Kermek "paper" Flowers

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

A perennial plant called "Kermek" has many advantages and just interesting qualities. Its roots have been used by traditional healers since ancient times to help people fight diseases. Small flowers of different shades to the touch seem to be made of paper, retaining their natural look for years in dry winter bouquets. Its frost resistance and unpretentiousness attract the attention of summer residents living in areas with a harsh climate

Rod Kermek or Limonium

The Latin name of the genus, Limonium, has nothing to do with the wonderful citrus, lemon. The "roots" of the name lie in the Greek word "leimon", which in our language means "meadow", "lawn", that is, the habitat of some representatives of the genus. Kermek is ubiquitous, it is not, perhaps, in Antarctica.

You can also find another name of the genus - Statice.

The genus unites several hundred perennial and annual herbaceous plants and shrubs, giving birth to green shoots every year, which dry up with the arrival of winter.

Leafless straight stems emerge from the root rosette of oval leaves. The tops of the stems are decorated with corymbose or paniculate inflorescences of small flowers of various shades. Flowers can be salmon, yellow, blue, blue, red, pink, white. The flower petals seem to be made of thin paper and retain their color for a long period. Florists use this quality of flowers when composing bouquets of fresh flowers, as well as when compiling dry winter compositions.

Varieties

•

Kermek notched (Limonium sinuatum) - root rosette formed by dark green lanceolate leaves with a wavy edge. The stems rise from the outlet, reaching a height of 40 centimeters. Inflorescences of cream, blue, red, pink, orange, yellow flowers bloom in summer.

•

Kermek broadleaf (Limonium latifolium) is a perennial medium-sized (up to 60 cm high) plant. Basal rosettes are assembled from elliptical leaves. Purple or blue flowers bloom in summer.

•

Kermek ordinary (Limonium vulgare) - perennial undersized (up to 30 cm tall) common kermek throughout the summer gives purple inflorescences, towering over rosettes of lanceolate or ovoid leaves.

Growing

Kermek loves to grow on the coast of the sea, but it grows well in Altai and Western Siberia. This plant is intended for outdoor use, but sometimes it is planted in pots, decorating balconies and terraces.

Perennial winter-hardy species are planted in open ground in early spring, choosing sunny places for kermek. Seedlings of annuals are released into the open air in May, planting them at a distance of 30 cm from each other.

The soil needs sandy, light, drained. Watering is required sparse, not plentiful, so as not to create stagnant water.

When growing in pots, mineral fertilizing is carried out every two months, combining them with watering the plant.

Cut kermek can be grown in greenhouses all year round, if the greenhouse has good lighting, a temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius and limited watering.

To maintain the appearance, damaged leaves, wilted inflorescences are removed, and perennials are cut off at the root in the fall.

The plant can be damaged by gray mold at high humidity of air and soil.

Reproduction

Reproduction of annuals through sowing seeds in loose soil in March, with periodic addition of mineral fertilizers and planting in open ground in May.

Perennials are propagated by seeds and cuttings, which are harvested in late winter or autumn. For rooting, they are planted in the sand, placing the container with the cuttings in a place protected from the cold. Cuttings that have taken root are transplanted into pots until March of the following year, when they are moved to open ground to a permanent place.

Less often they resort to dividing a well-developed bush, which is carried out in March.

Healing properties

For medicinal purposes, kermek roots are used, containing phytoncides, tannins, and a number of useful acids. Powder, decoctions, tinctures on alcohol or wine are prepared from the roots.

The drugs are used as a hemostatic, astringent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent.