A versatile grain from nature - an amazing hedgehog plant
Paniculate spikelets on thin stems in combination with sophisticated foliage look quite original in the landscape designs of city parks. The hedgehog plant is widely used for landscaping roads as well as supporting slopes. In gardens, perennials are used to decorate alleys or paths. Also, the cereal crop is planted on alpine coasterwhere it is in original harmony with stones and other decorations. In addition, due to its high nutritional value, cereals are often used as feed for livestock. Still, when growing grass, it is important to take into account some of the characteristics of a perennial.
Plant hedgehog under the sight of lenses
The photo of the national team hedgehogs shows other features of the grass:
- linear pointed leaves with a special roughness (5-20 mm wide);
- one-sided paniculate inflorescences with dense and compressed lobes, reaching 3-20 cm in length;
- gray-green spikelets of 2-5 flowers;
- fruits in the form of oblong caryopses of ashy color.
Depending on where the hedgehog is growing, a corresponding harvest is expected. In nature, the cereal is found in many regions of Russia, except for areas with severe and snowless winters, in fields, pastures and hayfields. Usually these are coastal areas with loose and fertile land. Grass is grown to produce hay, which is suitable for feeding all types of livestock, but especially horses. The maximum yield is achieved only for 2-3 years of sowing. 
With two-cut use (perennial grows rather quickly), up to 70 centners of hay / silage are harvested from 1 hectare of land, and about 400 kg of seeds.
Blooming hedgehog is usually observed in June. But by mid-July, full-fledged seeds are already ripening on the spikelets.
Varieties
Botanists know only 10 species of this herbaceous culture. The most common plant is the Siberian hedgehog, which is also called Altai. It is characterized by short stature (up to 60 cm), as well as dense flowering with a beautiful purple tint. However, for agriculture or landscaping, only one variety is used - prefabricated (twisted).
It, in turn, unites up to 23-26 different varieties, among which it is especially popular.:
- Asta;
- Narymskaya;
- Epic;
- VIC 61;
- Intensive;
- Birskaya.
In addition, many are familiar with the Voronov hedgehog plant. This cereal has a bush-like shape and is distinguished by unusually short stems. The leaves grow from the very root rosette with an extraordinary thick, which gives the perennial a special splendor. A distinctive feature of this species is the early flowering of miniature spikelets (up to 6 mm), which occurs at the end of May.
Designers will be very interested in variegated varieties. These include the variegated Flava and Striata varieties. The foliage of such decorative hybrids is decorated with whitish or golden stripes.
Agricultural technology of cultivation
First, it should be noted that the herbaceous perennial is resistant to short-term soil moisture.However, at high humidity, rotting of the rhizome is observed. For this reason, when choosing a site for planting a hedgehog plant, special attention is paid to the occurrence of groundwater. Then there will be no risk of root flooding.
Further, the features of the soil substrate are taken into account.:
- good looseness;
- high fertility, nutritional value;
- weak (from 4 pH) or neutral (6-7 pH) acidity;
- excellent air and water permeability.
Although the cereal is not very whimsical to the type of soil, its yield is maximally high in loose soil. Therefore, preference is given to loams and sandy loams. But light soils or sandy significantly impair the development of the plant.
Usually hedgehogs are sown in early spring. In addition, planting options in late summer or autumn months are acceptable. The emergence of seedlings is always expected after 3 weeks, even if the temperature outside is around + 6˚С. The optimal seed consumption rate for rural land is 15-20 kg / ha, and for decorative purposes - 100 g / weave.
Nevertheless, in this matter, the form of landing plays an important role:
- in pure form - 12-14 kg / ha;
- grass mixture - 10-12 kg / ha;
- for the irrigation system - 8-10 kg / ha.
The seeding depth directly depends on the type of soil. For heavy soils, this figure is not more than 1-2 cm, and for light soils - 2-4 cm. The perennial is sown mainly in continuous rows. In some cases, crop thinning is organized, which contributes to the formation of massive bumps. When sown neat, a good harvest is expected only in the second year. Nevertheless, the perennial reaches full development only at 3 years of age. In mixed plantings, the grass grows excellently for 8-10 years.
Joint crops are not always a suitable option for growing. The hedgehog team belongs to aggressive and rival plants, so it can drown out its "neighbors" in the garden.
The best "partners" on the lawn for the cereal will be alfalfa or red clover.
Temperature dependence
The cereal is resistant to many diseases and common pests. Along with this, it does not lose its yield even when trampled or mowed. However, the culture cannot boast of winter hardiness. In conditions of a snowy winter, perennials overwinter quite well.
But they can damage crops:
- low or no snow cover;
- off-season frosts;
- severe frosts;
- sudden changes in temperature.
In severe frosts, generative shoots cease to form, which has a bad effect on the productivity of the herbage.
The optimal conditions for active growth and full development of grass are + 15 ... + 18˚С. Flowering will be of the highest quality at temperatures within + 22 ... + 24˚С. To improve the growth of culture, systematically introduced potash-phosphorus fertilizers... Regular feeding significantly reduces the risk of dangerous diseases or pests.
A negative impact on the development of perennials is exerted by a deficit of precipitation during winter dormancy. As a result, the landing is significantly thinned out. In addition, with severe drought or heat, yield indicators sharply decrease.
Hedgehog and health
The herb has excellent anti-toxic properties. The culture is widely used to improve the digestive tract. It contains many useful components, but the high percentage of fiber deserves special attention. Perennial is used for medicinal purposes to strengthen human immunity. It is often found in many herbal preparations for the treatment of various diseases.
Remarkably, hedgehog grass and allergies are related. It is used as a laboratory material for allergy tests. In addition, the cereal is included in some drugs used in immunotherapy of patients sensitive to cereal pollen. Therefore, an amazing culture has rightfully earned the title of a universal plant.