Dorotheanthus (Dorotheanthus) is a perennial succulent plant from the Aizaceae family. It is often grown outdoors as an annual plant. At home, a succulent can live for many years. There are about 20 species in the genus.
The homeland of the dorotheanthus is the countries of South Africa, where a dry, hot climate prevails all year round. The plant is suitable for cultivation in mid-latitude regions. Lack of rain, warm and sunny weather are the main living conditions for perennials. In colder climates, the risk of crop death increases.
Dorotheanthus is translated from Latin as "Dorothea's flower". The name Dorothea belonged to the mother of the famous scientist G. Schwantes, who discovered the color. The more common name among the people is "crystal chamomile". The leaves and shoots of the flower are covered with small glandular hairs. Under the sun's rays, the scalp radiates a bright crystal light.
In the address of the dorotheanthus, you can also hear the "midday", which characterizes the ability of a perennial to open inflorescences only at noon, when the sun is at the top of the horizon. After dinner, the cups begin to roll up slowly. If the bushes lack light, such as in cloudy weather, the buds are likely to remain closed from the stems.
Description of dorotheanthus
The root system, immersed in the ground by 20-25 cm, is of a fibrous type. The bushes grow 5-30 cm long, depending on the variety. Stems of a fleshy structure spread along the ground and bear dark green foliage. Leaves often shimmer with an emerald hue. The shoots are located closely together, due to which a dense green carpet is formed. Sessile oval leaves stick out on woven stems. The thickness of the leaf blades varies between 20-30 mm. Foliage tends to heat up moisture, so after rain the plates may become thicker than usual.
The inflorescences resemble daisies or chamomile. The color of the petals is varied. There are yellow, white and red flowers. When buying a bag of seeds, you cannot be sure that the bushes will only grow in one color. There are over 12 shades of culture. The bud holds its shape for two days, then it fades, giving way to the next. The widest buds have a diameter of about 5 cm. Depending on the climate and variety, the flowering time of the perennial is different. Most dorotheanthus species bloom in mid-summer. In October-November, the bushes lose their buds. Do not expect abundant flowering if rainy and cool summers are predicted.
Growing dorotheanthus from seeds
In place of wilted dorotheanthus buds, seed pods with translucent walls ripen. Small rounded achenes are stored inside. One gram of seed contains up to 3 thousand seeds, which are able to remain viable for several years. Sowing is carried out by the seedling method, or this stage is skipped, and the seeds are immediately sown in open ground. Consider the features of growing dorotheanthus through seedlings.
Breeding seedlings
A favorable time for sowing dorotheanthus is March or early April. By the time the seedlings are planted on the site, the bushes will already bloom. Rectangular roomy containers are selected. Fill with a loose substrate, for example, a mixture of peat and sand. Light soil provides better air and water permeability.
The substrate is leveled and the seeds are spread on top. They do not need to be buried deeply. Crops are sprayed with water and covered with polyethylene or glass. The film is left until the seedlings appear above the surface. Under favorable conditions, plump bluish-green sprouts, as a rule, appear after 10 days. On the surface of the succulent leaves, tiny glands sparkling under the sun's rays appear.
For the first few weeks, the seed boxes are kept indoors. Then they gradually begin to quench and transfer the containers to a room where the air temperature is not higher than 18 degrees. Then it is lowered to 10 degrees. After 3 weeks, a picking of the seedlings is organized in separate pots, where the peat soil mixture is poured. Hardened dorotheanthus seedlings will survive the transplant less painfully and adapt more quickly to the new environment.
Grown plants are watered carefully. Even a small amount of water on the leaves can cause burns. At the end of May, the seedlings are transported to the site along with peat pots. The roots are not removed from the container. The distance between the bushes should be at least 20 cm.
Sowing seeds in open ground
Often, gardeners, in order to save time, sow dorotheanthus seeds directly on the garden bed. Events are carried out only after the spring warmth warms up the soil, namely in April or early May. In this case, flowering of bushes is observed much later than in specimens grown from seedlings.
For a flower, an illuminated area is chosen where a loose and light substrate lies. Sand is added to optimize the soil structure. Doroteanthus develops stably on light sandy or loamy soil. The level of fertility does not seriously affect the growth of the perennial.
Since the succulent has very small seeds, they are mixed with sand before sowing. The resulting mixture is deepened by 10-20 mm. A distance of 15-20 cm is left between the rows so that the overgrown stems have enough free space.
When green shoots appear above the ground, the site is weeded, removing weeds. Even minor weeds will interfere with the development of the bushes. At the same time, they are thinning seedlings. It is important that the distance from one plant to another is at least 3 cm. After a while, the procedure is repeated, increasing the distance to 8 cm. When the bushes gain enough strength, the succulents are transplanted to a new place where they will live permanently. The final interval between adult and mature bushes is kept within 15-20 cm.
Growing dorotheanthus in the garden
Temperature
The plant prefers warm, sunny weather. In the event of a cold snap, when the thermometer drops below zero, underground organs, like the stems, risk dying. It is more advisable to adhere to the optimum temperature when growing dorotheanthus - from 15 to 25 degrees.
Watering mode
Moisten the substrate as needed. It is advisable to water the plant in the morning, but bypassing the hours of the sun, so that the flower does not overheat. In the evening, when the soil absorbs moisture worse, watering is also not recommended.Otherwise, liquid may stagnate in the roots. If the stems are very drooping due to the heat, you should still wait until morning and only then water the bush. Seedlings that have recently been planted in the ground are systematically watered.
Top dressing
Dorotheanthus requires little attention. Top dressing is rarely arranged. This is due to the fact that the wild plant is native to Africa, and there, as many know, drought is considered common. Therefore, the root system is forced to independently provide itself with the necessary nutrients.
Growing features
The full development of a plant can be achieved only if the following conditions are met:
- Doroteanthus is placed in a well-lit area, protected from drafts (in an area with a cold climate, it is better to plant a flower in an apartment).
- Watering is carried out in moderation, root decay primarily provokes a prolonged stagnation of liquid (it is important to remember that succulents are resistant to drought).
- The soil is collected from light and permeable components.
- In the event of an approaching frost, the bushes are wrapped in non-woven material.
Tips from gardeners:
- A flower bed with "crystal chamomile" is periodically weeded so that the root system has access to oxygen. Too knocked down the substrate causes rot on the roots.
- For a long and lush bouquet period, the stems need to be pruned in time.
- Dorotheanthus is suitable for home cultivation. Some growers dive seedlings into hanging pots, wicker baskets or flowerpots.
- Insects that live in middle regions do not pose a danger to the flower. The only thing a perennial is at risk of suffering from is to rot from waterlogging or, conversely, dry out on completely dry soil.
- In a new place, the plant is provided with full drainage.
Dorotheanthus care at home
Dorotheanthus is grown either outdoors or in pots at home. In the latter case, the seedlings that were planned to be transferred to the garden, after picking, you can try to grow at home. However, it is necessary to create certain conditions in the room, i.e. as close as possible to the microclimate on the site.
The considered succulent will perfectly fit on the balcony or loggia. The corner where the pot will stand should be well warmed up by the sun. Dorotheanthus grows more actively on balconies that face the south side of the building. In winter, indoor views of the "midday" need artificial lighting. The short daylight hours and the lack of lamps cause problems with home care. A weakened flower is unable to produce buds.
Types and varieties of dorotheanthus with a photo
Dorotheanthus daisy (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis)
Creeping shoots bear narrow, succulent leaves. Against the background of fleshy foliage, multi-colored buds stand out: red, orange, pink or yellow.
The following varieties have gained wide popularity:
- Gelato Dark Pink - has a two-tone color, inside the petals are painted in a white tone, and outside - in raspberry-purple.
- Magic Carpet Meekc - another succulent, which is decorated with multi-colored buds.
- Pastel blend - a well-known variety among gardeners. The shade of the petals is lilac or pale pink, white or yellowish. With proper care, the bushes will certainly thank you with abundant flowering. The lush and bright carpet will impress guests. The named perennial reaches a small height, so the interval between bushes can be reduced to 10 cm.
- Cheerful round dance - the height of adult succulents does not exceed 30 cm. The inflorescences are characterized by a non-standard color. A dark purple spot is clearly visible in the middle, and closer to the base, the shade of the petals becomes more and more saturated.
- Yellow - the owner of bright yellow buds with a red core.
Dorotheanthus oculatus (Dorotheanthus oculatus)
This species is found only occasionally in gardens of middle climatic latitudes. The shoots of the bushes are strongly branched. The length of the leaves is about 4 cm, the width is 1 cm.The central part of the bud is striking. A number of petals are colored in calm nude or red shades.
Dorotheanthus gramineus (Dorotheanthus gramineus)
This type of "midday" consists of branched reddish stems. The plant is undersized. Length no more than 10 cm. Elongated foliage. Sessile leaf blades cover thin stems. The diameter of the opened cup does not exceed 30-35 mm. The lower region of the petals is bright red. The top of the bud looks a shade lighter in comparison with the core. There is a pink or salmon shade.
Breeders have bred such varieties of "crystal chamomile", which, even being in partial shade, do not hide their buds until late in the evening. These are the following cultural modifications:
- Lunette - contains a reddish-brown core and bright yellow petals.
- Lemonade - blooms in contrasting buds, there are orange and lemon bushes.
- Northern Lights - decorated with yellow petals with a greenish tint.
- Apricot pointe shoes - monophonic grade.
- Magic carpet - succulent with pink cups, in the center of which a white stripe is drawn.
Dorotheanthus apetalus (Dorotheanthus apetalus)
Belongs to the undersized representatives of the "midday". The bushes boast a rich deciduous layer. Used in horticulture on rare occasions.
Dorotheanthus in landscape design
Dorotheanthus bushes will perfectly outplay mounds that are unsuitable for other decorative pets. The flower is planted in rock gardens, rocky slides, hanging baskets, Japanese gardens, or sown with seeds on paths and terraces. A green carpet of creeping shoots of "crystal chamomile" will replace the traditional lawn.
The flower is suitable for garden cultivation and for cultivation in flowerpots. It is allowed to lower 3-4 bushes into one container. This perennial looks good not only as an additional element. With its help, it is easy to create an individual flower arrangement. Against the background of many garden plants that fade in July or early August, dorotheanthus has a significant advantage, namely, flowering lasts until the very cold.
Planting a mixture of succulents along curbs, including dorotheanthus, is a good idea. By combining various varieties in place of the dull gray zone, you get a living "garland" of flowers. At noon, the borders will shimmer like a rainbow.
Despite the demand for dorotheanthus, the seeds of "crystal chamomile" are quite difficult to find in ordinary flower shops.
