Limonium

The genus Kermek, or Statice, Limonium (Limonium), contains about 300 one -, two - and perennial plants and semi-shrubs (a plant with a lignified base, on which shoots are formed annually, remaining green and drying out at the beginning of winter); in culture - about 30 species. Small flowers are collected in complex dense spikelet, forming corymbose inflorescences; the flowers feel like paper. Dry calyxes of flowers have white, pink, red, blue, blue, yellow, salmon color. They are often used in compositions of freshly cut, as well as dried flowers: when they dry, they do not change coloring. Oval leaves form a rosette, from which straight leafless stems emerge. Kermek notched (Limonium sinuatum) is a Mediterranean plant with a height of 40 cm; dark green leaves - with a wavy edge. In summer, blue or cream flowers bloom; they can also be yellow, orange, pink, or red. The well-known long-term resistant broad-leaved Limonium (L. latifolium) blooms in summer with blue or purple flowers. Plant height 60 cm; elliptical leaves are collected in basal rosettes. Purple flowers of common Limonium (L. vulgare), collected in scutes, bloom all summer. This perennial species grows only up to 20-30 cm in height. The leaves are ovate and lanceolate.

The genus Kermek, or Statice, Limonium (Limonium), contains about 300 one -, two - and perennial plants and semi-shrubs (a plant with a lignified base, on which shoots are formed annually, remaining green and drying out at the beginning of winter); in culture - about 30 species. Small flowers are collected in complex dense spikelet, forming corymbose inflorescences; the flowers feel like paper. Dry calyxes of flowers have white, pink, red, blue, blue, yellow, salmon color. They are often used in compositions of freshly cut, as well as dried flowers: when they dry, they do not change coloring. Oval leaves form a rosette, from which straight leafless stems emerge.

Kermek notched (Limonium sinuatum) is a Mediterranean plant with a height of 40 cm; dark green leaves - with a wavy edge. In summer, blue or cream flowers bloom; they can also be yellow, orange, pink, or red.

The well-known long-term resistant broad-leaved Limonium (L. latifolium) blooms in summer with blue or purple flowers. Plant height 60 cm; elliptical leaves are collected in basal rosettes.

Purple flowers of common Limonium (L. vulgare), collected in scutes, bloom all summer. This perennial species grows only up to 20-30 cm in height. The leaves are ovate and lanceolate.

Cultivation

Kermek is planted in the open air, usually in the open ground. Prefers a marine climate. Less often it is grown in pots: on terraces and balconies. Perennial resistant species are planted in the ground in early spring, annuals-in early May. Light, sandy, well-drained soil is required. When planting, observe the distance of 25-30 cm between plants. When growing in pots, it is necessary to periodically feed on average 1 time in 2 months - liquid fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 ml per bucket. For cutting plants in protected ground, you can grow them all year round - you need good lighting, limited watering and an air temperature of 20-22 °C.

Kermek is planted in the open air, usually in the open ground. Prefers a marine climate. Less often it is grown in pots: on terraces and balconies. Perennial resistant species are planted in the ground in early spring, annuals-in early May. Light, sandy, well-drained soil is required. When planting, observe the distance of 25-30 cm between plants.

When growing in pots, it is necessary to periodically feed on average 1 time in 2 months - liquid fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 ml per bucket.

For cutting plants in protected ground, you can grow them all year round - you need good lighting, limited watering and an air temperature of 20-22 °C.

Location

Kermek is light-loving and requires a place in the open sun.

Temperature

Winter temperatures should not fall below 5-7 °C. After sowing the seeds, during germination, the temperature is maintained at 15 °C.

Watering

The plant is watered only when it is necessary, and not abundantly; avoid stagnation of water.

Transplant

Transplanting perennial species grown in pots is carried out in early spring in new spacious containers.

Care

In autumn, perennial species are cut to the root. Treatment of plants during active growth is reduced to the removal of leaves and damaged inflorescences.

Reproduction

Annual species are propagated by seed through seedlings: they are sown in February-March in loose, with the addition of 10-15 g of full mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil, land that is a mixture of turf, sand and peat in a ratio of 1:1:1. As soon as the shoots grow, they are transplanted into cups or cellular containers filled with the same soil - soil, doubling the amount of fertilizer applied. Thus, they are kept until the final planting in May. Perennial species can be propagated both by sowing seeds and by cuttings. Cuttings are harvested in autumn or late winter and plant to root in the sand in a protected place. Then the cuttings are transplanted into pots, and the next year in March they are finally planted. Division of the bush is made less often, in March, choosing a well-developed plant for this operation.

Diseases

The danger for Kermek is the gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea), which develops even on flowers. Its appearance is prevented by maintaining low humidity, and get rid of it by treating the plant with chemical preparations. Because of the oidium, a white mold forms on the surface of the plant; in this case, protective agents against oidium or a sulfur-based substance must be used.

Acquisition

In specialized nurseries, gardening centers and shops, you can buy seeds or seedlings. You should check the shelf life of the seeds; the seedlings should be perfectly healthy.