Cineraria

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

Cineraria (lat. Cineraria) - a light-loving annual or a perennial from the Astrovye family. The second name is the groundwort. Translated from Latin, the name of this plant sounds like "ash".

Description

Cineraria is a magnificent decorative deciduous perennial with densely pubescent silvery-white heart-shaped leaves. Cineraria's stems are erect, and the height of this plant varies from ten centimeters to half a meter.

On the terminal inflorescences that look like scutes, rustic or fluffy baskets with ligulate and tubular flowers of the most varied colors, ranging from white to purple, are formed. Cineraria bloom usually starts in the second half of June, and it lasts until the very frost.

Where grows

Under natural conditions, cineraria can most often be seen on the island of Madagascar, as well as on the Canary Islands and in tropical Africa.

Usage

Cineraria has earned the reputation of being the ideal background plant for regular flower beds, in which bright annuals are usually planted. The addition of this plant allows you to noticeably soften the contrasts, as well as to reveal the general pattern of the composition and the texture of the plants planted in the neighborhood. Cineraria looks great in carpet beds, as well as along the edges of flower beds, in low curbs and on lawns. It is perfectly acceptable to grow this plant in containers as well.

Some varieties of cineraria are very successfully grown as indoor crops, however, in this case, mainly cineraria hybrids are used. And it is still better for novice growers to give preference to any other plants, since they are far from always able to cope with the cultivation of cineraria at home. And this plant has also found its application in folk medicine.

Growing and caring

Despite the fact that cineraria is very undemanding to soils, it will thrive best on light sandy, well-drained and fairly fertile soils. As for the soil reaction, it should ideally be slightly alkaline or neutral. But this plant is very demanding on soil moisture - with insufficient watering, its flowering will be noticeably weakened, and with an excess of moisture, root rot may begin. In short, this beauty should be watered in moderation.

Cineraria can boast of quite impressive drought resistance, and it also tolerates minor frosts very, very well - in the southern regions of Russia, it can easily overwinter in open ground, however, in the presence of light shelter. The light of cineraria is necessary diffused, but at the same time bright enough, and in order to maintain its decorative appearance, it is recommended to periodically subject it to haircuts. Also, from time to time, cineraria should be pampered with high-quality feeding (usually this is done two to three times a month). And in order to extend the time of its flowering, the fading buds must be removed in a timely manner.

In the spring and summer, cineraria is recommended to be kept at a temperature of eighteen to twenty degrees, and in winter the thermometer should not fall below fifteen degrees.

Cineraria is propagated by seeds sown on seedlings (this is usually done in March), and with the onset of May, these seedlings are planted in the ground, maintaining a distance of twenty or even twenty-five centimeters between the plants.

Sometimes cineraria can be attacked by spider mites or aphids, but in general, this plant is very resistant to various diseases and pests.