Gypsophila

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

Gypsophila (lat. Gypsophila) - flower culture; annual and perennial plant of the Clove family (Caryophyllaceae). Other names are Kachim, Gipsolyubka, Tumbleweed. In nature, gypsophila is found in southern Europe, along the shores of the Mediterranean and in extratropical Asia, one species grows in Australia. More than 30 wild-growing species are distributed in Russia and neighboring countries. Currently, there are about 150 species. The plant got its name from two Greek words "gypsos" - gypsum, "philos" - friend, which means "friendly with lime", and in fact, gypsophila grows well on calcareous soils.

Characteristics of culture

Gypsophila is a herbaceous or semi-shrub plant with a strongly branched stem, an abundance of basal leaves and semi-umbellate inflorescences or dichasia. Leaves are simple, whole, narrow lanceolate, linear, elongated-oval or spatulate.

The flowers are small, white, pale pink, pink or whitish-green in color. The calyx is five-lobed, membranous, bell-shaped, with petals narrowed to the base, in the middle of each lobe has a green strip. The fruit is a polyspermous unilocular capsule, opening with four valves, it can be spherical or ovoid. Seeds are round, kidney-shaped.

Growing conditions

In general, gypsophila does not need special conditions for growing. The culture develops well both in intensely lit and shaded areas. Soils are desirable moderately moist, loamy or sandy loam, neutral, containing lime.

Good drainage is required for gypsophila, it is necessary for the unhindered penetration of moisture into the soil. It should be remembered that plants grow very quickly, so it is necessary to limit their growth in time, otherwise they can destroy the crops growing in the neighborhood.

Reproduction and planting

Gypsophila is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Sowing seeds is carried out immediately in open ground in early spring or autumn under a shelter in the form of peat or humus. Seeds are rarely sown. Gypsophila shoots appear in about 8-10 days. With the appearance of 1-2 true leaves on the seedlings, the crops are thinned out and planted. The distance between the plants should be 15-20 cm, with the exception of the paniculata gypsophila - the optimum distance is 45-50 cm.

Cutting gypsophila is no less effective and simple way of reproduction. Cuttings are cut in May - June and planted for rooting in plastic boxes or greenhouses. Rooted cuttings are transplanted into open ground and covered with spruce branches or any other covering material for the winter, and planted in a permanent place in the spring.

Terry forms of culture are propagated only by cuttings, since the seed method does not allow young plants to retain all the characteristics of the mother. It should be remembered that adult gypsophiles are extremely negative about the transplant.

Care

Many flower growers appreciate gypsophila for its relative unpretentiousness and, indeed, all plant care comes down to regular watering, weeding and subcrusting. Gypsophila is a relatively winter-hardy culture, but young specimens need shelter for the winter. For this, the soil is mulched with fallen leaves or peat.

Tall forms also require tying, props are installed just before flowering. After flowering, the plants are pruned, this procedure helps to stimulate the formation of new shoots, and therefore new flowers.

Application

Gypsophila is a flowering plant, ideal for creating rock gardens and rockeries, especially creeping gypsophila. The plant accentuates the landscaping of rocky slopes, rocky gardens and intensely lit flower beds. Gypsophila paniculata and gypsophila graceful looks great in mixborders, ridges and borders.

Some forms are used to compose live bouquets, since lush and delicate twigs are able to reward the composition with airy lightness. Gypsophila is also suitable for creating winter (dry) bouquets. Gypsophila is combined with many annuals and perennials, but looks more harmonious in the neighborhood with marigolds, escholzia, lavater, roses and godetia.