Japanese ophiopogon (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a plant that belongs to the genus Ophiopogon and originates from the lily family. Wild herbaceous perennial lives in China, Japan and Korea. Wet shady areas of land are the favorite location of the flower.
Description of Japanese ophiopogon
In addition to the fibrous root system, the underground part contains rare small bulges in the form of tubers. Leaves in the root zone are collected in rosettes. Some of them look very curvy. The leaves are narrow. The length of smooth and leathery plates reaches 15-35 cm, and the width does not exceed 0.5-1 cm. Closer to the central vein, the leaves are slightly bent at the edges. Outside, the foliage is painted in a dark green tone, and from the inside out, convex veins protrude in the longitudinal direction.
Flowering features
The opening of inflorescences occurs in July and lasts until September inclusive. The flower stalks of a burgundy hue rise above the ground by almost 20 cm. Inflorescences, loose, like spikelets, sit on the peduncles. Each inflorescence is formed from small tubular flowers, colored in a purple tone. The flower cup contains 6 petals. At the end of flowering, hard ball-shaped berry capsules ripen. They stand out with a bright blue color and are full of seeds.
While the flower grows in size, thin young shoots form, which soon grow and cover a large area. This is especially observed in wild species of ophiopogon.
Breeders managed to breed several varieties with different colors and sizes. The most popular of them are:
- Kyoto Dwart - undersized bush up to 10 cm high;
- Compactus is a plant of modest size with a dense, attractive leaf rosette;
- Silver Dragon is a flower with variegated foliage, on the surface of which longitudinal strokes of white are drawn.
Caring for Japanese ophiopogon at home
To get a beautiful and healthy perennial, you need to provide thorough home care for Japanese ophiopogon.
Location and lighting
Lighting for culture doesn't really matter. Foliage and shoots are equally stable in bright sun and shade placement. Vases are allowed to be placed next to a window opening looking to the south or north. Ophiopogon develops without problems even in the center of the room, far from the window. Additional lighting is not installed in winter. In a short daylight hours, the ground part has time to enjoy the light.
Temperature
In summer, the culture is able to grow in any weather. There is no need to comply with a strict temperature regime. When the night frosts recede, the pot is allowed to be transferred to the balcony or left in the garden.
In the winter months, the perennial is dormant. The container with the flower is moved to a cool place where the air temperature does not go beyond 2-10 ° C.A suitable microclimate is typical for a loggia or terrace, where the plant is placed. It is important that the room does not freeze through at night.
Watering
Ophiopogon prefers abundant watering; extended breaks will not benefit the roots. The substrate is kept moist, but not allowed to overflow. Drying of an earthen coma also negatively affects the health of the flower.
In winter, while the plant is kept cool, watering is organized occasionally. A more accurate signal for the next moistening is the drying of the top layer of the soil up to 1-2 cm deep. If the flower is grown in room conditions, watering is no different from the summer regime. For irrigation, use settled soft water.
Humidity level
Perennial responds gratefully to spraying and requires high humidity in enclosed spaces. At least once a day, the leaves are moistened with a spray bottle. To preserve moisture, pebbles or a layer of expanded clay are poured onto the pallet and a little water is added, and a pot is placed on top. Another way to increase the moisture level is to leave a container of water next to the flower.
During the cold winter months, Japanese ophiopogon dispenses with additional spraying, as it gets all the moisture from the air that fills the cool room.
The soil
The land is taken loose and rich in nutrients. The soil mixture is easy to collect on your own, combining sod, leaf and peat soil, coarse sand. The ratio of the components to each other is 1: 2: 1: 1. A handful of bone meal is added to the prepared mixture.
The bottom of the tank is covered with drainage material, for example, expanded clay or small pebbles, which will save the substrate from waterlogging. Ophiopogon can be grown hydroponically using an artificial environment without soil.
Top dressing
Bushes are fed twice a month throughout the year. In spring and early summer, it is recommended to use nitrogen-enriched mineral fertilizers. When autumn comes, nitrogen compounds applied to the soil are replaced with potash fertilizers. In addition to potassium, the plant, during dormancy and early spring, feels the need for phosphorus supplements.
Transfer
Transplant activities are done in March or April. Adult bushes are transplanted into a new flowerpot after 2-3 years.
Breeding methods of Japanese ophiopogon
A reliable way of reproduction of the described decorative perennial is the division of the rhizome, which is timed to the transplantation procedure. The rhizome extracted from the ground is shaken off and carefully divided into parts with a knife. Root lobe and healthy shoots are preserved in the delenki. Sections are processed for disinfection with grated charcoal. A more time-consuming method of breeding Ophiopogon is growing the plant from seed.
Diseases and pests
The plant is resistant to pests and is rarely exposed to diseases. At the same time, improper care becomes the cause of many problems, for example:
- the appearance of dark spots on the leaves;
- the development of rot on the rhizome due to waterlogging of the soil;
- lack of flowering if the plant is disturbed during the dormant period.
Medicinal properties of Japanese ophiopogon
Ophiopogon Japanese has phytoncidal properties that protect the owners from the effects of pathogens floating in the apartment. Therefore, breeding such a culture at home reduces the risk of colds.
