Arktotis, or in the common people bearish ear, very unpretentious. A native plant from South Africa, therefore, loves the warmth and the sun. And his second name was given for the pubescent stem and leaves that resemble the ears of a bear. Do not confuse arctotis with gerberas , although outwardly they are somewhat similar.
Arktotis - cultivation
The flower of arctotis can easily be grown on its private plot. The plant is unpretentious to the soil, it grows with pleasure in anyone, if only the earth is not too heavy. Excellent for limestone drained soil.
Arctitis flowers do not like excessive watering and mineral fertilizers (they acidify the soil). Of course, it is impossible to arrange a drought for the plant, but one should not zeal with watering, remembering where it comes from.
The plant multiplies by seeds. In this case, seedlings of arctitis planted from seeds can be planted in the soil in May.
Where to begin?
Cultivation of arctitis from seeds begins with their purchase in the store or collection from a flowering plant. Collect the seeds only two weeks after wilting the flower, when the grayish-brown achenes were already formed.
At the end of March, the seeds are planted in small and shallow boxes in a heated greenhouse. The first shoots appear already on the 8-10th day. They grow quite slowly. Seedlings are thinly thinned, moderately watered.
Arktotis transplantation
The first picking is carried out after 3 weeks for 2-3 pieces with separate pots with peat. When the seedlings reach a height of 10-12 cm, they are plucked and planted in open ground - this time occurs around the end of May.
Plant should be in accordance with the scheme 25x25 cm, if the variety is short and 40x40 cm for tall plants. When transplanting, you need to consider that the plant has a very sensitive root system, so any violation of it will lead to worse development in the future.
In order not to disturb the roots with a transplant again, the seeds can be planted immediately in separate pots and grow seedlings, bypassing the stage of picking. With proper care in the open ground, the flower grows very quickly and pleases with flowering until the fall.
Is it possible to sow arctitis in open ground?
In principle, the plant can be sown immediately to a permanent place of growth. But it is important that the climatic conditions are as soft as possible, warm, close to the southern ones. Sow seeds for 4-5 pieces in separate pits.
The plant tolerates temperature drops to -1 degrees, which sometimes occur with recurrent frosts. The ascending sprouts also thin out. So that they grow quickly and blossom well throughout the summer, it is necessary to provide them with proper care.