Dicenter flower - planting and care

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Undeservedly forgotten by domestic gardeners and landscape designers, the dicenter is again gaining its once-lost positions, and this is easily explained. Planting and care in the open field is not difficult, and the photos of the plant are very picturesque.

What is this plant

"Broken Heart" (in France - Jeanette's heart) is a decorative perennial. Designers have at their disposal more than 20 types of all kinds of colors of this culture. Translated from the Greek "dicenter" means a flower with two spurs. The plant was brought to Europe at the beginning of the 18th century, and in England it was called "the lady in the bath".

Previously, it was very popular due to the peculiarity of being combined in a flower bed with almost any ornamental plants. Planting and caring for the dicenter in the open field is not particularly difficult. The plant is considered unpretentious, although there are some nuances determined by the species.

The dicenter can be found in the Far East, East China, North America. But the newfound popularity leaves hope to see it everywhere and in Russia.

The most common types in landscape design:

• Cherry Valentine - with spreading bushes and gray leaves;
• Snow-white Alba, which grows no higher than 70 cm and blooms for almost 3 months;
• Spring Gold will delight you not only with delicate lilac flowers, but also with the changed color of the leaves - in the spring they are yellow, and in the fall they turn into soft green;
• Gold Hut is distinguished by intense pink flowers, which have white petals under the top layer;
• Bakkhanal has openwork green foliage and red flowers with a light pink petticoat;
• the undersized Aurora looks very original, with a white drop and pale pink outer petals;
• Exceptional (the second name is Excellent) in hybrid versions can be pale or hot pink, milling and even purple, as in the photo.

The subtleties of planting and caring for the dicenter in the open field may differ depending on the region. Planting and growing a flower is hassle-free, since it grows beautifully both in a sunny meadow and in the shade of other plants. It's just that the bushes will be higher (in the sun) or lower if the place is darkened.

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Reproduction and cultivation of an ornamental plant

Like any perennial, before planting in open ground, the plant is planted in seedlings, as this promotes rapid adaptation, strengthens the root system and, which is most important for the florist and landscape designer, begins to bloom in the first season.

There are several common ways to grow a picturesque flower:

1. In the south and in relatively warm climates, "Broken Heart" can be planted by seed directly into the flower bed. At the same time, the dicenter will delight with decorative flowers only next year. The most common method is to simply remove the ripe pods and dump the seeds into the ground, then sprinkle them on top and leave them for the winter.
2. Experienced growers propagate the plant with roots, which are pre-germinated in pots. This can be done with equal success at home and in a greenhouse. It is enough to create optimal conditions - high-quality soil, lighting and regular watering.
3. There is another method - planting before winter, as is done with asters. This will make it possible to carry out natural stratification.
4. But the optimal period for planting is February-March (depending on the region). Planting is carried out using artificial stratification and then the usual seedling scenario is observed.

Despite its exotic origin, the dicentra is an unpretentious plant. Planting and caring for it outdoors is the same as for other decorative perennials.

Planting in the usual way for seedlings

Experts unambiguously point out the need for seed stratification. Despite the complex name, this is a simple process and shouldn't take long.

The prepared material is planted in the snow in February or March. This can be done at home by storing the seeds in the refrigerator, or, if the grower lives in a private house, simply plant in a snowdrift closest to the house.

After a while, you can transplant the seeds into special containers, not forgetting to pick. In modern conditions, some farmers simply plant seeds in peat tablets.

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Growing a decorative perennial with rhizomes

This is an easier process than having seeds in a snowdrift or peat pellet. You can also resort to this method with the plants already on the site.

Some gardeners prefer to store purchased rhizomes in the refrigerator, although this often leads to decay and damage to the planting material. The best way is to treat purchased or carefully dug roots with a fungicide and plant them in a pot. This is all the more acceptable if small sprouts began to appear on the roots purchased after school hours.

Planting times in the garden may vary depending on soil and air temperature. Experts advise to follow the long-term weather forecast in the region and plant sprouted plants when the soil has warmed up and there is no danger of recurrent frosts.

Fungicide treatment is carried out at home, the drug is dissolved in water at room temperature. Withstand as long as indicated in the manufacturer's instructions.

1. Even before soaking in a fungicide solution, you need to carefully examine the root and, if it has rot, cut off the branches that have become unusable.
2. Treat the cuts with brilliant green, it will give the desired effect.
3. The pot must have holes and correspond to the size of the rhizome, drainage is laid on the bottom.
4. The root should not bend anywhere, it is placed in the container with the kidneys up. Even if there is no suitable pot, it is best to prune the root branches.

After the root is covered with loose soil (taken from the garden or purchased from a flower shop), you need to moisten it well with settled water at room temperature. It is better to cover the root in layers and moisten each layer, and leave the top dry to avoid the appearance of a crust.

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When the plant has stood for 10-14 days in a warm room, it takes root and is ready to be planted in the soil. It is better to acquire quality planting material. However, it is possible to ennoble one who is in not the best condition.

After cutting off the rotten branches, it should be planted in a pot in the same way, but left in a cool room with a temperature of + 15 … + 20 degrees. After that, it is imperative to pour the Fitosporin solution several times.

If you are a little unlucky with the weather, when the soil is still frozen, and the dicenter is already prepared for flowering, you must certainly cut off the peduncles from the plant. Later they will appear again, but over a prolonged period of time, the root system will have time to get stronger and better adapt when planting.

How to choose the right place

Choosing a landing site will not be difficult. In sunny places, the dicenter builds up its vegetative mass, blooms profusely, but not for long. But in the shade, the bushes turn out to be taller, and partial shade for them is just an ideal option. At the same time, early flowering and late cessation of the appearance of peduncles are guaranteed, as well as strong growth.

At the summer cottage, you can save space by planting the dicenter in the near-trunk circles. This will not harm either the perennial or the tree, provided that watering is carried out in a timely manner, especially in the warm season. But moisture should not constantly accumulate in this place.

When and how to plant

It is difficult to give a definite date, since the climate in different regions of Russia is very different. In the middle lane, the Volga region and in the Moscow region (and in some years in the Urals, Siberia), you need to navigate according to the long-term weather calendar, but the standard period is the 2-3rd decade of May.

After fertilizers have been introduced into the soil (compost is better, but rotted manure and wood ash can be used), the finished seedling is placed in a planting pit (together with an earthen clod or peat tablet), covered with earth, abundantly watered and mulched.

If you are planning a flower bed, a Japanese garden or a rocada, it is better to plan the planting in advance so that the perennial does not have too much room for growth. Otherwise, it can displace less resistant crops and freely settle throughout the entire space, thanks to a powerful root system and a tendency to multiply by seeds, which crumble in autumn.

Unpleasant moments

Flower lovers will be pleased with flower beds and picturesque areas with a dicenter, but subject to proper feeding, soil correction, which prevails on the site. Sandstones are ideal, and dolomite flour is best added to acidic soil.

For the winter, the plants are covered with dry leaves and spruce branches, but only in the first year after planting, and then you can not worry about it. Of the diseases, tobacco mosaic and ring spot sometimes appear. You can hedge against them by treating the soil a month before planting with formalin.

Some varieties of an ornamental plant, immediately planted with seeds in the soil, bloom not even in the second, but in the third year. Horticultural farms often implement the dicenter not by sprouts, but by rhizomes, so you can plant in open ground in this way, the main thing is to know what kind of care will be required in this case.

Summarize

1. Dicentra is a beautiful perennial that generously thanks the florist for its picturesque flowering.
2. You need to purchase high-quality planting material.
3. It is important to observe the intricacies of growing seedlings or caring for rhizomes.
4. In the first year, until the roots are firm, the plant should be covered for the winter.
5. On time to carry out top dressing and timely watering.