Argemon

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Argemon (lat. Argemone) - flowering culture; a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants of the Poppy family (lat. Papaveraceae). The genus includes four rare, but very graceful species, which European gardeners learned about in the second half of the 19th century. Representatives of the genus are quite spectacular plants, worthy of the attention of gardeners and florists. In culture, they are used as annuals.

Characteristics of culture

Argemon is represented by annual and perennial plants up to 50 cm in height with thin stems bearing notched-toothed, green or silvery-glaucous leaves with whitish veins, dissected almost to the middle, and large, solitary, incredibly beautiful, snow-white, white or light yellow flowers that reach 5-10 cm in diameter. Outwardly, the flowers are very similar to poppy flowers.

The flowers form at the tips of the stems, they boast a magical and sweet scent that flutters over long distances and attracts bees and other insects. A distinctive feature of the plant is the presence of thorns on the calyx of the flower, foliage and fruits, presented in the form of polyspermous bolls that crack when ripe. Argemona blooms in the third decade of June - the second decade of July.

Argemona species

One of the most common types of argemon is considered to be the large-flowered argemon (lat. Argemone grandiflora). This species is represented by plants not exceeding 50 cm in height and equipped with beautiful snow-white flowers up to 8-10 cm in diameter. Flowers are single, but located close to each other in several pieces. The phenomenon is very effective. Flowering in the middle of summer.

Another attractive species is the Mexican Argemone (lat. Argemone mexicana). It is represented by low-growing plants up to 40-45 cm in height with green foliage covered with an inconspicuous bluish bloom and powerful spines on the veins (albeit only on the back side), as well as medium-sized light yellow or yellow flowers with an orange undertone. The species blooms in the third decade of July.

One of the most "dangerous" species is the wide argemon (lat. Argemone platyceras). It is represented by low, highly branched plants up to 45 cm in height, over which large white flowers flaunt, reaching a diameter of 10-12 cm. This species has forms with pinkish-lilac flowers. The basic look and shape is very prickly. Flowering occurs in the third decade of June. It is appreciated for its abundant flowering and original aroma.

Features of growing and care

Argemon, like most members of the Poppy family, is warm and photophilous. It is preferable to grow it in sunny areas with nutritious, well-moistened, drained, neutral, loose soils. The culture does not tolerate too heavy, saline, strongly acidic and waterlogged soils.

Argemon can adapt to poor soils only with regular application of mineral fertilizers, then the plants will delight with rapid growth and abundant flowering. Argemon responds positively to feeding, on moderately fertile soils, one feeding with mineral fertilizers per season is enough, on poor soils - 2-3.

Argemon belongs to moisture-loving creatures, but it does not tolerate an excess of moisture. Water it regularly and in moderation. In general, the culture is relatively drought-resistant. Argemona, like all annuals, are propagated by seeds. Sowing is carried out in open ground in late April - early May. The seeding depth is 1-1, 2 cm. With the emergence of seedlings, thinning is carried out, leaving a distance of 25-30 cm between the plants.

Growing seedlings is not prohibited, specimens obtained in this way bloom faster. In this case, the seeds are sown in 2-3 pieces in small pots, covered with a film, which is removed with the emergence of shoots. Seedlings are transplanted into open ground in mid - late May. For seedlings, it is recommended to use peat pots, since the culture has a negative attitude towards transplanting.