Cineraria

Family. Compositae or Asteraceae.

Origin. The plant is native to tropical regions of Africa.

What it looks like. Cineraria are attractive flowering herbaceous plants.

The leaves are simple, green, form a basal rosette, lance-shaped or heart-shaped, with well-defined numerous veins. The surface of the leaf blade has sparse pubescence and finely toothed edges.

The flowering is so abundant that the leaves are practically hidden under the flowers. The peduncles are slightly higher than the leaf rosette and bear small, 3-7 cm in diameter, but very bright buds in shades of blue, pink, burgundy, white, purple and red.

Often there are varieties with petals of two tones.

Some species do not differ in lush flowering, but are distinguished by silvery-white foliage, which will perfectly shade any other plants.

Height. Depending on the variety, the bushes reach a height of 30 - 60 cm. The size will also depend on the growing conditions.

Planting and care

Reproduction, growing from seeds

1. Sowing of seeds is carried out at the end of winter or spring.
2. Seeds are sown on the surface of the soil, slightly pressing them into the surface of the substrate and without covering them with soil - they need light to germinate.
3. Seedlings will need warmth and good humidity. The crops are covered from above with transparent plastic or glass to maintain uniformly high humidity.
4. At a temperature of 21 - 24 ° C, germination will occur within 2 - 3 weeks.
5. With the appearance of the first shoots, the shelter begins to be opened slightly for a few minutes a day, and then completely removed.
6. Picking of seedlings is carried out after the appearance of the first true leaves. 

Some species successfully reproduce vegetatively - by cuttings. 

Soil 

For growing home flowers, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil based on organic matter - peat and leaf humus, with a slightly acidic pH is suitable. The soil must be nutritious and loose, gas and water permeable.

Growing at home

Caring for cineraria is not difficult. The plant is unpretentious, but requires certain agricultural practices. To extend the flowering period and maintain a neat appearance, you should systematically remove wilting buds and old leaves. Sanitary pruning is carried out with a sharp sterile instrument. In the warm season, take the pot out into the fresh air, sheltering it from strong wind, rain and direct sunlight.

When it blooms 

Basically, the flowering time of this beautiful species falls in spring - summer. The duration of flowering directly depends on the ambient temperature - if it does not exceed 18 ° C, then flowering will last about 1 month.

How to replant 

The bush prefers slightly cramped conditions - in small pots the flowering will be more abundant. Plants are often grown as annuals and thrown away after flowering, so they do not need to be replanted. When kept as a perennial, planting in new soil is carried out in the spring - with the appearance of the first signs of new growth, but before flowering.

Diseases and pests 

Leaves get burned when exposed to direct sunlight. When moisture stagnates, root rot begins. If the cineraria is stretched out, it may not have enough light. The bush withers when the substrate dries out for a long time.

Harmful insects - spider mites, aphids, whiteflies.

Watering 

Keep the substrate evenly moist during the growth and flowering period. Drain excess moisture from the pan a few minutes after watering. Cineraria does not like the earthen clod to dry out. 

Temperature

Cool conditions at a temperature of 10 - 16 °C are preferable. If the room temperature exceeds 18 °C, the flowering period will be reduced. In winter months, keep in a cool place - at a temperature of about 10 °C. The flower does not like sudden temperature changes. The bush does not tolerate frosts well, so wintering outside often ends in death.

Light

A brightly lit place without direct sunlight. If there is a lack of light, flowering will be less abundant, but shoots and leaves do not tolerate direct sunlight.

Feeding

Potted cineraria has a limited feeding area and requires supplemental fertilization. Feed with a high phosphorus fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks in spring and summer.

Spraying 

It tolerates a fairly dry atmosphere in living quarters, but it is better to increase the air humidity by placing the pot on a tray with wet pebbles, or surrounding it with a layer of wet sphagnum moss. It is advisable to spray only in the morning, since the pubescence of the leaves can retain moisture, and it will not have time to evaporate before dark; does not tolerate cold drafts.

Purpose, use

A compact ornamental flowering or ornamental foliage species that can decorate any flowerbed in the garden will become an accent on the flowerbed. Bright appearance, unpretentiousness to growing conditions, resistance to air pollution make this plant very popular in floriculture. Low-growing varieties are grown in flowerbeds as a border. Flowers are used for cutting - they do not lose their attractive appearance for a long time in a vase of water. Dried branches of silver cineraria can be used as dried flowers - they will decorate the interior for several months or even years.

Note

Cineraria domestica are considered poisonous plants and should be kept away from children and pets. 

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics. 

Varieties and types:

Silver cineraria, Jacobaea maritima

An ornamental foliage species native to the Mediterranean, this tall variety is a small perennial evergreen herbaceous plant 15 - 45 cm high with openwork, deeply dissected silvery foliage. The leaf blades are covered with very dense, thin matted pubescence of a silver-gray color. In open ground, silver cineraria is grown as an annual plant, but when grown at home it is capable of producing buds in the second year that open into bright yellow flowers with thin, oblong petals, reminiscent of dandelions. Flower stems are often pinched so that the plant does not waste energy on flowering. 

Cineraria hybrida, Senecio hybrida

This species, a native of the Canary Islands, is a low-growing, profusely flowering, dwarf, herbaceous plant. During the flowering period, it is almost completely hidden under large blue, pink, purple, red and white flowers, which are often used as cut flowers. The flowers of this variety resemble chamomile. This fast-growing perennial can reach 45 cm in height.

For abundant flowering, this plant requires a lot of sunlight. 

The hybrid type includes the commonCineraria "Venice" is a beautifully flowering bush perennial that grows very quickly and during the flowering period is covered with large inflorescences of many burgundy, purple, white, pink, blue, indigo or red flowers. Often the flowers of this variety have white stripes inside the petals. These biennial plants remain compact and do not exceed 30 cm in height. The variety was bred specifically for growing at home. 

Cineraria cruenta

Cineraria bloody or bloody groundsel - such an unattractive name hides a charming perennial herbaceous plant. The leaves are round, green with reticulated veins, soft, covered with sparse hairs. The flowers are large, on high peduncles, burgundy, red, pink, purple; often there are two-color buds, the petals of which have a white center. Flowering is very abundant. 

Cineraria graceana, Senecio elegans

An annual herbaceous flowering plant from South Africa. The appearance of these plants is very variable - they can vary in height, size and color of flowers. Flowers are collected in small inflorescences on the tops of tall peduncles; the color range ranges from white to crimson and lilac. The flowering period is very long, the center of the flowers is often yellow. The leaves are green, openwork, deeply cut.