Aquilegia , translated from the Latin "catchment", refers to the family of buttercups. Modest, but elegant flowers find wide application in landscape design, decorating parks, city alleys, country plots. It should be noted that aquilegia is characterized by such a variety of forms that it is sometimes difficult to determine that flowers belong to this species. Recently, the popularity of ornamental plants has grown significantly. This is due to the introduction of new varieties of aquilegia with special decorative qualities, as well as the fact that old varieties are actively used in the so-called "natural style", which is one of the fashion trends in landscape art.
How to grow aquilega from seeds?
Reproduction of aquilegia is carried out by seeds, cuttings or division of a bush. With the most popular method of reproduction - the cultivation of aquilegia from seeds, the crop is produced in autumn or spring. In the autumn, small black seeds are planted in the ground immediately after harvesting. For spring planting, the seed material is harvested from autumn, it is necessary to organize the stratification of the aquilegia seeds (stored at a temperature of 0 ... + 7 degrees), so that they do not lose their germination.
Seeding of aquilegia with seeds in the soil is carried out in April, the first shoots appear in three weeks. But it should be borne in mind that the flowering of plants sown in the open ground, begins only in the third year. In order for flowers to appear early, it is recommended to grow aquilegia from seed seedlings. In March, they plant the aquilegia with seeds in boxes that will be kept in the greenhouse. Plants are planted early in the spring so that until the autumn they are strong, and the next summer blossom.
The optimal composition of the soil: light sifted land, turf and sand. The earth is compacted, watered, the seeding of aquilegia is sown through a fine sieve. Spilled seeds are covered with a thin layer of soil, on top with a layer of newsprint or burlap to protect the top layer of the earth from drying out. For good vegetation, boxes with crops should be kept at a temperature of +16 ... + 19 degrees.
During the period of sprouting, it is necessary to constantly monitor that the soil is moderately moist. Do not overfill, as fungal diseases can develop. After the development of two or three real leaves in the shoots, they are transplanted into other boxes or subjected to diving.
Care of aquilegia
In June, when the weather is warm, the flower seedlings are planted in the open ground with a distance of at least 10 cm between plants. In order for the plant to develop better, it is recommended to create temporary shading. This is especially true when growing terry aquila terry. Closer to autumn, the developed plants are planted in the place of permanent growth, maintaining a distance of 30 cm to form full-fledged flower bushes. Shelter for the winter aquilegia is not required.
For the coming spring, the plant acquires a highly branched