2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Xantisma (lat. Xantisma) - a small genus of herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The homeland is considered to be North America. In culture, the most common type is Texas Xanthisma. Interest in the plant is due to its high decorative properties, including the bright color of the inflorescences.
Characteristics of culture
Xanthisma is represented by annual herbaceous plants with a height of no more than 0.8 m. They are endowed with a large number of thin, but at the same time strong shoots, which give the bushes airiness. Foliage is numerous, narrow, whole, long, usually lanceolate. Also in nature, you can find specimens with foliage that has separately located teeth.
Inflorescences in the form of baskets, very bright and attractive, bright yellow or lemon yellow. Long-term flowering, as a rule, begins in the first or second decade of June and ends in September-October, which completely depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The fruits are represented by golden achenes, which are covered with a tuft covered with stiff bristles.
Growing features
Xanthisma can hardly be called a demanding crop, however, for active development and abundant flowering, certain conditions must be observed. So, it is best to plant plants in open sunny areas, light diffused by a shadow is acceptable. Strongly shaded areas are not the best solution for xanthisma, on them it lags behind in growth, often gets sick, almost does not bloom and, which is especially important, rots and then dies.
Soils, in turn, are desirable light, neutral, water and air permeable, moderately moist. You should not try to grow a crop in areas with acidic, waterlogged, heavy clay, waterlogged and saline soil. The close occurrence of groundwater is highly undesirable, evenly, as are lowlands with stagnant cold air and places of accumulation of precipitation.
The nutritional value of the soil does not play a special role. Xanthisma thrives on poor soils, but develops more slowly than on well-fertilized soils. Therefore, before planting, it is advisable to introduce organic matter (preferably rotted humus) and complex mineral fertilizers into the soil in the amount prescribed on the package and taking into account the characteristics of the soil on the site.
Subtleties of reproduction
Xanthisma is propagated only by seed, which is not surprising, because the culture belongs to the category of annuals. It is not forbidden to sow seeds directly into open ground, however, in this case, flowering is very late. To capture inflorescences already in mid-June, you should sow Xanthisma in seedling boxes or other containers in early to mid-March.
Seedlings must be periodically ventilated by removing the film or glass and watering. When 2 true leaves appear on the seedlings, it is important to dive in separate containers. Landing in open ground can be done at the end of May, but the exact dates depend solely on climatic conditions. For example, in the Urals, seedlings should be planted in the ground no earlier than June 5-7.
When planting, it is necessary to observe the optimal distance - at least 30 cm, otherwise the plants will interfere with each other and lag behind in growth. You should also take care of the care manipulations, especially at the very beginning. It is necessary to systematically remove weeds, which, by the way, take a lot of nutrients from the plants, and be sure to loosen them, but carefully. Watering is regular, as needed.
