2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Ten years ago, at our dacha, an unusual inhabitant, a cattail, settled in an empty container. He came to us from the nearest wild reservoir. The unpretentious plant actively used the territory provided to it, organically blended into the existing environment. I will share my observations with you. I will answer the questions: “What conditions do the cattail need? How does it differ from reed?"
The difference
Among the people, cattail is often mistakenly called reed. If you look at photographs of cultures, it becomes clear that these are representatives of the flora completely different from each other. They are united by one property - love for water.
Cattail is a perennial plant with a powerful, creeping root part, a cylindrical, thick stem up to 2 meters high. The nodes are hidden inside the shoot. The leaf blade is narrow, linear, up to 2 cm wide, greenish-gray in color, extending from the base of the bush.
Inflorescences are small, bisexual, forming a long ear. By autumn, they are painted in a dark brown tone with a velvet structure. Flowering occurs in the first half of summer (June-July). Small seeds ripen in August. They keep on the stem until spring.
Gradually, the ear is loosened, the seed is scattered around the surrounding area. Once on the water surface, it does not sink for a long time. It is carried over long distances by the wind. Fluffy villi, having absorbed a sufficient amount of moisture, gradually go to the bottom, where they germinate under favorable conditions.
Unlike cattail, the reed has small greenish inflorescences, collected in brushes or umbrellas. The stem is triangular or round, smooth. The leaves are like sedge. Knowing the structural features, it is difficult to confuse it with cattail.
Requirements for growing conditions
Loves acidic marshy soils or the coastline of water bodies. Grows well in open areas with adequate light throughout the day.
When the soil dries up during a drought, the vegetative mass withers. At critical rates, plant death occurs.
Landing
A separate container is filled with silty or loamy moisture-absorbing soil 25-30 cm high. Fill it with a small layer of water until it is completely saturated. Cattail roots are planted to a depth of 10-15 cm, depending on the size. Sprinkle with earth.
They give the opportunity to take root well within 2-3 weeks. The liquid is added to the norm (the roots are located at a depth of 30-50 cm from the level of the water horizon).
If the bushes are placed in a large pond, then it is advisable to plant individual specimens in wide pots with a diameter of 15 cm. Installing them at the bottom of the reservoir in order to avoid the rapid spread of the culture.
Care
Cattail does not require special care. Weeds practically do not survive in water, so it has no competitors for food. The main condition for a successful existence is maintaining fluid levels. During a drought, add clean water (preferably rainwater) to the container.
Bushes do not need feeding. The elements inside the soil are enough for them. In early spring or after frosts in autumn, remove the dried aerial part by cutting off strong stems and leaves under the base with a pruner.
In large reservoirs, at the beginning of regrowth, excess specimens are removed, preventing waterlogging, while maintaining the intended composition.
Wintering
Rogoz winters well in the conditions of the Middle Lane without additional insulation directly in the reservoir. In our country house, a container 50 cm high stands on the ground, the soil inside freezes completely. In especially cold, snowless winters, seedlings appear later than usual.
It seems that the plant has disappeared completely. Time passes, and tender sprouts appear in the middle of summer. They manage to bloom, form dense cobs.
Therefore, if your "pet" does not show signs of life in early spring, do not despair, be patient. He will definitely find the strength to restore the vegetative mass a little later.
Useful properties of cattail, areas of application will be considered in the next article.
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