On flower beds and simply in well-groomed gardens, a bright and colorful flower called sparaxis invariably attracts attention. Landing and caring for it are quite difficult, but those who cope with this task will have the opportunity to admire the subtle beauty of sparaxis and deservedly be proud of their flower bed. For some not-so-experienced flower growers, the first time a growing experiment fails. Many do not try again. And it’s completely in vain: if you understand what sparaxis needs, planting and caring for the flower are greatly simplified and no longer seem like an impossible task. Our article is called to help to understand the needs of this handsome man.
Plant description
First of all, it is worth knowing where sparaxis came to us from - landing and departure, their basic rules, are completely determined by its origin. His relatives are the banks of South African rivers, where, thanks to constant heat and high humidity, the plant grows up to a meter in height. In our conditions, such growth cannot be expected from a flower: varieties adapted in temperate latitudes rise 15-60 centimeters above the ground.
Sparaxis itself refers to corms perennials; attractive star-shaped
elegant flowers with a diameter of six centimeters of various shades. The plant blooms in late May and until the end of June - depending on how warm the spring was.
Favorite Varieties
If you have not yet been involved in this plant, first choose the variety that you are most pleased with sparaxis. Planting and caring for all varieties are the same, so the choice depends entirely on your taste. Most often found in gardens:
- Lord of fire. Almost the most spectacular variety: the fiery scarlet ligature on a velvety black background really causes a sensation of fiery dance.
- Tricolor sparaxis. Grown in the south of Russia most often. A fairly low flower, but with a strong and strong stalk. Each cup combines three colors: two shades of one and a contrasting center. Typically, a variety is sold in a mix.
- Bilbifer. The variety is attractive for its love of sandstones, on which most plants often languish. Pretty tall flowers with a very delicate color - white or in combination with different tones of yellow.
- Grandiflora. The highest and most fragrant. The aroma is very strong and bright, but not sugary.
Sparaxis: landing and care (photo)
The main thing in choosing a place for a flower bed is lighting. Remember where these flowers come from. Sparaxis (planting and care requires special diligence) can be planted in compliance with all the rules, but if there is not enough sunshine, you will not wait for flowering, even if the plant accepts and survives. Around there should be not only trees and bushes, but even tall grass - nothing that would create a shading. Soil is needed humus, loamy; poor soils from autumn enriched with overripe compost. Low-growing species of sparaxis are seated in four centimeters from each other, high - in ten.
Flower Care
During growth, drought is most dangerous for the plant. A lack of moisture leads to yellowing of the leaves and a small amount, or even lack of buds. In dry spring, watering is plentiful and regular. To prevent burns early in the morning and when the sun sets, plants should be sprayed with warm water.
As soon as the leaves appear, you need to start making mineral fertilizing: 15-20 grams of complex fertilizers are taken on a bucket of water . Flowers need to be fed once a month until the end of summer.
And the last thing you have to do for your beauties - three weeks after the final completion of flowering (and this will be the end of July - mid-August), dig up tubers for winter storage.
Diseases and Pests
A fairly disease-resistant plant - this is it, sparaxis. Outdoor planting and care are complicated by flower treatment in two cases:
- In long cold weather with regular watering, root decay is observed. To save the plant in most cases is impossible. Therefore, preventive measures are needed - the addition of drainage to the soil during planting.
- Chlorosis for which sparaxis is vulnerable. However, this is not a fatal problem - treating with iron chelate will save your plantation.
Gentle wintering
If you love the sparaxis flower, planting and care should include helping to survive in the cold. Since this plant is tropical, tubers left in the ground will freeze by spring. Therefore, the bulbs are carefully scooped up and placed in wooden boxes where sawdust, peat or moss is poured. For storage, a room with a temperature of not higher than +10 degrees, but not lower than +5, is allocated. In the south, where winters are mild, tubers can be left to winter in the ground, only you need to cover them well with fallen leaves.
Sparaxis in the landscape
Single plants do not look too good on a flower bed. The mass plantings of sparaxis are much more spectacular. Very beautiful will be a kind of glade with many plants of different colors. The usual mix will also be beautiful, and the visual division by colors, concentric or radial.
Sparaxis is in perfect harmony with other colors. In this case, due to its short stature, it is usually placed in the foreground. The pronounced gradation of the created composition is especially attractive in this arrangement.
In rock gardens, sparaxis is most effective in a company with conifers and succulents with the addition of separately laid large stones.
If the site is small, you can not create a separate flowerbed, but hang flowerpots with these flowers in brightly lit areas. If the porch in the house is not obscured by arches and awnings, its railing can be decorated with pots with sparaxis - this solution will make your facade colorful and cozy.