Japanese gladiolus is a beautiful garden plant of the iris family, characterized by orange-red bell-shaped flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences, and a fan-like bunch of pointed hard leaves. A feature of montbrecia (also called a garden plant) is its similarity with iris and gladiolus; if on a gladiolus flowers quite densely cling to a peduncle that looks like a huge spike, then in Japanese gladiolus they grow branched.
Japanese gladiolus, planting and caring for which give gardeners a real pleasure, has about fifty species, most of which are from South America, and has another name - crocosmia, derived from crocos and osme - the smell.
Japanese gladiolus (crocosmia): species
- Crocosmia Paniculata - an early flowering tall plant with medium-sized bright orange flowers. Compared to the rest, it is the most frost-resistant species, which tolerates wintering well, provided that it provides little shelter.
- Crocosmia Lucifer - a hybrid created on the basis of the Crocosmia Paniculata. The flowers are coral red. Relative frost resistance.
- Crocosmia Golden. It is characterized by large (about 5 cm in diameter), yellow-orange flowers. Able to grow in a small shadow. The flowering period is autumn. Looks great in cut.
- Crocosmia vulgaris. The most common hybrid of Japanese gladiolus in culture, obtained by crossing the potsi and the Golden crocosmia. The height of the plant is about 1.2 meters. Flowering occurs at the end of the summer period.
Montbrecia is highly resistant to pests and diseases; Needs minimal care: watering, weeding, fertilizing and removing weeds.
Japanese gladiolus (montbrecia): description
Montbrecia has small corms (about 2 cm in diameter), covered in several layers by mesh membranes; one unit per season gives 3-4 wonderful flower stalks and several substitute bulbs.
The height of the stem is about 0.6-1.0 meters. The leaves are collected in a basal rosette, which gives Montbretia a special appeal.
Small flowers (about 3-4 cm in diameter) are funnel-shaped, with petals diverging to the sides. The plant blooms gradually, one after another, from the base to the top, so from the beginning of flowering (July - September) until late autumn, the Japanese gladiolus looks elegant. At the same time, about 10 flowers unfold. The plant is not suitable for wintering in open ground.
Growing conditions
Japanese gladiolus (photo conveys all the charm and bright orange beauty of a garden plant) feels comfortable in loose, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
It is advisable to choose a landing place well-lit, without drafts and sun in the summer afternoon. Montbrecia should not be planted in the shade, otherwise the plant will begin to stretch and will not bloom at all.
In autumn, the area where Japanese gladiolus is planned to be cultivated needs to be prepared by adding organic fertilizers to the soil in combination with hydrated lime and superphosphate. Before budding, and then every 2-3 weeks, Japanese gladiolus, the cultivation of which is not too troublesome, it is recommended to feed with mineral fertilizers.
Montbrecia in the garden
Japanese gladiolus (photo can be seen in the article) - a flower that looks attractive in rock gardens and against a background of stunted flowers.
The plant is suitable for cutting, inflorescences stand in the water for about 10 days or longer. Dried flowers retain their color and shape well, so they can be used to decorate a winter bouquet.
Bulb planting and storage
Planting montbreeding bulbs is carried out in April-May to a depth of 6-10 cm with an interval between plants from 10 to 12 cm.In a still fairly cool ground, the Japanese gladiolus will first form the root system, and in the process of heating the soil will actively begin to grow the aerial part. When planting at a later date, the flower will immediately grow and will not have time to get good roots, which will negatively affect its appearance. Digging bulbs is done.
After digging up the bulbs, which is necessary to produce after yellowing of the leaves (in late September-October), the stem is carefully trimmed, leaving 5 cm of its length at the root. Then, bulbs with children should be dried in a cool room (cellar or basement) at a temperature of 6-8 ° C for 1-2 weeks, put in a container with dry peat, moss or sawdust. Before spring planting, made in March, it is recommended that the bulbs be kept at room temperature for several days, after which preparatory actions such as separating the children, peeling, pruning the roots and shoot residues are carried out. Before planting, the bulbs should be kept in a light solution of potassium permanganate for several hours. The plant needs to be planted in containers, and in May transplanted to a permanent place of growth in open ground.
Breeding methods
Japanese gladiolus, planting and care for which does not require much effort, can be grown from seeds, children and corms. In order to obtain seeds, montbrecia bulbs are planted in a flower pot in March, the flower is kept outdoors (without transplanting) all summer, and is again brought into the room in autumn. It is required to wait until the completion of its flowering and ripening of seeds, the sowing of which for seedlings is carried out in February. Young plants of Japanese gladiolus before planting in the open ground (in early June) are tentatively recommended to harden. Flowering of Japanese gladiolus grown from seeds begins in the third year. More convenient and less laborious reproduction by children, which for a year, Japanese gladiolus gives 5-6 pieces. Montbresias planted in this way bloom in the year of planting.