2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Kentrantus also known under the name valerian. This plant belongs to the flowering perennial plants. It is worth noting that centrantus is particularly unpretentious in care. In addition, due to its very valuable useful properties, the plant has become widespread in folk medicine. Kentrantus bushes can reach about ninety centimeters in height. The flowers of this plant have a very fragrant aroma, they are quite small in size. The flowers of the centranthus are collected in inflorescences, and in color, the flowers themselves can be either pink and crimson, or white. It is noteworthy that flowering takes a long period and lasts for three months.
Care and cultivation of kentranthus
As already mentioned, these plants are not particularly demanding for care, however, if simple rules are followed, the kentrantus will develop more favorably. As for the choice of a site for planting a plant, it would be preferable to choose sunny places that will be reliably protected from any gusts of wind. The best option would be a well-drained and loose soil that contains a sufficient amount of lime. The plant needs to be watered moderately, especially on particularly hot and dry days. Kentrantus is endowed with increased drought tolerance, for this reason, the plant does not need particularly frequent watering.
It is noteworthy that the plant can do without feeding at all. However, in the event that you want to provide an increased decorative effect of the plant, then the introduction of certain fertilizers will also be required. Throughout the entire growing season of the kentrantus, it will be necessary to fertilize twice a month with mineral fertilizers. During the period of active growth, the introduction of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is permissible. As for organic fertilizers, it is recommended to apply them in the autumn period of time as mulch, in addition, such feeding will have a positive effect on the development of the plant even if it is applied during planting. It is also permissible to replace mineral fertilizers with infusion of bird droppings: such a replacement seems appropriate at the very beginning of the growth of centranthus.
If you want to provide the plant with repeated flowering, then you will need to remove faded inflorescences in a timely manner. It is recommended to cut off such inflorescences up to the first healthy leaves of the plant. In the autumn period of time, it will be necessary to cut off the aerial part of the plant, and the plantings themselves at this time are recommended to be mulched with both humus and peat. In regions with particularly harsh winters, you should not limit yourself to mulching alone. You will also need to provide an air shelter: build a wooden frame, which is covered with either a film or other material. It is noteworthy that the plantings can be covered with spruce branches and with ordinary wooden boxes.
The planting of kentranthus should be renewed every three to four years, due to the fact that over time the plant loses its former attractiveness and decorative effect.
Reproduction of centrantus
This plant reproduces both by dividing the bush and by using seeds. It is noteworthy that sometimes kentranthus also reproduces by self-seeding. Seeds should be sown before winter, and the plantings themselves for this time should be mulched with peat. It is also allowed to plant seeds directly into open ground. In the event that you choose cultivation by means of seedlings, then you will need to choose a nutritious and loose substrate, and cover the plantings with a film. When the seedlings grow up, they should be dived and provided with moderate watering. After hardening, the seeds can already be planted in open ground, usually such actions are carried out in the month of May.
