Arabis (Arabis), or rezuha - belongs to the genus of perennial herbaceous plants, which are representatives of the numerous Cabbage family, numbering about 100 species. In natural conditions, the flower grows most often in tropical countries or areas characterized by a temperate climate.
Breeders are still debating where the name of this shrub came from. It is popularly called razuha, which is associated with the hard hairs that cover the leaf blade. For garden cultivation, Arabis has been used for about 200 years. It is planted as a green decoration on flower beds, rabatki and included in flower arrangements when creating alpine slides. Below we will dwell on the main issues related to planting and caring for a plant in open field conditions.
Description of the Arabis flower
Some varieties are annuals, while others are perennial herbaceous plants that have creeping stems. Bushes grow up to 30 cm in length. The leaves are colored deep green, the edges are jagged. Flowers can be of completely different colors. They gather in small, dense racemose inflorescences. Blooming is observed in May. The plant gives off a strong and pleasant scent that attracts bees. In autumn, pods filled with seeds are formed on the stems of the razuha. Arabis shares similarities with other cruciferous garden crops such as horseradish, Iberis, radish or mustard. This ground cover is considered an unpretentious plant to care for, which allows even novice gardeners to breed it.
Growing Arabis from seeds
Sowing seeds
The most optimal way to grow a rash is by seed propagation. Arabis seeds are sold in specialized garden stores. Sowing is done directly in open ground in late autumn or early spring. For this, boxes or any other containers are used, filled with a soil mixture containing sand or small pebbles, which provide a drainage effect. The sowing depth should be no more than 0.5 cm, and the storage temperature of seedlings should not be lower than 20 degrees. The containers are covered with non-woven material to make the seeds germinate faster.
When the first green leaves appear, remove the shelter and reduce watering. Seedlings are transferred to a warm and well-lit place. The soil in containers must be loosened from time to time and the substrate must not dry out.
Seedling picking
After the formation of a strong healthy leaf, the seedlings are seated in different containers or dive at a distance of at least 30 cm. To grow Arabis in the form of a ground cover, you can refuse to dive. Before sending the seedlings to the flower bed, you need to prepare it. To do this, the containers are taken outside every day so that they are properly hardened. It is not recommended to leave plants in drafts.Seedlings adapted for outdoor cultivation are transferred to open ground.
Planting Arabis in open ground
These activities are best performed in late spring, after the seedlings have formed three leaves. Rezuha prefers to grow in lighted and open areas, but it is allowed to grow a shrub in partial shade. It is only worth considering the fact that such conditions can adversely affect growth and flowering.
Loose, fertile and moderately moist soil is used as soil for planting. To improve the air permeability of the soil, small pebbles or sand are added to the substrate. In poor and acidic soil, the shrub will not be able to fully bloom and develop. Up to 4 seedlings can be placed in one hole. Finish planting with abundant watering. It is allowed to fertilize the soil a few days after planting, using complex mineral fertilizers. Seed-grown Arabis bushes give flowering after a year.
Arabis care
Arabis needs regular watering and feeding. The plant is drought tolerant. Watering should be moderate so that the root system does not rot. The area where the shrub is grown must be periodically loosened and weeds removed. To maintain the shape of the Arabis, it is worth paying special attention to pruning the growing shoots. To increase the duration of flowering, wilted inflorescences must be removed from the bush.
Seed collection
Collecting seeds begins after the first frost has passed. The best conditions are dry and sunny weather, since in this case the seeds will have the best germination properties. The largest inflorescences are selected, cut off along with a part of the stem and dried in a ventilated room, hanging in the air. After the seeds are dry, they are stored in paper bags or boxes.
Shelter for the winter
Arabis has low frost resistance and can withstand temperatures as low as -7 degrees. In severe frosts, the plant may die. In late autumn, pruning of rezu bushes is carried out. The shoots are shortened so that only stumps up to 4 cm long remain above the surface of the earth. They are covered with dry foliage or spruce branches.
Reproduction of Arabis
Breeders use several methods of propagation: by seeds, cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. With the help of cuttings, only certain varieties of arabis can be propagated. To do this, a leaf with a heel is torn off, leaving a part of the cambial layer, thanks to which roots will begin to form after some time. The tops of the shoots are also suitable as planting material. Cuttings are planted in containers at an angle. Seedlings, covered with plastic or glass, are stored in a warm and bright place and regularly sprayed with water. When condensation appears, the protective cap is removed and the seedling is allowed to breathe. After the restoration of turgor pressure in the leaves, the cuttings are transplanted to the flower bed.
To obtain a cut, it is required to press the shoot to the ground and fix it in the area of the leaf node so that the formation of the root system begins. The rarest varieties are propagated by dividing the bush. These events are held in the fall, when the Arabis stops blooming. The dug out bush is divided into parts, which are planted separately from each other. Some gardeners do not remove the mother plant from the ground. They pin the shoots to the soil and wait for the formation of roots in the leaf nodes. Then the cuttings are separated and transplanted to another place.
Diseases and pests
Often, Arabis bushes are threatened by viral mosaics, and cruciferous fleas are the main threat among pests. Signs of mosaic infestation are leaf spot, which over time covers the entire surface of the leaf blades.It is almost impossible to get rid of the disease, therefore, diseased bushes must be dug up and destroyed, and the site must be treated with a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate. In the near future, it is not recommended to grow any crops in this place. In the fight against cruciferous fleas, the following drugs will help to cope: Actellik, Aktara, Karbofos or Iskra.
Types and varieties of arabis
For garden cultivation, the following types are usually used:
Alpine Arabis - found in regions of Siberia, on the Scandinavian Peninsula or in the mountains of Western Europe. This representative of rezuha belongs to perennials and can reach a height of about 35 cm. Generative shoots are branched, and vegetative shoots are pressed to the ground. The lower layer of leaves is formed by oval leaf blades, and the upper one has an elongated heart-shaped shape. Flowers, painted in pink or white, grow up to 1 cm in diameter. They gather in small racemose inflorescences that bloom in mid-spring. The flowering period is approximately one month. The Alpine Arabis includes the following varieties: Schneeshaube, Terry and Pink.
Arabis bruiform - the Alpine mountains are considered to be the homeland. This perennial herb can grow as little as 10 cm and has fluffy small leaves. The flowers form lush white inflorescences.
Arabis Caucasian - comes from alpine arabis and is found in Central and Asia Minor, in the Crimea and Mediterranean countries. The height of this shrub can reach up to 30 cm. The shape of the leaves is oblong, the edges are serrated, the color is gray. Light pubescence is felt on the surface. Flowering is observed in early summer, but the re-formation of individual inflorescences often occurs. A seed cone remains in the place of wilted flowers. Arabis Caucasian is divided into varieties such as flora-pleno, variegata and rosabella.
Arabis running out Is a type of rezuha that grows in the Balkans. This short ground cover has pale flowers and small leaves. It is characterized by frost resistance and unpretentious care.
Undersized arabis - in natural conditions can be found among the Alpine or Apennine mountains. Flowers begin to open in May-June. Low-growing Arabis is grown as a cultivated perennial due to the presence of attractive decorative fruits in the plant.
Arabis prolomnikovy - the growing environment is characterized by stony areas. The undersized shrub has sharp leaves and loose inflorescences.
Variegata - This is a semi-evergreen plant, the shoots of which reach up to 5 cm. The value of this species lies in the abundant and spectacular flowering.
