Helenium - planting and care in the open ground, tips for gardeners

In autumn, flowerbeds lose their beauty, but there are flower crops that blossom just by this time. Gardeners recommend paying attention to helenium, planting and care in the open ground beyond which will not require the creation of special conditions. Bright golden and orange flowers will delight the eye from late summer to early autumn.

Helenium - varieties

Of the huge variety of gardeners use five species of this flower culture, which are divided into numerous varieties.

1. "Goupez". A perennial plant, which in height reaches about 1 m. In nature it grows on the territory of North America. Gray-green leaves are sharp, and the peduncles are long. For those who are interested when the helenium blooms in the open, you need to know that this happens from June to July and then bright yellow flowers appear, reaching a diameter of 9 cm.
2. "Bigelow." This species is rare and it blooms from June to July. The stems are straight and grow to 80 cm. The leaves are whole and sharp, and the inflorescences are tubular and are 6 cm in diameter. Buds are colored yellow with a dark core.
3. Spring. Finding out how the helenium of this species looks, it is worth noting that its straight stems can reach a length of up to 1 m. The green leaves are lanceolate, and the large flowers have orange petals with a brown core. The beginning of flowering is observed in May.
4. Hybrid. This group includes a large number of garden varieties and hybrids, as well as forms of indeterminate origin. They differ in size, timing of flowering and color.
5. Autumn. The most common species, in which the stems reach a height of 160 cm. The leaves are small and with denticles at the edges. Buds have yellow or red petals with a yellow midpoint. Flowering is observed from the end of July and until the beginning of autumn.

Helenium - landing

Immediately it is worth mentioning that the planting material has low germination, and it does not matter whether the landing will occur immediately after harvesting or after some time. This must be taken into account by people who do not understand why Helenium did not rise, since this is a common phenomenon. It is better to buy seeds in the store, then the chances of germination increase. To grow helenium from seeds, planting and care in the open field must take into account a number of recommendations:

1. It is better to plant seeds on seedlings to get strong seedlings that will be prepared for the open ground. They start work in February.
2. First, the planting material must be stratified. To do this, fill seeds in the soil container, and then wrap the pot on top with a film and put it in the refrigerator. Keep it there for 1.5 months. and then get into the heat.
3. Planting a perennial gelenium implies the use of artificial lighting in the future. You can put glass on top of the pot to create greenhouse conditions. The optimum temperature for germination is 18-22 ° C. Do not forget to water the ground.
4. Seedlings should appear after 2-3 weeks and then the glass needs to be removed. When the seedlings start growing and 2-3 leaves appear, they are dived.

How to plant helenium?

It is important to choose the right place for growing this flower culture. It is best to choose solar patches of open soil, although the flower will normally develop in shady places. As for the soil, it is recommended to prefer light, neutral, nutritious and well drained land. Gardeners recommend to pre-dig a site with compost . Landing helenium in the ground, is carried out according to this scheme:

1. The excavated hole must be 2 times the root coma. Before planting the plant, it is recommended that the roots be immersed in water for a few minutes so that they are saturated with moisture.
2. When planting several specimens, be aware that there must be a minimum distance of 30 cm between them, and at least 35 cm between rows.
3. To start helenium, planting and care in the open ground includes a procedure such as mulching . Use better peat or humus.

Helenium - when to plant?

The time when plants are planted depends on which method was chosen. If it was decided to sow seeds for seedlings, then work better in late February or early March. When sowing will be carried out directly in the open ground, it is important to wait until the time when the earth warms up and night frosts will be ruled out. For the autumn helenium this is May or the beginning of June.

What does the helenium shoot look like?

If all the rules of planting and care are observed, and the planting material was of good quality, then the first shoots should appear in a few weeks. They are like thin threads, at the ends of which there will be two leaves. The older the longer gelenium becomes, the more full leaves will appear. If the seedlings have grown too close to each other, the shoots are better to thin.

Helenium - cultivation and care

For proper plant development, consider a number of recommendations regarding care:

1. Cultivation of the helenium in the open ground implies frequent loosening of the soil, since it is important that it is well drained.
2. To obtain a long and lush blossom, it is important to remove inflorescences that have already faded. If you want to get a more branched and thick bush, then you should pinch the top.
3. Once every three years, it's worth replacing and planting a flower. It is recommended that you divide it into several outlets.
4. To grow the long-term helenium, its landing and care in the open ground include the rules concerning wintering. To begin with, cut the stems so that there is 10 cm from the ground. On top of them, cover with sawdust or other suitable material.

Plant helenium - watering

One of the important conditions for proper care is watering, as this flower culture does not tolerate drought. It is impossible to tolerate both drying and stagnation of water in the soil. It is better to choose drip irrigation. For good gelenium growth, outdoor care involves the use of water at room temperature. After watering, immediately it is necessary to loosen the soil so that not only moisture but also oxygen enters the roots.

Helenium in the garden - feeding

The flower when grown in open ground responds well to fertilizing and during the summer season, three procedures should be performed:

1. For those who are interested in how to grow helenium outdoors, it is worth knowing that the first feeding should be done in May. Use this mixture: 10 liters of warm water is taken for 1 tbsp. spoon of potassium sulfate and fertilizer "Effeton". For each 1 m ² should be 3 liters of fertilizer.
2. The next top dressing is carried out with the beginning of the flowering period. In this case, 10 liters of water is taken per 1 tbsp. spoons "Agricola-7" and "Agricola-fantasy", and 1 liter of liquid mullein . The consumption of such fertilizer is identical to the first described top dressing.
3. For the third time, fertilizers are used at the end of October. For this case, this mixture is suitable: 10 liters of water is added to 1 tbsp. spoon of superphosphate and potassium sulfate. For each 1 m ² should be 5 liters of fertilizer.

Helenium - reproduction

There are several ways that are suitable for the propagation of this flower culture. How to do this with seeds has been described earlier, but there are two more methods:

1. Reproduction by the division of rosettes. The easiest way to breed. The bushes consist of separate stems that form a spiked shape. In three years, approximately grows up to 30 stems and then a seating arrangement is mandatory. Do it better in the autumn or spring in May. Plant the autumn helenium to dig up and divide the roots into several parts, which are then planted in the selected places.
2. Reproduction by cuttings. This method is used at the time of active growth of the stems. Using a sharp knife, cut cuttings 10-12 cm long and treat them with a solution for rapid root formation, for example, "Kornevin". After that, they can be lowered into the water or immediately deepened into the soil in a greenhouse. When the roots appear, then they are planted in a permanent place.

Plant helenium - diseases and pests

One can not but rejoice at the fact that this flower culture is resistant to various parasites and diseases, but a chrysanthemum nematode is periodically observed. In this case, helenium in the garden begin to blacken and dry leaves and flower buds. It is recommended that the affected areas be cut and burned. To prevent the pest from reoccurring, slaked lime or ground sulfur must be applied to the soil.