Dichondra ampelous - growing from seeds at home
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An evergreen plant, widely used for the arrangement of territories and belonging to the Vyunkov family, is called ampelous dichondra. Regardless of the territory, with the help of this plant, you can give a spectacular and unusual appearance. Today you can find this plant in parks all over the world, but more recently it was considered a weed and did not differ in its attractive appearance.
Description of the plant
The unpretentious vine was first discovered in East Asia. This significant event took place more than two centuries ago. The first meeting of botanists with a plant growing in natural conditions did not have any effect on people. The plant was not appreciated, but it did not last long. After a certain period of time, people nevertheless paid attention to this plant.
Dichondra Silver Falls
Appearance and features
The herbaceous plant dichondra can be both an annual and a perennial. This depends primarily on the growing conditions.
The stems of the plant are graceful with superficial roots. They grow in length up to one and a half meters. As a result, they fall down beautifully. The branches are almost completely covered with small leaves that have a rounded shape.
Dichondra blooms from May to August. During this period of time, modest small flowers appear on the plant. They are almost invisible, as they are lost in dense foliage, which falls beautifully down. That is why the plant is often used for planting in hanging containers, such as pots.
Creating compositions with dichondra
Common varieties
There are still controversies regarding the varieties of dichondra. Some are of the opinion that there are about ten, others argue that there are only two varieties. At the same time, the following are considered the most common for shading and decorating parks, gardens, balconies and loggias:
- dichondra Silver waterfall. For simple potted plants, this is the most commonly used variety. This is explained by the fact that these plants need water least of all others. The flower is also known as creeping dichondra. Representatives of the variety are distinguished by their spectacular appearance and are able to decorate any corner and garden. At the same time, the cultivation of dichondra Silver Falls does not cause difficulties, since the plant is completely undemanding;
- dichondra Emerald Falls is a small herb native to Australia and New Zealand. In these places, the flower is better known as a weed. It blooms with small flowers that appear on shoots with green leaves up to 3 mm in length.
Care features
You can create comfortable growing conditions for dichondra, knowing its botanical features. For example, a plant can grow and develop at relatively low temperatures, but this will happen more slowly.
In winter, the flower can be in a cool room, but this negatively affects its growth.The only thing that needs to be monitored is that the air temperature does not drop below 10 ° C.
Planting and caring for dichondra
Temperature
It is very important for a dichonda to maintain an optimal air temperature. The plant will feel good if indoors it is in the range from 18 ° C to 26 ° C.
Lighting
The amount of light a plant needs depends entirely on the color of its foliage. For example, a dichondra with green leaves is suitable for both sunny and shaded areas, as well as shade. The silvery-leaved varieties are best planted and grown in areas with plenty of light.
Watering
If the dichondra is properly cared for, then it will always remain highly attractive on the garden plot. Despite the fact that the plant is classified as drought tolerant, it must be watered systematically. At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to allow liquid stagnation in the soil.
Spraying
Dichondra at home, when creating suitable climatic conditions and humidity, will feel comfortable. Since the flower loves moisture, spraying must be carried out regularly. This will ensure a fast growth of green mass. The most suitable time for this is considered to be the morning and evening hours.
Humidity
The plant can grow normally even at low humidity. If it is necessary to achieve an increase in green mass up to 25%, then in this case the humidity should be maximum.
Priming
Growing dichondra, planting and care in the open field and at home is not burdensome and is available to any grower. The flower can grow in any soil. In this case, it is best if it is well-drained. Before planting a flower in open ground, it must first be disinfected and a complex mineral fertilizer added to it.
Top dressing
Recently, flower growers have a very common dichondra flower, planting and caring for which even a novice gardener can do. The good development of the plant, as well as its protection from diseases, is possible if fertilizers are regularly applied to the soil.
Pruning
You can make the crown thicker thanks to the systematic pruning of the plant. Long shoots are recommended to be cut when the plant is moved indoors for the winter.
Dichondra Emerald Falls
Features of care in winter
Dichondra ampelous is capable of retaining its decorative properties for 6-7 years, provided that all care rules are followed. It will not be a lot of hassle to care for and grow a plant in winter. When planting a flower in the open field for the period of cold weather, it is required to make a reliable shelter for it. But it is best to bring it into the house and choose the most illuminated place for it. Throughout the winter period, it is necessary to provide the flower with moderate watering and prevent waterlogging of the soil. Otherwise, the situation can lead to the fact that the plant will begin to rot the roots.
How does it multiply
Dichondra can be grown in two ways - cuttings and seeds. The simplest method is considered to be cuttings, but at the same time it is used relatively rarely.By the nature of growth and the main characteristics, the flower is a ground cover, therefore it can grow both in the open field and at home. The exception is Siberia, where a plant can only be grown at home.
Ampelous dichondra does not grow on the street in Siberia
Dichondra ampelous can propagate both by seeds and cuttings. The first method requires a lot of effort and patience, despite the fact that it is used relatively more often. This is explained by the fact that the plant is not very common among flower growers, so it is much easier to purchase seeds.
Seed propagation
Planting seeds in pots is best in January or February. In this case, by the beginning of the summer season, it will be possible to decorate a garden or balcony with a plant. Florists recommend preparing the soil for sowing in advance, into which the seeds should subsequently be sown to a depth of about 5 mm. After that, you need to sprinkle them with soil, water thoroughly and wrap with foil. Such measures will help prevent moisture evaporation. The container with seeds must be placed in a warm place where the air temperature will be at least 25 ° C.
As soon as two main leaves appear on the sprouted shoots, they will need to be transplanted into separate pots, the diameter of which should not exceed 10 cm. Plants are transplanted into open ground after 8-9 weeks from the moment the shoots are planted in separate pots. In this case, it should be borne in mind that landing should be carried out in a heated soil.
In addition, when growing a flower from seeds, the following nuances should be considered:
- for sowing, it is best to use light fertile soil, to which sand must be added;
- the depth of the growing container should be no more than 5 cm;
- the container after sowing the seeds must be covered with foil or glass;
- sowing seeds is not recommended between January 15th and February 5th.
Before planting in open ground, the seedlings should be hardened. Currently, flower growers who choose ampelous dichondra for planting are given more preference to growing from seeds.
Dichondra seeds
Propagation by cuttings
For propagation by cuttings, stem layers are best suited, since they are the ones that take root most easiest if you create optimal conditions for them. The cuttings should be placed in a warm place; the air temperature should vary between 22 ° C and 24 ° C. As soon as roots appear on the cuttings, the shoot can be divided, and then pressed in several places against the moistened soil.
Possible problems
Regardless of what kind of flower is grown - Dichondra Silver Falls or Emerald Falls, the florist may face such a problem that the leaf begins to shrink and curl. This can happen as a result of insufficient watering.
In addition, many novice gardeners are worried about why dichondra begins to lose color. This is especially true of the Silver falls variety. This is mainly due to the lack of lighting, to which it is the silver dichondra that reacts very strongly. Bright lighting and proper care will help maintain the attractiveness and richness of greenery.
Dichondra in landscape design
Most often, experts grow dichondra for vertical design of territories. This applies to both indoor floriculture and landscape design. The flower is planted in flowerpots and in all kinds of baskets, which imply the possibility of its growth and falling down. The plant is also used for landscaping and sculpture. Perfectly neighbors with representatives of the Astrovs, for example, gelichrizum.
Dichondra in landscape design
Dichondra is considered to be one of the most magnificent plants. It is used to decorate flower beds and create green walls, as well as compositions.In some cases, they are planted to replace lawn grass. The flower belongs to unpretentious and frost-resistant, therefore, during its cultivation, there are no special difficulties.
