Asteriscus

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

Asteriscus is a genus of herbaceous plants that should be classified in the family called Astrovaceae. In total, this genus has about fifteen different species. The very name of the plant can be translated as "asterisk", in fact, such a translation is easily explained by the beautiful small-sized bright yellow flowers of the plant, which look extremely attractive against the background of very dense greenery.

Description

Representatives of this genus are not only annuals, but also perennials. The inflorescences of the plant are small in size, and their volume can reach several centimeters, however, there are those species, the diameter of which can even be fifteen centimeters. The flowers are painted in golden yellow tones, which have yellow petals and a yellow center.

The fruit of the plant is an achene, a nut, which will have either a leathery or woody shell. The hairs or bristles, which previously served as an environment for the base of the corolla, become a tuft, which will allow the achenes to spread through the wind. However, in some species, at the end of the achene, several so-called spines can develop, in which the teeth will be turned back. Achenes will be carried by just such spines that are able to cling to either human clothing or animal hair. However, in some species of Compositae, there are no such adaptations responsible for the spread of the plant.

Care

Asteriscus is a cold-resistant and easy-care plant, and also attracts flower lovers with its amazing appearance and long-lasting decorative effect. Asteriscus ideally needs clay-sandy soils, pre-fertilized with humus. It is very important that the plant receives a sufficient amount of sun, as well as a constant flow of water, however, in this case, in no case should the water stagnate. This stagnation of water can cause gray mold disease in the plant. As for dressings, mineral flower mixtures need to be applied from time to time.

It is also important to remember that faded flowers are very unattractive and have an ugly shade of brown, so it is recommended to remove such flowers immediately. You can also periodically pinch the shoots, this procedure will allow the plant to grow as quickly as possible, and will also cause the appearance of new beautiful buds. However, there are also varieties that do not need pinching.

Reproduction takes place both through seeds and through cuttings. Seed propagation is used for the main species, which can be grown as an annual. But for the propagation of varietal plants, cuttings will already be required, in addition, you can purchase new seedlings every year. It is important to remember that outdoors this plant will not be able to survive the winter.

Cuttings are carried out in the summer, the very beginning of summer will be the best solution, because then the plant has the most strength. For this purpose, the apical shoots are used, the length of which will be approximately five to eight centimeters. These shoots should be rooted at a distance of at least twenty centimeters from each other in a nutrient soil that is constantly kept moist. In winter, plants should be watered less abundantly. The apical cuttings should be rooted in the soil at a temperature of about twenty degrees, in which case new roots will appear after a week. And after two weeks, these cuttings will acquire an already quite powerful formed root system. After ten weeks, such seedlings will already bloom.

The plant is incredibly beautiful, with its help you can create amazing compositions or use it solo.