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Kochia is slowly but surely becoming more and more popular among flower growers. This low and unpretentious plant looks great in combination with other flowers in any garden. In most cases, the shrub is used as a component in the preparation of various compositions of landscape design. It is ideal for border decoration. But there is very little information about growing Kochia from seeds, when to plant seedlings, how to care for and what conditions must be observed.
Brief description of the plant
China is considered the birthplace of Kokhia, belonging to the Marev family. It is there, in the Middle Kingdom, that it has been grown for a long time as a decorative element for decorating plots. And recently, breeders have bred new varieties of Kochia, which differ in shade of foliage, shape and height of plants.
Kokhiya decorative has several names. It is called an annual cypress for its external resemblance to the coniferous tree of the same name. It is called broom grass for the fact that earlier Kochia branches served as raw materials for the manufacture of brooms. She has two more names – Summer Cyprus or Bassia.
Kochia is a lush semi-shrub. On average, plant height reaches from 80 cm to 1 m, depending on the variety and compliance with growing conditions. The rich green color of the bushes may vary slightly in the shade of the lush, green mass.
The leaves of Kochia are long and narrow, like long needles. Thanks to them, the bushes take the form of a cypress. Some varieties become bright burgundy, raspberry, pink, delicate lemon, dark green or even purple by autumn.
Bassia bloom inconspicuously. Small flowers are located at the base of the petioles. But gardeners are engaged in growing Kochia from seeds for seedlings not at all because of the flowers. Seeds ripen quickly and the plant often self-seeds uncontrollably.
In total, there are more than 80 species of Kochia in nature, and it grows almost all over the world. The main reasons for this popularity are:
- wide scope as a decorative element;
- ease of cultivation;
- unpretentiousness in subsequent care.
Bassia will not require special skills or efforts from you. It is only important to figure out what rules of agricultural technology must be followed in order for the personal plot to become a model of beauty and harmony.
Agrotechnics of cultivation
In countries with a warm and mild climate, Kochia is grown as a perennial plant. But tender semi-shrubs simply will not survive the harsh winter frosts. Therefore, in Our Country, Bassia is grown exclusively as an annual.
Cochia is propagated by seeds that can be sown in late autumn or spring immediately in open ground. But the broom grass has one feature – young seedlings do not tolerate even a slight drop in temperature at all.
Therefore, in order to protect themselves, many flower growers are engaged in growing annuals by seedlings. When to plant Kochia with seeds and how to care for plantings, you will learn from the article.
Optimal planting times
Often flower growers ask a number of questions: what conditions must be observed when growing Kochia from seeds, when to plant seedlings and how to care for it. In general, these activities do not require specific knowledge or skills, so even a beginner can handle them.
It is possible to plant Kochia seeds immediately in open ground for residents of the southern regions in mid-late May. The main thing is that at the time of sowing, the threat of return frosts is over, and the night temperature is firmly established at around + 10˚С + 12˚С.
But even in this case, you will have to pay a lot of attention to crops:
- at the slightest drop in landing temperature, it is necessary to cover with lutrasil;
- strictly monitor the soil moisture and the condition of the seedlings;
- young seedlings are a favorite delicacy of insect pests;
- with too dense plantings, young plants will need to be thinned out.
When planting Kochia for seedlings, you need to focus on the timing of transplanting plants into open ground. In the central regions, seeds should be sown in late March – early April. But residents of the northern regions can start sowing work no earlier than mid-April.
The main thing, when determining the timing of when to plant Kochia for seedlings, take into account that seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place 2-2,5 months after sowing.
Preparing containers and soil
To grow strong and healthy seedlings of annual cypress, it is important to properly prepare the soil and select suitable containers.
You can plant Cochia seeds for seedlings both in a separate and in bulk containers. It can be disposable tableware, plastic molds, containers and boxes for growing seedlings. There are no special requirements, except for the presence of drainage holes, for containers.
It is very convenient when growing Cochia from seeds at home to use peat cups or tablets. In this case, it will be easier for you to transplant plants in open ground.
When preparing suitable soil, it is worth paying attention that Bassias are very fond of loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity. Garden soil can be diluted with sand, peat and humus in a ratio of 1:0,5:1:1. If the acidity of the soil is increased, add some ash to the soil mixture.
The finished soil must be disinfected with a pink solution of potassium permanganate and left for 2-3 days. If desired, you can ignite the earth in the oven. Before planting Kochia seeds, make sure the soil is sufficiently moist, but not too wet.
Bassia seeds remain viable for 2-3 years, no more. But it is better, however, that the seed material is fresh enough. Otherwise, you may be completely left without seedlings, and all your work will be in vain.
Correct sowing of seeds
Before and when planting Kochia, seeds can be soaked for several hours in growth stimulants if desired. However, even without treatment, they sprout quickly enough, 7-10 days after planting.
The algorithm of actions when sowing Kochia for seedlings is somewhat different from traditional events:
- at the bottom of the container, as usual, lay a small layer of drainage;
- fill the container with soil prepared in advance;
- lightly tamp the ground with a small piece of wood;
- spread the seeds on the surface, slightly pressing them into the soil. If you are sowing seeds in boxes or containers, evenly space the seeds evenly at an equal distance from each other in small grooves;
- you can not bury the seeds. Leave them on the surface;
- it is also not recommended to water the plantings heavily. Spray them a little from a spray bottle, cover the containers with lutrasil and place them in a dark, cool place.
The optimum air temperature for growing seedlings of Kochia is +18˚С +23˚С. The soil should be watered as needed. Before the first shoots appear, irrigate the plantings with a spray bottle. After friendly, green shoots appear, you can water the seedlings in a jet. But it is important that water does not get on the plants.
Further care for seedlings of Kochia involves timely watering and regular inspection.
The author of the video will tell you how and when to plant Cochia seeds for seedlings:
Seedling of seedlings
When growing Kochia from seeds at home, it is important to dive seedlings correctly and in a timely manner.
Considering that it is necessary to plant Kochia seeds for seedlings superficially, the root system of seedlings is very weak. Therefore, picking should be carried out very carefully, trying not to damage weak roots.
The pick is made in disposable cups, small pots, or larger containers. Drainage holes are a must.
They start picking when the sprouts reach a height of 5-7 cm. The soil for seedlings and the soil for diving should be identical in composition.
It is desirable to dive seedlings of Kochia by the method of transshipment. Seedlings are transferred to a prepared container along with a clod of earth, which avoids injury to the root system of the plant.
In the future, you will only need to water Kochia from time to time and make sure that the seedlings receive sufficient sunlight. With a lack of lighting, the plants stretch and become weak.
7-10 days after picking, feed Kochia grown from seeds with mineral fertilizers to stimulate the growth of green mass. Subsequent feeding – after 2-3 weeks.
When caring for Bassia, it is important not to overdo it with watering. Too wet ground is the first reason for the appearance of a black leg. When the first signs of the disease are detected, urgent measures must be taken urgently:
- remove infected plants immediately;
- do not water the plantings until the soil dries out;
- sprinkle the soil with sand, perlite or wood ash.
In the future, try not to water Kochia too abundantly.
Transplantation in open ground
Around mid-to-late May, home-grown Kochia should grow to 15-20 cm tall. Once the air has warmed up sufficiently, and the threat of frost has passed, it’s time to plant Kochia seedlings in open ground.
Take care of a suitable site in advance and carefully prepare the soil. Kohiya grows well in a sunny place, protected from piercing winds. The soil on the site should be loose, fertile. It is impossible to grow Kohiya in places with a close occurrence of groundwater, as well as where melt and rainwater stagnate. Otherwise, the plant will inevitably die.
The recommended planting spacing for Bassia depends on the purpose of cultivation and the plant variety. If you are growing Kochia as a hedge or border, plant plants at least 30-40 cm apart. If Kochia is grown as a focal plant, in this case the distance between seedlings can be from 50 cm to 1 m.
Prepare a suitable site in advance. If necessary, apply fertilizer, sand and ash, dig the soil.
Prepare planting holes. The depth and size of the pits depends on the volume of the container in which the seedlings of Kochia were grown. Transfer the plants to the hole carefully, along with a clod of earth, to avoid damaging the root system. Fill all voids with earth and carefully level the soil. Lightly compact the soil at the base of the bushes.
It is advisable to water Bassia after transplantation with warm, settled water in moderation. At the slightest hint of a drop in temperature, cover the plantings with lutrasil. As you can see, there is nothing difficult in growing Kochia from seeds.
Bassia Care
Kochia is growing very fast. Just a couple of weeks after the transplant, the bushes will take shape and increase significantly in size. Subsequent care involves the implementation of the usual procedures for each grower:
- moderate watering;
- loosening;
- weeding;
- top dressing.
After transplanting into open ground, Kochia grown from seeds must be fed with complex, mineral fertilizers. The first feeding is done 3-4 weeks after transplantation. On average, plants can be fertilized 2-3 times during the summer.
To give a certain shape, Kochia bushes need to be trimmed regularly. You will have to form a crown every 2-3 weeks. Thanks to this simple procedure, you can give these bushes a variety of shapes and realize even the wildest fantasies. After pruning, the green mass grows very quickly. After shearing, the plants need to be fed unscheduled with nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Pests and diseases
Kochia is rarely affected by diseases. But non-compliance with the rules of agricultural technology and the recommended planting pattern can cause damage to the black leg. In this case, you need to urgently stop watering, remove the affected foliage and carefully loosen the soil in the flower garden.
Insects attack mainly young plants. Therefore, immediately after the transplant, carefully monitor Bassia. Another enemy of Kochia is a spider mite, which appears mainly in hot weather.
The pest can be dealt with by regularly spraying Kochia bushes with insecticides. Fitoferm, Actellik and Neoron have proven themselves well in this case.
When handling Cochia, pay great attention to the dosage and do not forget about personal protective measures.
Bassia in landscape design
Kohiya bushes can be given any shape, which gives ground for the realization of their fantasies. Round, pyramidal, cone-shaped figures will give the site a well-groomed and unique look.
Kochia goes well with many flowers: asters, roses, marigolds, marigolds, gazania, ageratum, pavonia, calceolaria.
Alpine hill, rocadia, hedge, topiary – with the help of Bassia, you can create a huge number of different compositions. Also, lush, green plants will help you in the design of garden paths, small ponds, gazebos, emphasizing the uniqueness and beauty of both small and large flower beds.
Look at the photo how Kochia blends perfectly with other garden flowers and plants:
Conclusion
If you are an avid florist and like to create unique compositions on your site, pay attention to this inimitable plant when choosing the right flowers. Kochia will help you, with a minimum of effort, turn a flower garden into a little piece of paradise.