Beautiful herbaceous plants of the Kutrov family bear the funny name of a quiver or asclepias. The homeland is the continents of North and South America, it is from there that over 200 species have spread around the world. Evergreen and deciduous varieties are widely used in decorative gardening.
The origin and description of the quiver
In Europe, quilted jackets were introduced in the 18th century as a technical culture, their shoots and leaves were used as fillers for toys and furniture, later they became raw materials for the production of film, rope and various life-saving appliances. When rubber appeared at the beginning of the 19th century, the plant was cultivated only for landscape design purposes.
Asclepsias will grow to a meter depending on the variety. The roots spread far below the surface of the earth, the stems are thick with large leaves of ovoid, oblong or elliptical shape. It blooms in the summer or autumn with an umbrella of red or burgundy shades.
The fruit of the bush is filled with fluffy seeds, because of them the name of the quiver was obtained. Only residents of the southern regions manage to observe a fully formed fetus; they do not ripen in cold climatic zones.
Juice is poisonous, especially when hit in combination with sunlight. Causes severe irritation and redness on the skin. It is used as a folk remedy to combat warts.
The honey plant, during pollination, is surrounded not only by bees, but also by some of the most beautiful butterflies - monarchs.
Types and grades of a padded coat
The most common four varieties of shrubs. Of these, 3 are grown as perennials and one is annual.
Type, description, flowering period | Flowers | Varieties | Height, m |
Incarnate (meat-red). The leaf plates are pubescent, located opposite each other, elongated. July August. | Fragrant red or pink inflorescences of umbrellas. | Ice Abeli - height up to a meter, white flowers. | 1,2 |
Tuberose or tuberous. Dark green foliage, narrow elongated plates. Winter hardy. From mid-summer to frost. | Yellow red. | Gay Butterfly - blooms in yellow, red, orange. | 0,7 |
| Magaraja - orange blossom. | 0,5 | ||
Syrian. Tall straight stalk with large broad leaves. July. | Soft purple umbrellas with a strong vanilla-chocolate aroma. | - | 1,5 |
| Kurassavsky. Annual plant. Elongated leaves in a classic green hue. | Red or orange inflorescences are attractive to butterflies. Pollen causes skin irritation. | - | 1 |
Landing of a padded coat in open ground
Asclepsias can be propagated by seedlings and seedlings, depending on the preferences of the gardener. When preparing seedlings, sowing is carried out in March-April. For open ground - immediately after melting snow, in an illuminated area with good soil, slightly acid loam is preferred.
Digging a flower bed and choosing weeds, the soil is loosened and leveled. They make furrows with a depth of 3 cm, plant seeds, moisten the surface well after leveling. To improve germination, cover the area with a film.
Given the strong growth of the root system, experienced gardeners recommend the use of limiters or grow quail in pots with a good drainage system. Perennials grow well in one place up to 15 years. The first flowering after sowing can be expected no earlier than 3 years later.
Mr. Dachnik recommends: care for the groom in the garden
The shrub is unpretentious, planting and care will not be difficult for a beginner gardener. In order for the plant to feel good, it needs regular watering, periodic fertilizing and loosening of the soil. Pest treatment can be done as needed.
To prolong the flowering period, timely removal of fading inflorescences will help. This is done if you do not plan to collect seed material. It should be remembered that in the northern climatic zone it is not possible to wait for the fruit to ripen, so the seeds will have to be bought in specialized stores.
Asclepsias watering is necessary only at the development stage, later, when the root system has dispersed well, the plant is able to find moisture on its own. Nevertheless, in particularly dry periods, it is necessary to water it, preferably with rain or standing water, warmed up in the sun. Humidification is produced in the evening hours.
Growing a quail in fertile soil does not require fertilizing. For poor soil, it is recommended to fertilize the soil immediately before planting, adding potassium sulfate, urea, manure and compost. Some carry out additional top dressing right after emergence of sprouts with complex mineral fertilizer.
The shrub tolerates the transplant well. It can multiply by division of the rhizome. Procedures of this kind are best performed in early spring or after flowering. Saplings easily take root and bloom for 2 years already.
Pests and diseases
The shrub is distinguished by good immunity, resistant to disease. Unpleasant sensations and discomfort are caused by insect pests.
Problem | Elimination |
| Whitefly, an insect that looks like a moth, feeds on the sap of the plant. | They are treated with Actellik, Fufanon, Rovikurt (prepare an aqueous solution for spraying). |
| A spider mite, a small insect of the arachnid family, feeds on juice. With the appearance of the thinnest web on the branches, as well as deformation of the leaves and wilting of the shoots, treatment is prescribed. | The bush is treated with acaricides, for example, Aktellik, Aktara. |
In particularly hot periods, it is recommended to spray with warm water in the evening hours to prevent drying out of leaves and insect attacks. It is the heat that provokes the attack of pests, especially spider mites.
