Growing clarkia graceful from seeds and further care. Graceful Clarkia: the subtleties of growing from seeds

Clarkia is a very attractive and elegant plant that has a long flowering. Outwardly, it looks like a bush, showered with elegant double flowers, similar to roses.

As you can see in the photo, clarks are distinguished by a variety of colors and their brightness, they are white, pink, red, orange, lilac and purple, and there are also two-color ones, with various spots and haircuts.

To Europe from California brought by the English priest Clark. The flower got its name from his name.

The plant is an annual from the fireweed family. It has whole oval leaves of dark green color with red veins. Stems erect, branched, slightly pubescent. The flower reaches a height of up to 60 cm. Flowers are collected in an inflorescence at the top. There are more than 30 types of clarkia.

Clarkia graceful (marigold).
Clarkia is nice.
Clarke is pretty.

You can admire these graceful plants by looking at the photo.

For growing a plant at home, there are excellent undersized varieties. The varieties Joy and Khavskoe sun look most impressive. Their flowers are salmon pink and crimson pink.

Growing a flower is simple, subject to the following rules:

How to care for flowers?

Special care for a plant grown from seeds is not required.

Care is within the power of even an inexperienced gardener:

It is required to create additional lighting for seedlings using ultraviolet lamp for the whole daylight.
It is necessary to observe regular, but without excess moisture, watering. It should be carried out when there are long dry days or when the soil dries up.
Feed only mineral fertilizers 2 times within a month. Fertilizers are especially needed for the plant in dry weather. It is possible to introduce ash into the soil for abundant flowering.
The decorativeness of the bush must be maintained with regular care, remove faded buds and dying leaves.

Ripe fruits-boxes containing seeds should be brown in color.

With periodic pinching of the tops of the plant, you can get denser bushes. But the escapes must already reach 25 cm height.

Tall plants are supported with pegs, which are driven in during planting. Otherwise, shoots in strong winds may break.

Before the onset of frost, the stems are cut flush with the ground.

The combination of clarkia with other plants

Clarkia in combination with others garden plants can create amazing beauty flower garden. They look great with phlox, lilies, white daisies and asters.

Clarkia looks great against the background of low red roses. This is an excellent cut plant that can stay in water for up to 15 days, slowly opening its buds.

Below are photos of elegant clarkia of various decorative varieties:

Diseases and pests

On the leaves and flowers of the plant can sometimes be seen gray color spots with dark edging. This is the first sign of a fungal disease. The problem is eliminated by spraying the bushes with fungicides. Processing should be done twice a week. Usually the fungus appears from excessive moisture of the root system.

Most dangerous pest is a flea. It can destroy the plant even at the seedling stage. And even belated treatment with chemicals will lead to a complete loss of crops.

To prevent diseases, it is necessary to cover the areas with seed crops nonwoven fabric, geotextiles. This will prevent fleas from attacking the crops and keep the soil moist.

Subject to simple rules planting and caring for clarkia, the plant will bloom profusely and for a long time. It can serve as a spectacular decoration of the terrace and balcony.

For a novice grower who selects plants for a “southern” sunny flower bed, Clarkia can be safely recommended. She won't require special care and will adequately decorate your flower garden for the whole summer, until the frost. And in the company with zinnia, echinacea, chamomile, it will withstand even a short drought. So that you can fully appreciate this flower, let's look at how elegant clarkia is grown from seeds and how to provide it with comfortable conditions.

Clarkia (Clarkia) is a cute herbaceous annual of the family Cypress. This plant came to Europe from North America, where more than 30 of its species grow. It is a close relative of godetia (you can learn more about this culture) and fireweed (Ivan-tea). Named after American Captain William Clark.

Erect, slightly covered with a short fluff, the clarkia stems branch well, grow from 30 cm to almost 1 m. The rich green leaves have an oval-elongated shape and are placed alternately. The flowers are located either one at a time in the leaf axils, or form an apical inflorescence-ear (or brush). Four petals (sometimes three) form a tubular calyx. They can be simple or terry. Coloring is white or various shades of red-pink. Blooms from July until the first frost. The fruit is an oblong capsule with many seeds.

In decorative floriculture, three of its types are used.

Clarkia graceful

Clarkia graceful or marigold

Clarkia graceful or marigold (Clarkia unguiculata) forms branchy sprawling bushes of various heights: from miniature (30 cm) to tall (90 cm). Green oblong leaves with sparse teeth have a bluish bloom, as well as reddish veins. Small (3 cm) flowers are located singly in the leaf axils. There are simple and terry, reminiscent of miniature carnations. Blooms very profusely and for a long time. In the seed box, small oval rough brown seeds ripen.

Clarkia graceful has various varieties. For example, Clarkia "Sun" (60-70 cm) with large (4 cm) double flowers of a warm salmon shade, with rich pink double flowers of Clarkia "Our Joy", an aggressive red variety "Brilliant" (60 cm), very beautiful a shade of red has a clarke "Ruby" (40-70 cm).

Clarkia graceful "Sun"

Very bright mixtures of colors in clarkia graceful. For example, Clarkia "Fantasy" is a mixture with white, red-pink and purple double flowers (60-75 cm). A wide range of pinks is presented in the "Charm" mixture.

Clarkia is pretty

Clarkia pretty (Clarkia pulchella) is a low herbaceous annual. This species is also called omitted clarkia. It has erect (30-40 cm) stems, long thin pointed leaves sometimes form a basal rosette. Terry or simple flowers various shades of pink are located in the axils of the apical leaves, both singly and in small groups. The petals of its flowers are interesting, similar to elk horns, widely dissected into three lobes. Blooms a little earlier than elegant Clarkia.

Clarkia pretty or down

Popular mixtures such as Clarkia "Arianna" (up to 40 cm) with white and raspberry double flowers, bright old variety"Miss Langri".

Clarkia Brewery

Clarkia Brewery (Clarkia breweri) - this species has become available to our flower growers relatively recently (10 years ago). Srednerosly (up to 50 cm), cold-resistant annual. Simple large flowers with strongly dissected petals are very similar to delicate moths. It has a wonderful, especially rich aroma.

The Pink Ribbons variety with delicate pink petals is distinguished by its miniature size (30 cm), it fully justifies its name, as its flowers really resemble a symbolic pink ribbon.

Clarkia Brewery
Clarkia Brewery "Pink Ribbons"

reproduction

Clarkia propagates by seeds. You can first grow seedlings or immediately sow it directly in open ground. Pay attention to the expiration dates of the seeds, in Clarkia they remain viable for up to a maximum of 4 years.

seedling method allows you to get earlier flowering, to exclude freezing of seedlings. This method is most suitable for the northern regions. Clarkia is sown for seedlings in March. This process is the same as in most other plants. Seeds are sown in a special soil for seedlings, without deepening, only slightly pressed to the ground.

Clarkia is quite versatile: tall varieties can be safely planted along walls or fences, and undersized ones are suitable for the foreground of a flower garden. Looks good in compositions with daisies, phlox or petunias.

Excellent in cut. Keeps fresh for a long time and opens all the buds. And the Clarkia Brewery looks great in hanging planters.

The simplicity and unpretentiousness of clarkia in planting and care provide her with the status of a welcome guest in every garden. You just need to do everything right and on time. And then you will see beautiful large and fragrant flowers in the flower bed, Clarkia will not disappoint you.

Only a heartless “rusk” can restrain admiration at the sight of a blooming clarkia, and there are few of them among flower growers. An elegant plant conquers with its tenderness and sophistication at first sight. In the wild, Clarkia grows in Chile and in western regions North America. The beauty owes her relocation, as well as the sonorous name, to Captain William Clark, who once delivered a marvelous flower from California to the shores of Europe. Today Clarkia successfully conquers personal plots mid-latitudes, and at the same time the hearts of flower growers. The culture looks really excellent: against the background of pubescent stems and bluish-green leaves, like stars, small (up to 3.5 cm in diameter) flowers sparkle, collected in racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences. The color of the petals, depending on the variety, can be the most diverse - white, raspberry, smoky pink, salmon, purple. Thanks to its unpretentious nature, it is pleasant and easy to grow a Clarkia, which means that on the eve of the new season it will be very useful to get acquainted with its agricultural technology. Perhaps this summer another lovely pet will appear in your flower garden.

When to plant

Clarkia is grown from seeds, and experts allow both seedling and seedless growing methods. Sowing for seedlings is carried out in March, then at the beginning of summer the pet will begin to delight the eye with abundant flowering. In open ground, seeds are sown in late April - early May or in October, before winter.

Clarkia seedlings

To grow seedlings, buy or prepare a loose, slightly acidic substrate. So that the seedlings do not mow the notorious black leg or other fungal disease, steam the substrate in a water bath or bake in the oven. The sequence of actions during sowing is as follows:

A low bowl is filled with nutrient soil mixture.
Seeds are scattered over the surface and lightly pressed with a spatula or a clean board.
The crops are sprinkled warm water from a spray bottle and covered with glass.
A bowl with germinating seeds is determined in heat, away from direct sunlight.

With the advent of seedlings, the coverslip is removed, but before moving to open ground, the seedlings should remain in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place. It will be necessary to pick the seedlings into separate glasses as soon as the first leaves grow. Don't delay! The older the plants, the greater the risk of damaging them during transplantation. In gentle home conditions, protected from sudden temperature changes and cold rains, Clarkia seedlings turn out to be strong and healthy. Seedlings are planted in open ground not one at a time, but in small curtains with a large clod of earth, keeping a distance of 20–40 cm between them. Place a peg or rail near each group of young bushes: the thin stems of the growing clarkia will soon need reliable support. Diverse plants should be planted separately from each other to avoid cross-pollination. On the final stage planting works are watered, and to stimulate tillering, the tops of the seedlings are carefully pinched.

Seating preparation

In the garden for Clarkia, an open, sunny and always dry area is chosen. Preparatory work is carried out no later than 2 weeks before planting. The soil is dug up and filled with fertilizers - for every m? contribute 1.5 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate and potassium sulfate, as well as 1 kg of peat. Sand is added to overly oily, oversaturated organic soil for digging, alkaline soil is watered with a solution of oxalic acid or citric acid, and sour lime.

Seedless growing method

In open ground, seeds are sown in small nests (4–5 each), without deepening, but only slightly pressing them to moist soil. At the end of work, the crops are sprinkled thin layer soil. Germination will take about 14-16 days. If the seedlings are too frequent, they can be thinned out, but do not overdo it: in a dense planting, the Clarkia looks much more attractive. Do not be afraid if, after autumn sowing, seedlings appear before the onset of winter, the sprouts will be perfectly preserved under a snowy “blanket”.

plant care

Plants need regular watering only if the yard is dry and hot, the rest of the time the beauty is content with rain moisture. During dry periods, water plantings moderately, without turning the soil under it into a viscous slurry.
During the set of buds and flowering, it is recommended to feed the Clarkia with complex mineral fertilizers ("Rainbow", "Kemira"). Organic matter cannot be used for feeding.
In order for the plants to have enough strength to form new buds, periodically pick off wilted inflorescences and seed pods.

Clarkia will gratefully respond to these simple procedures with bright and long flowering.

Preparing for winter

Among the inflorescences, some of the most beautiful specimens are outlined.
At the first sign of wilting, the flowers are tied into a loose gauze knot.
Seeds will ripen 30-35 days after the end of flowering.
The browned box is cut off and the seeds are poured onto a sheet of paper to dry.

The finished material is packed in bags and stored in a cool, dry place.

After the Clarkia finishes flowering, the bushes are pruned at the root, and during autumn digging roots are also removed.

Diseases and pests

Planted in dense loamy soil, the Clarkia is sometimes affected by fungal diseases, especially if the summer turned out to be rainy and cool. Most often you have to deal with rust, fusarium and gray rot. Copper-containing fungicides - Bordeaux liquid, Oxyhom, Topaz - will help save the plantings.

Species and varieties

Despite the variety of species of clarkia, and there are more than 30 of them in nature, only 3 of the brightest representatives of the genus are of interest to flower growers:

Clarkia graceful (marigold) is a beautiful guest from sunny California, which is a densely branched plant about 1 m high, with thin flexible shoots and bluish-green oval leaves. Flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm are painted in white, red, pink, blue or purple tones. Popular varieties are Salmon perfection (salmon pink), Albatross (white), Purpurkenig (carmine).
Clarkia is pretty - the complete opposite of the previous species. Miniature bushes barely reach a height of 40 cm. But the shape of the flowers is very unusual: the petals are cut into three widely spaced parts, for which this type of culture received a very accurate nickname from American flower growers - “elk horns”.
Clarkia Brewery is a cold-resistant species that grows to a height of up to 50 cm. Very delicate flowers, resembling the shape of butterflies, exude a strong pleasant aroma. best variety The species is recognized as Pink Ribbons (pink).

Note! Only listed clarkies are intended for cultural cultivation. Other species described in some sources actually represent the genus Godets.

Clarkia is an excellent representative of a garden and ornamental annual plant, combining a wide range of colors, compactness, and an abundance of green mass. Most gardeners love Clarkia because of its elegant appearance, spectacular numerous flowers, long and lush flowering, good and fast growth. The main advantage is that growing elegant clarkia, including from seeds, does not cause any trouble. The plant owes its name to the English captain William Clark, who brought the flower to Europe from California.

Clarkia belongs to the cypress family, is a low bush with a height of 30 to 90 cm. The western regions of North America, the territory of Chile, are considered the homeland of the plant. Clarkia is very close to the genus Godetia, most botanists combine these two genera.
The bush is very beautiful, due to the dense branching of the stems it acquires a voluminous, lush appearance. Stems strongly branched, erect, thin, dense, strong, lignified below, slightly pubescent.

The leaves are alternate, oblong-oblong, dark green, with veins and interspersed with red, irregularly rarely serrated along the edge.

flowers correct form, 3-4 cm in diameter, small, double or simple, located in the axils of the leaves, have various shades of red, orange, pink, raspberry, lilac, lilac, there are two-tone with various inclusions, strokes and dots. Collected either at the top of the shoots in the form of spicate or racemose inflorescences, or singly. The flower consists of a tubular calyx, three-lobed or four whole petals, which taper at the base.

The seed box is an elongated fruit with numerous brown seeds, the germination of seeds lasts up to four years. After maturation, the seed box becomes brown in color, the fruits open, the seeds spill out onto the ground, thereby self-sowing occurs.

In any garden, Clarkia flowers will look great, filling the space. bright colors and fragrance, attracting butterflies and bees.

Types and varieties of plants

In nature, there are more than 35 species of clarkia, but for gardeners, only three cultivated varieties are of interest, which served as the basis for breeding a large number varietal forms.

During the period of lush flowering in gardens and on summer cottages, Clarkia varieties - graceful, pretty and terry, covered with many flowers, similar to small roses. At the same time, the green mass favorably emphasizes all the splendor of flowers. Flowering period three months: from July to September.

Clarkia terry

The average height of an annual plant is 30-65 cm. The densely branched bush of terry clarkia is overgrown with dark green leaves. Flowers are double, about 5-6 cm in diameter, with various shades from snow-white to rich carmine, frame the stems so that the image of a spike-shaped plant is created.

Clarkia "Fantasy"

Annual decorative lush flowering plant grows up to 75 cm tall. axillary double flowers differ in all sorts of colors. Clarkia fantasy is used for cutting, decorating flower beds in single and group plantings.

Clarkia is pretty

Another name for pubescent. It grows up to 20-40 cm. The leaves are narrow, elongated, entire, pointed at the end and narrower towards the base. The flowers are double and simple, up to 3 cm in diameter, differ in wavy and divided into three lobes by spreading petals of various varieties. color shades. Formed in groups or one at a time in the axils of the leaves. The pretty clarkia blooms before the elegant look for 2-3 weeks. Because of unusual shape petals, this species in America is called “moose antlers”. Clarkia pretty served as the basis for obtaining the Arianna variety: simple two-color flowers of lilac and white color, plant height up to 40-50 cm.

Clarkia graceful

Another name for nails. IN natural environment grows in California. It can reach up to 30-90 cm in height. The stems are thin, strong, branching, woody at the base. The leaves are dark green with a bluish tint, elongated, oblong in shape, with a rarely serrated edge and characteristic red veins.

The flowers of elegant clarkia are up to 3-4 cm in diameter, collected in an inflorescence brush and, depending on the variety, can be simple or terry in shape. The mixture of colors of clarkia graceful also depends on the variety. Flowers are blue, purple, pink, red and white. The first flowers of Clarkia bloom in June, the bush blooms profusely and luxuriantly almost until October. Clarkia graceful served as the basis for obtaining varieties:

Albatross - bush 50-75 cm tall, with double white flowers.
Salmon Perfection - bush 80-100 cm tall, pale pink double flowers.
The sun - the height of the bush is 60-70 cm, the flowers are terry salmon colors, axillary, solitary.
Orange - plant height 50-60 cm, double flowers of orange color.
Ruby - a bush no more than 60 cm in height, numerous double flowers of deep red, ruby color.
Purplekening - grows up to 80-90 cm tall with deep red double flowers.

Clarkia Marigold Joy

Densely branched erect stems grow up to 40-60 cm. Flowering begins 2 months after sowing the seeds. The bush is covered with flowers from bottom to top. The color scheme varies from deep pink to crimson. Flowers of the Clarkia variety “Joy” reach up to 3-4 cm in diameter, due to the long flowering they are very much in demand among flower growers.

Clarkia dainty Brilliant

The variety is densely branched, luxuriantly and abundantly blooming. The height of the bush is up to 60-80 cm. Starting from July, the bush is covered with many double flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, red-pink in color. Axillary flowers of the Clarkia variety “Brilliant” adorn the bush almost until the end of September.

plant care

To get a healthy and flowering plant, you should follow simple rules care and maintenance. In principle, Clarkia is a rather unpretentious and undemanding plant.

Outdoor plant care

To maintain a decorative and elegant appearance, wilted flowers and leaves, seed pods should be removed. This is necessary to maintain the vitality of the plant in the process of formation of new flowers. Removing dried flowers promotes longer flowering. Loosening the soil and removing weeds contributes to rapid good growth.

Watering, fertilizing and tying

In hot weather, without precipitation, when the soil dries up, regular moderate watering is required twice a week. In this case, you can not fill the plant, otherwise you can provoke root rot. To avoid the latter, Clarkia is planted in well-drained soil.
Wet soil must be loosened, this will improve the flow of air to the roots. In cool rainy weather, watering is completely stopped. Watered strictly under the bush, avoiding water on the leaves and flowers, otherwise you can provoke sunburn that spoil decorative look plants.

Top dressing is applied twice a month - during the period of budding and flowering. Use of mineral fertilizers organic feeding do not apply to clarkia. Mainly top dressing is necessary in rainy, dry weather. For brighter and more abundant flowering, ash is added to the soil.

To prevent breakage of tall stems from strong winds, as well as to avoid bending them, the bush is tied to pegs that are driven in during planting.

Choice of landing site

The plant is extremely photophilous, but at the same time it develops equally well in partial shade. It loves space, because it grows quickly. It is necessary to choose a place for a flower, excluding strong winds otherwise the plant may break. The plant quite calmly tolerates drafts and short-term spring cooling.

Soil: composition and characteristics

The flower develops better on loose, fertile, medium and light density soil. Basically, unpretentious plant it is able to germinate on dense clay soils, but it will develop more slowly, it will bloom extremely poorly. For future seedlings experienced gardeners prefer to prepare an earthen mixture: they take ordinary soil for seedlings and add rotted humus, peat and river sand in equal proportions. To exclude contamination of the earth with various fungal diseases, it is calcined in an oven or steamed in a water bath.

Seedling care

Due to the unpretentious nature, care for seedlings comes down to maintaining soil moisture, optimal temperature and occasional watering. The soil of seedlings should not dry out and should not be waterlogged, it should be moderately moist.

Loosening is allowed only for grown seedlings, since young shoots can be damaged.

To prevent root rot due to stagnant water, you should take care of the drainage system.

The comfortable temperature for the plant is within +20 C. To prevent burns, young plants should be protected from direct sunlight.

Plant care during and after flowering

In the process of plant growth, to give the bush a more voluminous and lush appearance, the tops of shoots no more than 10-15 cm high are periodically pinched.

In late autumn, when flowering ends, just before frost, the bush is cut flush with the ground, the soil is dug up, old roots are removed. Due to the high probability of self-seeding next spring Clarkia will respawn on its own.

Diseases and pests: treatment

Clarkia is a fairly resistant and resistant plant to diseases and pests, however, due to maintenance and care errors, the plant can get sick or be attacked by pests.

Growing a bush on loamy soils can cause rust disease. This fungal disease manifests itself in the form of reddish-yellow spots with a clear dark border on the leaf blades. In most cases, the disease occurs due to waterlogging of the soil and stagnant water, as well as an excess of nitrogen-containing fertilizers. For the treatment of the bush, spraying with fungicides (Bordeaux mixture, Topaz) is used 2 times a week.

With an excess of moisture, the roots of the plant can rot, as a result of which the plant weakens, withers and dies. At an early stage of the disease, the bush can be saved. To do this, drooping, weakened, affected parts of the plant are cut off, treated with fungicides. Also high humidity soil can provoke the appearance of a false powdery mildew: on the back affected sheet plate appear colorless or dark spots. The leaves are twisted, deformed. For the fight, the biofungicide "Fitosporin-M" or "Olirna" is used.

Of the insect pests, the mealybug is dangerous; aphids rarely settle on the plant. To get rid of adversity, insecticides are used, spraying with infusion of citrus fruit peels or garlic helps against aphids. With the latter, you need to be extremely careful, as it can leave burns on the plant. If treatment and prevention did not save the plant, then it is dug up with all its infected parts and destroyed by burning.

How to get rid of the flower midge?

In most cases, the appearance of a flower midge or sciaride is an indicator of excessive waterlogging of the soil. Most often, their appearance occurs in the winter.

The danger is not the midges themselves, but their larvae, which can damage the roots of the plant. When there are so many larvae that they can be seen, the plants are transplanted to another place treated from the flower midge.

To prevent the reproduction of flower midges, periodically loosen the ground around the flower, create a drainage layer before planting, avoid stagnation and severe waterlogging of the soil. Damaged and diseased parts of the bush should be removed immediately.

Struggling with flower midge different ways. The simplest, which is most suitable for potted flowers: 4-8 matches are inserted into the ground around the flower with a sulfur coating, as soon as the sulfur dissolves, the procedure should be repeated 2-4 times.

It also helps to get rid of midges by watering with a weak (pale pink) solution of potassium permanganate or a weak soap solution.

Garlic infusion allows you to reduce and completely remove unwanted insects. It is prepared as follows: 3-4 chopped garlic cloves are added to 1 liter of boiling water, insisted for at least 4 hours, filtered and sprayed on the plants. However, this solution can burn leaves and flowers. For those who are afraid of harming the plant, garlic can be used in another way: garlic cloves are cut and laid on the ground, cut down, around the stem of the plant.

The zest of an orange, stuck in and spread out on the ground around the flower, is also able to protect the Clarkia from midges.

They also use a chemical pencil against insects (for example, “Mashenka”), they grind it and sprinkle it with soil.

Insecticides "Bazudin", "Thunder-2" and "Fly-eater" are able to quickly cope with the attack of insects on a flower.

Planting and reproduction

Clarkia is not demanding on maintenance and care, planting and reproduction does not cause any particular difficulties.

Clarkia seedlings grown from seeds are adapted to cool temperatures, they are not afraid of drafts.

Clarkia flower will be bright, and flowering will be long if it is grown on loose fertile soils. In the case of planting in acidic soil, young plants develop poorly, in most cases they die.

The plant is propagated by sowing seeds in open ground immediately on permanent place or for seedlings.

When to plant Clarkia?

Clarkia grown seedlings are planted in late April - early May, when the likelihood of night frosts returning is minimal. The decision to plant a Clarkia in autumn or spring depends on when they want to get a flowering plant. If the seeds are sown directly into the ground, then sowing is done in the second half of September or in the second half of April.

How to collect seeds?

During flowering, 3-4 healthy large flowers should be noticed. After pollination, wilting and at the beginning of the formation of the seed box, an isolation procedure is carried out. To do this, with a clean gauze tape, the fruit is tied tightly, but not tight, to the stem. During this time, the seed box will ripen, and the gauze will not allow the seeds to scatter, thereby eliminating the possibility of self-seeding.

Seeds fully ripen 30 days after the flower has withered. By the dark brown color of the fruit, you can determine that the seeds are fully ripe. They are cut, seeds are taken out, dried on a flat surface. Good for storage matchboxes or paper envelopes.

Preparing seeds for sowing

Before planting clarkia, the seeds are soaked for 2.5-3 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds are wrapped in a napkin, gauze, bandage or cosmetic cotton pad, dipped into the solution. So they do not float and soak well. After the soaking procedure, the seeds are laid out on a sheet of paper or on a clean, dry napkin, dried at room temperature. The seeds are ready for sowing.

Sowing seeds in open ground

In the prepared soil rich in mineral fertilizers, shallow grooves are made 1.5-2 cm deep, at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other. With the help of paper or a toothpick, the seed is placed in recesses, sprinkled with earth, moistened.

It is necessary to cover the crops with a greenhouse, periodically ventilate and moisten the soil as it dries. After 10-14 days, the first shoots will appear. Young sprouts are not transplanted, but thinned out, leaving a distance of 10-15 cm between seedlings. You should not do more, otherwise it is difficult to achieve lush and bright flowering. The greenhouse is removed in early May, when the probability of night frosts is very small. In early spring, when sowing clarkia in open ground, young seedlings are not watered, since the soil is sufficiently moistened with melt water.

Seed sowing technology

In the prepared soil, shallow grooves are made at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other. Clarkia seeds are sown in recesses, lightly sprinkled with earth. After it is necessary to moisten the soil. This should be done with extreme caution and care, in order to avoid floating seeds from under the ground. Use a spray bottle or a teaspoon. The container with soil is covered with a transparent material (glass, polyethylene) and placed in a well-lit place.

The shelter should be removed daily to ventilate and prevent seed rotting. As soon as the first shoots appear, the transparent cover is removed.

What containers are needed for sowing?

Shallow containers are chosen, which, before loading the soil, for disinfection, are treated with boiling water, wiped with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. For Clarkia seeds, it is preferable to choose medium or large nurseries. You can use individual cups, but they are not as convenient to work with as with wide containers. Planted containers are left in well-lit places, excluding drafts.

Planting clarkia in open ground

12-14 days before boarding herbaceous plant dig up the soil in open ground, remove old roots, and apply mineral fertilizers.

The stems of an adult plant are strongly branched, as a result of which the distance between plants should be at least 15 cm. If the plants are close to each other, then they must be thinned out, this will allow the plant to maintain a lush, elegant appearance. In the pits for planting, clarks are planted from pots by transshipment, that is, together with a clod of earth. Young bushes do not share, otherwise the roots will be damaged, the plant will die. Next to the bush, a peg or other support is inserted into the soil. To stimulate lush growth and dense branching, the bushes are pinched.

Clarkia seedlings

Seeds for seedlings are sown in containers with prepared soil in early March. The flower obtained in this way has better health, is protected from various weather changes. Young shoots develop and grow quite quickly. When 2-3 true leaves are formed, they are pinched. The seedling method is good for growing clarkia at home in pots. If seedlings are grown for open ground, then transplantation is planned in May.

cultivation

The plant is able to please with its elegant appearance not only in the garden, but also indoors. Growing clarkia at home will not cause any particular difficulties, although in the pot version it will be more modest in size and with less lush bloom. When growing clarkia at home, you should take care of additional lighting, especially in winter.

If the seeds sprout late in the open field and the bush has not completely faded, in the fall it is dug up with a large clod of earth, transplanted into a container and grown at home. Year-round, the bush will not grow even at the very best care and content. After the flowers wither, the entire root system gradually dies off.

In spring, seeds are sown in early May. In this case, flowering can be expected in early - mid-July and up to mid-September.

In autumn, the seeds are sown in open ground in the second half of September, in which case the seedlings will grow a little, get stronger and winter under cover. At autumn planting flowering occurs much earlier - in early June.

Clarkia in winter

The plant is quite frost-resistant, calmly endures the cold season, but for better preservation, it is recommended to cover the flower after pruning with straw, fallen leaves, and moss. This manipulation is necessary if the plant remains in its original place. But when a new place for planting a clarkia is determined in the spring, the old one is dug up in the fall, all the roots and parts of the plant are removed in order to prevent the development of fungal diseases.

Application in landscape design

Clarkia looks very impressive in group plantings, paths, along fences and walls of buildings. Looks great in pots on balconies and terraces. Clarkia graceful and other varieties will perfectly fit and complement various flower beds, will decorate the garden.

Combination with other plants

Clarkia looks great next to other light-loving and decorative flowers. An excellent color ensemble is obtained from Clarkia with roses, peonies, daisies, oleanders, delphiniums, asters, phloxes. Clarkia is an excellent cut flower. In vases with water, Clarkia bouquets can stand for 10-15 days, while continuing to bloom buds.

Have you ever heard of Clarkia? It is an annual herbaceous culture of the Cyprian family. These wonderful plants were brought to Europe from California by Captain William Clark, which is why they are also called California marigolds. Clarkia has branched pubescent stems and elongated oval-shaped leaves, which are characterized by a rich green or gray hue. In addition, she has very beautiful axillary flowers, collected in racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences.

Today we will introduce you to this beautiful plant closer, reveal the main secrets of its successful cultivation and the basic rules for proper care. You will learn how to independently plant wonderful clarks in open ground. In addition, you will have a great opportunity to look at the photos of these enchanting plants.

Varieties and varieties of clarkia

Annual Clarkia has about 30 various kinds, but for flower growers, only three of them are of particular interest.

Graceful. The height of representatives of this species reaches 1 m in height. The lower part of their thin stems is woody, the leaves are oval, with reddish veins. As for the flowers, they can be double or single, purple, white, blue or red. Graceful Clarkia blooms from July to September. You can admire it by looking at the following photo.

Clarkia graceful

The most popular varieties of this type:

purplekönig (its height is about 90 cm, and double flowers have a delightful carmine hue);
albatross (grows to a height of 75 cm, double, white flowers);
salmon perfect (double-type flowers, unusual salmon color).

Pretty. The names of this species confirm the reality. These dwarf plants very beautiful. They have branched stems, green long and narrow leaves. The petals of their flowers are divided into three lobes. They begin to bloom a few weeks earlier than the graceful clarkies.

Clarkia is pretty

Brewery. Cold hardy look. Its delicate flowers resemble butterflies and have an excellent aroma. The height of the clarky brevery reaches about 50 cm.

clarkia brevery

by the most famous variety this species is pink ribbons (only 30 cm high, branched stems, flowers have a pink tint, and their petals resemble ribbons).

Planting a plant

Elegance, tenderness and harmony will find your flower plantings as soon as the Clarkia appears there. Growing and caring for it will not require you to have any professional skills and special knowledge, which you can now see for yourself.

Clarkias begin to be planted in open ground in May. If the pH of your soil is not suitable for these plants, it can always be oxidized. For example, add peat, sulfur for digging, or pour soil with a solution of citric acid. If the earth is too acidic, then it is limed. Excessively greasy soil can be dug up with sand. Such preparation is carried out 2-3 weeks before the start of planting.

Plant Clarkia in soil with optimal acidity

From the container, the seedlings are taken out in a group and planted in the holes. They should be placed at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. Between various varieties clarkies should also be indented so the plants don't mutate. The final stage of planting will be moderate watering and pinching.

Attention! Prepare near each hole special supports for plants. The garter will help protect their thin stems from strong winds.

We provide Clarkies with the right care

Clarkia, planting and caring for which is not at all difficult, still requires some attention. The main rule for caring for this plant should be to ensure conditions as close to natural as possible. For landing, it is best to choose an open sunny plot and loose soil of acidic reaction.

Advice. Do not plant the plant on wet and heavy soil, where it will develop poorly and may also be affected by fungal diseases.

In dry weather, do not forget to water in a timely manner, which is carried out strictly under the root of the plant. From time to time, loosen the top ball of soil near the clarke.

Observe the watering mode of the Clarkia

Clarkia care also involves the introduction of dressings, to which the plants respond well. Complex fertilizers should be applied once every two weeks before the start of the flowering period. Often, "Bud", "Rainbow", etc. are used for this.

Reproduction clarkey

Reproduction of these annual plants occurs with the help of seeds: seedling or seedless method.

In the first case, plant seeds are sown immediately in an open grant. best time for this will be the beginning of May. First, two weeks before planting, potassium sulfate with superphosphate and peat are added to the soil for digging.

Seeds are sown in nests at a distance of 40 cm from each other, without deepening into the ground. They are pressed down a little and sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. With the advent of the first shoots, they can be thinned out a little.

Clarkia seeds

The seedling method of reproduction is considered more reliable, since in this case, clarks stably endure temperature changes and other climatic influences. Seeds are sown in March in slightly acidic soil. They are slightly pressed down, sprinkled with water, and then covered with glass and placed in warm place protected from direct sunlight. With the advent of the first shoots, the glass is removed. Clarkies dive when the first leaves appear on them.

Dangerous diseases and pests

These plants are very resistant to various infections and pests. Having provided them proper care, you can avoid such problems.

California marigolds can be affected mealybugs. Their invasion is manifested by a waxy coating, similar to cotton wool. To combat them, plants are sprayed with fitoverm or actara. Loamy soil is often the cause of fungal diseases. In this case, the treatment of clarkey fungicides is used.

Combinations of clarkey with other plants

Clarkias will help you create a truly charming flower garden, especially when combined with other plants. Lilies, phloxes, asters, white daisies are great for them. In addition, they look impressive and bright against the background of other low shrubs, such as red roses.

Clarkia in the flower garden

Annual clarkia in landscape design

The unpretentiousness, stability and extraordinary beauty of clarks provided them with a worthy place in modern landscape design. They look amazing, both in flower beds and in separate pots. They are often placed on walls, near various fences. By using your imagination, you can achieve amazing results and organic compositions.