Many plants are used to decorate the garden. One of these colors is the buzulnik. This is a herbaceous plant with small beautiful flowers. Buzulnik, planting and caring for which does not require much effort and time, will decorate any garden plot.
Description of Buzulnik: varieties and varieties
Buzulnik (the second name is ligularia) refers to perennial herbaceous plants of the Astrov family. Under natural conditions, you can meet a flower in Asia and Europe. Buzulnik (ligularia) began to gain popularity only recently, because the plant is unpretentious, blooms for a long time, and is perennial.
Buzulnik is a perennial plant with bright flowers and original leaves
The flower grows quite high, can reach 2 meters. It features bright and noticeable colors that will decorate any yard.
Interesting! In total, more than 150 varieties of Buzulnik are known, however, no more than 10-15 varieties are used as a garden culture.
The most popular varieties:
- Buzulnik Przhevalsky;
- Narrow-headed Buzulnik;
- Siberian Buzulnik;
- Buzulnik Tunguska;
- Buzulnik Tangutsky;
- Buzulnik narrow-leaved;
- Buzulnik Vichi;
- Wilson's Buzulnik;
- Buzulnik gear;
- Kempfer Buzulnik.
Buzulnik Przhevalsky - one of the most popular species
Most often in the gardens there are varieties of the Przewalski and cogwheel. The first is characterized by a rather high growth and leaf shape. Flowering begins in June. This type includes:
- Light Fingered. It has beautiful carved leaves and bright inflorescences.
- Maple leaf. It features beautiful and large leaves, similar to maple.
Bufoil maple leaf differs in the original form of leaf plates
Toothed buzulnik (Ligularia dentata) is characterized by smaller growth, more rounded leaves. Blossom begins in late summer, inflorescences are collected in tassels. Popular varieties:
- Buzulnik Desdemona. Desdemona is distinguished by light green leaves on the top and purple or brownish underneath.
- Buzulnik Brit Marie Crawford. Thanks to leaflets of a red shade it is often used in landscaping.
- Buzulnik gear Othello. The otello variety is distinguished by orange flowers and the presence of red veins on the leaves.
The same species includes the Dark Beauty Buzulnik, Osiris Fantasy Buzulnik, Pandora Buzulnik and the lady midnight Buzulnik.
Buzulnik Little Rocket is considered narrow-headed. The name of the variety was due to the shape of flower stalks, similar to a rocket. It is able to withstand even very strong winds.
Buzulnik Othello
Differences of varieties are in their flowers, leaves, flowering time and other features. Planting and caring for the buzulnik do not require special conditions, but there are some nuances that you should know before cultivating the plant.
Landing location, soil
Buzulnik is an unpretentious plant, but it is worth approaching the choice of soil responsibly in order to get a beautiful flower in the future.
For planting, it is better to choose shaded places with fairly moist soil. The culture does not like the sun too bright, it begins to fade. When planting in dry land, the result will be similar.
Fertile soil with a good amount of nutrients is the best option for such a plant. If the volume of humus in the ground is insufficient, a mixture of garden soil with humus should be added to the pits before planting; ash and superphosphate are allowed.
Note! Planting is carried out in two ways - seeds and seedlings.
Seed planting
It is better to plant seeds in the spring when snow has fallen. They are poured into the open ground to a depth of about 1 cm. The soil should remain moist until the first sprouts appear. Then shoots are covered from direct sunlight until they grow up and become stronger.
The best time for planting buzulnik seeds is considered late autumn and early winter. In this case, they undergo a natural stratification, and the plants from them turn out to be stronger and more powerful.
Buzulnik seeds
Planting seedlings
Sowing seeds for seedlings begin in January and continue until March:
- Holes are made in the container.
- Nutritious drainage about 1 cm high is poured to the bottom, it is covered with soil, which must be thoroughly moistened.
- Spread the seeds on the surface, sprinkle them with earth on 5-7 mm, moisten again.
- The container is covered with film or glass, monitor the humidity.
- When sprouts appear after a while, the shelter is removed.
If necessary, small plants light up. After the appearance of two leaves, the flowers can be transplanted into separate containers. Landing in the open ground is carried out in May, when the threat of night frost disappears.
Important! Flowering of a plant obtained from seeds begins only when it reaches about 4-5 years.
The plant can not be transplanted. Buzulnik feels great in one place for many years. However, experts recommend updating the bushes by dividing every five years. During the flowering period, a transplant cannot be carried out.
Watering and loosening the soil
During the growing season, the amount of watering is recommended to be increased, because the plant is very fond of moisture. However, waterlogging and bogging should not be allowed. Buzulnik also does not like drought and suffers very poorly.
In the warm season, the culture can be sprayed, but not in the daytime, but in the early morning and evening to avoid the appearance of burns from the sun on the leaves.
Periodic loosening of the soil will help moisture reach the roots faster. In addition, loose soil is better saturated with oxygen, which is also necessary for the root system.
Note! The loose earth dries faster, so it is important to combine watering and cultivation so that the plant feels comfortable.
Loosening the soil saturates it with oxygen
Breeding methods
Buzulnik reproduction can be carried out in two ways - by seeds and dividing the bush. Each has its own characteristics.
Growing from seeds takes a longer time:
- When the seeds have fully ripened on the bush, they are collected and carefully dried.
- Sowing is carried out in autumn in a separate place to a depth of 2 cm. In this case, the seeds will undergo a natural stratification and will sprout together in the spring.
- When the plants grow a little and become stronger, they can be transplanted to a permanent place. The buzulnik will bloom only after 4 years.
Important! In bright varieties with burgundy leaves, seed germination is not very good. For their reproduction, it is better to use a different method.
Reproduction by dividing the bush requires less effort and time:
- To do this, the rhizome of the bush is cleaned from the ground and carefully divided into several pieces. At least one kidney should be present on each.
- Bushes are planted in pits 40 * 40 with added humus. It is recommended to immediately add mineral fertilizers, which will help the plant quickly adapt to a new place.
- Sprout must be watered.
It is better to carry out this procedure in the early spring, when the growth of new shoots becomes noticeable. If the bush is very large, you can not even dig it out, but simply separate the necessary part with a shovel. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the entire rhizome.
Propagation of the plant by dividing the bush
Feeding and transplanting
Buzulnik really like top dressing and fertilizer. You can use both organic and mineral substances.
If humus was added to the hole during planting, then in the first year of development the culture will not need anything else. In the future, it will need to be fed every year before flowering begins. Mullein is used for this purpose. On a bucket of 10 liters, take 1 liter of substance, mix everything well and make it under each bush. For one plant, 3 liters of solution will be required, which is watered once a couple of weeks.
Additional Information. Feeding is carried out every year. If weather conditions change dramatically, fertilizer is not carried out.
Mineral fertilizers are applied only to plentifully moistened soil, after the crop is well poured. In the fall, experienced gardeners recommend pouring mulch into the root zone, it is better to use humus for this purpose. In the spring, they dig everything up, as a result, the soil and plant receive nutrients. To feed the flower, you can use wood ash.
Buzulnik Pruning
In general, Buzulnik does not need pruning. It grows beautifully in this form. However, old withered leaves and shoots should be pruned with pruners to the very root.
If self-seeding is not planned, then immediately after flowering, the flower stalks should be removed. As a result, only a lush bush with beautiful leaves will remain before winter. Almost completely cut the tops for the winter.
After flowering, the plant needs to cut the peduncles
Pests and diseases
Buzulnik is rarely exposed to diseases and pest attacks.
The most common disease of this flower is powdery mildew. The development of such a pathology is promoted by increased humidity and heat. The disease can be recognized by the following signs:
- Mealy spots appear on the leaves. At the initial stage, they are easily washed off.
- Over time, the lower part of the leaf plates is affected, which become covered with brown spots.
- The leaves begin to dry and crumble, the plant gradually dies.
You need to deal with the problem with special fungicidal agents. For this purpose, Topaz, Hom preparations are suitable.
Additional Information. For the prevention of fungal diseases, it is recommended to spray with gray, milk serum. Irrigation is carried out up to three times per season.
During budding and flowering, nitrogen fertilizers should not be used for dressing. It is better to give preference to substances with potassium and phosphorus. They favorably affect the entire plant and increase its resistance to various diseases.
Pests attack Buzulnik quite rarely, but the plant may suffer from slugs. They eat leaves and stems. The control of these pests is not easy, and you need to start it in advance. The procedure includes several actions:
- During the digging of the area, weed is removed.
- Prepare small trenches, on the bottom of which pepper, tobacco dust, sand, ground eggshells are poured - substances that will not allow the parasite to get close to the flowers. You can place water bottles in the grooves that will create a natural barrier.
- Between rows and bushes it is permissible to pour gravel.
- To get rid of pests, birds who feed on them are attracted to the site.
- Fertilizers — superphosphate and potassium salt — help well. If you periodically sprinkle them near the plantings, then there will be practically no slugs there. Substances are fatal to them. The entire amount of the drug is divided into two parts and scattered at intervals of 40 minutes.
You can cope with slugs by collecting them manually. However, not every gardener is ready for this. If desired, you can use chemicals, for example, Thunderstorm, Meta.
In addition to slugs, snails can damage flowers. Fighting them in similar ways and means.
Flowering period and care
Depending on the variety of plants, the buzulnik blooms at different times. During this period, you need to monitor the moisture of the soil, if necessary, fertilize, remove wilted flowers.
Leaving after flowering is also important for the plant. To prevent the ripening of seeds and their distribution throughout the site, peduncles are cut.
Planting material is collected as follows:
- Choose good strong inflorescences.
- Put on bags of cotton fabric and firmly fixed.
- The remaining cuttings can be removed.
- After ripening, the flowers are pruned, and the seeds are peeled and dried.
- You need to store them in paper bags.
After flowering, the plant is trimmed and left until late autumn, so that it regains strength by the winter period.
Preparing for the winter
Buzulnik normally tolerates cooling and freezing. In autumn, all branches of culture are almost completely cut. Humus is poured over the flower, then foliage. If desired, the plant can be covered with covering material, but this is not necessary.
Important! In winter, place more snow on the bush. Under such shelter, the flower will easily survive the cold season.
Designers love the plant for its beautiful appearance and unpretentiousness.
Use in landscape design
There are many varieties of buzulnik. Landscape designers love culture and often use it to decorate sites. The flower grows well in recreation areas. When located near water bodies, the bush will give a shadow to the water, creating excellent conditions for the life of fish.
The culture grows quite high, so it is recommended to plant it near any fences, so that the branches do not break from the wind. Against the background of the buzulnik, smaller flowers and other colors will look great.
Buzulniki, all varieties and species of which are very beautiful, are popular with many gardeners. The culture is quite unpretentious, practically not affected by pests and diseases, is decorative. Planting and caring for the buzulnik in the open ground does not require much time and knowledge.