In the forest, in the steppes, on the mountain slopes, in the fields, along the roads and in the meadows, you can see the unremarkable flowers of the yarrow, which are very unpretentious and successfully grow even in the northern latitudes. Initially, this plant was appreciated for medicinal properties , including in gynecology , and later on the basis of a wild perennial, a cultural form was displayed, which can now be seen on urban flower beds and country plots.
The cultivars of this plant can reach a height of seventy centimeters. The plants have dark green lanceolate leaves adorned with denticles and collected in a basal rosette. Even when the yarrow does not bloom, it has a decorative appearance. The stem of the yarrow is straight, branched, covered with a touch of white-green color. Flower baskets are not large, not more than three centimeters in diameter. They are collected in shields, forming an inflorescence with a diameter of up to 20 centimeters. Blossoming yarrow resembles a motley fluffy carpet, painted in all shades of pastel colors.
Growth of the garden yarrow is carried out mainly from seeds, but the plant can be propagated by cuttings and division of the mother bush. In this article, we will look at how to grow yarrow from seeds.
Growing seedlings
Experienced gardeners recommend planting yarrow seeds of different varieties. Today such mixtures can be purchased in specialized stores. Multicolored inflorescences look much more effective than single-colored inflorescences. It is worth the planting material is inexpensive, and its germination capacity is high enough.
Sowing yarrow should be carried out at the end of winter, as the plant has a very long growing season. If you sow later, then the flowering can not wait. So, in late February, prepare a fine-grained substrate, mixing it in a ratio of 1: 1 with river sand. The box needs shallow, because the yarrow has filiform, thin roots. Drainage is not needed, and seeds, which are very small in size, should be closed at a distance of 3 to 5 centimeters from each other to a depth of not more than 2 centimeters. After that, moisten the soil with a spray. Take care that water does not wash the seeds on the surface of the ground and does not deepen them. Then place the box under the transparent film and leave it in a warm and well-lit place.
After 10-12 days you will see the first shoots. If the first real leaf appeared, proceed to picking the seedlings. Spread them on individual peat cups, filled with a light nutrient substrate. Be extremely careful, because yarrow seedlings - the creation is extremely fragile! But picking is necessary, as it provides stimulation of growth and strengthening of roots. The seedlings need moderate watering (twice a week).
Planting and care
When the seedlings reach a height of 10-12 centimeters, they can be planted on a permanent place of growth. Usually this happens by the end of April, when the soil is already sufficiently warmed by the sun.
Prepare a place for planting. It is desirable that it was well lit, but the penumbra yarrow tolerates well. Dig a hole depth of about 10 centimeters, place in it a peat cup with a seedling and sprinkle it with earth. Pour in the sprouts. On this landing and care of the yarrow are completed. As already mentioned, the plant is unpretentious, so it does not need any fertilizing or regular watering. In hot weather, you can moisten the soil around the stalk with water. By the end of August, the yarrow blossoms, but is unprincipled. Lush flowering you will see in a year.