The saxifraga (Saxifraga) is a herbaceous plant and originates from the saxifrage family, which includes about 400 perennial and annual species. Moreover, perennials prevail in this botanical list much more. The severe frosty climate is the main habitat of the wild saxifrage. Often the flower is found in the subarctic alpine zones, in the west of the Himalayan mountains or in the eastern part of Greenland. Here he settles on stony soil, in a canyon of rocks or grows in meadows located in low-lying areas.
The root system is poorly developed, since the characteristics of the soil, which is characteristic of mountainous regions, do not allow the main root to go deeply. The underground processes are a network of shortened fibrous roots. The leaves sit close to the soil surface and gather in solid root rosettes. This arrangement of leaf blades is typical for almost all types of saxifrage. Arrows of peduncles are straight and one by one. Peduncles protrude in the middle of the rosettes and bear racemose inflorescences at the tops. Each inflorescence has several flowers, consisting of five symmetrical petals. Flowering lasts about 3-4 weeks from the moment the cups open.
Other external signs of saxifrage differ significantly and are determined by belonging to a specific species. The height of the bush can reach up to 1 m, but there are also dwarf varieties, in which the ground part does not exceed 2 cm.There are species with petiolate and long-petiolized foliage. The ends of the plates are serrated or, conversely, smooth to the touch. The color of the inflorescences is presented in different shades. There are varieties with small and unattractive flowers, but there are also perennials with large and expressive cups, painted in bright saturated colors. The shape of the petals is round or narrow lanceolate.
Saxifrage at home
Location and lighting
The saxifrage grows equally well in partial shade and under the sun. However, in the latter case, we are talking about diffused daylight. Direct rays hitting foliage makes them lethargic and pale. Indoor species of saxifrage are advised to be kept next to windows facing west or east. Placement in the northern part of the building is allowed, however variegated varieties in such conditions will quickly lose their bright colors.
Temperature
During the period of intensive development of the ground parts, flower pots are kept at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. If the room is too hot, the plant is taken out into fresh air, for example, in the garden or on the balcony. When the owners are unable to recreate such conditions, the room must be constantly ventilated.
In winter, the saxifrage goes into a dormant state, so the flowerpots are moved to a room where the air temperature does not exceed 15 ° C.
Watering
Watering is not stopped throughout the year. The soil is moistened as the top layer of the soil in the pot dries up. When the air temperature outside the window decreases, the amount of water is added less than usual, since the process of moisture evaporation slows down. Stagnant water in the substrate is the cause of many root diseases and promotes the development of rot.
For irrigation, water is specially defended at room temperature or filtered liquid is used.
Air humidity
The saxifrage calmly refers to dry air, which is characteristic of enclosed spaces, but on condition that a cool winter is provided to the flower for the winter. If you leave the flowerpot warm, it is best to keep it away from heating appliances. The foliage is systematically sprayed with soft and warm water. In summer, when the weather is hot and dry for a long time, spraying is recommended to be done regularly.
The soil
The soil for planting is selected breathable and with a neutral environment. The amount of nutrients in the composition does not really matter. The saxifrage cotyledon is grown exclusively in acidic soil. It is not difficult to collect the earthen mixture yourself. It is necessary to take leafy soil and clayey sod. The proportion of these components is approximately 1: 2. Coarse sand and a little expanded clay are added to the mixture. If there is no expanded clay at hand, gravel is added.
The flower is planted in compact containers with wide edges. It is allowed to place several outlets in one pot at once, because the roots are small and do not grow much. Be sure to pay attention to the drainage layer. With its help, it is possible to reduce the risk of water stagnation in the ground.
What fertilizers to apply
The plant does not tolerate an excessive amount of fertilizer. Feeding sessions are arranged only once during the season. As nutritional compositions, take the usual universal dressings intended for indoor flowers. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied as little as possible, since nitrogen causes rapid foliage growth, but stops the flowering of the crop.
Transfer
The bush is transferred to a new container if the root system no longer fits in the pot.
Reproduction of saxifrage
The saxifrage is propagated by sowing seeds or using daughter rosettes. It is allowed to plant outlets directly in the pot without prior germination.
Diseases and pests
Thrips, mealybugs and spider mites can hide on the leaves of the saxifrage. Infected specimens are treated with insecticidal solutions, for example, phytoverm or actellik.
Improper care often results in problems with the growth and development of perennials. This is primarily about rot. The disease is caused in some cases by cold air and high humidity in the room or overflow of the substrate. The root system decays over time, but the surviving stem can be re-rooted. First of all, the stem is cleaned of putrefactive particles and treated with a fungicide.
Types of saxifrage with photos
Most saxifrage species are successfully grown in rockeries. The flower creates wonderful compositions in the alpine slides. Breeders have developed undersized varieties specifically for indoor floriculture. Let's consider their characteristics in more detail.
Wicker saxifraga (Saxifraga stolonifera)
In some sources, instead of wicker saxifrage, it is written shoot-bearing or offspring. The species is very popular and is bred as an ampelous plant. In the wild, the culture is found on the Japanese islands and in China; it belongs to perennials with a dense rosette of leaves.
The leaf blades have long petioles and are slightly pubescent from above. The size of one bush reaches 20-50 cm both in length and in width. The foliage is rounded with a heart-shaped base and garden ends. The diameter of the leaf is 5 to 7 cm.The color on the front side is dark green, pale veins are visible in the center. On the seamy side, the plate is also green, but with a burgundy tint. For peduncles and petioles, the color is identical. In addition to peduncles, the bush has thin shoots. Elongating in different directions, they resemble thin airy "mustaches". At the ends of the cuttings, there are small daughter rosettes. In blooming, the length of stolon shoots can reach about 60-100 cm. Separately, the rosettes are capable of producing their own stolons.
The flowering period starts in May and ends in August. Miniature inflorescences do not look decorative, but contain an unusual calyx, the petals of which are completely devoid of symmetrical outlines. The base of the calyx is represented by three ovoid petals sticking out at the top. The edges of the inflorescences are narrowed. The color of the flowers of this species is bright pink. In addition, burgundy specks are visible on the surface in a chaotic manner. Below there are two more large petals of a white shade. The petals of the upper and lower tiers differ in size.
The described type of saxifrage is subdivided into the following varieties:
- Harvest Moon with pale green or pale yellow leaves;
- Tricolor, which is dominated by variegated leaves, edged with a wide white-pink edge.
Saxifrage cotyledon (Saxifraga cotyledon)
The distribution area of this species covers the territory of the Alpine mountains. The main advantage of the flower is its spectacular bloom. A rosette of leaves resembles a succulent in its structure. The leaves, painted in a green tone, have a thickened frame, ligulate or obovate. There are no petioles under the leaves. The length of the plates varies within 10 cm, and the width does not exceed 2 cm. At the ends, one can see a dense white coating of calcareous origin. Plaque is produced by the leaf itself and at the same time covers its outer side.
The flowering phase is activated at the end of spring, when long lush peduncles begin to appear from the outlets. The arrows of the peduncles branch out at the crown and bear cyst-like pyramids with many small stellate flowers. As a rule, the size of the bunch is several times larger than the leaf rosette. The length of the flower cluster is about 60 cm, and the width is 40 cm. The color of the inflorescences is white with a pink tint. In modern indoor floriculture, varieties of other colors are also found.
Arends' saxifrage (Saxifraga arendsii)
It belongs to hybrid species and has a large number of varied varietal modifications. The leaves are dissected along the edges and are devoid of petioles. The surface is glossy. Leaves are collected in groups in small diameter rosettes. The perennial grows gradually in the wild and forms solid thickets that look like moss. Because of what the plant got its second name, namely - "mossy saxifrage". Small-flowered inflorescences consist of large symmetrical cups. The wide petals are colored in various shades. There are white, pink, red and purple tones. Belonging to a particular variety affects the color of the flowers.
The plant prefers to grow in harsh climatic conditions, but, nevertheless, quickly adapts to life in apartment conditions. The advice of experienced florists and adherence to the rules of care will help to achieve success in cultivation.
