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Fisher’s aconite (lat. Aconite fischeri) is also called a wrestler, since it belongs to the species of the same name in the Buttercup family. This herbaceous perennial has been cultivated for almost 2 centuries. The wrestler is valued not only for its decorative effect, but also for its healing properties.
Description of Fisher’s aconite
In nature, Fisher’s aconite prefers coastal forests, often found in large groups in clearings. Under natural conditions, the species grows in the Far East of Our Country, in China and Korea. The main characteristics of the perennial:
- height 1-1,5 m;
- erect bare stems, strong and rounded;
- the top can be wriggling;
- sometimes there is a barely noticeable pubescence in the inflorescence;
- tubers practical conical;
- diameter of basal leaves up to 8 cm;
- flowers form a loose brush, the color is bright blue, less often white;
- the size of the upper deeply palmately incised leaves is up to 4 cm, they have 5-7 lobes 3-4 cm wide, the edges are large and sharply serrated;
- flowers with arcuate long lower and shortened contiguous upper pedicels;
- the diameter of the medium thin and unequal perianth lobes is 1,5 cm, the length of the lower unequal and lanceolate 1,4 cm, and the width is up to 0,5 cm;
- stamens glabrous, expanding from the middle;
- nectaries up to 0,8 cm long, up to 0,5 cm wide, with widely swollen plastics, short capitate spur and upturned lip;
- 3 bare ovaries, there is a slight pubescence on the ventral side;
- flowering occurs in July-September;
- development of additional tubers by autumn.
Fisher’s aconite is characterized by good frost resistance – the plant can withstand up to -34 ° C
The wrestler is highly venomous. This is mainly due to aconitine in the composition, only 3-4 mg of which is a lethal dose for humans. The action of the substance leads to depression of the nervous system and respiratory paralysis. That is what brings death.
With the strong poisonousness of Fisher’s aconite, its healing properties coexist. The plant helps with many diseases, which is actively used in oriental medicine.
Application in landscape design
Fisher’s aconite blooms beautifully and attracts with dense and shiny dark green foliage. All this makes the plant in demand in landscape design. It can be planted under trees or filled in between bushes.
The wrestler is a tall plant, therefore it is effective to place it along various buildings and fences.
Fisher’s aconite can be a beautiful background or disguise
The wrestler looks good on his own. Neighbors for him can be:
- aquilegia;
- astilbe;
- delphiniums;
- goldenrod;
- irises;
- lilies;
- peonies;
- rudbeckia.
Fisher’s aconite looks good against the background of greenery, trees
The plant can be planted in flower beds, rabatki, mixborders, it looks good on the lawn.
Fisher’s aconite looks spectacular in small separate groups
Features of reproduction
Fisher’s aconite is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings, tubers. In the first case, the material can be bought or prepared independently.
The division of the Fisher bush is recommended every 4 years in the spring. This is important for updating the plant and preserving its decorative effect. The algorithm is simple:
- Dig up the selected bush.
- Carefully separate part of the plant along with the roots. The seedling must have at least 3 buds.
- Plant the separated fragment in a previously prepared hole.
- Fill the free space with earth, compact it.
- Water the new bush, mulch it.
For cuttings, young shoots of aconite are used. Their length should be a maximum of 15 cm. Cuttings are cut in early May, then germinated in a mini-greenhouse. They are moved to open ground after the appearance of leaves.
Aconite tubers are propagated in autumn. First, they are germinated for the appearance of buds. Then the tubers are divided and placed in pits in 2-3 fragments. The growth buds must remain on the surface.
Planting and care
Fisher’s aconite is attractive for its unpretentiousness. He has a minimum of requirements for a landing site, and care consists in standard measures.
Recommended dates
Fisher’s wrestler is planted with seeds in spring or before winter. In the first case, the material is first hardened, then seedlings are grown, and in the fall they are transferred to a permanent place. During the winter sowing, the seeds are prepared in a natural way, and sprout together in the spring.
Site selection and soil preparation
Fisher’s aconite feels good both in the sun and in a shaded place. The site for this plant must meet the following requirements:
- the soil is light and loose;
- loam or sandy loam is recommended;
- remoteness of groundwater;
- good drainage.
The landing site must be prepared in advance. Do it in the spring. The selected area needs to be dug up, all weeds removed, peat and organic matter added. Preparation should be carried out when the earth is already warm.
If the soil is dense, then sand, sawdust, peat should be added. Drainage required.
When planting Fisher’s aconite with seeds, the material is not buried in the soil, but is distributed over its surface. Fine sand is poured on top.
Landing algorithm
Planting a plant is easy:
- Prepare the area.
- Make landing pits at a distance of 0,7 m. They should be slightly larger than the root system in size.
- Organize drainage at the bottom. For this, it is good to use expanded clay and large pebbles.
- Apply mineral fertilizers or compost.
- Gently place the plants in the planting holes, deepening the root collars by 2 cm.
- Fill the free space with soil, compact it.
After planting, Fisher’s aconite should be watered abundantly and mulched.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Flower culture does not like excess moisture. She needs additional watering only in heat and drought. In such weather, it is enough to moisten the plant every 2 weeks. After watering, you should get rid of weeds.
Fisher’s aconite is undemanding to fertilizers. Over time, the soil is depleted, so in the spring it is necessary to bring compost under the bushes. This makes the plant more resilient. After winter, an infusion of mullein or bird droppings is effective.
Additionally, the wrestler can be fed before flowering to make it brighter and more lush. For this, mineral fertilizers are used. Effective nitroammophoska – 30-40 g per 10 liters of water.
Aconite can be fed twice more per season. Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied at intervals of at least 3 weeks.
Loosening, mulching
After each watering or heavy rain, the ground around Fisher’s aconite must be loosened. This prevents the formation of a crust on the surface.
Mulch the soil to reduce weed growth and keep the soil moist. Use sawdust and pine needles effectively.
Care during the flowering period
In order for the flowering of Fisher’s aconite to be beautiful, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil. It is important that its top layer does not dry out.
Dead inflorescences should be removed regularly. This measure is important to preserve the decorativeness and splendor of the plant. Timely pruning stimulates re-blooming.
Preparation for winter
Fisher’s aconite tolerates frost well. Shelter should be taken care of if the region has frosty winters or little snow cover. To do this, cut the plant short and cover its root system with dry peat. A layer of 20 cm is enough, which must be sprinkled with dry foliage.
Pests and diseases
The poisonousness of Fisher’s aconite does not save him from pests. One of them is aphids that feed on plant sap. You can get rid of it with the help of Aktara or spraying folk remedies.
In small quantities, aphids can be washed off with water.
Another enemy of aconite is the nematode. The affected plant weakens, grows and develops poorly, blooms poorly and may die. You can fight the pest with Akarin, Fitoverm, organophosphorus pesticides.
Prevention of nematodes is the introduction of bird droppings
Of the diseases, the culture is more often affected by powdery mildew. It manifests itself as a white bloom on the foliage and stem. Without timely intervention, the plant will die.
Effective preparations against powdery mildew Fundazol, Vitaros
Conclusion
Fisher’s aconite is unpretentious, therefore it is not difficult to grow it. It can be propagated in many ways, perennial care is minimal. The plant has medicinal properties, but is poisonous.
