Senecio

The genus Senecio unites more than 3000 species of various plants. Shrubby, herbaceous and semi-shrubby, annual, biennial and perennial, resistant and tender even within the same crop type. For the most part, these are succulent species, that is, they store moisture in the plant tissues. These include, for example, Senecio maritimus - a species that grows up to 50-60 cm in height. In summer, nondescript yellow baskets bloom. A noticeable part of the plant is its strongly indented leaves of silvery-white color, which gives them a thick fluff. This plant is grown in seaside rock gardens usually as an annual or biennial. Of the perennials for rock gardens, the Senecio doronicum (s. doronicum) - a plant with a height of 10-60 cm; blooms in spring and summer with orange-yellow baskets. Hoary Senecio (S. incanus) is a crop 5-10 cm high, with small and flat yellow inflorescences appearing in summer. The whole plant is covered with silvery-white hairs. The leaves are oblong-ovate. The following types are very interesting from a decorative point of view. Senecio thick (S. crassissimus) up to 60 cm high. Fleshy flat rounded leaves of gray-blue color with a reddish edge. S. haworthii is a 50 cm tall plant with yellow-blue cylindrical leaves covered with silver fluff. In summer, orange-yellow flowers are formed. Senecio rooting (S. radicans) - groundcover dwarf (height 10 cm) plant. Gray-blue leaves of irregular sphere shape; white baskets. Shrubby non-succulent species are evergreen, unpretentious plants that are grown mainly in coastal areas. Gray's Godson (s. greyi) grows up to 1.5 m. Silver-gray leaves have an ovate-oblong shape. The underside of the leaf plate is covered with gray fluff. In summer, yellow baskets collected in panicles bloom. Senecio laxifolius - a shrub with a height of 2 m or more, with leaves and stems of brown-green color. In summer, yellow baskets with purple-hued median flowers appear in panicles. Herbaceous species are grown in flower beds, for example, large-flowered Senecio (S. grandiflorus) - a perennial up to 1.5 m high. In summer, yellow baskets with a purple tint collected in large shields bloom.

The genus Senecio unites more than 3000 species of various plants. Shrubby, herbaceous and semi-shrubby, annual, biennial and perennial, resistant and tender even within the same crop type. For the most part, these are succulent species, that is, they store moisture in the plant tissues.

These include, for example, Senecio maritimus - a species that grows up to 50-60 cm in height. In summer, nondescript yellow baskets bloom. A noticeable part of the plant is its strongly indented leaves of silvery-white color, which gives them a thick fluff. This plant is grown in seaside rock gardens usually as an annual or biennial.

Of the perennials for rock gardens, the Senecio doronicum (s. doronicum) - a plant with a height of 10-60 cm; blooms in spring and summer with orange-yellow baskets.

Hoary Senecio (S. incanus) is a crop 5-10 cm high, with small and flat yellow inflorescences appearing in summer. The whole plant is covered with silvery-white hairs. The leaves are oblong-ovate.

The following types are very interesting from a decorative point of view. Senecio thick (S. crassissimus) up to 60 cm high. Fleshy flat rounded leaves of gray-blue color with a reddish edge.

S. haworthii is a 50 cm tall plant with yellow-blue cylindrical leaves covered with silver fluff. In summer, orange-yellow flowers are formed.

Senecio rooting (S. radicans) - groundcover dwarf (height 10 cm) plant. Gray-blue leaves of irregular sphere shape; white baskets.

Shrubby non-succulent species are evergreen, unpretentious plants that are grown mainly in coastal areas.

Gray's Godson (s. greyi) grows up to 1.5 m. Silver-gray leaves have an ovate-oblong shape. The underside of the leaf plate is covered with gray fluff. In summer, yellow baskets collected in panicles bloom.

Senecio laxifolius - a shrub with a height of 2 m or more, with leaves and stems of brown-green color. In summer, yellow baskets with purple-hued median flowers appear in panicles.

Herbaceous species are grown in flower beds, for example, large-flowered Senecio (S. grandiflorus) - a perennial up to 1.5 m high. In summer, yellow baskets with a purple tint collected in large shields bloom.

Cultivation

All species of the Senecio genus are grown both in pots and in the open ground on alpine slides, in group plantings and hedges. Non-succulent species, including shrubby ones, are finally planted in the ground in autumn (in cold climates) or in spring. Herbaceous semi-shrub succulents can be planted in a permanent place only when there is no longer a danger of late frosts. They require neutral or slightly alkaline soil. During the period of active growth, plants are fed-a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 20-30 days. Grey's Senecio requires strong pruning to maintain its compact shape.

All species of the Senecio genus are grown both in pots and in the open ground on alpine slides, in group plantings and hedges. Non-succulent species, including shrubby ones, are finally planted in the ground in autumn (in cold climates) or in spring. Herbaceous semi-shrub succulents can be planted in a permanent place only when there is no longer a danger of late frosts. They require neutral or slightly alkaline soil. During the period of active growth, plants are fed-a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 20-30 days.

Grey's Senecio requires strong pruning to maintain its compact shape.

Location

Almost all species prefer a location in the open sun. Some shrubs tolerate partial shade.

Temperature

All types are resistant to high temperature. Many succulent plants tolerate a drop in temperature to 4 °C, and shrubs are frost-resistant. Herbaceous and semi-shrubby species require an air temperature of at least 10 °C in winter.

Watering

Almost all non-succulent species require abundant watering during the period of active growth. Succulent species are watered regularly in summer, much less often in winter.

Reproduction

Herbaceous species are sown in May-June. Seeds are collected from young plants at a temperature not lower than 7 °C. Since this is a very complex operation, it is better to purchase ready-made plants. Shrubs are propagated by cuttings. Cuttings 8-10 cm long are taken in the summer. The cut is dried for several days, then planted in a mixture of turf and sand (1:1). Senecio (especially species for hedges) is propagated by layering or dividing the bush. In climbing species, in spring and early summer, apical cuttings are taken, making a cut under the node. The cut is treated with growth stimulants, then cuttings are planted in the ground and placed in a hot, shaded and humid place. After 1.5 months, fully formed specimens grow from the cuttings.

Diseases

In herbaceous species, draughts and lack of water can cause yellowing and wilting of the leaves; excess water causes browning of the edges of the leaves. At high humidity, gray rot appears, which leads to rotting of leaves and flowers. Whitefly is a common pest that inhabits the underside of leaves. Its larvae leave characteristic traces on the leaves of the plant. This pest is eliminated by treatment with insecticides, such as pirimor. From green aphids and mealybugs, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment with chemical preparations.

Acquisition

Senecio can be found in flower nurseries or ordered from flower shops. Choose already established and established instances.