Unpretentious annual flower - cineraria marine
The homeland of the cineraria of the sea or seaside grub is the Mediterranean. In natural conditions and in a warm climate, it grows as a perennial, but in the vastness of Russia it is most often grown as an annual garden flower, since cineraria practically does not tolerate wintering in open ground.
Description and characteristics of the plant
In the literature, another name for cineraria is often found - silver dust. Its plant got due to the unusual shape and color of the leaves. Openwork carved leaves magnificently cover a small compact bush no more than 25 cm in height and have a delicate silver color.
Cineraria not only has a beautiful decorative appearance, it also blooms. Small yellow blossoms are simply lost in the lush silvery foliage, and are often removed so as not to spoil the appearance of the bush.
Cineraria cultivation methods
Seaside Rugby can be obtained in several ways:
- sowing seeds for seedlings;
- sowing in open ground;
- by cuttings.
Experienced growers recommend using the seedling method of growing, since the delicate plant is very sensitive to frost. To do this, in March, the seeds must be laid out on the surface of the earth in a prepared container and covered with a film on top. After the formation of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive into separate pots. It is possible to plant cineraria on a flower bed not earlier than the end of May, and even better in June, leaving a distance of 20 cm between the bushes.
It is necessary to plant cineraria in a well-lit place, in the shade it will lose its silvery color.
How to take care of silver dust?
At first, it is better to cover the planted seedlings with a film at night, especially if the night temperature drop is expected. In abundant watering an annual plant needs only in the initial stages, until the seedlings take root well. In the future, it is sufficient to maintain the moisture content of the soil, preventing it from completely drying out.
Mineral fertilizing becomes necessary for cineraria with the beginning of flowering, approximately 3 months after sowing the seeds.
You can pinch the plant to form a beautiful lush bush.
The secret way to grow cineraria like a biennial
In regions with a warm climate, you can try to keep an annual flower in the open field in a flower bed until next spring. To do this, before the first autumn frosts, the bushes must be covered with sawdust or leaves from fruit trees and shrubs. With the arrival of spring, remove the covering material and cut out the damaged and frozen shoots with a pruner. Usually, after a warm winter, cineraria begins to release new branches.