Echinacea

The genus Echinacea (Echinacea) consists of 3 species of perennial herbaceous plants, which are similar to plants of the genus Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia). These are lush, stable plants with flowers painted in a whole range of different shades from pink to red and chestnut. Echinacea angustifolia grows to a height of 1 m, has lanceolate leaves and baskets located on reddish peduncles, blooming in summer, slightly bent down red-purple marginal and blackish median flowers. It has medicinal properties due to the antiseptic and wound-healing active substances contained in its tissues. Widely distributed in the culture of one species - echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea), forms a dense bush. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial; the stems are short-pubescent, up to 1 m high. The lower leaves are solitary, on long petioles collected in a basal rosette, the stem leaves are almost sessile, rough. Large (10 cm) baskets consist of purple reed and yellow-brown tubular flowers on a convex peduncle on long peduncles. Various varieties with large (up to 15 cm in diameter) pink, red, and white reed flowers were obtained. A third species, Echinacea pallida (E. pallida), is not commonly grown.

The genus Echinacea (Echinacea) consists of 3 species of perennial herbaceous plants, which are similar to plants of the genus Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia). These are lush, stable plants with flowers painted in a whole range of different shades from pink to red and chestnut.

Echinacea angustifolia grows to a height of 1 m, has lanceolate leaves and baskets located on reddish peduncles, blooming in summer, slightly bent down red-purple marginal and blackish median flowers. It has medicinal properties due to the antiseptic and wound-healing active substances contained in its tissues.

Widely distributed in the culture of one species - echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea), forms a dense bush. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial; the stems are short-pubescent, up to 1 m high. The lower leaves are solitary, on long petioles collected in a basal rosette, the stem leaves are almost sessile, rough. Large (10 cm) baskets consist of purple reed and yellow-brown tubular flowers on a convex peduncle on long peduncles. Various varieties with large (up to 15 cm in diameter) pink, red, and white reed flowers were obtained.

A third species, Echinacea pallida (E. pallida), is not commonly grown.

Cultivation

Echinacea is grown in the open ground in flower beds, in borders and mixborders as flowers for cutting. Plants are planted in the ground on the site in late spring at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other. They prefer soils that are rich in organic matter, non-acidic, and not raw. In late spring and summer, once every 30-40 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 20 g per bucket. During the growing season, flower stalks with wilted flowers are removed to encourage the formation of new flowers and thus lengthen the flowering period.

Location

An ideal place in the open sun, but echinacea tolerates partial shade as well.

Temperature

Echinacea is resistant to high and low air temperatures.

Watering

On hot, windy days and during droughts, water regularly, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon.

Care

Remove faded flower stalks and damaged parts of plants.

Reproduction

Propagated mainly by seeds. Sow in spring in greenhouses or in the open ground. Seedlings usually bloom in the 2nd year. By dividing the bush (in autumn or spring), it is rarely propagated, since the base of the stem and shoots quickly becomes lignified, and rooting is slow and difficult.

Diseases

If the ground is too wet, echinacea can be affected by two species of fungi of the genera Cercospora and Septoria, which cause spots on the leaves, weakening and death. If the lesion is small, remove the leaves, otherwise they are treated with appropriate fungicides. Echinacea is susceptible to viral infections that cause deformity of the peduncles, yellowing of the leaves and the appearance of stripes on them. Delete affected instances.

Acquisition

Potted seeds and seedlings are easily found in nurseries and gardening centers. Check that the seeds are fresh-this guarantees germination. Seedlings should be bought young, bushy, thick.