Planting and caring for sparaxis in open ground, the best types and varieties

Herbaceous bulbous perennials are loved by all gardeners; such plants decorate areas for many years. Recently, the traditional views for our country have been supplemented by guests from overseas countries, who have an exotic charm, special brightness and chic. Let's look at how to grow sparaxis in open ground - the features of planting and care, the necessary conditions under which a heat-loving flower will feel at home.

General description and characteristics of the sparaxis flower

Sparaxis belongs to the Iridaceae family and belongs to the genus of corms. In nature, it is found only in southern Africa, where it blooms along the banks of reservoirs. One species (Sparaxis tricolor) has been introduced to California.

In African conditions, sparaxis grows up to a meter, but when transferred to our latitudes it produces a peduncle 50-60 centimeters high. Characteristics of Sparaxis:

1. The basal rosette consists of smooth lanceolate foliage of a rich green color, like many irises.
2. Corm.
3. Dwarf species grow up to 15 centimeters, the rest - 50-60 centimeters.
4. Flowers up to 5 centimeters in diameter. The shape is star-shaped or funnel-shaped. The pistil is pronounced, strongly protruding, 3 stigmas. The color of the petals in most of them has contrasting transitions.

The flowers are not large, but the pronounced contrast of color makes the blooming sparaxis the main decoration of any site. The petals are painted in 2-3 colors, the transitions seem to be drawn with clear lines. Various colors - yellow, orange, purple, white.

In conditions similar to African ones, sparaxis blooms in the spring and delights with a riot of colors all summer. In the realities of the Middle Zone, with the need to remove the bulbs from the soil for the winter, flowering begins at the end of summer.

Types and varieties

For selection, the 4 most decorative types of sparaxis are used, the total number of varieties is greater. Breeders managed to create varieties with bright contrasting color combinations - from white to deep purple; the color of the perianth combines 3 colors.

The leaders in popularity are the following varieties:

1. Bilbifera. The least whimsical of all sparaxis, with narrow petals of a white or lemon-yellow hue.The petals are distant from each other and do not touch. The group creates openwork light compositions of a monochrome look. Diameter – 5 centimeters, height – up to 60 centimeters.
2. Tricolor, tricolor. A favorite among gardeners, it combines 3 contrasting tones in its petals. Typically, tricolors are sold as a mix with different petal colors. The peduncle bears 5-7 buds, which bloom in turn.
3. Grandiflora. Remarkably beautiful flowers with bracts that match the color of the petals and have a pleasant aroma. On the peduncle there are from 3 to 5 buds of white, purple or yellow color.
4. Elegant. This species is dwarf and grows up to 15 centimeters. The orange color of the petals with a burgundy-violet center is especially popular.

The varieties Sunny Day, Moonlight, and Lord of Fire are also loved by flower growers.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of sparaxis is the high decorative effect of group plantings. Flowers are planted tightly. The lanceolate greenery is connected at the bottom, the peduncles are strewn with bright heads of fancy colors. Small flowers stand out clearly against the greenery. Details are drawn with precise strokes, no halftones or blurry spots. The bulbs remain viable for up to 3 years, but require proper storage.

A significant disadvantage of sparaxis is that the plant is exotic, and the conditions of most Russian regions are far from African. Flower growers have to create special conditions for the plant, as a result of which flowering moves to the end of summer. Only in the southernmost regions can the bulbs overwinter in the soil; the beds still need to be mulched. Sparaxis can be grown from seeds only in stationary greenhouses.

Subtleties of growing ornamental crops

For those who have mastered planting and caring for gladioli, tulips, and irises, it is not difficult to master the agricultural technology of growing sparaxis. The closest relative of everyone's favorite crops is grown according to the same rules.

When and where to plant

For the beds, choose sunlit places without shading, but protected from wind and drafts. Lowlands where water accumulates are not used. The bulb can become wet and rot if there is excess moisture. For drainage, use a layer of expanded clay and add sand to the soil mixture. When planting in loamy or sandy soils, dilute the soil with organic matter.

On the territory of Russia, the following dates for planting sparaxis are recommended:

1. Southern regions where winter temperatures do not fall below 0°. End of September, first half of October. The beds are mulched for the winter.
2. The middle zone is the end of April, mid-May.

When choosing dates, they are guided by the weather. Steady warmth and warm soil are the main conditions for growth. Bulbs planted in the cold will simply sit in the ground; if there is excess moisture, the roots will begin to rot.

Preparation of seedlings

A few days before planting, the bulbs are removed from storage and transferred to a warm place (25-27 °). Planting material is inspected and diseased specimens are discarded. Before planting, you can treat the bulbs with fungicides (Fundazol), growth stimulants (Kornevin) in accordance with the instructions.

How to plant

Sparaxis is planted in soil heated to 18 °, according to the following rules:

• pre-winter sowing - with a depth of 8-10 centimeters;
• spring planting – depth – 5-6 centimeters.

To create beautiful meadows, flowers are planted tightly - at a distance of 8-15 centimeters from each other, depending on the size of the sparaxis bush.

Help: sparaxis remains decorative for 5-6 years, then the bulbs need to be renewed.

Sparaxis Care

They care for the flower in the same way as its iris relatives - water it and feed it. The row spacing is loosened to provide air access, weeds and dead parts of the bushes are removed.

How to water and feed

Watering is carried out in accordance with weather conditions. During the rainy season, do not allow the water to stagnate. During drought, water 2-3 times a week, preferably in the evening. If it is cool at night, watering is postponed until the morning. At high temperatures, sparaxis benefits from sprinkling when there is no direct sun.

Feeding rules:

• phosphorus-containing fertilizers - in early spring and after flowering in winter;
• nitrogen - in the spring for green growth;
• potash - during budding.

During the season, it is recommended to add ash to the sparaxis beds 2-3 times.

Wintering

To maintain the viability of the bulbs during the winter, late (after flowering has completed) feeding of sparaxis with phosphorus-containing fertilizer is carried out. Then the plants are no longer watered and allowed to dry in the soil.

The bulbs are dug up without cutting the greens and soaked in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate for 24 hours. Then dry. This will disinfect the planting material and remove particles of mold and rot. After waiting for the above-ground part to dry completely, it is separated from the bulb. Store planting material at a temperature of 5-7 ° in sawdust in a dark room. The bulbs are periodically inspected and damaged specimens are removed.

In southern regions with positive winter temperatures, sparaxis beds are mulched for the winter and covered with a layer of spruce branches. The bulbs overwinter in the soil, so the bush blooms early - in May-June.

Diseases and pests

Most diseases and pests avoid sparaxis.The danger is overwatering, which can lead to fungal infections of the bulb. It is necessary to improve the drainage of the beds and normalize watering.

Reproduction of sparaxis

A convenient and quick way to reproduce sparaxis are the children produced by the mother's bulb. Rules and subtleties of reproduction:

• Corms are removed from the soil after flowering has completed, until the foliage has completely dried out;
• baby bulbs are stored unseparated so that they do not lose moisture and dry out;
• Before planting, the children are carefully cut off from the mother bulb, and the cut site is treated with activated carbon.

Young seedlings are not allowed to bloom; the flower stalks are cut off for 2 years to allow the bulb to grow.

Important: if it is not necessary to propagate sparaxis, the children are still removed from the mother bulb so as not to deprive the peduncle of nutrients.

Seed propagation of bulbous plants is rarely used - varietal qualities may be lost. The plant blooms from seeds after 3 years, when the bulb matures. Fully ripened and dried sparaxis seeds are planted in a loose substrate to a depth of 1 centimeter.

Ground sowing is possible only in very warm regions; in the central zone, greenhouse cultivation is used. Before transferring to a permanent place, sparaxis must spend 2 years without transplanting; seedlings must not be disturbed before.

Use in landscape design

Small, colorful sparaxis flowers look great in group plantings. In landscape design, the plant is used:

• in combination with ground cover plants - for accent spots;
• around ornamental shrubs;
• in mixborders, rockeries;
• as potted crops for home and garden plots;
• in monoflowers and with other bulbous plants.

Sparaxis lasts a long time when cut and is used for bouquets.

Despite certain growing difficulties, flower growers fell in love with the bright African. Sparaxis brings a riot of colors and exotic notes to the design of familiar flower beds. Exquisite shades and geometrically drawn details of the petals add charm and unusualness to the areas.