Gypsophila

The genus Gypsophila has more than 100 herbaceous annual and perennial plant species. Their stems are often branched; the leaves are lanceolate. Flowers on thin pedicels are white and pink, extremely numerous, small, collected in wide spreading inflorescences, because of the characteristic appearance of which the gypsophila is called the "wife's veil" or " cloud". They bloom, gradually, one after another, from late spring to autumn. Types are classified by their use. Widely distributed border species Gypsophila elegans (Gypsophila elegans) 40-50 cm high, with lanceolate-spatulate bluish-green leaves and inflorescences of small white, pink or red flowers. Blooms profusely for 30-40 days, from May to September. Often grown varieties 'White large-flowered' and 'Covent Garden' (with white flowers) or 'Pink' (with pink flowers). Another border species is Gypsophila paniculata (G. paniculata), a perennial plant 30-90 cm high, with lanceolate leaves, powerful roots and rare inflorescences of numerous white flowers that bloom in June-July. The bush is strongly branched, almost spherical. From this species, varieties grown for cutting are obtained, with simple, semi-double or double flowers. In addition, there are very compact ones for potted crops, such as 'White Holiday' and 'Pink Holiday'. Rock gardens grow Gypsophila cerastioides - a perennial species that forms bundles of elliptical leaves of gray color. In the period from June to October, white flowers with purple veins bloom, collected in rare corymbs. Gypsophila muralis) is a very branched annual species. The leaves are linear and bright green. From mid-May, pale pink flowers bloom in abundance. The plant is particularly well suited for wall decoration. A very widespread perennial species in nature and in culture is Gypsophila creeping (G. repens), a plant with creeping shoots that forms dense bushes 20 cm high. The leaves are dark green and narrow-lanceolate. The flowers are white or pink and bloom in June and July. Of the varieties of this species, 'Fratensis' is very well known, also called Gypsophila fratensis, with many pink flowers.

The genus Gypsophila has more than 100 herbaceous annual and perennial plant species. Their stems are often branched; the leaves are lanceolate. Flowers on thin pedicels are white and pink, extremely numerous, small, collected in wide spreading inflorescences, because of the characteristic appearance of which the gypsophila is called the "wife's veil" or " cloud". They bloom, gradually, one after another, from late spring to autumn. Types are classified by their use.

Widely distributed border species Gypsophila elegans (Gypsophila elegans) 40-50 cm high, with lanceolate-spatulate bluish-green leaves and inflorescences of small white, pink or red flowers. Blooms profusely for 30-40 days, from May to September. Often grown varieties 'White large-flowered' and 'Covent Garden' (with white flowers) or 'Pink' (with pink flowers).

Another border species is Gypsophila paniculata (G. paniculata), a perennial plant 30-90 cm high, with lanceolate leaves, powerful roots and rare inflorescences of numerous white flowers that bloom in June-July. The bush is strongly branched, almost spherical. From this species, varieties grown for cutting are obtained, with simple, semi-double or double flowers. In addition, there are very compact ones for potted crops, such as 'White Holiday' and 'Pink Holiday'.

Rock gardens grow Gypsophila cerastioides - a perennial species that forms bundles of elliptical leaves of gray color. In the period from June to October, white flowers with purple veins bloom, collected in rare corymbs.

Gypsophila muralis) is a very branched annual species. The leaves are linear and bright green. From mid-May, pale pink flowers bloom in abundance. The plant is particularly well suited for wall decoration.

A very widespread perennial species in nature and in culture is Gypsophila creeping (G. repens), a plant with creeping shoots that forms dense bushes 20 cm high. The leaves are dark green and narrow-lanceolate. The flowers are white or pink and bloom in June and July. Of the varieties of this species, 'Fratensis' is very well known, also called Gypsophila fratensis, with many pink flowers.

Cultivation

Gypsophila is grown in the open ground and in pots on balconies and terraces. Tall varieties and forms are used on dry slopes, lawns, and mixed plantings. Low-for rocky areas, curbs, and walls. Gypsophila is an excellent material for bouquets and flower arrangements, including winter ones. It grows well in dry places, on poor loamy and stony calcareous soils. Perennial species prefer sandy loam or light loamy soils. During the spring-summer growing season, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days. 10 g per bucket. In the open ground planted in September (in areas of mild climate) or in March. Potted varieties - in spring. When the shoots reach a height of 10-12 cm, the tips of the shoots are removed by pinching, so that the plants grow thicker. After flowering, you can trim the peduncles to give the bush a beautiful shape.

Gypsophila is grown in the open ground and in pots on balconies and terraces. Tall varieties and forms are used on dry slopes, lawns, and mixed plantings. Low-for rocky areas, curbs, and walls. Gypsophila is an excellent material for bouquets and flower arrangements, including winter ones. It grows well in dry places, on poor loamy and stony calcareous soils. Perennial species prefer sandy loam or light loamy soils. During the spring-summer growing season, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days. 10 g per bucket.

In the open ground planted in September (in areas of mild climate) or in March. Potted varieties - in spring. When the shoots reach a height of 10-12 cm, the tips of the shoots are removed by pinching, so that the plants grow thicker. After flowering, you can trim the peduncles to give the bush a beautiful shape.

Location

Gypsophila needs open sun.

Temperature

Usually plants of the genus Gypsophila are resistant to fluctuations in air temperature, in general they are relatively cold-resistant, they tolerate light spring frosts from 0 to -5 °C. Perennial types of winter hardiness.

Watering

Water only during periods of prolonged drought and young plants immediately after planting.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring, once every 1-2 years, each time in a pot larger than the previous size, using the same soil as recommended for cultivation.

Reproduction

Annual species are propagated by seeds, seedlings bloom 2.5-3 months after sowing. Perennial species, forms with simple flowers, are propagated by seeds, and with double ones-by dividing bushes and cuttings, since at best half of the double forms develop during seed propagation. Cuttings are cut in the spring (2.5 cm long), placed in a cool room, later planted in separate cups, and in the ground - in the fall or next spring. Perennial species are propagated by dividing the bush in March (during a cold winter) or in September. The resulting parts are immediately planted directly on a permanent landing site.

Annual species are propagated by seeds, seedlings bloom 2.5-3 months after sowing. Perennial species, forms with simple flowers, are propagated by seeds, and with double ones-by dividing bushes and cuttings, since at best half of the double forms develop during seed propagation.

Cuttings are cut in the spring (2.5 cm long), placed in a cool room, later planted in separate cups, and in the ground - in the fall or next spring.

Perennial species are propagated by dividing the bush in March (during a cold winter) or in September. The resulting parts are immediately planted directly on a permanent landing site.

Diseases

Fungi of the genus Rhizoctonia (Rhizoctonia) cause the appearance of wet rot of the stem at the level of the soil surface. Mushrooms of the genus Pythium provoke rotting of the roots in the summer. The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes whitish mold on the leaves, and black formations inside the stems. Due to black rot (Botrytis cinerea), gray mold forms on flowers and leaves, especially in mild climatic conditions during the winter-spring period and at high humidity. Fungi of the genus Alternaria cause browning of flowers in autumn and in the spring. Oidium affects the flowers, leaves and stems. This disease manifests itself in the form of powdery spots, as well as spotting on the leaves and flowers, especially during the dormant period. All these diseases are eliminated with the help of appropriate fungicides. A mining moth eats holes in the leaves. Larvae of Spodoptera litoralis eat leaves and shoots. In closed rooms, California thrips often appear, which nibble on the flowers and ends of branches. Perform treatment (preferably preventive) with chemical preparations.

Acquisition

Seedlings of perennial species can be found in nurseries and horticultural centers that offer a wide range of crops. Seeds of annual species should be purchased from specialized companies, paying attention to the expiration date indicated on the package.