The plant sitnik or junkus (Juncus) belongs to the family of sitnikovykh (Juncaceae), and the name translated from Latin means "weave". The unusual stems of the culture were often used by people who found practical uses for them. The following items were made from them: baskets, mats, shoes.
The unusual appearance of the sitnik or junkus cannot leave the observer indifferent. The plant has stems in the form of twisted spirals and thin shoots that resemble long twigs. Until some time, information about the plant was absent in encyclopedias, but the flower deserves special attention.
Description of sitnik (junkus)
For growing at home, a large number of plants can be used today, many of which are often used when creating landscape design. Most of them belong to the category of annuals or abundantly flowering shrubs. Among them, it is rather difficult to find decorative deciduous plants, and exotic and original specimens are even less common.
The rump is distinguished by its unusual appearance, which immediately distinguishes it from the background of other plants. In ordinary life, the flower is often called junkus or junkus, and in stores you can find the inscriptions Juncus or Juncaceae.
In natural conditions, junkus can be found near water bodies, and in garden plots, the flower is often used in wet flower beds or to decorate water bodies. The unusual appearance of the rump often attracts the attention of designers and florists.
The perennial dzhunkus belongs to the group of short-rhizomes and has the ability to bloom. In the area of the bases there are sheaths in the form of small brownish scales. Small inflorescences look spectacular, attractive and unusual. They can take on light brown and off-white hues. Crowded branches stand out for their asymmetry. The bract looks like a continuation of the shoot, and the inflorescences lean away from it.
The rump plant is not frost-resistant and grows well in conditions of high humidity. For growing a house, one variety of rump is most often used, but its appearance becomes a matter of special pride for the owner. The rump plant has spectacular twisted stems without leaves, and when grown at home, the flower can reach a height of 40-50 cm.
Caring for junkus or rump at home
Juncus belongs to the category of unusual plants, the appearance of which is unusual for most flower growers. It will be quite difficult for beginners to grow a sitnik at home, so before purchasing it is important to familiarize yourself with the main recommendations of specialists.
For normal growth and development, the rump needs to provide a large amount of moisture.He will need to create literally "swamp" conditions comparable to the organization of a paludarium. Caring for a sitnik or junkus requires adherence to special rules that cannot be called standard and usual.
Lighting
Juncus is very sensitive to the sufficiency of light supply, so it is important for the plant to choose the right place. Different varieties may differ in terms of resource requirements, therefore, when buying, it is better to clarify information about a specific variety from the seller. Some varieties are specially trained to grow in partial shade, so excess light can adversely affect plant growth. The purpose of such breeding works is the desire to simplify the process of caring for a flower and expand the possible areas of its application.
A significant part of the rump varieties are demanding on the sufficiency of illumination. Crops need to provide scattered rays, so protection from the bright and scorching sun needs to be provided. Light-loving specimens will feel great on the south side, so they can be placed in places with good lighting.
Insufficient lighting negatively affects the growth of the rump, therefore, with a lack of sun, it is important to provide the plant with additional lighting. A culture can grow even without natural light, but in such a situation, it is important to create high-quality artificial lighting. In this case, it is permissible to choose the west and east sides, placing the flower at a distance from the window.
Temperature
The rump belongs to the category of heat-loving plants, therefore, even when growing a flower at home, you will need to take care of maintaining the temperature regime. Indoor conditions are considered optimal for a plant, under which indicators of 24 degrees or more are provided on the thermometer.
Juncus will feel good at 18 degrees, but when the values drop below 15 degrees, the first signs of plant health problems will begin to appear. In connection with this feature, it is required to provide the culture with comfortable conditions and a comfortable temperature even in winter.
A sharp drop in temperature will cause the flower to enter a dormant state. With the onset of such a reaction, the flower will stop growing and the stems will begin to dry out, and the phase of active awakening will occur only with the onset of the spring season.
If the age of the rump is significant, then it is recommended for him to arrange a period of rest, but such a time period should be short. The actions consist in the fact that 14 days before the onset of the first month of spring, the temperature is lowered to 16-18 degrees. If the plant is recently acquired and the flower is considered young, then it is not required to provide it "hibernation".
Temperature extremes and drafts always have a negative effect on the rump, therefore, such situations should be excluded when growing a plant. It is important to control the absence of strong cooling of the soil in the flowerpot, as it can lead to the death of the flower. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is recommended to use a special pot holder.
In the warm season, the sitnik can be transferred to the glazed loggia, and when the summer season comes, you can consider placing it on the terrace or in the garden. It is important to choose a well-protected area that is free from drafts and gusts of wind.
Watering mode
The rump belongs to plants that are demanding to care for, which also applies to the rules of watering. Water treatments should be regular and provide good moisture to the plant. It is recommended to adhere to the classic irrigation scheme, carrying out work after a certain period of time.
It is optimal to provide such conditions under which the water level in the flower pot is kept approximately at the same level.At the bottom of the pot, a drainage layer must first be placed, and the liquid should always be present just above its line. Some growers prefer double containers and tall trays for growing. In such a situation, it is necessary to control the situation, preventing the level from dropping below 8-10 cm.
The rump is ideal for hydroponic cultivation. To simplify the process of flower care, an automatic watering system can be used, which allows you to delay the moisture of the flower soil and reduce the frequency of procedures.
It is important to keep liquid in the pots at all times to avoid drying out of the soil. Deficiency of moisture in the substrate is fraught with a high risk of plant death, and if the soil is allowed to completely dry out, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to reanimate the specimen. In connection with this feature, it is better to add water to the sump in a timely manner and moisten the soil.
For watering junkus, it is important to use settled soft water. It is considered optimal to use a warm liquid, the indicators of which are comparable to room temperature. Cold water has a negative effect on the condition of the root system and can lead to the formation of rot. Hot can cause burns, since the flower is quite sensitive to the temperature regime of watering.
Air humidity
Junkus needs a high moisture content for good growth. Particular attention should be paid to the plant in situations where the indicators drop to 50%, since this level is considered critical. This is often observed when radiators and other heating devices are in operation. In this case, it is required to resort to more frequent spraying of the plant and increase watering.
The regularity of water procedures and air humidification with the help of the device will make the plant feel comfortable. You can increase the level of indicators in the air by using the simplest sprayer with a spray gun. When using the device to humidify plants and air, it is important to observe the following rules:
- do not allow drops to fall on the leaves:
- use the fine spraying mode;
- use warm water for work.
Spraying should be carried out at some distance from the flower, and a kind of fog of small drops should form in the air. In winter, you can resort to hanging wet sheets on batteries or use a special technique designed to maintain the humidity in the room at a set level. You can increase the air humidity by installing a container with water next to it, installing an aquarium in the room or a small decorative fountain.
The rump feels good in a room with high humidity levels, and its presence in the room provides a comfortable atmosphere for living. The plant creates a favorable microclimate, which has a positive effect on human health. Experts say that placing a copy of a house can be equated with the presence of a real fountain.
Pot selection
Paludariums, standard pots or double pots are ideal for growing rushes. When choosing, it is important to take into account that the plant will need to provide conditions close to marsh. Due to this feature, it is recommended to give preference to the hydroponic method, the use of pots with special water tanks.
The root system of the plant is superficial, fibrous. Over time, it forms lateral roots, which are thin filamentous processes. In connection with this feature, it is important to pay attention to the following nuances:
- the pot should not be wide;
- a sufficient tank height is required;
- a cramped flowerpot is not suitable for growing.
The soil
For planting the rump, you can use purchased soil intended for aquatic plants or paludariums.For self-preparation of the substrate, it is recommended to take ordinary garden soil and enrich it with natural elements that can make the composition looser. It is recommended to add the following components:
- moss;
- bog peat;
- perlite;
- sand;
- pebbles.
Fertilizers
It is required to provide Juncus with additional fertilizing during the period of intensive growth. The spring and summer seasons are considered such a time for the rump. It is enough to apply fertilizer 2 times within one month, using compositions for decorative deciduous species or universal options for work.
During the dormant period, it is not required to apply fertilizers to enrich the soil. If the rump in winter has not gone into hibernation and continues to grow actively, then you need to follow the general recommendations and feed the plant twice a month. In the cold season, the feeding rate should be reduced, making up ½ part of the recommended dose. The rules for the use of fertilizers are always indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, therefore, you should always follow the points of the instructions and do not neglect the safety requirements.
Transfer
If work is planned to transplant the rump, then the new pot in diameter should be, on average, 5 cm larger than the previous one. The correct choice of soil plays an important role for plant health. The substrate must meet the following requirements:
- be loose and airy;
- have high acidity;
- be lightweight;
- good moisture permeability.
It is advisable to carry out work on the transplant of junkus in a situation where the container has become small for a flower and a larger volume of container is required. Significant thinning of shoots in winter or drying out in summer may indicate the onset of such a pore.
The root system of the plant is characterized by the ability to grow rapidly, and in conditions of constant humidity and dying off of the roots, there is a high risk of rot and soil acidification. Experts recommend resorting to transplanting a flower once a year, and soil renewal never harms the rump. It is permissible to remove the entire lump of earth, which will allow inspection and control of the condition of the root system.
After transplanting, the plant recovers quite quickly, so you should not be afraid of such procedures. It is recommended, if possible, to postpone such work in the spring. It is important to complete the following activities:
- carefully remove the flower from the pot;
- cut off spoiled root processes;
- add a drainage layer to the bottom;
- to grind the surface.
The formation of a fragmented drainage layer will avoid waterlogging of the soil, acidification and decay of the root system. It is optimal to use purchased expanded clay for such purposes. When planting, it is important to check that the plant remains buried at the same level. The use of mulching technology will allow moisture to be better retained in the soil and prevent the problem of rapid drying of the top layer.
Pruning
Sitnik does not need pruning, that the plant needs preventive measures. The following procedures will be required systematically:
- cutting in spiral species of erect stems;
- removal of green shoots from variegated crops;
- elimination of damaged and dry shoots;
- trimming dried ends.
When removing green stems from variegated crops, it is required to completely remove the defective shoot, that is, cut it off at the very base. Timely pruning of dry shoots will preserve the plant's visual appeal.
Diseases and pests
Sitnik or junkus is distinguished by good resistance to pests and diseases. If there are signs of problems or the presence of a harmful insect, you must immediately resort to decisive action. For the fight, fungicides or insecticides are used, with which it is enough to carry out the treatment only 1 time.If rot is found, work is required to transplant a flower.
Problems with growing junkus
Failure to comply with the temperature regime and too low indicators in the room leads to drying out of the shoots and the death of the stems of the junkus. The appearance of such signs in winter is considered the norm, since the plant can prepare for dormancy. In the summertime, such a signal cannot be missed, as it speaks of the appearance of rot and problems with the horse system. The fading of the stems indicates a lack of illumination.
Breeding methods for rump or junkus
For home cultivation, only varieties of rump are suitable that are capable of vegetative propagation. Such crops can be divided into several parts, after which each of the bushes is planted in a separate container. For the plant to survive, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently powerful bunch, in which at least 10 strong stems must be present.
To get involved in an adventure with the cultivation of rump can be those who have a significant resource of time and are ready to spend efforts to create the required conditions. Experts recommend thinking well and evaluating your own capabilities, and only after that make a decision on the advisability of buying a plant.
The main types of rump (junkus)
In stores today, you can find a plant called a spreading or spiral rush. Often the inscription is accompanied by the specification Juncus effusus "Spiralis". The plant belongs to cereals, and the shoots have an unusual shape. They form a dense and spreading turf of long twigs. Thin spirals without leaves are sometimes distinguished by such bizarre curls that many buyers suspect that they were artificially twisted by hand.
For growing at home, the "Blonde Ambition" variety is suitable, as well as "Spiralis" with spiral stems. A distinctive feature is the amazing golden-straw shade of the shoots, and the curls are slightly larger.
If desired, you can find upright varieties of rump, which also differ in an unusual and spectacular appearance. Popular varieties include:
- Aureostriat - the variety has a variegated color, and a combination of yellow and green areas is observed along the entire length of the shoots;
- Pencil Grass (Pencil grass) - thick and straight stems outwardly resemble a bundle of brushwood or tall grass, the height of the green crown can reach 50 cm;
- Golden Line - shoots are painted in a bright golden color, straight and almost perfectly even stems, which sometimes creates the effect of an artificial plant.
The rump varieties are optimal for interior decoration and use for design purposes, which is largely due to the extravagance and unusual appearance of the plant. A flower can be an excellent substitute for a sculptural composition or a large-sized decorative element, allowing you to experiment and implement bold solutions. Juncus or sitnik is suitable for growing on the territory of the following objects:
- Living spaces;
- personal plots;
- bathrooms;
- greenhouses.
Sitnik is optimal for use as a separator, therefore it is often used in interiors to highlight zones and boundaries of territories. The exquisite and unique curves of the shoots create bizarre shapes, and with the help of a plant, you can create the effect of a larger room area.
