Arctotis (Arctotis) is a floral herbaceous or semi-shrub plant from the Astrov family. There are about 70 different species in the genus, native to the African and American continents. The name is translated from Greek as "bear's ear". Depending on the species and variety, arctotis is grown as an annual, biennial or perennial. The flower is propagated by seeds. Seeds retain their high germination capacity only in the first and second years after collection. The flowering period of arctotis begins in the middle of summer and ends with the arrival of autumn frosts.
Description of the flower arctotis
Arctotis flower consists of pubescent stems of a white or silvery shade, opposite or alternate leaves, long peduncles, single inflorescences-baskets about 8 centimeters in diameter yellow, white, purple, pink, brown and purple, as well as fruits with gray-brown seeds and a small tuft.
Growing arctotis from seeds
Sowing seeds
The seedling method of growing arctotis is very reliable and effective, which is why experienced florists prefer it. There are no difficulties in this. If desired, a beginner in floriculture can also easily cope with this task.
A favorable time for sowing arctotis seeds is the second half of March. You can take ordinary wooden or plastic boxes as planting containers, but it is better to immediately use peat pots or small plastic cups. In small containers, 3-5 seeds are sown in each, and in large containers, sowing is carried out in shallow grooves. Seeds of arctotis are sprinkled with a thin layer of sand in 1-2 millimeters and carefully moistened with a spray bottle. All crops are covered with a transparent polyethylene film or glass and left in a warm room with a temperature of at least 23 degrees.
The shelter is removed after about 7-10 days, when the first shoots appear. To moisten the soil, use the bottom watering (through the pallet). Thinning may be required for dense seeding.
Arctotis seedlings
After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, young arctotis plants are seated in 2-3 seedlings in individual pots along with an earthen lump. It is recommended to pinch the seedlings that have grown up to 10-12 centimeters. This procedure will contribute to the tillering of the culture.
A very important step in the care of seedlings is their hardening. 10 days before planting arctotis in open ground, the seedlings begin to gradually harden, that is, to accustom them to natural conditions. The first flower walks should be short - from one to three hours.Every day, the time spent by young plants in the fresh air should be gradually increased, gradually bringing up to 24 hours.
Planting arctotis in the open field
When to plant arctotis
Arctotis is a thermophilic plant that cannot survive even with the slightest night frost. That is why the planting of arctotis in open ground in areas with a temperate climate should be carried out only in the last week of May. By this time, the soil should have warmed up enough. In colder regions, planting is advisable only in early or mid-June.
How to plant arctotis
First, you need to prepare planting holes, the depth of which should slightly exceed the volume of the seedling's earthen clod. The distance between the holes is 30-40 centimeters. A young plant with a lump of earth on the root or a peat pot is placed in a pre-moistened hole. The free space is covered with earth, slightly compacted and watered abundantly.
Light-loving arctotis require a lot of sunlight and heat during the day, so it is recommended to choose open areas for them on a small hill, on a flat surface, but not in a lowland.
The soil in the selected area must be dug up, adding lime during digging, and well drained. The unpretentious flower Arctotis is very fond of soils with the addition of sand, but clay soils and waterlogged soils are contraindicated for it.
In mild and warm climates with early spring and long summer, arctotis seeds can be planted directly in open ground around the second half of April. 3-5 seeds are placed in each planting hole. The spacing between the holes may vary. It depends on the type and variety of the arctotis flower chosen. For example, for low-growing crops, 20-25 centimeters are enough, and for tall crops - 40-45 centimeters. Crops are crushed with a thin layer of soil or fine-grained sand, tamped a little and moistened abundantly from a scattering watering can or a fine spray.
Caring for arctotis seedlings consists in timely moistening and weeding from weeds, in loosening the soil on the site and in protecting against pests and diseases. The first shoots should appear in about 10-15 days. At the age of two weeks, young plants are recommended to thin out.
Subject to all the rules for planting and caring for arctotis, after 50-60 days, you can see the first flowering.
Arctotis care in the garden
Caring for arctotis is very simple and will be within the power of even beginners. It does not take much time and effort, since all procedures are standard - watering, weeding, loosening, fertilizing and pruning. Experienced flower growers recommend not to forget about preventive measures that will protect the flower from diseases and various pests.
Watering
Since the flower has African roots with a hot climate and dry weather, it follows that drought is not very terrible for crops. But excess moisture can destroy the root system of a plant or seriously harm it. Heavy and frequent watering will lead to root rot.
Another feature of the arctotis flower is its elongated roots, which can extract moisture from great depths. Even in extreme heat and in the absence of natural precipitation for a long time, the flower remains attractive and fresh in appearance.
Watering drought-resistant flowering crops is necessary in moderation and only after the top layer has dried by 5-10 millimeters. This is especially necessary at high temperatures. As irrigation water, ordinary tap water or settled and slightly warmed up under the sun's rays is suitable.
Top dressing
It is strongly not recommended to use organic fertilizers in any form for feeding Arctotis. Blooming dwarf shrubs generally do just fine and do well without additional nutrition.If the florist nevertheless decides to apply complex mineral fertilizers, then this should be done only at the stage of bud formation and during the active flowering phase.
The soil
The soil on the flower garden should be loosened and weeded regularly. Loose soil will allow air to flow to the roots more easily and contribute to the further growth of arctotis.
Pruning and pinching
In order for more new buds to appear on the plants, experienced gardeners and florists recommend constantly removing already closed and wilted flowers. In addition, such pruning will help preserve the high decorative effect and attractiveness of the arctotis.
Wooden pegs-supports on a flower garden with tall species and varieties will help keep crops upright and prevent lodging.
Arctotis in winter
Annual species and varieties of arctotis after flowering are removed from the ground and destroyed. In perennial species of arctotis, approximately in the second half of October, the aerial part is cut off by ninety percent. The rest (no more than 10 centimeters in height) is covered with mulch made from sawdust, fallen leaves or straw, and spruce branches or any covering material are placed on top.
Diseases and pests of arctotis
One of the most common diseases of arctotis is gray rot. Unfortunately, it does not respond to treatment. To save the plants that have not yet become diseased, it is recommended to completely remove all infected specimens from the flower garden. All remaining cultures must be sprayed with disinfecting solutions prepared on the basis of the drug "Fundazol" or other fungicides.
Preventive measures against gray rot are planting flowering plants on a small hill or on a flat area, but with moderately moist soil.
Possible pests of arctotis are meadow bugs and aphids. With a small accumulation of bugs, you can treat the bushes with various organic infusions or solutions. Onion infusion and mustard solution prepared from ten liters of water and one hundred grams of mustard powder effectively act on the pest. In case of a massive invasion of insects, you can use special insecticidal preparations.
Sap-sucking aphids very often infect plants with various viruses and infections. To combat it, various types of insecticides are suitable, recommended for specific garden pests. For example, Aktara, Aktellik, Fitoverm.
Types and varieties of arctotis with a photo
Arctotis stoechadifolia
The most popular tall species in culture, reaching a height of one hundred and more centimeters. Differs in longer flowering than other species. Features - a strong stem, large leafy plates with a pubescent surface, high peduncles, single inflorescences of white, yellow, gray, purple and brown shades.
Arctotis rough (Arctotis aspera)
A medium-sized South African annual, not exceeding 50 centimeters in height in culture. Features - yellow-brown inflorescences about 5 centimeters in diameter. In the wild, it grows up to 1 meter. Not resistant to transplants.
Arctotis hybrid (Arctotis x hybridus)
Popular in floriculture species, as it unites in its family a large number of colors and shades during flowering, as well as varieties of excellent height. The growth of low plants is about 20 centimeters, medium - up to 70 centimeters, high - more than 120 centimeters. The average inflorescence is about 10 centimeters in diameter.
Arctotis short-stemmed (Arctotis breviscapa)
A short perennial South African species, known in culture since the first half of the nineteenth century. Features - shoots and leaf plates with a white pubescent surface, single orange-colored inflorescences.
Arctotis stemless (Arctotis acaulis = Arctotis scapigera)
A perennial species, consisting of a powerful root system, long leaves (up to 20 centimeters in length) with a pubescent underside, inflorescences - baskets of purple and red shades about 5 centimeters in diameter.
