Kermek (Limonium), or Statitsa, is a beautiful, original and unusual perennial or annual dwarf shrub from the Pig family. There are more than 350 species of this shrub. Despite the fact that statice is not easy to grow and requires careful maintenance when growing seedlings, it is very popular among gardeners. Due to the variety of colors and variety, statice is an excellent decoration for the garden. But in order to get a strong and healthy plant with a long flowering period, you must follow some rules. This article will tell you more about all the rules for planting and growing statice.
Description of the Kermek plant
Statitsa has several more names: Tatar kermek, immortelle, dried flowers. The leaves grow from a root rosette, long and narrow, most often bright green. Stems are smooth, thin, but strong, can grow up to one meter in length. The flowers are small, have a fairly varied color (yellow, white, pink, purple and many other shades) and gather in panicles. Flowering lasts a long enough time, begins in the first half of July and continues until the very frost.
Growing statice from seeds
Sowing seeds
The seeds have a very dense shell, so before planting, you must carefully file it with sandpaper or an ordinary nail file. Then the seeds need to be placed in wet sawdust for a couple of days. The most suitable time for planting seeds for seedlings is the end of February and the beginning of March. As a soil, you can use peat soil or ready-made soil, which is specially designed for flower seedlings. You need to place no more than one seed in one pot, sprinkle with a small amount of soil on top and gently spray with water so as not to wash the seeds out of the soil. Then you need to cover the seed pots with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect and place them in a warm, well-lit place. In such conditions, the seeds will germinate in two weeks, and possibly even earlier.
Seedling statice
During the period of seed germination, it is necessary to lift the film every day and let it ventilate for fifteen minutes, remove the accumulated condensate. After the shoots appear, you need to water them regularly and after each watering, carefully and with extreme care loosen the soil. If the seeds were not originally planted in separate pots, then they will need a pick at the age of 3-4 leaves. In April, it is necessary to start preparing seedlings for transplanting into open ground. To do this, you should gradually accustom the seedlings to the street, each time increasing the time the seedlings are in the fresh air.
Planting kermek in open ground
The statice does not tolerate shade, therefore, to plant it, you need to choose a well-lit area.As for the soil, it is better to give preference to sandy and loamy soil. Statice can grow in any soil, but this will affect its growth and flowering period. It is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground not earlier than June. At this time, the frost will probably not return. The statice does not tolerate transplanting very well, therefore it is necessary to transplant seedlings together with an earthen lump. To do this, dig holes twice the size of the root system of the seedlings and at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other. Then you need to place seedlings in the holes, sprinkle well with soil and tamp. After planting, it is necessary to water abundantly with salted water.
Caring for statice in the garden
The statice does not need special care and does not require much attention. It is enough to water the plant in time, loosen the soil and fight weeds.
Watering
Watering should be done only in dry summers. To do this, use warm and salted water. Watering should be carried out exclusively at the root and only in the evening.
The soil
After each watering, be sure to loosen the soil around the plant, but do this with extreme caution so as not to damage the root system. Weeds should be removed as needed.
Top dressing and fertilizers
As for the application of fertilizers, the statice needs them only when grown in non-fertile soils. Top dressing begins 2 weeks after planting seedlings in open ground and is carried out every 3 weeks until September. As a top dressing, balanced mineral fertilizers, which are specially designed for flowering garden plants, are perfect.
Statice after flowering
This flower is quite cold-hardy and can survive even in those regions where the winter period is very harsh. Still, the statice needs preparation for wintering. After the flowering period is over, the inflorescences wilt and the leaves turn yellow, it is necessary to carefully cut off the leaves and stems almost at the root, leaving about 5-10 cm.After pruning, it is necessary to cover the area with sawdust, brushwood, dry leaves, straw or hay. Cover the top with a woven covering material. This will help protect the roots from severe frosts in winter and from streams of melt water in spring.
Diseases and pests
Unfortunately, like most garden plants, the statice is attacked by harmful insects and affected by various diseases.
If the rainy season is long or improper watering, then the plant can get sick with botrytis. You can get rid of this disease only with the help of careful treatment with a solution of fungicides. To prevent the infection from returning, it is necessary to follow the rules for watering the statice.
With the appearance of various mold and rot, it is necessary to immediately treat the plant with a solution of products with a high sulfur content.
As for pests, they very rarely attack the plant. If you follow all the rules for growing and caring for the statice, then no diseases and pests will be scary.
Kermek in floristry and interior design
In order to dry the branches with the most beautiful and flowers, it is necessary to cut the stems during the active flowering period right at the root and carefully place and place them in a dry and well-ventilated room. The panicles should be hung down under the stems, this will preserve the shape of the flowers.
The statice will be a great decoration in your home interior, as well as an excellent addition to a variety of bouquets. Thanks to the addition of statice twigs, flower arrangements become more interesting, unusually beautiful and original. Flowers retain their brightness for a long time, sometimes even longer than two years.
Types and varieties of statice
There are many different types and varieties of this plant, the most popular of them will be described below.
Statica Suvorov (Limonium suworowii), or plantain flower (Psylliostachys suworowii) - the stems of this species can grow up to sixty centimeters in length.Stems and leaves are bright green. The flowers are like spikelets, have a bright pink or pale pink color.
Statice Gmelin (Limonium gmelinii) - this species is quite cold-resistant. It can grow in height up to 50 cm. Stems and leaves of a perennial are green. The flowers have an interesting purple tint with a blue tint.
Kermek broadleaf (Limonium latifolium) - a fairly tall perennial, can reach a height of more than 80 cm. The flowers are quite spreading and have a blue-violet or lavender color. The most popular varieties of the species: Violetta, Blue Cloud.
Statice of Perez (Limonium perezii) - stems grow up to 60 cm, sometimes more. The flowers are strong enough and have a lilac-purple hue. Florists often use this type of kermek to create original flower arrangements.
Statice bonduelli (Limonium bonduellii) - this kermek can grow up to 1 m in length. Thin stems, on which large inflorescences of white, cream or yellow color are firmly held. This species has no varieties.
Chinese Kermek (Limonium sinensis) - the youngest species of all bred. Peduncles can reach a height of over 70 cm.The leaves are smooth and have a deep green tint. Flowers of this species have a very interesting color. The flowers themselves are yellow, and the perianths are creamy or white. More popular varieties of this type: Confetti, Elegant.
Kermek notched (Limonium sinuatum) - a perennial of this species is most often grown as an annual. The plant can grow up to 60 cm. The stems are thin, but very strong, the leaves are feathery, elongated and narrow, have a bright green color. Small flowers can be of a fairly diverse shade. For example, white, light blue, blue, or blue-violet. This species is considered the most popular among all known species that are grown in gardens. The best varieties of this type: Crimean statitsa, Mixed Highbrides, Statitsa Supreme, Shamo, Fortress, Compindi, Petit Bouquet series, Epricot, Iceberg, Lavendel, Blue River, Nachtblau, Rozenshimmer, Emeriken Beauty.
Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology for planting, growing and caring for the statice in the open field, a fairly strong, lush and abundantly flowering dwarf shrub will grow, which will delight with its beauty both fresh and dried for a long time. Thanks to the wide variety of species and varieties, you can make an original landscape design, collect interesting flower arrangements and prepare extraordinary elements of your home interior.
