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Stonecrop Kamchatka or sedum is a plant that belongs to the genus of succulent crops. The scientific name comes from the Latin word sedare (to pacify), due to its analgesic properties, or from sedere (to sit), since many species of this plant are spread over the ground. As for the name, it comes from the Ukrainian word “cleansing”. The distribution area of this culture is quite wide, it can be found in Africa, America, Eurasia.
Description stonecrop Kamchatka
Stonecrop Kamchatka looks very impressive in garden plots
Stonecrop Kamchatka is a perennial or biennial plant, it can be herbaceous, shrubby or semi-shrub. Likes to grow on dry slopes, meadows.
Appearance feature in thick fleshy leaves. They are devoid of petioles and are painted in a wide variety of colors – from rich green to red shades. It is noteworthy that the color of the stonecrop depends not only on the plant variety, but also on the impact of the environment, on the place of growth. Those specimens that receive more sunlight have brighter shades. The presence of reddish stains on the leaves indicates a special composition of the soil. There are plant varieties of a cylindrical, oval, round shape.
Stonecrop Kamchatka blooms very beautifully. Small buds form umbrella inflorescences of white, blue, pink and yellow. They are not devoid of aroma, and quite persistent. In many varieties, flowering begins in the second half of summer, closer to autumn. Another feature is the ability to grow rapidly, thanks to a well-branched stem.
The composition of stonecrop Kamchatka includes many useful substances:
- alkaloids;
- coumarins;
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- glycosides.
In addition, vitamins are present in the composition, a high content of ascorbic acid is especially noted. Due to its rich composition, stonecrop is widely used in folk medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, tonic.
Varieties of Sedum Kamchatka
There are more than 500 varieties of sedum, many of which are not cultivated and grow in natural conditions. Each variety has its own merits and is in demand by many gardeners, despite the fact that the culture can hardly be called beautiful. However, true fans successfully use it in garden plots in landscape design, and some grow it at home on a window.
Stonecrop Kamchatka Variegata
Stonecrop Kamchatka Variegata blooms with small inflorescences in the summer
This variety differs from the rest in the ability to form strong straight shoots up to 30 cm high during development. Stonecrop leaf plates are bright green in color with denticles along the edges. Each grows in turn, having only one leaf at the nodes. They have a white or cream border.
Inflorescences are predominantly yellow or orange, very small. Flowering occurs in the summer. Growing stonecrop Kamchatka is simple – it is completely unpretentious and does not require special care. The culture takes root well on different types of soil, even on rather depleted soil.
Sedum Kamchatka Caramel
Stonecrop Kamchatka Caramel is formed in height, forming a small bush
It is a perennial plant. It develops in a vertical direction, reaches a height of 20 cm. The leaf plates are elliptical in shape, with notches at the end. The flowers are very small, yellow with an orange center. If the place of growth is sunny, then the leaf at the edges acquires a pink tint. Flowering begins in June and lasts about a month. Growth is moderate, so frequent rejuvenation of the flower is not required. Like many other varieties, Sedum Kamchatka Caramel is successfully grown from seed.
Seven Tricolors
Stonecrop Tricolor is characterized by abundant flowering of pale pink small inflorescences
This culture is compact in size. The height of the bush is not more than 15 cm, green leaves with a white or pink border are densely arranged. Stonecrop blooms profusely, forming umbrella inflorescences, especially if it grows on the sunny side. Flowering begins in August. Agrotechnics of the bush is very simple. It easily adapts to any soil. Can grow even on rocky terrain.
Thanks to the triple coloring, it is appreciated by gardeners, but with an overly nutrient medium, it can lose its decorative properties by replacing pink flowers with green ones. Does not require frequent watering, which harms the culture.
Ochitok Weichenstefaner Gold
Stonecrop is popular for its abundant yellow blooms over an extended period.
The culture belongs to a hybrid variety. It is a very hardy plant, grows rapidly and therefore requires rejuvenation every 2-3 years. Attracts gardeners with abundant, lush flowering. The flowers are very small, rich yellow. Petals are sharp, star-shaped inflorescences. Leaf plates are curly with notches at the end, rather dense structure. The stems are raised and slightly branched, can form a kind of carpet on the ground or a small bush up to 20 cm.
Stonecrop Ellacombianum
Stonecrop Ellacombianum blooms profusely, able to grow with a rug
This hybrid variety, like many others, belongs to perennials. Its leaves are fleshy, green in color, but in the autumn they change color to burgundy. It is characterized by abundant flowering, which occurs in the first months of summer. The bush is quite low, has a dense structure, usually grows in a hemisphere. The flowers are small, up to 1,5 cm in diameter, the inflorescences of the culture are corymbose. It looks beautiful on slides, in containers, rocky slopes, as the decorative look grows with a rug. For beautiful flowering, loose fertile soil is required.
Original Golden Carpet
Stonecrop Golden Carpet attracts gardeners with large inflorescences
This variety is popular among gardeners due to large inflorescences of bright yellow color with a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in the first month of summer and lasts 25-30 days. Refers to perennials with a thick root system, raised stems up to 30 cm high. Leaf plates are flat, green, with a serrated end. The variety tolerates both humid climate and drought equally well.
Planting and caring for stonecrop Kamchatka
Stonecrop Kamchatka develops well on stony and sandy soils, but it feels good on other species. It is important that the soil passes moisture well, then the plant will grow and bloom profusely. Culture requires a well-lit place. When planting, it is necessary to avoid lowlands where water accumulates. Excessive shading does not affect the culture in the best way – it loses its decorative effect.
Stonecrop Kamchatka should be planted at the end of May, when frosts are unlikely. Landing is done as follows:
- Prepare wells 20 cm deep, 50 cm in diameter.
- Lay drainage at the bottom of each. Gravel, pebbles are suitable for this, you can use broken bricks.
- The hole is not completely filled with soil.
- Establish the plant by straightening the roots.
- Cover with soil and water.
Culture can be planted in a pot and decorate the room
At the same time, 20 cm of free space should remain between the plants so that they do not interfere with each other during development and growth.
The most important thing when caring for Kamchatka stonecrop is not to overfill the soil. This has a very negative effect on the culture. Excess moisture leads to disease. Watering is necessary only after the soil is completely dry. As for adult specimens, they need even less moisture than a young plant.
Sedum is not picky about the nutritional value of the soil. It grows even on poor soil composition. However, if you feed stonecrop, then no more than 2 times per season – before and after flowering.
Reproduction of stonecrop Kamchatka
Many people buy sedum in nurseries, but it can also be propagated by seeds, although this is a rather laborious procedure. In addition, gardeners breed stonecrop by dividing the bush and cuttings. It is worth noting that the division is necessary for an adult perennial to rejuvenate, because otherwise it will lose its decorative appearance. The excavated bush is divided into 4 parts, the root system is sprinkled with activated charcoal, especially the damaged areas, and left in a dark place for several hours. After that, they start landing.
Diseases and pests
Only those specimens that are regularly flooded are susceptible to diseases, or they grow in a lowland where moisture accumulates. Then they are damaged by rot, which manifests itself in the form of dark spots. In this case, the plant must be affected by the drug, and the affected areas should be cut off with a sharp knife.
Of the insect pests, sedum is attacked by aphids, weevils, and nematodes. To avoid the death of a plant, it is necessary to inspect it more often, and if insects are found, use special preparations.
Conclusion
Stonecrop Kamchatka has gained popularity among gardeners due to its decorative appearance, unpretentiousness in care and maintenance. There are quite a few varieties of sedum, mixing them, they make beautiful alpine slides, and, planting them in pots or planters, decorate arbors.
