Growing feverfew from seeds will give wonderful results

Pyrethrum is a plant that is planted to decorate borders and individual islands on the site. Growing pyrethrum is not a hassle, the seeds are planted both through seedlings and by direct sowing into the ground. The perennial does not need special watering and feeding, it is decorative, both in flower beds and in cutting.

Description of pyrethrum

The bushy herb is called the Persian, Caucasian or Dalmatian chamomile pyrethrum. The names indicate the origin of the flowers from regions with warm climates. FROM garden or medicinal chamomile feverfew is similar only externally, being a plant from the Astrov botanical group. Feverfew has also been compared to chrysanthemum for its scent and leaf shape.

Pyrethrum petals can be white or various shades of red: pink, cherry, maroon, they are in the form of a ball or numerous reeds of various lengths.

Pyrethrum bushes form erect stems that grow to a height of 50 to 70 cm and grow rapidly. Leaves are strongly dissected, are found in greater numbers in the lower part of the stem.

Feverfew, in addition to decorative, has the ability to scare away harmful insects, being a natural insecticide.

The pyrethrum component is part of the mosquito repellent, ants, cockroaches and ticks. On an industrial scale, a cinerarielous variety of Dalmatian chamomile pyrethrum is used.

Popular species and varieties

Feverfews are planted as annual and perennial crops. Perennial varieties bloom in the second year after planting. They need to be divided every 4-5 years, because there is a degeneration and a decrease in their decorative effect.

Varieties of perennial pyrethrum:

1. Scarlet star. The variety got its name for its bright, scarlet flower petals, which create a beautiful contrast with their large, yellow heart. The inflorescences of pyrethrum Scarlet Star are large, up to 12 cm in diameter. Stems are upright, 60-80 cm high. The variety is grown in mono and group plantings. In open ground, seedlings are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm. The Scarlet Star blooms since June, for 40 days. In order to prolong flowering, wilted inflorescences are cut off.
2. Duro. Perennial plant, reaches a height of 60 cm. Inflorescences of pyrethrum Duro are medium-sized, about 6 cm in diameter. Reed petals, dark red. Flowers stand well in cut, and their voluminous carved leaves also look decorative. Plants are grown through seedlings, sowing begins in March. You can sow seeds in open ground until the end of July or before winter.
3. Troubadour. Plant with small chamomile inflorescences 5-6 cm in diameter. The mixture of colors of pyrethrum Troubadour is shades of pink and red. Blooms in June, in the second year of cultivation, can bloom again in August if the stems with withered flowers are cut at the soil level. Seeds are planted in open ground after frosts, including return ones.
4. Harmony. Tall variety. Pyrethrum flowers Harmony of bright cherry color, retain their decorative effect for a long time, bloom from the beginning of June, for 45 days. Seeds planted for seedlings are kept at a temperature of + 5 + 6 ° C for 12-14 days, then transferred to room conditions, at a temperature of + 18 + 20 ° C, seedlings appear after 2 weeks. Seedlings are dived, planted in open ground after hardening, in May.
5. Robinson. Winter-hardy perennial.Inflorescences of Robinson's pyrethrum are large, pink, red, and purple. Plants bloom from June to July. Grown through seedlings or direct sowing into the ground. The distance between plants on the site is 30-40 cm.

Growing pyrethrum

Feverfew is grown from seeds by seedling, direct sowing in open ground in late spring and before winter. The plant also reproduces vegetatively, by dividing the bush. Feverfew tolerates transplanting well at various stages of growth, including during flowering. Special cultivation from maiden feverfew seeds may not be required because this species reproduces well by self-seeding. To prevent the plant from scattering uncontrollably, after flowering, the stems with dried flowers are cut off.

For sowing pyrethrum, self-collected or purchased seeds are used. When collecting your own seeds, it should be borne in mind that varietal characteristics are not preserved in them. Such planting material can grow plants with different colors and sizes of flowers, different from the original variety.

Growing pyrethrum from seeds

Planting plants through seedlings makes it possible to determine the percentage of their germination, will help the plant take root better when transplanted into open ground. Seeds of pyrethrum do not require special pre-sowing preparation and are sown dry. To prevent the planting from becoming thickened, the seeds are mixed with sand.

Planting seeds for seedlings:

• planting containers are filled with fertile soil;
• scatter seeds over the surface and sprinkle 5 cm of soil;
• after planting, the surface is watered or sprayed from a spray bottle;
• containers are covered with film or glass, put in a bright place;
• for seed germination, a temperature of + 15 ° С + 18 ° С is required;
• time of emergence of seed shoots 12-14 days;
• after the shoots appear, the shelter is removed;
• a pick is carried out when 2-3 leaves appear.

Seedlings are transplanted into open ground in May. For the cultivation of feverfew, choose sunny or partial shade areas. In constant shade, the plants will be oppressed, elongated and weakly bloom. The soil, especially for growing rare varieties, requires light, loose, with neutral acidity.

Before transplanting, the seedlings are preliminarily adapted to new conditions by taking them outside. The seedlings are transferred into the prepared holes, without shaking off the earthen ball, so that the plants take root faster.

After transplanting, it is important to shade the plants so that the sun's rays do not burn the delicate leaves.

Plants can be transplanted immediately to a permanent place or to a temporary one for growing and subsequent transplantation.

Choosing a place for planting pyrethrum, you can get not only a decorative island, but also benefits for garden crops. Growing next to cabbage, feverfew helps to get rid of caterpillars. Planted next to fruit trees, the perennial saves them from aphids and moths.

Outdoor care

In a typical summer, feverfew can have enough moisture from precipitation. In the dry season, the plant will need additional watering, otherwise the flowers will become smaller. Watering feverfew should be moderate, without waterlogging the soil.

The plant blooms without additional fertilizing, but if pyrethrum is grown on fertile soil, it shows the best varietal qualities, forms a lush bush.

Long stems of the plant can break off from the wind or heavy rain, so they should be tied up.

Feverfew is not filled with weeds, therefore it does not need constant weeding. The soil around the bushes of plants is loosened after rains or glazeso that no crust forms on the soil surface.

In the fall, all perennials are cut off and covered. But feverfew can overwinter without shelter, if it is under a gentle cover in winter.