Knapweed

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Video: Knapweed

Video: Knapweed
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Knapweed
Knapweed
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Cornflower (lat. Centaurea) - flower culture; an annual or perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, or Asteraceae. Under natural conditions, cornflower grows in Africa, Eurasia, South and North America. Currently, there are about 500 species, of which 180 species are found on the territory of Russia. Popularly, the plant is often called the blue flower, hair, boby, commotion and blavat.

Common types and their characteristics

* American cornflower (lat. Centaurea americana) - the species is represented by annual plants with a strongly branching stem 100-200 cm high. The leaves are alternate, pointed, glabrous or pubescent, linear or lanceolate. The inflorescence is a basket, up to 4-6 cm in diameter, can be pale lilac or light pink in color. Flowering begins in late June - early July.

* Blue cornflower (lat. Centaurea cyanus) - the species is represented by annual or biennial plants with erect, strongly branching stems 25-70 cm high. Leaves are grayish-green, lanceolate, arranged alternately. The inflorescence is a basket, it can be simple or terry. Extreme flowers are funnel-shaped, blue, blue, pink, red, white or purple in color. Tubular flowers are bluish or reddish purple. The fruit is achene, has a hairy crest.

* Mountain cornflower (lat. Centaurea montana) - the species is represented by plants up to 80 cm high. Creeping rhizome, located horizontally. The stem is erect, branched at the top or glabrous. The leaves are pubescent, with a pointed tip, arranged alternately. The upper leaves are sessile, the lower ones have a short petiole. The inflorescence is a basket, in diameter reaches 6-8 cm. The wrapper is in the form of a hemisphere, consists of several rows of narrow triangular leaves. The marginal flowers are funnel-shaped, blue, white, blue, purple or pink.

Growing conditions

Cornflower is a photophilous plant that grows well in open sunny areas, protected from cold wind currents. The culture has a negative attitude towards shading, and does not tolerate thickening. Cornflowers are not demanding for soil conditions, but they develop better on moderately moist, fertile soils, rich in humus, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH reaction.

Reproduction and planting

Annual cornflowers are propagated by seeds, and perennials are propagated by seeds and dividing the bush. Sowing seeds is carried out in open ground in early spring or autumn under a shelter in the form of humus, sawdust or peat. Cornflowers are often grown through seedlings, in which case the seeds are sown in peat pots, which are planted in the ground in May.

Perennial cornflowers are transplanted in August. A healthy mother bush is dug up and the ground shoots are cut at a height of 10 cm from the root. The roots are washed, cut into three parts with a knife, but so that there are several daughter buds on each division, and planted in the ground. Before planting, the soil is carefully dug up and fertilized with compost.

Care

Cornflower is an unpretentious plant, does not need special care. Requires moderate and regular watering, excess moisture should not be allowed. Some varieties are able to survive a prolonged drought without any problems, since they have a well-developed root system.

Weeding and loosening of the near-stem zone are systematically carried out, and also faded peduncles are removed to stimulate further flowering. The culture responds well to feeding. Top dressing is carried out once every two weeks, using complex mineral fertilizers, this procedure will provide a longer and more abundant flowering. For the winter, perennial species of cornflowers need shelter.

Application

Cornflower is a flowering plant, often used in the design of rabatki, rock gardens, as well as flower beds in a rustic style. Cornflowers are grown in groups, rarely singly. Tall forms look great in the background of large flower arrangements. Field cornflowers will harmoniously fit into the Moorish lawn. Cornflowers are also used when drawing up bouquets, they look especially impressive in combination with lilies of the valley. Some types of cornflower are used in folk medicine.