Vatochnik views. plant

Among all the unpretentious, maintenance-free and growing without constant attention and care, garden flowers - plant milkweed The most interesting.

America is the homeland, and it was brought to Europe at the beginning of the 17th century, not at all like garden plant, but as a technical agricultural crop, the first seeds of the milkwort came to Russia in 1649.

The plant was used for the production of ropes, fibers for coarse fabrics used in production for improvised needs, for example, wiping machines, and so on.

Description and features of the vatochnik

On the photo of a milkweed it can be seen that this is a plant with small, tender, however, this is an illusory impression. Flower cottonwort- a very powerful plant, perennial, from a large family of kutrovye, with a straight stem up to 1.5-2 meters tall, developed taproots and large oblong leaves.

The flowers themselves are collected in "umbrellas", quite miniature when considered separately - only 1-2.5 cm in diameter, but in general, "umbrellas" are not lost against the background of large leaves, creating visual effect bouquets. Blooms from June to September.

To date, there are 80 varieties of milkweeds in the world, however, as decorative garden varieties only a quarter of this amount is available.

Some types of milkweed continue to be used as a technical agricultural crop, producing technical oils from it. It is also practiced cultivation of milkwort at apiaries, because it is one of the best honey plants in the world.

Planting and breeding

The flower is completely undemanding either to the place, or to the soil, or to temperature. It even suppresses the growth of weeds on its own, although at the same time it can also suppress flowers located too close.

Despite such versatility, they still have preferences, it will bloom much more abundantly and grow faster if the following conditions are met:

single landing in a free sunny place;

slightly acidic loamy soils.

If a buy a vat in the form of seedlings, then it should be planted in late spring, in mid-May. The plant propagates both by seeds and by cuttings from the rhizome. However, in the middle lane and in gray areas, milkweed seeds almost do not tie, or do not have time to ripen.

If the seeds are still ripe, or purchased in a store, then they can be sown both before winter, in October, and in spring, in early May. During spring sowing, the first shoots appear after a couple of weeks, and those grown from them begin to bloom in the fourth year of life.

Segments from the rhizome are made in the spring, in early May. Settled thus, already new flower, takes root very quickly, and blooms in the second year.

Planting a quilt does not require any special tricks and will not cause difficulties. The only caveat is to decide on the landing site. After all, the plant will live in the corner allotted for it for at least 25-35 years.

Often, beginner gardeners plant bushes near recreation areas or not far from the porch, because of the incredibly pleasant aroma and large size.

However, then they are forced to replant the plant, because they did not take into account one small nuance, the milkweed is a honey plant, and bees, bumblebees and wasps circle over its “umbrellas-bouquets” all summer.

Wadding Machine Care

Vatochnik care does not require, however, each of ornamental varieties there are some nuances and preferences. In general, taking care of these comes down to top dressing - 2 times a season you need to apply mineral fertilizer complexes, and before flowering, to increase the decorative effect, you need to feed the bush again with a mixture of urea and potassium sulfate.

Watering the plant is necessary only when necessary, for example, in a severe drought.The honeycomb grows quickly, does not require additional supports, garters or formations, and in the presence of a small hive, just one decorative bush can provide a family of four with honey until next summer.

All are winter-hardy, except for a few species, and the life of one bush at favorable conditions can reach 40 years, less than 25 plants do not live, even under extremely uncomfortable conditions for them.

Types of milkweed

There are not so many decorative species of this flower, but the most popular for growing in gardens are:

tuberose tuberose

Highly beautiful flower. With a delicate spicy aroma and large bright red and dark orange inflorescences. It is used mainly as an annual, because it winters very badly if the temperature drops below 5-8 degrees. Covered in the first year of life.

However, you can try to cover the bush for the winter, this makes sense, since a simple box with a film can save the life of a handsome cottonwort and save the gardener's efforts, time and labor.

Tuberous tuber

This is hybrid variety, very tiny. It grows up to 70 cm, bushes profusely and is covered with “bouquets” of flowers, among the colors orange is most in demand, but it can be red, yellow, yellow-red.

The variety is winter-hardy, blooms all season, does not show any requirements for care.

Incarnate milkwort

Another name for this variety is vatochnik red. It grows up to 120 cm, the most multi-leaved of all species. But it blooms only from July to August, covered with large purple ones. On the basis of this variety, hybrids were bred with white - Ice Ballet, and with pink - Cinderella, the color of the buds.

The entire inflorescence, a “bouquet”, exceeds 6 cm in diameter. The variety is very effective, moreover, it is frost-resistant and tolerates shaded and wind-prone areas very well.

Syrian squid

King or padishah among decorative quilts. Minimum Height bush - one and a half meters. The bushy stems and large ovate leaves are impressive even when the bush is not in bloom.

Flowering begins at the end of June and continues until mid-September. At the same time, the air around is simply permeated with thin, gentle, honey aroma. not very large, like a full inflorescence, but there are a lot of them. It reproduces well by dividing the bush, the stems grow a large number of and the “parent” bush is not at all averse to getting rid of them.

Perfectly winters, completely unpretentious, special care does not require. But. left to "itself" can reach 3 meters or more in diameter, unless, of course, nothing will restrain the formation of shoots.

Vatochnik Maharadzha

Another name for this species is less poetic, but more well known, it is - vatochnik orange. It grows very quickly, bushes profusely, and the bush begins to form immediately, already in the first month of its life.

Quite small, sharp-petaled, but collected in huge "umbrellas", blazing with bright, deep, clean orange, such as in the palette of watercolors.

He loves light and the sun very much, easily gets along with the neighborhood of other milkweeds, and quite calmly treats perennials growing nearby with similar characteristics.

Winters extremely badly, but feels great in flowerpots or flowerpots that can be moved indoors for the winter. Fits perfectly into vegetable world balcony or loggia, the only reasonable limitation is the height of the floor.

Vatochnik – honey plant, and if the balcony is on the lower floors, then it will be filled with insects. But on the 12th floor, this flower and its aroma can be enjoyed all summer long.

In addition, this variety feels great as an indoor variety, and the height of the bush directly depends on how much space will be available to the rhizome.

A bush of a rattan is a great addition not only for a garden, but also for an ordinary summer cottage where fruits and berries are grown, the yield of which directly depends on the activity of insects, which this modest flower will attract.

And shrubs of the kutrov family (Apocynaceae). About 100 species naturally growing in South and North America, Africa.

• Family: kutrovye.
• Homeland: North and South America.
• Rhizome: horizontal, thickened.
• Stem: upright.
• Leaves: opposite or whorled, large.
• Fetus: dry, flyer
• Reproductive ability: propagated by dividing the bush, seeds.
• Illumination: photophilous.
• Watering: moderate or abundant.
• Content temperature: certain types not winter hardy enough.
• Bloom time: 30-35 days, July-August.

Description of the vatochnik with a photo

A vigorous plant with powerful, deep-lying cord-like rhizomes and upright, up to 1.5 m tall, pubescent stems, hollow inside. The leaves are oblong or ovate, large, petiolate, arranged oppositely or whorled on the stem, 3 pieces each, the lower part of the leaf is covered with dense felt pubescence, the outer part is covered with soft whitish hairs. All parts contain a poisonous milky sap that irritates the skin, especially when exposed at the same time as the sun.

flowers small, from 1 to 2 cm, on thin pedicels, white, pink, red, collected in racemose umbrellas, appear in July-August. In the middle lane, the fruits ripen only under the condition of a hot summer. They have a spindle shape, reminiscent of the body of a swallow, for which the flower was popularly called the swallow. The ripened seeds are covered with a cotton-like wavy fluff, which gave the plant a different name, the cottonwort.

Scientific name, by name Greek god healing of Asclepius, culture received for its healing properties. In traditional medicine, it is used internally and externally for some skin diseases, as well as difficult to heal wounds and ulcers, contains substances that have a beneficial effect on heart diseases and arrhythmias. It must be remembered that the plant is poisonous, so uncontrolled intake and overdose of its preparations are unacceptable!

The homeland of most species is North and South America, where they grow along roads, in forest belts, in wastelands. They were brought to Europe in the 17th century, at first they were used as technical culture for the manufacture of ropes, fibers for coarse fabrics, furniture was stuffed with fluff and Stuffed Toys. They tried to extract rubber from milky juice, but its production turned out to be unprofitable.

Currently, technical oils are produced from seeds, plants are grown as a honey plant, some species are cultivated as ornamentals.

Decorative types of milkweed: Syrian, red, orange and other varieties

In floriculture, there are three types of milkweed in and one in. Below are descriptions and photos of the cottonworts used as flowering plants.

Syrian squid (A. syriaca L., A. cornuti Decne), high, up to 1.5 m, perennial shrub with dense resistant pubescent stems, large oblong-ovate leaves and fragrant flowers collected in apical or axillary umbel inflorescences. The color is light pink, white or reddish green. Flowering time - July (30-35 days). It blooms later in the shade, but blooms longer. It grows strongly, therefore it is recommended for cultivation in single landings where it is easier to adjust the number of stems.

Meat-red or incarnate milkweed (A. incarnata), a perennial with densely leafy branched stems up to 120 cm high and arranged opposite slightly hairy elongated leaves. The flowers of this species are red, pink-purple, collected in umbellate inflorescences up to 6 cm in diameter. Blossoms in July - August 30-35 days. It has a delicate pleasant aroma, reminiscent of fresh chocolate butter. There are varieties with white (Ice Ballet), pink (Sinderela) coloring of flowers.

Tuberous tuber(A. tuberosa), perennial with elongated pubescent leaves and erect hard shoots 50-70 cm high, ending in dense bright orange inflorescences with a pleasant smell that attracts insects. Often, up to 5 butterflies can be observed on one flower at the same time. Blooms profusely and continuously from July to September. Usually the flowers of the tuberous milkweed are orange, but on sale you can find, for example, the Gay Butterflies variety with yellow, orange and red flowers.

kurassavian milkweed (A. Curassavica), up to 100 cm tall, evergreen, with erect stems and opposite lanceolate leaves on short petioles, dark green above and grey-green on the underside. It blooms from spring to autumn with orange-red flowers with a yellow core, collected in umbrellas up to 10 cm in diameter, on the tops of the shoots. Exceptionally thermophilic, grown as indoor plant. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Seeds planted in the ground germinate in 1-3 months. Young plants bloom 5 months after planting, which makes it possible to use the species as an annual crop.

Growing and caring for ornamental vines

The plant is unpretentious, grows well in any climatic conditions. Requires a sunny location, not demanding on soil fertility, but develops better on fertilized slightly acidic loams.

For various kinds The care worker has its own characteristics. So, the Syrian species is drought-resistant, grows aggressively, and therefore it is better to grow it in a dug-in container with good drainage, it is frost-resistant, it hibernates without shelter.

In contrast, the meat-red milkwort tolerates shading, is moisture-loving, more compact, does not require growth restrictions, is winter-hardy, but needs light shelter.

Finally, the third decorative view, tuberose tuberose also prefers sunny place and moist soil, but even less winter-hardy and even with shelter in conditions middle lane overwinters badly. Most often grown as an annual, when using seedlings planted in January-February, it blooms in the first year, starting in July.

Otherwise, care is not difficult, it consists in weeding and watering in dry weather. Behind summer period carry out 1-2 liquid dressings mineral fertilizers, before flowering (potassium sulfate and urea) and after it (nitrophoska).

It reproduces most often by segments of rhizomes in early spring or in August. Planted plants take root well, bloom in the second year. Seed propagation is hampered by the fact that seeds are rarely set in our climate, and if they are present, it also does not present any particular difficulties. Seeds remain viable for about 3 years, do not require stratification, are sown directly into the ground in May or before winter. At spring planting seedlings germinate in 2-3 weeks, bloom in the third or fourth year.

The milkweed grows rapidly, does not require supports, can be in one place without a transplant for up to 20-30 years. Due to the pleasant aroma personal plot it is recommended to be planted near recreation areas and windows.

An unpretentious and attractive culture is a rattan (pictured), planting and caring for which are surprisingly simple.

In nature, there are about 90 of the most diverse varieties of plants.

The second name of this culture is Asclepius. The plant is unpretentious and can grow on any garden plot even on poor substrate.

However, the use of a cotton swab in landscape design difficult due to its rapid growth to large sizes.

Description

America is the birthplace of culture. Most plant species grow in the Central and South America. About 90 species grow in nature, some of them are used in decorative floriculture.

The plant is quite large. It can grow up to 150 cm in height. Decorative foliage culture. The form sheet plate- elliptical or ovoid. The leaves are quite large. The foliage of the yarrow is similar to the foliage of the rhododendron. The stems are thick and the roots grow horizontally.

It is important to know: parts of the plants contain a toxic substance, so it is recommended to be careful and wear rubber gloves when working with the plant.

Small flowers form umbrella inflorescences. The colors are varied: red, white, orange and pink. Inflorescences have a delicate and very pleasant aroma.

Varieties

Syrian squid

There are over 80 species in the genus. In culture, four species are usually grown. Among them, three species are perennials, and only one species is annual.

In decorative floriculture, the following varieties of quilt are grown:

Landing features

Note: stagnant moisture in the soil is dangerous for the plant, so the level ground water should be low.

It is better to grow a succulent in a site well lit by the sun. Growing in the shade will result in late flowering and less intense flowering.

The plant is very strong and fast growing. The distance between the side shoots and the main stem can be about one and a half meters. Therefore, when choosing a place, it should be remembered that the culture can harm nearby growing crops.

It is advisable to plant a plant near outbuildings in the background of flower beds.

Boarding process:

1. The soil needs to be dug up and cleared of weeds.
2. It is desirable to introduce into the ground.
3. The plant is planted at a distance of at least 60 cm from each other and from other plants.
4. Planting can be done after the end of frost.

Features of care

Vatochnik is an unpretentious culture. But in order to get a healthy and profusely flowering bush and enjoy bright and fragrant inflorescences for many years, you need to follow a number of rules for caring for it:

• irrigation regimen depends on the varietal variety of the plant. So, the meat-red milkwort needs more frequent and plentiful watering than the Syrian. However, all varieties do not tolerate overflows and overdrying;
• before flowering and after it is necessary to make top dressing. Before flowering, it is recommended to feed the plant, and after - nitrophoska;
• in spring and autumn, it is recommended to remove all old, dried shoots;
• for the winter it is recommended to make a shelter, especially in regions with a cold climate. As a shelter, you can use spruce branches.

Periodically, it is required to loosen and weed the soil around the bush.

Growing conditions outdoors

The following growing conditions are recommended:

1. Observe the irrigation regime, preventing the soil from drying out and an excess of moisture;
2. Feed the plant in time;
3. Remove wilted buds and old shoots;
4. Plant a cotton plant on sunny area or in partial shade;
5. Some species are not winter hardy, so they need to be covered for the winter.

In general, the cotton plant is an unpretentious plant that even not the most experienced grower can grow.

Reproduction and transplant

The plant propagates in the following ways:

• seeds;
• cuttings;
• division of the root.

Seeds can be sown before winter or early spring. Sow them in a moist substrate. It is recommended to keep crops at a temperature of about 17 degrees, but not higher. Periodically it is required to moisten the substrate, avoiding overflows.

Seedlings are planted in the ground after the end of frost. The seeds are of low germination. This is especially true for seeds that were purchased at the store.

Keep in mind: if you sow the seeds of the tuberose Asclepius, then flowering can be seen in the summer. Other species bloom 4 years after sowing seeds.

Cuttings are harvested in early summer. The length of the cutting is no more than 20 cm. They are immediately planted in moistened sand, without waiting for the milky juice to dry out. AT open ground they are planted after rooting.

In spring or late autumn, the plant can be propagated by dividing its root system. The rhizome is divided into several parts no larger than 15 cm in size. Each part must have buds. The resulting parts are planted in permanent places of growth. The culture will bloom in the summer.

In one place, the milkweed grows for 15 years, so during this time it is not necessary to transplant it without the need.

Diseases and pests

whitefly

Asclepius is highly resistant to different kind diseases. The most common pests are:

• spider mite;
• whitefly.

It is necessary to fight them through the use of insecticidal preparations. From folk remedies soap solution is effective.

Possible difficulties

The culture is unpretentious, so the owners rarely encounter difficulties.

Among the problems are:

• Falling and yellowing of the leaves is a sign of insufficient air humidity;
• If the leaves become moldy, then the humidity of the air or soil is excessively high;
• Dropping buds is a sign of a prolonged drought;
• If the plant does not bloom or blooms for a very short time, the plant is probably not getting enough sunlight and warmth.

Vatochnik or Asklepias is an unpretentious and spectacular culture that is actively used in decorative floriculture and landscape design. These are large bushes with bright and fragrant inflorescences that require a minimum of care.

About fragrant plant Vatochnik see tips experienced gardener on cultivation and agricultural technology in the following video:

There are approximately 80 species of milkweed, which is common in South and North America.

Herbaceous plants with horizontal rhizomes extending far to the sides. The stems of the milkweed are thick, the foliage is large, located oppositely, oblong, sometimes in the next order, elliptical.

Large red flowers are collected in multi-flowered umbrellas. These umbrellas bloom in summer or autumn.

Of the known species of milkworts, only a few are cultivated in horticulture. The plant secretes poisonous juice, is a skin irritant. The milkweed is an excellent honey plant, and it is willingly visited by butterflies and bees. Not all types of milkweed are resistant to frost.

Types and varieties of cotton wool

As problem-free winter-hardy perennials, Syrian and meat-red are known. For the meat-red milkweed, mulching and a little shelter for the winter is desirable. The Syrian rattler hibernates without shelter.

For decorative purposes, one species is used as an annual, and in perennial culture There are three types of this plant.

Veterinarian meat-red

The birthplace of the meat-red milkweed is North America.

Perennial up to 1.2 m tall. Stems are leafy, branched. The leaves of the meat-red milkweed are opposite, hairy, broadly lanceolate or elongated. The flowers are pink-purple or red with a pleasant smell. Blooms in July for about 30 days. It is winter-hardy, for preventive purposes it is better to mulch and cover with spruce branches. The meat-red milkweed has a milder flavor than the Syrian one and resembles chocolate butter.

tuberose tuberose

Low 70 cm plants with orange flowers serve as a good complement to the composition, decorated in green and red colors. Large tuberose inflorescences adorn the shoots from the beginning of summer and throughout almost the entire autumn. This milkweed is quite frost-resistant, but still needs winter shelter and sometimes it does not always hibernate even with winter shelter.

Syrian squid

From North America. This vatochnik has nothing to do with Syria.

Perennial. Upright, leafy stems. The foliage is oblong-elliptical. The Syrian milkweed leaves are leathery, a bit like the leaves of rhododendrons. The lower leaves often fall off in summer. Flowers 1 cm in diameter, fragrant, light pink, collected in umbellate inflorescences. The blooming of the Syrian milkweed comes in July and lasts about one month.

The Syrian fleece hibernates without shelter. This milkweed smells stronger than the meat-red milkweed and its aroma resembles the smell of a chocolate cake.

Location

Grows well in open areas.

When planting a milkweed, you need to know that the Syrian milkweed grows strongly: the plant does not form dense curtains, but new shoots can grow at a distance of almost one meter from the mother bush. The meat-red milkweed is not so aggressive, it grows in a compact “bush”, increasing the number of shoots. The milkweed can grow in one place for about 10 years.

Soil for the vineyard

Any soil, but slightly acidic loams are desirable. The Syrian milkweed is drought-resistant, and the meat-red is moisture-loving.

Reproduction of the milkweed

Division, because the bushes grow rapidly. Share better in spring or late summer. It tolerates transplant well. Easily propagated by seeds.

The use of a milkweed

The plant is best suited for planting in separate groups. The plant is interesting for its inflorescences, which have a delicate aroma.

Partners for the vatochnik

The milkweeds are very well combined with cereals, such as miscanthus, high barley, high grades meadows. Echinacea, aconites, physostegia, veronicastrums, and high bells also look good next to the milkweed.

Asklepias (Asclepias), or, as it is also called, vatnik- it's perennial herbaceous plant or semi-shrub with a height of 0.5 to 1.5 m, whose homeland is considered to be North and South America. Vatochnik has a powerful horizontal rhizome, a thickened straight stem.

Large lanceolate leaves are opposite or whorled. The length of the leaf can reach 20 cm, the leaves have a dense vein in the middle, the lower part of the leaf is densely pubescent.

It blooms in the second half of summer with small flowers of red, pink or white color, which are collected in racemose umbrellas. After a hot summer, spindle-shaped seeds ripen, covered with fluff, outwardly similar to cotton wool, for which the plant was given the name - cotton wool.

Types of perennial decorative moths

As ornamental plants such types of milkweed are used: meat-red, tuberose and Syrian. Let's consider each of these types in more detail.

Did you know? Asklepias has about 80 species, but only three species are used for decorative purposes.

The meat-red milkweed grows up to 1.2 m tall. The stems are branched, with many elongated, slightly pubescent leaves. The bush of the meat-red milkweed is dense, has nice shape, over the years grows in width.

Flowering period - July, duration - up to 35 days. The flowers are red or purple-pink, rarely white, have a delicate, slightly chocolate aroma. Flowers form umbrella-shaped inflorescences with a diameter of 5-6 cm.

Tuberose tuberose, or tuberous - 0.5-0.7 m high. The stem is hard, erect. Oblong pubescent leaves. It blooms in dense inflorescences of small fragrant orange flowers. The flowering period is quite long - from mid-summer to early autumn. Some varieties of tuberose milkweed have yellow and red flowers.

The Syrian milkwort reaches a height of 0.8-1.5 m, this species is a long-liver, it can grow up to 30 years. The shoots are straight, densely covered with oblong-shaped leaves, the length of which is about 14 cm. The leathery leaves of a dark green color look like rhododendron foliage.

A feature of this species is the fall of the lower leaves and the exposure of the basal part of the shoot. Blooming Syrian cottonwort pink flowers 8-10 mm in diameter, which form umbrella-shaped fragrant inflorescences. The flowering period begins in July and can sometimes last until the first frost. This type of milkwort shoots shoots at a distance of more than 1 m from the mother bush.

Did you know? The aroma of the milkweed resembles the sweet smell of confectionery.

Selecting a landing site

The vatochnik is unpretentious plant, grows in almost any soil, but slightly acidic loams are preferred for better development. The place where the milkweed will grow should be sunny, without closely spaced groundwater.

In order for the cotton plant to be lush and beautiful, it needs to provide enough space for development; when planting, it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least 2 m to the nearest plant.

Syrian view differs from others in its aggressive soil settlement, so it is recommended to plant it in a pot with a thick layer of drainage. A container with a cotton plant is dug into the ground, thereby limiting the growth of its processes.

Important! A bush that has been growing in one place for more than 10 years needs to be transplanted for more favorable growth.

Growing a cellar through seedlings

Vatochnik quite successfully propagated by seeds. The only difficulty that can be encountered is the absence of seeds on a growing adult plant, since a hot summer is needed for their maturation.

In any case, milkwort seeds can often be found on sale, and it is not difficult to grow seedlings from them; Let's describe this process in more detail.

When to plant seedlings

To propagate the milkweed with seeds, they are planted for seedlings at home in March - April. Seeds remain viable for 3 years. Planting seeds is carried out in the ground intended for house plants or indoor flowers.

Seeding depth

The seed sowing depth should be approximately 10-15 mm. AT seedling box a layer of drainage is poured, then loamy soil, in which furrows are made and seeds are not densely sown. Approximately two weeks after sowing, the first shoots of the milkweed will appear.

Optimal conditions for seedlings

After sowing the seeds, the soil is moistened, and the planting container is covered with a film to create the effect of a greenhouse. Every day you need to ventilate the seedlings, opening the film for several hours.

The soil is moistened every two to three days, you can spray them periodically warm water. When sprouts appear, the container with seedlings is placed in a well-lit place with an air temperature not higher than +18 ° C. After the seedlings get stronger, the film is removed completely.

Seedling dive

The grown seedlings of the plant should be dived into separate pots or into a large container with space for the favorable development of the seedling. New containers should be with a drainage layer of 2-3 cm. The top of the seedling can be pinched off, thereby stimulating the growth of the plant. After picking, it is better to shade the container with seedlings for a couple of days.

Did you know? Asklepias is a good honey plant, one hectare of its plantations produces about 600 kg of light honey with a fruity aroma

Planting seedlings in open ground

Seedlings of the milkweed, which were grown from seeds, can be planted in open ground in a prepared place from the beginning of June according to a scheme of 0.5 × 0.5 m. For the first time after planting, young plants need daily light watering. After 3-4 years, the plant should bloom.

Other methods of planting and reproduction

Reproduction of the milkweed is also carried out by sowing seeds directly into the ground, dividing the bush and cuttings. Each gardener chooses the most suitable option for himself.

Sowing seeds directly into open ground

Sowing seeds directly into the ground in early spring into moist soil, immediately after the snow has melted. The planting area is previously deeply dug up, weed roots are removed and loosened.

After that, furrows are made, moistened and seeds are sown to a depth of about 30 mm.

Then the seeds are sprinkled with earth, while small holes are left on the ground for irrigation in the first weeks after planting. If the seeds were planted in dry soil, it is advisable to cover the beds with a film to accelerate the appearance of sprouts.

Reproduction by cuttings

To propagate the milkweed with cuttings, it is necessary at the very beginning of summer to cut a young shoot into segments 15 cm long, from which the lower leaves are removed, and the cutting is placed in wet sand. This type of reproduction requires promptness, since a cutting that has lost a lot of milky juice will take root worse. Cuttings take root in about twenty days.

The division of the bush

Reproduction of the milkweed by the method of dividing the bush is carried out late autumn after the end of the flowering period. To do this, they dig up a bush, divide the rhizome into parts of 10-15 cm, divide the stems of the milkwort and plant the divided parts of the bush into permanent place growth.

Each part of the rhizome must necessarily have new buds.

With this method of propagation, plants tend to take root well, and new bushes are able to bloom in the next summer season.

Important! The juice of the milkweed causes irritation when it comes into contact with the skin.

What plants are combined with vatochnik

Vatochnik grows well next to almost all plants, but the best combination formed with meadow grass, pearl barley and miscanthus. A tall bell, physostegia, echinacea and aconites will perfectly complement the powerful bushes of the milkweed decorative look and add bright colors dacha or garden.

How to take care of the open field

Growing a milkweed in the garden or on suburban area is not particularly difficult, even a novice gardener can master this process. In addition to watering and fertilizing, which we will discuss later, sometimes the cotton plant needs to be trimmed, forming a neat bush. If you want to rejuvenate the plant, you can cut off all the ground parts, and soon new shoots will grow from the root. It is recommended to prune flower stalks after flowering has ended if you do not plan to collect seeds.

What kind of watering to provide

After planting, the planter needs regular intensive watering. The grown plant has a branched powerful root system, which is able to independently provide the plant with moisture. However, you should monitor the condition of the soil; during the dry period, the watering plant should be watered in the evening.

When and how to feed

In early spring, after the snow has melted from the area where the cotton plant grows, it is necessary to clear the material with which the plant was covered for the winter, this will facilitate the growth of young shoots.