2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Utsonia (lat. Watsonia) - a small genus of the Kasatikov family. Belongs to the category of corms. It occurs naturally in South Africa. Nowadays it is cultivated in Russia and European countries, however, it is not very popular, although it deserves attention due to its high decorative properties. The genus got its name in honor of the English botanist - W. Watson in the 18th century. Includes 60 types.
Characteristics of culture
Utsonia is represented by annual herbaceous plants, equipped with a simple or weakly branched stem up to 1.8 m high, topped with long, belt-like foliage collected in a rosette. Flowers are small, inclined, sessile, have a short limb, which, in turn, is directed forward. Flowers, depending on the species, can be white, red, pink or light pink.
Outwardly, utsonia resembles gladiulos, which is popular among gardeners and florists. Moreover, the similarity lies not only in appearance, but also in the characteristics of cultivation. The corms in the culture in question are small, in the fall they must be dug up and stored in a cellar or basement, and in the spring they must be planted in the ground.
Common types
Unfortunately, all 60 species cannot be found on sale, in Russia, for example, only four are widespread - these are irisolus utsonia, beatricis utsonia, prominent utsonia and pyramidal utsonia. So,
utsonia iriolist (lat. Watsonia iridifolia) It is represented by plants reaching a height of 1, 2 m, covered with a large number of light pink flowers, reaching a length of 4 cm. The flowering of the species in question is observed in spring. It has several forms, including those with white flowers.
No less attractive
utsonia beatricis (lat. Watsonia beatricis) … It has red or orange flowers that flaunt on long peduncles. The species is suitable for decorating flower beds, however, in regions with a cold climate, it can only be cultivated in a greenhouse. But the prominent utsonia (lat. Watsonia spectabilis) cannot boast of high growth, its stems reach a height of 50-60 cm. The flowers, in turn, are small, collected in loose inflorescences in the amount of 6 pieces.
Utsonia pyramidal (lat. Watsonia pyramidata) is the most common type. It is characterized by high growth (up to 1.5 m), linear ground leaves and pink flowers, collected in loose inflorescences in the amount of 20 pieces. The flowering of the species in question occurs in early - mid-summer, which largely depends on climatic conditions. It is used by breeders, however, in the Russian garden market, you will not find varieties and forms of pyramidal utsonia in the afternoon with fire.
Growing features
Utsonia is a rather whimsical plant. And it's not about leaving at all, but about growing conditions. The culture prefers moderately moist, drained, nutritious soils. Areas with saline, heavy, highly acidic and waterlogged soils are not tolerated. The location is preferably open and sunny. Utsonia has a negative attitude to the thick shade, on them it lags behind in growth, and in frequent cases dies.
Utsonia reproduces both by seed and vegetative methods. Seed collection should be carried out at the end of July, earlier in some species. Sowing is recommended in early spring in seedling pots. Particular attention must be paid to care. Do not forget about the abundance of sunlight, young plants also need it. When sown with seeds, plants bloom only in the third year. The vegetative method involves reproduction by young cubes. It is considered the simplest and most effective.
