Venidium is a South African herb with showy flowers. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. Typically, in temperate latitudes, Venidium is grown as an annual, although in warm southern regions, some species of this flower can be grown as perennials.
Venidium inflorescences combine the usual shape of sunflower or chamomile flowers with an unusual variegated color. This is why it is also known as "African chamomile". The size of the inflorescences can reach 14 cm. The long petals of Venidium can combine several contrasting shades and look quite impressive against the background of large saturated green leaf plates, lobed or dissected. They are located along the entire length of the stem. The root system of the flower does not lie too deep.
The genus Venidium includes about two dozen species, but only a few of them are found in mid-latitude gardens. Moreover, according to another classification, this plant belongs to the genus Arktotis as one of its groups.
Growing Venidium from seeds
Venidium is grown from seed, using the seedling method, or immediately sowing them in open ground. In this case, the garden bed must be chosen in the fall. The place of the future flower bed is carefully dug up and sand and compost are added to the ground. In the spring, small holes are made on the garden bed, seeds are placed in them and lightly sprinkled with earth. You can start sowing in the second half of April.
For growing Venidium, a very bright place with fertile soil, in which water does not stagnate, is suitable. It is not recommended to thicken the plantings so that the growing bushes do not interfere with each other. Thanks to the large enough size, the seeds can be spread immediately at the desired distance. Weak seedlings are recommended to be removed. When jigging part of the seedlings to another place, it is necessary to move them together with a clod of earth.
Seedling Venidium
The seedling method of growing Venidium is also not particularly difficult. The seeds are sown in a container with nutrient soil around the beginning of March, deepening them by 0.5 cm.In order not to blur the grooves, they are carefully sprayed, covered with foil and placed in a bright and warm place. As is the case with any seedlings, such a greenhouse must be periodically ventilated and monitored for soil moisture.
Usually, the first shoots appear within 10 days. As soon as the seedlings get stronger, the film should be removed. Such seedlings are moved into open ground only after all frosts have passed. When planting, a distance of 30 cm is maintained between the plants. Until the flowers take root, they should be watered more carefully and protected from direct sun.
Planting and caring for Venidium outdoors
Watering mode
Venidium is one of the drought-resistant plants, so it can get by with moisture from precipitation.But in a dry and hot summer, it is recommended to water it about once a week or two, using well-settled warm water for this. After watering, the soil in the flower bed can be loosened and all weeds can be pulled out.
Soil selection
Venidium prefers nutritious, but rather loose soils, therefore it is recommended to apply fertilizers and sand to the soil. If the soil in the area is acidic, you need to lower the pH level with liming.
Fertilizers
Venidium is not often fed, only 2 times per summer, using mineral formulations. The first feeding is carried out before flowering, and the second - during the budding period. You can also use organic methods for this, for example, adding straw, bird droppings, shells or bone meal to the ground.
Transfer
As a rule, adult plants growing in the ground are not moved during the season. If a transplant is required for seedlings, young plants are carefully transferred to the prepared hole along with a soil ball. At the bottom of the hole, it is advised to lay out a small drainage layer.
The transplanted plants are covered with soil, compacted a little and watered. After planting, you can additionally mulch the flower bed with needles or sawdust.
Bloom
Venidium bloom begins in June, and continues until early or mid-autumn, more precise dates depend on the selected variety. Its large inflorescences can have a fairly wide palette of colors, including red, white, pink and orange shades with purple or yellow spots or stripes at the base of the petals. After the baskets have faded, seeds are formed on them, which can be used to propagate plants next year.
Like a sunflower, the Venidium turns its baskets in the direction of the sun. In cloudy weather and in the evening, the flowers close. An exception can be made only by some modern varieties.
Trimming and supporting
Tall Venidium bushes can fall apart and need support. It will help them maintain stability during strong winds and precipitation, which can break or nail long peduncles to the ground. Periodically pinching the tops will help form a more lush bush.
Pruning plantings should be for sanitary and aesthetic purposes, as well as to prevent self-seeding. Timely removal of wilting flowers will prolong the flowering period and make it more abundant. With the wilting of the baskets, the stem is cut almost to ground level, in its place, two new buds are formed at once.
Preparing for winter
Outdoors, Venidium can only hibernate in southern countries. Gardeners of more northern latitudes use the plant as an annual, because no shelter will save it from frost. In the spring, its seeds are sown again in soil or container.
Reproduction methods of Venidium
For reproduction of Venidium, seeds purchased in the store or collected from their own plantings are used. They are sown in the ground in the spring, or they are first sown for seedlings, later moving ready-made seedlings to the beds. The seedling method is chosen if it is necessary to accurately obtain seeds from the bushes - the venidiums sown in the soil will bloom later and their fruits may not have time to ripen before frost. It takes about a month to ripen the seeds.
Despite the fact that plants can self-sow, even ripe seeds, falling into the ground, may not overwinter. Because of this, in order to be sure to get new plants next year, it is recommended to collect and sow seeds in the spring.
Diseases and pests
The main pest of Venidium is aphids. Settling on the bushes, it leads to their wilting and the complete death of the bush. To combat insects, use the drug "Actellik", treating the bushes according to the instructions.
From excessively damp soil and high humidity, powdery mildew or rust can develop on the bushes. In this case, it is required to treat the plants with the Bordeaux mixture, as well as correct the irrigation regime.Heavily affected bushes are recommended to be removed from the common garden bed so as not to infect the rest of the plantings, as well as to carry out their preventive treatment.
Venidium in landscape design
Although the cultivation of Venidium has some difficulties, but taking care of the plants pays off with their spectacular appearance. Elegant exotic daisies will help draw attention to the flower beds. They will look good both in single plantings and in groups with other colors. Such bushes can look no less bright and interesting not only in ordinary flower beds, but also on alpine hills.
Dwarf varieties of Venidium are suitable for growing in pots and containers. With the help of perennial varieties, you can decorate a winter garden if it is equipped with lighting. Flowers are also suitable for cutting - they last about a week in a bouquet.
Types and varieties of Venidium with a photo
Lush venidium
He is Arctotis lush. It is considered the most common subspecies. Even in nature, it exists as an annual. It forms a bush up to 70 cm tall and has large chamomile-like inflorescences. During the season, it manages to form a beautiful bush with a lot of foliage and flowers. The flowering period lasts all summer, inflorescences replace each other, while seeds are tied in place of withering flowers.
Prince zulu
Lush Venidium variety. Forms sprawling bushes up to 70 cm high. Shoots are covered with small, dark green foliage. The petals are white, but there are purple stripes at the base. The central part of the flower is brown. The foliage and stem of the plant are slightly pubescent. Flowering lasts all summer.
Amaretto
Forms higher (up to 80 cm) bushes. The foliage is rich green, covered with coarse hairs. The inflorescences are quite large and, thanks to the orange petals, resemble sunflower baskets. There is a purple stripe on the petals at the base. The core is dark brown. This species also blooms from June to autumn.
Orange
Hybrid variety up to 70 cm high. Forms sprawling bushes with pubescent green foliage. Peduncles are high, the size of the inflorescences is large. Orange petals have a darker base and frame a dark core. Flowering is longer and can last until October.
White
More miniature type with bushes up to 60 cm tall. The foliage is pubescent, the size of the inflorescences is medium. The petals are white, with orange and purple blotches at the very base. The core is deep brown, almost black. May bloom until October.
