Unusual Ratibid Flower

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

Examining the shelves with seeds in the store, my attention was drawn to the unusual color and shape of the Ratibida flower. I wanted to try it, especially since the plant is perennial. Now I would like to share my experience with you

With the expansion of the range of garden shops, many new, previously unknown, spoiled plant growers have appeared. One of them is the beautiful ratibid flower.

Biology

In gardens, 2 types of ratibide are most often grown:

• feathery;

• columnar.

The feathery form has a loose inflorescence with long yellow petals, a rounded middle, up to 1.2 meters high. Some confuse it with rudbeckia.

Columnar ratibida for its external resemblance is popularly called a Mexican hat. It has rounded main petals: red, orange, yellow, burgundy, cherry with a yellow edge. The middle is elongated, similar to a column, consisting of green inflorescences with yellow stamens. They bloom from the bottom up to form seeds. Height from 60 to 100 cm.

Lush bush with thick branches. The taproot goes to a great depth, extracting moisture and nutrients for itself. The leaves are dissected, of a green-gray hue, create an openwork frame for unusual colors.

Preferences

In its native environment, ratibid lives in conditions of drought and poor nutrition. Therefore, it does not require special conditions for growth and care.

But it develops better on neutral loams, with a deep bed of groundwater. Preference is given to sunny or slightly shaded areas. In deep shade, it blooms poorly, stretches strongly, losing its neat appearance.

Reproduction

Some argue that ratibida can be propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush. Since it has a pivotal root, it is unlikely to be able to divide it. But the likelihood of rooting cuttings, subject to certain conditions (high humidity, shading), is quite high.

On the other hand, why create difficulties for yourself, and then nurture the divided plant for a long time when it reproduces perfectly by seeds.

There are 3 seeding options:

1) from autumn to the beds;

2) in the spring in frozen ground;

3) at home in a container.

It should be noted that fallen seeds from adult bushes give abundant self-seeding. This means that the autumn planting is justified. Therefore, before the onset of stable frosts, they dig up a garden bed, cut grooves. Seeds are evenly laid out (they are quite large) and sprinkled with 0.5 cm thick soil. The rows are compacted by hand. Leave for the winter under the snow without shelter.

If this is not possible, then the same procedure is carried out in early spring, immediately after the snow melts, on the beds prepared in the fall. For friendly receipt of shoots, a film is pulled over the arcs, creating a greenhouse effect, increasing the humidity.

I do not advise growing at home. For this, it will be necessary to carry out seed stratification for a month. Then accustom them to street lighting.

A week before planting, the seedlings are accustomed to open field conditions. Hotbeds are open in the evening. In mid-May, they are planted in a flower bed.

It is believed that ratibid does not tolerate transplanting well. I didn’t notice it. All the bushes I have grown have grown together. There were cases when I transplanted biennial plants. I did not feel the difference at all. The main thing is to moisten the soil well when planting in a new place. Then the survival rate will always be 100%.

Care

Watering is required only during periods of severe drought, in small amounts. Top dressing is completely eliminated. Otherwise, you can achieve a strong overgrowth of greenery to the detriment of flowering.

Do not cover for the winter. The above-ground part is cut off, leaving small hemp. In the spring, new shoots grow back from the root.

Ratibida is an unusual and unpretentious perennial. Suitable for those who do not like to spend a lot of time on grooming. But it is a pleasure to admire it until autumn!