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In nature, loosestrife Robert (Robert) is found along the banks of lakes and rivers and in places with high humidity. The culture is distinguished by excellent immunity to various diseases and is practically immune to temperature extremes and frosts. Derbennik Robert is characterized by decorative qualities and ease of care. This provided him with great popularity among experienced and novice gardeners.
Description of the loosestrife Robert
Plakun-grass (looseberry) is a perennial plant that is characterized by long and abundant flowering. The culture forms a large number of seeds. The plant is characterized by high frost resistance.
Derbennik Robert – the owner of long erect stems with pink-purple flowers, each of which has 6-7 petals
Inflorescences located at the ends of the stems are collected in spicate panicles. The height of adult plants is from 50 to 100 cm. When growing on soils enriched with fertilizers and complex top dressing, loosestrife can reach up to two meters in height.
One rhizome can have up to 50 tetrahedral stems. On each of them, many seeds ripen that can be carried for many kilometers with the help of water and wind. To avoid self-seeding of loosestrife and thickening of plantings, it is necessary to collect seeds in a timely manner.
Culture is distinguished not only by decorative qualities, but also by medicinal properties. The loosestrife contains a number of vitamins, glycosides, essential oils, tannins and polyphenols. The highest concentration of nutrients is observed in the roots, seeds, leaves and inflorescences. The loosestrife has long been used as an antiseptic and a means of stopping blood and healing small cuts. The culture has a calming, anti-inflammatory and restorative effect.
A decoction of the roots is used to treat diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract, headache and toxicosis that develops during pregnancy.
An infusion of loosestrife leaves or flowers is effective for prostatitis, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, various problems with the gastrointestinal tract and neurosis
A decoction is prepared from finely chopped fresh plants. For this, 2 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured with two glasses of boiled water and kept on a steam bath for 15 minutes. After straining, the decoction is taken warm, 50 ml per day.
Application in landscape design
The natural habitat for the culture is marshy places, meadows with high humidity, the banks of lakes and rivers. Derbennik Robert (pictured) can be involved in landscape design for landscaping ponds, decorating various mixborders, flower beds and flower arrangements. It is preferable to add crops in the neighborhood that have similar characteristics. When designing a garden plot, adhere to the following recommendations:
- The yellow goldenrod looks very harmoniously next to the purple-lilac inflorescences of the loosestrife Robert.
- Spot loosestrife and Siberian iris are excellent neighbors, with which you can create contrasting compositions along reservoirs and artificial dams.
- A mixborder of phloxes, veronicastrums, blueheads and loosestrife in combination with cereals will decorate any garden plot.
Derbennik Robert is also suitable for: saplings, bells, lyatrises, geyhers and tansy.
Plakun-grass is characterized by rapid growth, so it is preferable to plant it next to hardy and strong crops.
Features of reproduction
In addition to the seed method, Robert’s loosestrife is propagated by cuttings and the method of dividing the rhizome. The latter option is considered the most difficult, since the plant has a stiff root system, which is not easy to divide into parts. It is necessary to act according to the following algorithm:
- The bottom of each pit is covered with compost and fertile soil.
- The separated sections of the rhizome, together with the stems extending from them, are planted with holes.
- Cover with soil, water and mulch.
Cuttings for propagation are harvested in early June. It is necessary to cut the root shoots. Until the development of the root system, the cuttings are kept in bottles or jars filled with clean water.
If seed collection is not planned, you should immediately prune faded inflorescences to prevent self-seeding.
Growing seedlings of loosestrife Robert
Derbennik Robert is distinguished by excellent adaptability to environmental conditions. It is preferable to grow it in well-lit places.
The soil should consist of fertile, slightly acidified soil. Excess nitrogen is detrimental to the shrub.
Seeds are harvested every year after the end of the flowering period.
Planting material for seedlings is sown in March. The temperature should be between 18–22 °C. After 25-30 days, the first shoots appear. The loosestrife Robert, which was planted from seed material, begins to bloom only for 2–3 years. When 3 true leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings dive into separate containers.
Planting and caring for the loosestrife Robert in the ground
Derbennik Robert is very unpretentious and does not require special care. Plant seeds must be stratified before planting in the ground.
Recommended dates
The seedling method guarantees the best result. They resort to it so that the loosestrife Robert blooms in the first year. Sowing seeds is carried out in March. Pots or other containers are filled with soil, on the surface of which seeds are laid out. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle. Boxes with seedlings are covered with plastic wrap or glass and placed in a well-lit place with a temperature of +19 ° C and above, which is necessary to create a greenhouse effect. Landing in open ground is carried out only after the disappearance of the threat of frost.
Site selection and preparation
Peat soils with a low nitrogen and alkali content are best suited for Robert’s loosestrife. Loose or dense soils are contraindicated for the plant.
You can plant loosestrife even in shallow water at a depth of up to 20 cm
Robert thrives well in both well-lit and slightly shaded garden areas. They must be protected from winds that can break or damage the stems of the shrub. The earth is preliminarily dug up and enriched with humus.
Landing algorithm
Between holes in the open ground, it is necessary to maintain an interval of about 0,5 m. The distance between the holes for seedlings should be at least 30 cm. Organic fertilizer is applied to the bottom of the soil. Seedlings are placed in the holes, after which they are provided with abundant watering.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
The loosestrife Robert is a moisture-loving plant that is not afraid of waterlogging. A short drought for the plant is not critical. When planting bushes near a reservoir, they do not need regular watering. Prolonged drought entails the loss of decorative qualities of the culture. During the first year after planting in open ground, plants need care in the form of loosening the soil around the bush and abundant watering during the dry period (2-3 times a month).
In order for the bushes to fully develop, 10 buckets of high-moor peat are added to the soil for every 1 m2 garden plot. The soil is fed after planting and mulched. Peat with compost allows not only to fertilize the earth, but also contribute to the preservation of moisture in it. To improve the decorative qualities, mineral dressings are used, the nitrogen content of which is minimal.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Before planting seeds or seedlings, it is necessary to weed and loosen the soil. Organic mulching is a great alternative to mineral complex fertilizers.
Trimming
Derbennik Robert is distinguished by a tendency to self-seeding. To prevent unwanted growth of bushes, faded flower stalks are disposed of before the seeds ripen. With the onset of spring, it is recommended to perform a sanitary pruning procedure by removing the ground mass that remains from last year. Pruning can also be done in the fall, when the summer season is coming to an end. Ground parts are disposed of with a pruner.
Dried bushes of loosestrife Robert are great for decorating winter gardens and greenhouses
Wintering
The loosestrife Robert perfectly tolerates temperature extremes and the cold season. In order for the plant to successfully survive the winter, it does not even need shelter in the form of dry leaves and spruce branches.
Pests and diseases
Perennial culture is very resistant to diseases and pests. In the case of growing loosestrife Robert in a flower garden, it is only necessary to ensure that aphids do not migrate to it from neighboring plants. If parasitic insects are found, the bushes should be treated with special preparations (Aktara, Iskra, Fufanon).
Conclusion
The loosestrife Robert (Robert) is a perennial crop that is characterized by high frost resistance, excellent immunity and decorative qualities. The plant is suitable for creating various compositions, mixborders and decorating garden plots. Derbennik also has therapeutic value. The culture contains substances and compounds that have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, relieve headaches and toxicosis, and increase the body’s defenses.
Reviews of the loosestrife Robert
