Gypsophila (or gypsum loaf) paniculata is one of the most common plants on the continent. Its habitat stretches from central Europe to western Siberia. In a way, this is the most common plant. The first mention of gypsophila appeared more than 300 years ago. In ancient times, plant roots were used for washing, as they foamed water well. Now it is often used as an element of landscape design and to decorate the garden. Pancake gypsophila is a perennial plant, which in the process of growth takes the form of a spherical bush with a height of more than 1 m. Outwardly, it resembles a tree on which snow flakes are frozen. The flowers of the plant may have a white, pink or purple color.
If you want to grow a beautiful garden on the site of your house, then a gypsum loaf will be its ideal complement. But you should not plant only it, as the result is lonely standing bushes, and it looks good in combination with other plants, only then its brightness and beauty are revealed.
Gypsophila
Main application
Due to its multifunctionality of gypsophila, the white paniclet is ideal for complementing holiday bouquets. Any set of flowers, whether wedding or birthday, will look more original and elegant if you add a couple of branches of a gypsum loaf to its design. The plant will go well with large flowers of bright colors. When planning landscaping gypsophila will also be very helpful. To do this, use a dwarf plant or shrubs. As a result, you can get the following options:
- the flower serves as the central part of the composition of the flower bed or flower bed. It is ideal for designing elements of an artificial landscape in the form of slides;
- decoration of stone gardens;
- creating an individual look of borders;
- decoration of the veranda or garden.
Gypsophila rock garden
Pests and diseases
If, when growing a gypsum, elementary rules for caring for it are neglected, then the plant may undergo pests and become ill. You should not water the flower too often, as the moisture will stagnate in the soil, and the process of decay of the root system will begin. As a result of this ailment, the flowers of the plant will wither, fall off, the branches will dry. Copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid will help in the fight against this disease and keep the bush healthy.
If the plant was attacked by pests, then immediate action must be taken. The most basic will be phosphamide treatment. Such a safety measure will help against the nematode galovy or cyst-forming. If this is not enough, you will have to dig a bush and rinse it in water at a temperature of about 40 ° C. Use chemical mixtures only if absolutely necessary. It is better to create conditions for the plant under which such pest control methods are not needed.
Pests
Seed collection
Gypsophila flowering ends in the fall, and the seeds are best collected at this time. The nuclei of the plant during flowering are collected in a spherical box. After ripening, they fly upwind, and it is not possible to collect them. Therefore, if it is necessary to prepare the material for further propagation, it is best to mark the stems with the first flowers, since they will produce the strongest sprouts and collect them until fully ripened. A certain sequence should be followed when collecting seeds:
- Cut the boxes with the first inflorescences.
- Tie them in a bundle.
- Hang in a warm room with the cut up.
- Lay a white cloth under the inflorescences.
- Pour the ripened seeds onto this fabric.
- Collect the seeds in a bag and store in a dry place.
When to plant a plant
Gypsophila is a wild plant. If you plan to grow it at home, it is better to observe the correct time of the year when planting a flower. For annual bushes, the beginning of autumn is an ideal time for planting. If you plan to grow a perennial gypsum loaf, then plant it better to start in late spring. Depending on the climate, it will be May or June.
Note! If undersized varieties are grown, then at home this can be done in the winter.
For the full growth of the plant, he needs additional lighting for 14 hours a day, you need to keep a container with seedlings on the windows facing the south side of the house. The optimum temperature for seedlings is 20 ° C, watering should be regular, but do not overdo it.
Preparing the soil for planting in a permanent place
In order for the gypsum loaf to grow actively, it is necessary to choose the right soil. It is important to know that it does not tolerate clay soil and grows better in light earth. The best option if the soil is calcareous, drained and loose. Since the plant is photophilous, the place of planting should be chosen sunny. Due to the fact that perennial perennials do not tolerate cold, it is better to plant seeds in open ground in late spring. It is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- Site preparation and abundant watering of the soil are carried out before transplantation begins.
- Planting material is evenly distributed over the prepared beds and covered with a thin layer of soil. The distance between the seeds must be maintained about 10 cm.
- When sowing is completed, the beds should be covered with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect.
Landing
If planting begins before winter, it is best to perform it in separate containers. Prepared seeds are planted in shelters, and the soil is fertilized with organic and mineral additives. In the process of growth, seedlings are thinned out at an interval of 15 cm, and after the first leaves are formed on them, they are transplanted into open ground.
Preparing a place for planting seedlings
The plot for planting a gypsum loom is allocated a large and fairly well-lit, as she loves bright light. Lowlands and places where groundwater passes close to the surface of the earth should be avoided. You should know that the bush has been growing for three years and can reach a diameter of more than 70 cm. This should be taken into account when planning seedlings. The final landing on the prepared site is made in May with the following sequence:
- A plot for future planting is being prepared: the soil is loosening, weeds are being removed.
- Organic or mineral fertilizers are added.
- A shallow hole is made.
- Seedlings are carefully transplanted.
Seedling Care
To get the finished plant, you should properly care for seedlings. It should be watered once a week. After 20 days, the sprouts are planted in separate glasses or thinned in place.
Note! Since the seedlings require about 13 hours of daylight, if necessary, they take it out into the open.
Winter preparations
In the first year after transplantation, gypsophila should be properly prepared for winter. After the flowers have dried and all the seeds have been collected, you can cut the stems of the plant and prepare it for winter. Only those plants that have already dried up should be cut, otherwise the plant may rot and die. If there is a lot of snow, then the gypsum loaf will easily survive the cold times, but just in case, it is better to wrap it with terry cloth.
How to make supports for an adult plant
In the open soil, the gypsophila can grow enough for several years so that the stems begin to bend, break, and the very appearance of the fluffy bush will be spoiled by the voids that have appeared. Therefore, it is better to prepare supports for them in advance. In principle, there are no manufacturing restrictions. You can take the material at hand and make it suitable for the design and size of the structure. With their help, the bush will always have the desired shapes and sizes.
Mistakes in the cultivation and care of gypsophila
When growing a plant, a situation may arise when it stops growing, withers and dies.
Gypsophila decorative
You should know the main causes of this:
- gypsophila is an ornamental plant, and when planting in slightly acidic soil, a number of problems may occur. So, if the soil suffers from a lack of lime, the bush may wither, and with moderate acidity and lack of proper care, die;
- A common mistake when planting a plant is an attempt to plant small bushes as close to each other as possible. But in the process of growth, it becomes closely next to each other, the roots do not get enough free space, and as a result of the gypsophila, it stretches only in length and stops flowering. A transplant can save the situation, but it should not be abused;
- an attempt to grow large varieties of gypsophila at home. Such plant varieties have a large root system, which is simply crowded in a pot. A bush planted in this way will not grow.
With due attention to planting and caring for panicled gypsophila, you can get a beautiful ornamental plant that will fit into the design of a garden or summer cottage. The main thing is to choose the right place for it, provide moderate watering and cut off faded buds in time so that they do not spoil the big picture.
