years or more, the seeds are very small and very numerous - there are more than three thousand seeds in 1 gram.

Leaves, stems, cut before flowering are used for nutrition. Prepare salads, soups, sauces from purslane. Very tasty marinated with garlic, which is served with meat dishes.

In many countries, gardeners are struggling with garden purslane, as with the most malicious weed, it is difficult to defeat it.

The remains of the plant must be carefully removed from the site.
Fortunately, decorative varieties of purslane do not have such qualities.

Purslane officinalis

In ancient times, Hippocrates used purslane to treat various wounds, insomnia, poisonous snake bites, bee stings, and dysentery. This plant is useful to use in diseases of the liver, kidneys, patients with diabetes.

The plant increases adrenaline in the blood, enhances cardiac activity, and blood pressure rises.

Purslane gained real popularity after an epidemic of scurvy among California gold diggers in 1849, only those who began to consume winter purslane leaves, which have anti-inflammatory properties, managed to survive.

Drug

Today, terry purslane began to be used as a magnificent decoration of garden plots. It is valued for its excellent aesthetic characteristics and a fairly simple way of growing.

Perfect for an alpine slide, a rabatka, it will decorate a balcony very well, you can plant it in boxes, vases, pots.

It looks interesting when combined and complement each other. different colors, beautiful and simply multi-colored rug. On prepared soil, it can be used as lawn grass.

Terry

Purslane is a perennial only in its warm homeland, our cold winter it does not stand up and is popular as an annual, as well as marigolds,. The plant itself reaches ten centimeters.

Seedling planting conditions

Purslane is propagated by seedlings for the first year.

Before planting, the soil should be well loosened, moistened, pre-treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds should be evenly distributed in the recesses, slightly pressing them into the ground.

• You can sow purslane seeds, like seeds vegetable crops without deepening, lightly sprinkled with soil.
• Watering the seedlings is carried out with a spray gun, sprayed gently so as not to rinse out very small seeds. And in a few days you can wait for the shoots of flowers.
• The picking of this plant is a rather painstaking business, since their seedlings are very small and very fragile, and are made with tweezers.
• The shoots should be planted at a distance of three centimeters from each other, so that later it would be easier to transplant seedlings into open ground.
• should be in a bright place to prevent it from stretching. And for the first time after the shoots appear, the temperature must be lowered, especially at night, so that the seedlings harden.
• Seedlings do not grow well at high temperatures. She needs a constant supply fresh air and moderate watering.

The shoots are planted in open ground after May 15, maintaining a distance of fifteen centimeters.
This method of cultivation will have to be done only in the first year, since in subsequent seasons the purslane will propagate by self-sowing.

Purslane terry - cultivation

• plant care. No need for any complex care. It is enough just to regularly water, weed, feed the plants.
• The soil. The flowers are not whimsical enough to the composition of the soil. The plant can easily grow on poor soils. The only thing is that purslane is picky about light and heat.
• Bloom begins in July and continues until frost. Flowers with a diameter of only six centimeters do not close at night. It is grown both as seedlings and direct planting in the ground. Purslane is drought-resistant, sun-loving.
• Landing place. Purslane is used for planting on balconies, lawns, borders, in the garden.
• Watering. Requires moderate, regular watering. The needle-like, fleshy leaves of the flower perfectly retain moisture, which provides it with good drought resistance.
• Fertilizers, top dressing. Feeding plants is carried out rarely: once a month.
• Diseases and pests. Purslane is resistant to diseases and pests. Very rarely, plants can be affected by the Albugo portulaceae fungus, which causes spots and deformations on the leaves.

In order for the purslane to give seeds at the end of August, it must be transplanted into pots and then brought into the house. Next, the plant is left on the balcony until the seeds ripen.

Seeds remain viable for three years. For replication of interesting specimens of plants, cuttings can be used; for this, mother plants should be kept in winter period in a cool place.

Good luck gardeners!

ground cover flowering plant purslane loved by many gardeners. It is especially popular among the British, who in the middle of the last century grew it as a garden plant. Intertwining purslane stems with small leaves cover the soil and form a colorful carpet on which pink, scarlet orange, yellow, white flowers bloom. The plant has several species and varieties, but in gardens it is mainly large-flowered purslane that is grown.

Purslane flowers - description, photo

Even under cover, the purslane plant does not tolerate our winters, therefore it is grown as an annual. They plant it in flower beds, in containers, hanging baskets, pots, decorating not only garden plots but also balconies.

Purslane flower is different:

• hollow inside branched juicy brown stems up to 30 cm in length;
• spindle-shaped branched root;
• fleshy leaves, which may be flattened or cylindrical;
• flowers of dark red, yellow, white, color pink, each of which blooms only one day;
• multi-seeded spherical pod.

Despite the fact that each purslane bud fades by evening, its flowering from June to September is so plentiful that it seems to be continuous.

Species, varieties and photos

In the wild, the plant grows in tropical regions, where there are more than a hundred of its varieties. As a garden and horticultural crop, only four types of flower are grown:

1. Purslane large-flowered. A very popular decorative garden annual in Russia. It has creeping stems, which are densely covered with cone-shaped leaves. The color of its flowers can be from white to purple or burgundy. When blooming, each bud has a diameter of up to 5–7 cm. By the end of September, a basket fruit ripens, from which it spills onto the ground. a large number of seeds.
2. Purslane ampelous. The artificially bred hybrid species is distinguished by branching stems with cone-shaped fleshy leaves. Its flowers can be single or double and have lilac, purple, pink, yellow, red, white hues. They grow ampelous purslane on balconies in street flowerpots, hanging planters. In the garden, they are decorated with ridges, alpine slides.
3. Drug, vegetable purslane garden. The succulent has fleshy stems covered with thick oval leaves and inconspicuous small yellow inflorescences. The fruit, formed in autumn, is in the form of an oval box and contains many seeds. The plant propagates easily by self-sowing. Its shoots and leaves contain many useful substances: glycosides, phylloquinone, nicotinic acid, norepinephrine, proteins, iron, copper, sodium, sugars, zinc, potassium, alkaloids, resinous substances, magnesium, potassium, ascorbic acid, organic acids, carotene. Due to its composition garden purslane used in medicine and cooking.
4. Purslane terry. An annual horticultural groundcover with large bright flowers. Its buds open in the bright sun, and remain closed in cloudy weather. Selected cultivars Sundance and Sunglo bloom regardless of the sun.

Purslane is a flowering ground plant.

Purslane large-flowered - varieties, photos

most popular and the best varieties this type of succulent are considered:

• « splendens"- a plant with double large flowers of a purple-pink hue;
• « Princely"- buds with corrugated petals can be scarlet, orange or white;
• « White-flowered"- bush with pure white terry inflorescences;
• « air zephyr p "- on shoots up to 10 cm long there are terry inflorescences of various shades;
• « Royal"- large simple flowers are distinguished by a wide range of colors.

Purslane - growing from seeds

When growing a plant seedling way its flowering will adorn the garden from June until frost. Therefore, many people sow seeds in late February, early March.

However experienced gardeners they advise planting purslane in April, explaining this by the fact that when early landing seedlings do not have enough daylight hours and require artificial lighting.

Sowing seeds

It is recommended to sow succulents in prepared independently soil mixture. The soil from the store contains peat, which will slow down the germination of seeds. The mixture is prepared from garden soil and sand in a ratio of 4:1. Ready soil it is necessary to calcine in the oven and distribute in seedling containers, on the bottom of which drainage is previously laid.

Before sowing, the soil is moistened with settled water at room temperature. To prevent the soil from being washed away, it is better to do this with a spray bottle.

Since purslane seeds are small, you can use a toothpick to spread them on the soil surface. It is necessary to spread the seeds about a centimeter apart, pressing a little into the soil.

From above, the container is covered with glass or polyethylene and placed in warm place. The air temperature must be at least +22C. At favorable conditions the first sprouts will appear in 7-14 days.

seedling care

When growing seedlings, it is necessary to monitor soil moisture and lighting. If the seedlings begin to stretch, then this means that they do not have enough light. In this case, additional lighting will be needed. Plants planted in April will be enough to put on the southern windowsill. The soil should be moistened with settled water.

When two true leaves appear, the seedlings dive. To do this, three shoots are planted in cups with a diameter of 7–8 cm. transplanting young plant it is necessary to ensure that an earthen lump remains on its roots.

Sprouts will take root in a new container for about a week. As soon as this happens, it is recommended to make the first top dressing. For this, complex mineral fertilizers are used. Such top dressing will need to be carried out every 7-10 days before planting seedlings in flower beds.

Landing in open ground

In early June, as soon as the positive temperature is established, young plants can be planted in the garden. By this time, 10–15 leaves and several buds should form on each seedling.

The place for them should be well lit, because even in partial shade the purslane will not bloom. In addition, it is better to make a flower bed on a hill. Succulents do not like standing water in the soil. Their fleshy roots can quickly start to rot.

It is not necessary to fertilize the soil before planting. She must be poor. In soil rich in fertilizers, only green mass will grow near purslane, and buds will not form. When planting, the bushes are located 15–20 cm apart from each other.

Features of care

It is very easy to grow purslane outdoors. Succulents are drought-resistant plants and therefore require minimal moisture. In dry, hot weather, they should be watered no more than once a week. You can do this from above or below the root.

Since purslane forms mats, there is no need to loosen and mulch the soil around them. The plant does not need additional feeding.

Diseases and pests

Purslane is resistant to many diseases. But succulents are afraid of dampness, which contributes to the emergence of fungi. If the plant stopped blooming, the stems began to deform, and the leaves appeared dark spots rot, then, most likely, the flower has undergone a fungal disease.

In this case, the affected shoots are cut out, and the bush and soil are treated with fungicides.

Of the pests, purslane can attack:

1. Aphid. Insects feed on the succulent parts of the plant. Aphids are easy to spot. When it is detected, it is necessary to treat it with insecticides, which include Iskra, Aktara, Aktelik, Decis.
2. Thrips. Insects are hard to spot. Their appearance is signaled by those that appeared on different parts plants are silvery specks and stripes. In this case, the bushes are treated with Fitoverm, Karbafos, Agravertin or Intavir.

Heat-loving purslane in the open field cannot winter. Therefore, in the fall, seeds are collected from it, which can be sown next spring.

Thinking about how to decorate your flower bed next spring! Pay attention to purslane. The shoots of the plant have needle-like leaves, intertwining, cover the ground well, and a variety of colors (red, white, pink, orange, purple) creates a multi-colored meadow. In addition, the plant does not require much time for care.

Growing purslane from seeds

There are several ways to breed purslane. The most popular way is to grow purslane from seeds, as it does not require much time and effort.

Did you know? The name of the purslane flower comes from the Latin word "portula" - "collar".

Sowing seeds for seedlings

For those who are eager to see the purslane bloom in June, seedlings are planted in the ground. For seedlings, seeds are sown in February-March. Any soil is suitable for them, the main thing is that it is moisture and breathable. Due to the small size of the seeds, when purslane is planted for seedlings, they are mixed with calcined sand. The resulting cocktail is scattered over the surface of moist soil, without falling asleep, but slightly pressed against the surface of the soil, irrigated with water from a sprayer. Then the pots are covered with polyethylene and transferred to a warm room (the temperature should not be lower than 20ºC). Once a day, the film is removed in order to ventilate and water if necessary.

Important! Do not overuse fertilizers. With a large number of them, the purslane will grow green and stop blooming.

Caring for purslane seedlings will not be a big hassle. Seedlings germinate in 1-2 weeks. When they appear, the cover from the pots or boxes is removed and the seedlings are moved to the windowsills. Watering is continued with a sprinkler. When the second leaf appears on the seedling, the purslane begins to dive. Seedlings dive at a distance of 4 cm from each other, deepening them to the cotyledon leaf. Purslane is planted in a flower garden at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. Seedlings can be planted after frost (temperatures below 10ºC are critical for purslane).

Sowing seeds in open ground

Purslane is a perennial plant. It can be planted once, and then the grass will self-sow. The plant can grow for years in the same place in the flower bed. Purslane does not require specific care and special soil. Seeds should be sown after the last frost. sunny place. When purslane is planted with seeds in open ground, the ground is first loosened and a small amount of fertilizer is applied, while the seeds are slightly pressed into the soil to a depth of 1 cm. The gap between the rows is within 50 cm. When two leaves appear on the seedlings, they break through, leaving one plant per 10 cm.

Reproduction of purslane cuttings

Purslane is well propagated by cuttings. For the winter, you need to bring one or more plants from the flower bed into the house. In the spring, part of the branches are cut off from the purslane, rooted in water and transplanted into a flower bed. When purslane is planted with cuttings, it blooms in a month.

Did you know?Purslane has a number of medicinal properties. Its shoots contain vitamins of groups A, B, K, PP, E. It also serves as a source of protein and carbohydrates.

Combination with other plants and use in landscape design

Purslane is great for landscaping. The plant is used for group plantings. Purslane looks great both in front of flower beds and on the southern slopes alpine slides. In the flower garden, purslane well replaces flowering small-bulbous spring plants.

In mixborders, it is used as a foreground plant. It is often used as a border plant in arid conditions. Having grown purslane in balcony boxes and flowerpots, they transform gazebos, verandas and terraces. The plant looks good with marigolds and nasturtiums.

Purslane serves as an alternative lawn grass, since it does not require frequent watering, it does not need to be cut, it does not stop blooming, constantly pleasing the eye with bright colors.

How to care for purslane in the garden

Purslane was introduced from South America are the tropics and subtropics. Therefore, it is extremely important for him good lighting and moderate watering. Fertilizers should not be carried away, as they can harm flowering. Water the plant every 5-7 days with water at room temperature. In drought conditions, watering is carried out more often. The soil around the flowers needs to be pushed only at the beginning of growth. Mandatory is weeding from weeds.

When growing purslane indoors in the summer, it is moved to a well-ventilated and protected from rain place.

Important! Good and abundant purslane blooms only in the sun.

When to Harvest and How to Store Purslane Seeds

For breeding purslane from seeds, it must be taken into account that this is only possible for non-double species. seeds terry purslane rise poorly. Seeds are formed and ripen unevenly, therefore, they are collected as they ripen. Seed boxes are plucked after they are purchased yellow unripe to avoid cracking. Dry the collected inoculum by spreading it on paper. To maintain high germination of seeds, they must be placed in a tin or plastic container, tightly closing it with a lid. Storage temperature should not exceed 4-5ºC. Germination is maintained for three years. When seeds are stored at high temperature and humidity, germination decreases.

Purslane large-flowered (Portulaca grandiflora) - the only ornamental plant in the numerous purslane family. plant homeland- Chile and Argentina. Perennial, cultivated as an annual. The leaves are fleshy, cylindrical, light green. Stems are reddish, creeping, up to 30 cm.

Cupped flowers: simple or terry - multi-row petals. Flowers with a diameter of 3 - 6 cm, depending on the variety. Coloring: white, cream, yellow, bright red, pink and their shades.

There are varieties interspersed with various colors, a border or stripes. Purslane flowers live one day, fade in the evening. But this does not prevent them from blooming profusely from spring until the first frost.

In most varieties, flowers open only in sunny weather, in the evening and cloudy weather they are closed. Some varieties with double flowers remain open regardless of the weather and time of day.

The fruit is a multi-seeded capsule, with a characteristic opening method. After maturation top part boxes are opened. This property of the plant is directly related to the name: from the Latin "portula" - "collar".

Decorative purslane flower growers are divided into three groups according to the shape of flowers:

1. Varieties with simple flowers- flowers are medium-sized, cup-shaped, the number of petals is from 5 to 15.
2. Varieties with semi-double flowers- flowers are large, cupped, the number of petals is from 15 to 20:
   • "Sunny Princess"- simple and semi-double flowers of various colors.
   • Sunbine- the plant forms neat bushes with semi-double flowers, having four colors.
3. Varieties with double flowers- flowers are large, cupped, the number of petals is from 20 to 50:
   • "Flamenco"- terry variety, flowers of various colors.
   • Sunglo- Terry large flowers.
   • "Mango"- silky terry flowers of peach shades.
   • "Hybrid Cherry"- Terry flowers of cherry color.
   • "Hybrid Cream"- large double cream flowers.
   • "Long Summer"- Terry variety of long flowering.

Growing purslane from seeds

Purslane is propagated by seeds. Round shiny and small seeds, however, remain viable for 3 years. It is better not to sow freshly harvested seeds, they practically do not germinate.

For spring sowing suitable seeds collected in the fall:

1. Small purslane seeds, for the convenience of sowing, mix with dry clean sand in a ratio of 1:6.
2. Gently sprinkle a mixture of seeds and sand on the surface of the substrate. It is better not to cover small seeds with earth, as they will need abundant watering. This can lead to soil erosion.
3. Irrigate the seed container with a spray bottle.

Seeds need moisture after sowing. To create a greenhouse effect, cover the container with crops with film or glass. If condensation forms, remove the cover, shake off the drops and cover again. From time to time the substrate must be ventilated.

Put the covered container with crops in a warm, bright place.

Purslane does not like sudden changes in temperature:

1. Purslane shoots do not tolerate moisture. To protect seeds from excess moisture, it is necessary to choose the right container and substrate for sowing.
2. It is better to take a container for sowing seeds low and wide, with drainage holes.
3. Purslane loves sandy loamy soil, so ¼ of the sand can be added to the prepared substrate with the addition of wood ash.
4. When using a purchased substrate for sowing, make sure that it does not contain peat and organic fertilizers. Their presence in the substrate can lead to the death of seedlings.
5. Fill the sowing container with drainage and prepared substrate, lightly tamp. Level and water. A day later, you can sow purslane.

Seedlings sprout together during the first 10 days. Important:

1. Do not sow seeds too thickly.
2. Ventilate the substrate regularly.
3. Do not flood the substrate.
4. Maintain temperature no more than 25.
5. Provide good lighting.

In regions with a warm climate where there is no threat spring frosts, purslane seeds are planted in open ground. In other regions, purslane is grown through seedlings.

Planting and caring for seedlings

For growing seedlings, it is important to correctly calculate the sowing time. It's not hard. You only need to know the characteristics of the variety. For example, for early varieties purslane vegetation period - 85 days.

To get flowering, approximately June 20, sowing is carried out in 85 days, adding the number of days from sowing to germination. For purslane, this period is 7 days. And 3-5 days must be taken into account for the survival of the plant after transplantation. Total 95 days. Estimated sowing date is March 25th.

The next factor to consider is the timing of transplanting the plant into open ground. Optimal time seedlings for planting, in this case, 50-55 days from the first shoots. Purslane is a very heat-loving plant.

Depending on the period of planting in open ground, we calculate: On June 5, the threat of spring frosts will pass and it will be possible to plant purslane seedlings in the ground. Around April 10, seedlings should emerge. Germination takes approximately 7 days. So, sow seeds for seedlings, in this case, on April 3.

1. Seedlings need adequate lighting. If a sunlight will not be enough - the seedlings will stretch and it will be difficult to grow strong seedlings. With the help of a fluorescent lamp, it is necessary to fill this shortcoming. On cloudy days all day. On other days, additional lighting is sufficient in the morning and evening.
2. Purslane seedlings are very fragile. Within 2 weeks after germination, carefully water them, preferably with a spray bottle. Periodically remove the cover for ventilation, a little stronger - remove altogether.
3. The first pick is carried out when the size of the seedlings is 2-3 cm. Purslane is a groundcover and will grow wide, so diving is essential. If the seeds have sprouted densely, you need to thin out the seedlings, removing the weak ones.
4. If the dive is carried out in a common container, then leave a gap between the plants- 5 cm, deepening into the soil to the leaves and trying not to shake off the earthen ball from the roots.
5. 10-15 days after the dive, when the seedlings take root, feed the seedlings with a complex mineral fertilizer. Feed the plant once every ten days until planting in the ground.
6. The second dive is carried out in a month. Better in separate containers. For example, in peat pots. Then, during subsequent planting in open ground, the plant will easily transfer.

It is important to consider the sowing time when diving. If the sowing was in April, there is no need for a second dive. At the first dive, the purslane should be planted in separate containers. The second dive is necessary for a strong and healthy seedling if sowing was early - in February or March.

For the full development and formation of seedlings, a number of simple conditions must be observed:

1. Don't forget to loosen the soil. But not earlier than 2 weeks after the dive.
2. Seedlings need to be watered in the morning. Watering at night is undesirable, seedlings will stretch with such watering and will be weak.
3. When fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, it is better to make it 2 times weaker than recommended in the instructions.
4. 10 days before transplanting into open ground, limit watering. If possible, it should be "hardened". 2 weeks before transplantation, take it outside, onto the balcony.

1. Site selection and soil preparation

When choosing a place for planting, it must be remembered that purslane is a photophilous plant that does not tolerate excessive moisture:

1. Choose a dry and well-lit place. Shaded areas are excluded - purslane will not bloom well.
2. It is better to prepare the soil in advance, a week or two before planting. If the site was dug up in the fall, then it will be enough to loosen it with a pitchfork, clean it from weeds and level it with a rake. Uncultivated area - dig up, cultivation depth - 20-25 cm, clear of weeds and level.
3. The soil for planting should be loose and not retain moisture. Sandy areas are good. On the rich soil purslane will build up green mass and bloom poorly.

2. The process of planting in open ground

Suitable for planting seeds in open ground only South Region.The best period for sowing- the beginning of May, when there will be no more frosts and the soil has managed to warm up to 15 ° C.

1. Dig up the area for sowing, if this was not done in the fall, carefully clean it from roots and weeds.
2. Thoroughly moisten the soil before sowing.
3. For sowing seeds, you can make shallow, 1-2 cm, grooves. The interval between the grooves is 10-15 cm. The seeds are very small, for the convenience of sowing, mix with sand. Sprinkle the seeds with a small layer of light earth and lightly press with a tamper.
4. After sowing, carefully water with a watering can with a very fine mesh.

The site for seedlings should also be carefully prepared: dig up, clear of weeds a week or two before planting:

1. Water the soil thoroughly before planting.
2. If the seedlings are in cups, moisten the ground before planting. Make a hole at the planting site with a scoop and carefully remove the seedling from the cup, without disturbing the earthen clod, and place it in the hole. Press the soil well around the plant and water.
3. Carefully moisten the seedlings in a common container and carefully, using a scoop, dig out without disturbing the earthen clod.
4. It is better to transplant in cloudy weather or in the evening. In the early days, it is desirable to create a shadow for seedlings, it will take root better.
5. Deepen seedlings by 2-5 cm, taking into account the growth of seedlings. Feel free to immerse the stretched, overgrown seedlings in the ground by 5 cm.
6. The interval between seedlings is 15-20 cm.
7. Water the seedlings daily for the first 3-4 days.
8. Feed with mineral fertilizers after 2 weeks.

Reproduction by cuttings

From cuttings, 5-10 cm, cut off the lower leaves 2-3 cm from the cut and let it dry. Dip the cuttings in a mixture of peat and sand. Make sure that the leaves do not touch the substrate.

Place the container with the cuttings in a warm, bright place. Do not forget to periodically spray. Cuttings take root for several weeks.

Purslane Care

Purslane unpretentious plant, does not need frequent watering and tolerates drought well. For abundant flowering enough to meet a few conditions.

1. Regular weeding and, until the plant has closed crowns, loosening.
2. It is desirable to water every 5-7 days, avoiding a strong jet of water, using sprayers. The best time to water is morning or evening.
3. Top dressing is carried out with mineral fertilizer: the first time - after planting seedlings, the second time - to apply fertilizer in a month. It's enough.

To obtain seeds, leave strong plants. Do not cut leaves from them. Feed 2-3 times with mullein infusion. When the stems turn yellow and the first seed pods open, cut the plant and hang it in a ventilated room. Under it lay the material on which the seeds will spill out.

Diseases and pests

Purslane species are generally resistant to diseases and pests.

But you need to know about some of them in order to start treatment in a timely manner:

1. Purslane is most often affected by the fungus Albugo portulaceae. Spots appear on the fleshy leaves, the stems are deformed - a sign of damage by the fungus. Remove all damaged parts of the plant, leaving only healthy ones. Treat the soil and the remaining parts of the plant with a copper-containing fungicidal preparation.
2. Silver pollen on leaves- the appearance of thrips pests of ornamental crops that feed on plant sap. Treat with systemic insecticides. It is advisable to process 2-3 times, maintaining an interval of 10 days.
3. Purslane flowers are affected by aphids- a barely noticeable, but fantastically voracious creature. A series of treatments with insecticidal preparations will help get rid of it.

Purslane is great for borders and alpine slides. Grow it in flowerpots and pots. Unpretentious to the soil and well tolerated by drought, it can be an alternative to a lawn that does not need to be mowed. Such a lawn will delight with bright cheerful colors all summer long.