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Alyssum is a spectacular perennial that covers the beds with a solid carpet. There are over 100 varieties of this flower. One of the most popular is the Snow Carpet variety, which blooms profusely in late spring.
Description of alyssum
Alyssum Snow Carpet is a ground cover annual, reaching a height of 10-15 cm. Its shoots branch strongly and, when growing, occupy all the free space in the garden.
Alyssum produces small white flowers collected in hemispherical brushes. Each flower has 4 rounded petals and a yellow center.
The color of the Snow Carpet variety is white. The leaves are bright green, oblong, they are almost invisible due to the lush inflorescences. The plant is a honey plant and has a pleasant aroma. The honey smell attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Pollination occurs with the participation of insects. In autumn, oblong boxes filled with seeds are formed. The Snow Carpet variety has very small seeds, there are more than 1 seeds in 1000 g. After harvesting, the seeds are used for planting for 3 years.
The first mention of alyssum occurs in the XNUMXth century. In its natural environment, the plant lives in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and North America.
The chemical composition of the flower is little studied. The seeds contain fatty oils and organic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids are found in the stems.
In folk medicine, alyssum is used as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It is believed that preparations based on it help from the bites of rabid animals. In Altai, the plant is part of the fees that help with hernia and colds.
When applied externally, it has a whitening effect. It is used to get rid of post-acne, freckles and other spots on the face.
Photo of Alyssum Snow Carpet:
Planting a flower
Alyssum is grown from seeds. Planting material is purchased at a gardening store or collected independently. In the southern regions, the seeds are immediately placed in the ground. In cold climates, it is best to get seedlings first.
Site Selection
Alyssum Snow carpet grows in sunny areas. In arid regions, the flower is planted in partial shade to protect it from the scorching sun.
The flower will decorate borders and mixborders. Alyssum planted in an outdoor flowerpot looks spectacular. When choosing a place to plant, you need to take into account that the flower grows quickly, so it can oppress other plants. It is planted on multi-level flower beds, lawns, under shrubs and trees. The flower will fill the empty spaces in the garden.
In nature, alyssum grows on rocky slopes. In the garden plot, the flower is suitable for decorating alpine slides. The plant is planted between slabs and stones, well warmed by the sun.
Alyssum is located on a hill. When planting in a lowland, there is a high probability of moisture accumulation and rotting of the root system of the plant.
Heavy clay soil does not pass moisture well. The introduction of coarse river sand helps to improve its properties.
Cultivation from seeds
Alyssum Snow carpet is grown in seedlings or seeds are planted immediately in open ground. A more reliable option is to use seedlings.
Young plants are moved to a permanent place in the required order, observing the gap between seedlings. Seedlings take root well and begin to actively develop.
You can pre-steam the soil in a water bath or place in the refrigerator. So get rid of pathogens and pest larvae.
How to grow from seed Alyssum Snow carpet:
- Shallow containers are filled with soil, which is watered abundantly.
- Seeds are scattered over the surface and covered with a thin layer of earth.
- The containers are covered with film or glass and left in a dark, warm place. Periodically moisten the soil and ventilate the plantings.
- Shoots will appear in 7-10 days. The grown plants are thinned out, 3-5 cm are left between them.
- After the appearance of 1 leaf, the plants are watered with a solution containing complex fertilizer.
- With the development of 2 leaves, the seedlings are seated in separate containers.
If weather conditions allow, you can do without picking and immediately transfer the plants to open ground. Alyssum is transplanted at the end of May, when the spring frosts have passed.
20 cm is left between plants, as the flower quickly takes up free space. A planting hole is prepared in the garden, where the seedling is placed along with an earthen clod. The plant is not buried, its roots are covered with soil and watered abundantly.
In warm climates, seedlings are dispensed with. Alyssum seeds are planted in an open area in April-May, when the soil warms up enough. With this method of planting, the flowering period is shifted. Seeds close up to a depth of 1,5 cm and water the soil. When shoots appear, they are thinned out.
Another option for growing alyssum Snow carpet from seeds is winter sowing. In November, planting material is placed on the bed and sprinkled with earth. During the winter, the seeds undergo natural stratification. When changing temperature regimes, seed germination is stimulated, and seedlings grow strong and resistant to any weather conditions.
In the spring, the emerging shoots are thinned out and the strongest plants are left. Flower care is the same as with the seedling method. When the alissum grows, you can plant it in other beds.
Alyssum Care
Abundant flowering of alyssum provides proper care. The flower garden is watered in a drought, the soil is loosened, and weeds are eliminated. The plant rarely gets sick and is affected by pests; folk remedies and chemicals are used to get rid of them.
Watering
Alyssum Snow Carpet flowers need regular watering. In drought, the plant sheds buds and flowers. Abundant watering is performed only with good soil permeability. Heavy clay soil does not pass moisture well, which leads to its stagnation and death of the flower.
The need for watering is determined by the condition of the soil. If the earth is dry at a depth of 3-5 cm, then it’s time to add moisture. The flower garden is watered with warm settled water.
Moisture is applied in the morning or evening hours. It is best to water the flower garden by sprinkling. Strong jets of water wash out the soil and expose the root system of plants.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve the absorption of moisture and nutrients by the flower. Be sure to weed weeds, especially after planting young plants. When the alyssum grows, its shoots will suppress the development of weeds.
Additional fertilizing
Fertilization contributes to the continuous flowering of Alyssum Snow carpet. Feeding is especially important when growing a flower on poor soils.
Young plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate shoot growth. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. urea or ammonium nitrate. The fertilizer is dissolved in water, and the flower garden is watered with the resulting product.
An annual plant can be fed up to 4 times during the season. Any flower fertilizer will be a universal option for top dressing. An interval of 2-3 weeks is observed between treatments.
Photo of alyssum Snow carpet with abundant top dressing:
Trimming
Annual alissum is pruned as the inflorescences wither. If the plant has dried up in a drought, then its branches are also eliminated. After pruning and watering, the plant produces new shoots and buds.
Alyssum seeds are harvested from the second half of September. To get more planting material, a piece of white cloth is placed on the ground. Dried flowers are rubbed by hand. Seeds are stored in a dry, warm place or planted in the winter.
In autumn, alyssum flowers are dug up from the roots. If you do not collect the seeds, they will fall to the ground. The following year, new shoots will appear at the place where the alyssum is grown.
Diseases and pests
Alyssum is rarely affected by diseases. Factors that provoke the development of diseases are high humidity and stagnation of moisture in the roots.
The plant is affected by late blight, which has the appearance of brown spots on the surface of the shoots and leaves. The disease also extends to the root system of the flower. When signs of illness appear, the flower garden is treated with Thanos or Ordan fungicides. An effective method of combating late blight is spraying alyssum with copper oxychloride.
The flower is susceptible to powdery mildew, which is determined by the presence of a white or gray powder-like coating. The spreader of the disease is the mycelium of the fungus, penetrating into plant cells. From powdery mildew, Bordeaux liquid and chemicals Topaz, Flint Star are effective.
Alyssum Snow carpet attracts the cruciferous fleabane, which feeds on the aerial parts of plants. The size of the insect does not exceed 3 mm. Pests are repelled by strong odors. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and spraying the flower garden.
For alyssum, caterpillars, whites and cabbage moths are dangerous. Against pests, plantings are treated with infusion of pharmacy chamomile or tobacco. To keep the product longer on the leaves, crushed soap is added to it.
Conclusion
Alyssum is an unpretentious plant that can fill the empty corners of the garden. Variety Snow carpet actively grows in sunny areas and light soils. Its bushes are completely covered with snow-white flowers. Plant care is minimal and includes watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing with fertilizers.
