Knifofia flower: care and cultivation from seeds at home, photo

Planting and caring for knifofiya in the open field in the climate have their own characteristics. In almost all regions, except for the southern ones, the plant is sent for wintering, and returned to open ground closer to the beginning of June. Despite some features, knifofiya is worth growing. Lush, bright flowers of an exotic form will enliven any corner of the garden. The plant looks original both in single plantings and in composition with other flowers.

The history of the appearance of the knifofia flower

Knifofia (Kniphofia) is a perennial flower belonging to the little-known family Asphodelaceae (Asphodelaceae). In nature, it grows in the warm countries of Africa, as well as in Madagascar. The flower was first discovered and described in the 1704th century by a German botanist named Johann Kniphoff (1763-XNUMX). It was in his honor that the plant got its name.

It is also called:

• kniphofia;
• tritome.

The flower was cultivated quite quickly – already in the XNUMXth century, knifofia began to appear in the gardens of Europe. Gradually, it spread widely in neighboring countries, including Our Country, Turkey, the USA, and Mexico. It is interesting that in Australia they are trying in every possible way to get rid of knifofii. Thanks to the hot climate, it has confidently taken root on this continent and has become one of the most malicious weeds, such as buttercups, nettles and many other herbs.

Description and characteristics

The knifofia flower is a medium-sized perennial herbaceous plant. It reaches a height of 60-150 cm, and some species (for example, Thomson’s bookworm) – even 3 m. The leaves are dense, leathery, very narrow, shaped like sabers. Intense green color. Due to the dense surface and small area, the foliage perfectly retains moisture, so knifofiya is able to endure even prolonged droughts.

The plant stands out with unusual flowers of an exotic form. They are small, tubular, collected in lush inflorescences-ears (they also resemble large cones). They look spectacular due to their unusual appearance and large size: they reach a length of 10-25 cm. The peduncle of knifofia is long, leafless, rounded, with a smooth surface. The flowers are painted in warm shades:

• yellow;
• Orange;
• red;
• coral.

Knifofia blooms mainly in the second half of summer – July and August

Flowering ends in September. If the autumn turned out to be warm, inflorescences may appear even in October. At the end of flowering, they form fruit-boxes.

Winter hardiness of knyfofia

Knifofia comes from warm countries, and therefore the winter hardiness of the plant is low. Thanks to selection work, this figure has been significantly increased. Almost all types of flower can withstand temperatures down to -15 ° C. Culture can be safely bred in the southern regions (Kuban, Stavropol, North Caucasus).

In the Moscow region, in the middle lane, in the Urals, in Siberia, in the Far East, in the middle of autumn, bushes of knifofiya are necessarily removed from the soil and sent for wintering in a cool room. However, all the work will pay off – the flower looks so original that it will surely become the hallmark of the garden.

Types and varieties of knifofii

There are 75 species in the Knifofia genus, many of which are divided into several varieties. A description of the most popular varieties will help gardeners choose the one they like for planting.

Knifofia berry

This type of flower (Kniphofia uvaria) is a tall one. With proper care, knifofiya grows up to 180-200 cm. Moreover, spike-shaped inflorescences are also very large. They reach a length of 25 cm, and xiphoid leaves – up to 50 cm. The duration of flowering is 2-2,5 months. Within this species, several varieties of knifofia have been bred.

Dr. Kerr

Variety Doctor Kerr is distinguished by rather high peduncles

The stems of the culture grow up to 1 m in height, while the inflorescences reach 20 cm. The color of the flowers is lemon yellow.

Eskimo

The Eskimo variety (Popsicke) usually grows up to 40-50 cm in height. Knifofia is characterized by moderate winter hardiness – it can withstand frosts down to -22 ° C. The flowers are lemon yellow and coral (depending on the variety).

The Redhot Popsicle cultivar features attractive coral-colored flowers.

Orange Beauty

Orange Beauty grows up to 100 cm. The variety decorates the garden with very beautiful inflorescences of rich orange color.

Orange color looks spectacular against the background of bright green foliage.

Fire Flame

The Fair Flame cultivar also produces bright orange flowers reminiscent of burning torches.

The height of spike-shaped inflorescences in the Fire Flame variety is 25 cm

The top of the peduncle of knifofii is fiery red, which makes the culture noticeable in any flower bed.

Large-flowered

The large-flowered form is characterized by very large inflorescences – they reach a height of 20 cm. At the same time, the height of the peduncles is about 130 cm.

The flowers of this variety of knifofii are also painted in fiery orange shades.

Knifofia hybrid

This group (Kniphofia Hybrida) includes all the hybrids that have been bred. Their advantage lies in good immunity and high resistance to adverse weather conditions. However, the seeds of such plants are sterile, so they must be purchased in stores. The most popular hybrid varieties of Knifophia are Cardinal, Golden Scepter, Prince Maurito, Royal Standard, Rocket, Indiana.

Cardinal

The Cardinal variety produces shoots up to 120 cm long. Flowers of a rich red hue are formed on them.

The flowering of the Cardinal variety falls on the warmest summer month (July)

Golden Scepter (Golden Scepter)

The Golden Scepter knifofia variety is distinguished by good winter hardiness and lush flowering. The flowers are lemon yellow.

Variety Golden scepter forms attractive inflorescences of delicate lemon-yellow color.

Prince Maurito

Variety Prince Maurito is medium tall, reaches a height of 120 cm. Flowers are rich dark red and brownish in color.

Prince Maurito blooms in the first decade of July

Royal Standard

The variety has been known for a very long time, it attracts with beautiful yellow flowers. The height of the peduncle is on average 1 m.

Royal Standard forms reddish-yellow spikes 20-25 cm long

Rocket

The flower variety The Rocket is a real “rocket” with bright red, crimson flowers growing on a peduncle up to 130 cm high.

Spectacular yellow-crimson flowers can decorate any mixborder

Indiana

The flower variety of knifofia Indiana is medium-sized (up to 100 cm). At the same time, the flowers are very large, orange and light red.

Variety Indiana is considered one of the most beautiful among orange knifofii.

Knifofia Makowena

The flower of knifofiya Kniphofia macowanii is small in size – up to 80 cm high, inflorescences up to 10 cm. It has been successfully cultivated in the gardens of Europe since the 1870s.

Macowen’s color range smoothly transitions from bright yellow to rich orange.

Knifofia Thus

An interesting species of kniphofia flower – Kniphofia tuckii was first discovered by researcher V. Tukk in 1892

A low-growing plant (up to 80 cm) with small inflorescences that grow up to 15 cm. It blooms for a month (all of July). This is a very showy variety with bright orange-red flowers.

Methods of reproduction

You can grow knifofiya independently from seeds. In the future, adult bushes can be divided into several divisions and transplanted to a permanent place.

This flower can be propagated in two ways – grow seedlings from seeds (they do not have time to ripen, so the seed is purchased in the store) or get a new plant vegetatively (by dividing the bush).

Growing Knifofia from seeds at home

It is not very difficult to grow knifofiya: seedlings are looked after in much the same way as in the case of other crops. First, flower seedlings are obtained in a greenhouse, then they are dived into separate containers. Seedlings are transferred to open ground at the end of June or a little later.

When growing seedlings of the knifofiya flower, it is necessary to ensure that the temperature does not fall below room temperature. During the first 2-3 weeks after planting, it should be above 25-27 ° C.

Division of the bush

The division of the knifofia flower bush begins in late April – early May. Sequencing:

1. The bush is dug up.
2. Carefully separate the daughter rosettes, which are actively developing from the buds on the mother flower.
3. The flowers are transplanted into new containers (organic matter is first added to the soil).
4. In open ground, together with the parent plant, they are transferred closer to July.

Growing and caring for Knifofia

It is not very difficult to grow a bookworm. The main thing is to ensure that the flower grows at temperatures above 20-22 ° C. That is why the culture is transplanted into open ground only in summer.

Sowing and planting dates

It is best to plant seeds of knifofiya in the following periods:

• in the middle lane – at the end of March;
• in the Urals, in Siberia – in early April;
• in the south – in early March.

In this case, it is necessary to focus on the fact that the flower is transplanted into open ground after the soil has finally warmed up, i.e. around July (just a few days before flowering). Usually, the planting time for knifofia is as follows:

• in the middle lane – at the end of June;
• in the Urals, in Siberia – in early July;
• in the south – in the first decade of June.

Thus, the seedlings will spend about 2,5-3 months at home. Knifofia, grown on its own, begins to produce flowers in the second or third year.

Seedlings begin to grow at the end of March, specific dates depend on the region

Sowing seeds of knifofiya for seedlings and subsequent care

For planting knifofii pick up any dishes – wooden boxes, plastic containers. You can plant flowers in pre-moistened peat tablets. This will avoid picking. When growing seedlings of a knifofia flower, you can act according to the following instructions:

1. Purchase a universal soil for flower seedlings or make it yourself on the basis of garden soil, peat, humus and compost in the same ratio. You can add a pinch of wood ash and coarse sand.
2. Disinfect the soil and containers by holding them in a solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide, then pour water over them.
3. Pre-soak the seeds for several hours in a growth stimulator solution (Epin, Kornevin, Zircon).
4. Plant them to a depth of no more than 1 cm, an interval of 3-4 cm.
5. Humidify abundantly and cover with a film with holes or a glass lid. It will create optimal greenhouse conditions.
6. Then remove the container in a warm place – the temperature is 25-27 degrees. It is advisable to highlight with a phytolamp so that the daylight hours are 14-15 hours.
7. Shoots appear after 2 weeks, at the same time the film can be removed.
8. After the formation of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings of knifofia dive into individual containers. At the same time, the temperature is reduced to 22-23 degrees (slightly above room temperature).
9. A week after picking, seedlings of knifofiya can be fed with complex mineral fertilizer.
10. Then it is grown under the same conditions, not forgetting to water it regularly.

Site and soil preparation

Choosing a place for knifofia is quite simple:

1. The site should be completely open: this flower is used to growing in the African hot climate, so it needs maximum illumination. Even a small shadow is undesirable.
2. If possible, the place should be protected from strong winds. It is good if there is a fence, a house or planting shrubs near the flower.
3. Also, knifofiya does not like stagnant moisture, so it is better to plant it on a small hill, and not in a lowland.

Preparing the site is quite simple. It needs to be cleaned and dug up, while breaking all the large clods of earth – knifofiya prefers well-loosened soil. If the soil is depleted, it can be fertilized with a complex mineral fertilizer of 50-60 g per 1 m².

Landing in open ground

Standard flower planting algorithm:

1. On the prepared site, several shallow holes are formed (rhizomes should be freely placed in them) at a distance of at least 40-60 cm.

   

2. Then a small drainage layer is laid – small pebbles, broken bricks, expanded clay or other stones.
3. Close up organic matter (2-3 handfuls of humus per hole). If it is not there, you can pour infusion of mullein or slurry, or add 1 tbsp. l. potassium salt and superphosphate.
4. Root seedlings, sprinkle with earth, lightly tamp it. The root neck should be completely buried. If the landing is shallow, it may suffer from sunlight and wind.
5. Pour abundantly with warm, previously settled (or rain) water.
6. Mulch with peat, hay or other improvised materials.

Potassium salt and superphosphate can be immediately added to the planting pit

Care, feeding and pruning

Watering should be regular, but at the same time moderate. The top layer of soil should have time to dry out, remaining barely wet. In drought, the number of waterings can be increased up to 2 times a week. In this case, the water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. It is optimal to heat it in open containers, in natural conditions (under the sun).

If fertilizers were already applied when planting a knifofia flower, the plant does not need additional feeding. Starting from the next season, fertilizers are given twice:

1. In April – nitrogen-containing (urea or saltpeter).
2. After the end of flowering – liquid organic matter or a mixture of potassium salt with superphosphates.

Knifofia pruning is carried out regularly. The optimal time is early spring. At this time, it is necessary to remove all damaged and weakened shoots, as well as yellowed leaves. The second pruning is carried out after the end of flowering: if the culture is left to winter, all shoots are cut at the root. If it is transferred to the room, this is not necessary.

Preparation for winter

Even when growing knifofiya in the south, it is advisable to spud and mulch the soil with any material at hand – peat, dry fallen leaves, straw, hay. The plant does not need special shelters, since the temperature in the Krasnodar Territory and neighboring regions rarely drops below -15 ° C.

In other regions, the flower is dug up in mid-September or early October. It is placed in containers or in boxes and cleaned in a cool room for the winter. It is necessary to maintain a constant temperature in the range of 8-10 °C. Lighting should be enhanced, it is desirable to illuminate with a phytolamp so that the total day length is 10-12 hours (for example, 2 hours in the morning and in the evening). At the beginning of summer, knifofia is transferred to open ground.

In most regions, knifofia must be transferred indoors for the winter, otherwise it will die from frost.

Diseases and pests of the Knifofia plant

The immunity of the flower is quite good. Subject to the rules of cultivation, knifofiya gets sick very rarely. However, in case of excessive watering, root rot is not ruled out. Therefore, as a preventive measure, you need to follow the regimen.

Gnawing insects can settle on the flower. In such cases, you should immediately treat with insecticides or homemade solutions (an infusion of garlic, onion peel, chili peppers, mustard powder, and others).

Knifofia in landscape design

Knifofia looks attractive in any flower bed – both in a single planting and in combination with other ornamental plants. The flower is usually planted in open places, and is also included in different compositions:

• alpine hill, rockery;

  

• hedge;

  

• multi-tiered flower bed;

  

• landing along the track;

  

• on the coast of the reservoir.

  

Knifofia always attracts attention, so it is often used in single plantings.

Knifofia in a pot can become a decoration of the veranda

Conclusion

Planting and caring for knifofia in the open field are not very difficult, although they have their own characteristics. The flower literally enlivens the space, bringing an exotic touch and creating an unusual mood.

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