Description of kochia varieties, planting and care in open ground, growing from seeds

Kochia is a unique crop similar to miniature cypress trees. The plant was first cultivated in eastern countries, but since the late 90s, it has gained popularity in the post-Soviet space. It is grown to decorate the area and use it as a natural medicine. You should first familiarize yourself with the rules of planting and caring for kochia. The tips below will help even an inexperienced summer resident grow the crop safely.

Description and characteristic features of kochia

Kochia is a perennial belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family. He was first bred in East Asia, South Africa. In simple language, it is called “summer cypress”, “icene”, “annual cypress”, “prutnyak”.

The crop is planted on borders, flower beds, fences. The bush grows quickly; it only requires regular pruning.

Kochias are slender, lush, and are widely used in decorating country estates. The height of the bushes is 60-80 cm, depending on the variety. Pollen occurs in early June and lasts until the first frost. The bushes have many thin, branched shoots. At the base there is an erect, woody stem.

Many people consider the plant to be a conifer because of its narrow leaves that resemble needles. Emerald foliage is soft, pleasant to the touch, with pubescence. Young bushes are light green in color, but during pollen they turn pinkish or crimson. The inflorescences are small, inconspicuous, collected in panicles. After pollination, tiny nuts grow. Each contains a seed that remains viable for 2 years.

Types of kochia

Gardeners count about 80 varieties. In the CIS countries, only the following types are popular.

creeping

This is a less decorative type of kochia; the bushes grow 5-6 cm tall.The plant itself is dense, the branches spread in different directions along the surface.

Woolly flowered

The bushes are annual, reaching 0.5 meters in height. The branches are reddish or yellow-green, with curly pubescence.

Densely flowered

The annual bush grows more than 1 meter in height. The inflorescences are covered with a mass of small whitish hairs, creating a shaggy appearance.

Venechnaya

Coronal kochia forms spherical shrubs and is resistant to dry periods. In autumn the bush turns burgundy. The variety, unlike its counterparts, can withstand frosts down to -10 degrees. The bushes bloom until late autumn.

Hairy

The culture forms slender, elongated bushes 100*70 cm. The leaves are narrow, with a pubescent edge, in the spring of a salad tone. With the arrival of autumn, the plant takes on a burgundy hue. It prefers sunny areas and can grow in poor soils.

Childs

The variety is spherical in shape, small in size, up to 50 cm high. The branches are spreading, densely covered with lettuce foliage. The plant never changes color.

Sultan

An annual species of compact size with a round shape, grows up to 100 cm. The process of bush formation is fast, the variety takes root well in new areas. With the arrival of autumn, emerald tones change to burgundy.

Acapulco Silver

The bushes are spherical, covered with green leaves with a silver edge. In autumn they turn crimson in color.

Nephritis

The plant is famous for its rapid growth, its height is 1 meter. The shade is grassy and does not change throughout the year. With the help of this variety they create marvelous green sculptures.

Flame

This is an annual columnar-shaped bush, the height is about 100 cm. By autumn the leaves turn purple. The variety is resistant to frosts down to -10.

Shilzi

The bushes are dense, up to 1 meter high, 60 cm in diameter.In summer they change color from green to purple-red.

Berning Bush

The bushes are distinguished by their red color already in June. Their height reaches about 80 cm.

Scoparia

The annual prefers warmth, the pollen is not pronounced. The leaves turn coppery red in autumn.

Green Forest

An annual bush, elongated in shape, with bright green leaves. During the growing season, the shade does not change.

Green Lace

The variety has an elongated, oval shape. The flower of the leaves is emerald, does not change.

Cyprus

The variety is distinguished by a green tint of bushes and thick leaves. The plant reaches 80 cm in height.

Growing kochia in the garden

Kochia is usually grown only by seeds. Once you plant a bush in your garden, you don’t have to buy them again. The culture grows independently. The seeds germinate quickly; out of 100 seeds, almost all of them germinate. Their shelf life is about 1.5 years. Afterwards, germination rate decreases.

When is the best time to plant a plant: optimal timing

It is advisable to plant the crop in early May. There should be no risk of frost recurrence. The flora is heat-loving and can freeze. Planting can be done at the beginning of summer, but not later, since the crop germinates quickly. In the South, they land in April or late March. Seedlings are pre-grown indoors, using boxes or containers.

Where is the best place to plant kochia: selection of location

The place should be spacious and open. Choose an area that is well lit by the sun, but some shade is also possible. You should not plant the plant in complete shade, otherwise it will lose its decorative appearance and the leaves will become pale.

Preparation of kochia planting material

Before planting kochia, seedlings or seeds are prepared. Depending on the technique, a number of manipulations are performed.

Kochia seeds

A drainage layer is placed in the container to prevent liquid stagnation. Pour the soil mixture on top and water it. The seeds are sown in rows, with a distance of 3-5 cm. Afterwards, they are sprinkled with a thin layer of earth up to 1.5 cm. Cover the top with glass or cling film. After 7 days, the first shoots appear. They are ventilated and watered with a spray bottle. The covering can be removed after 1-2 weeks and care for the seedlings as for ordinary seedlings.

The desired temperature for the successful propagation of kochia seedlings is 25 degrees Celsius.

Seedlings

The soil in individual pots should be the same; peat containers can be used. The soil with seedlings that have grown up to 10 cm is filled with warm water, the wet soil is carefully undermined and the plant with a lump is transplanted into a pot. They put it on the windowsill, and in the evening add lighting with a lamp. 1 week after replanting, seedlings are fertilized with growth stimulants. Further feeding is carried out once every 2 weeks before transplanting into open ground. It is impossible to keep a bush that has grown for a long time in a pot; the root system needs space, otherwise the plant will wither.

Preparing the soil for kochia

The soil should be well drained, allowing oxygen and air to pass through to the rhizome. Ideally, the soil acidity is neutral or slightly acidic. Before planting, plow the soil and remove weeds.

Planting scheme

Make holes with a diameter corresponding to the size of the root system. Place the seedlings together with a lump of earth into the holes, press the soil with your hands, and water. There should be a distance of 40-50 cm between bushes.

Organization of competent care for kochia

The culture is unpretentious in care; it is only important to periodically water the bushes, loosen the soil, and trim them. The last event is especially important.

Watering the plant

In hot weather, kochia should be irrigated frequently, generously, every 2-3 days. Watering should be carried out in the morning or evening, after 16.00. If you irrigate the plant in bright sun, there is a risk of leaf burns.

Feeding kochia

Kochia should be fertilized regularly so that it grows lush and does not get sick. The first replenishment is carried out 2 weeks after planting. Next, every month the soil is fertilized with minerals or organic matter. You can use mullein and ash. Additionally, feed the kochia after each pruning so that it recovers faster.

Plant pruning

Kochia tolerates the formation of a bush safely; you can use the procedure to give it the desired shape. Due to rapid growth, it is possible to change shape every 2 weeks.

Thinning kochia

When bushes grow too large, they can be made sparser using a thinning procedure. Shrunken, damaged branches are removed with disinfected pruners.

What pathologies and harmful bugs pose a danger to kochia?

Kochia has strong immunity to various pathologies and harmful insects. If watering is done too frequently, rot may occur. Among the parasites, spider mites sometimes attack bushes. They are controlled by spraying with fungicides.

Collection and storage of seeds

To collect seeds, the bushes must be completely ripe. When they turn burgundy and dry out a little, you can take seed. This usually occurs in October or November. The inflorescences are cut off and small seeds are removed from them.

They should be stored in a paper or fabric envelope in a dry place, with an air temperature of up to 25 degrees Celsius..

Application of kochia

The culture is used to decorate the site as a basic element. The plant also has healing properties and can treat some diseases.

Decorative properties

To decorate a dacha, single bushes are planted in flower beds, creating the desired shape of the bush. You can make a combination of several varieties, playing with tones. Group plantings are used to edge the lawn or decorate paths. Tall varieties can be used as hedges and for decorating entire areas. Emerald bushes are suitable for creating a background for plants blooming in bright colors. Thanks to group planting, a vase effect is created. Tall kochia with bright inflorescences bloom in it. Variegated varieties with burgundy or purple foliage look best in the middle of the lawn.

Why is kochia used in medicine?

Kochia has a cardiac stimulant, diaphoretic and diuretic, and a general tonic effect. The plant is used to treat pathologies of the urinary canal, bladder, eczema, rheumatism, edema, and inflammation of the skin. Ointments based on kochia treat dermatitis and nail diseases.