Every person associates New Year with the smell of spruce and oranges. But what about diversifying this holiday with the aroma of snowdrops, which you can easily grow at home? These flowers will not only decorate your home, but also add spring freshness. At the same time, you don’t have to put in too much effort and waste time. The whole secret is to create suitable conditions for the plants. What and how to do will be discussed in detail below.
What do frying flowers look like?
Zharok is a perennial compact bush 60-80 cm high. Erect leafy stems end in 1-2 large (diameter up to 5 cm) spherical flowers. Bright orange petals shine as if varnished. Attached to the base of the stem are petiolate, palmately dissected leaves of a rich green hue.
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They are called snowdrops.
The first spring arrival at the dacha is always a long-awaited holiday.
Any keen florist will easily remember this wonderful excitement, tremblingly covering you from head to toe and dousing you with the intoxicating smell of thawed earth and the tart aroma of unfolding greenery. The aftertaste of winter finally recedes at the sight of the most delicate early spring ephemeroids in the awakening garden. Galanthus nivalis
The word “ephemeral” connotes something beautiful, but fleeting and short-lived. Indeed, a week or two after birth, transient plants will already fade. Despite the spring coolness, the extraordinary “haste” of these flowers always surprises and upsets me, but is it possible to refuse this miracle of awakening the garden, which sets you up for a lyrical and enthusiastic exclamation: “Stop, moment, you are beautiful!”
Galanthus, iridodictiums, chionodoxes, scylla, crocuses, erythroniums, hellebores and other ephemeral and early spring perennials are primrose plants. They are often referred to colloquially as snowdrops, a name given to many spring flowers.
Many people associate the canonical image of the main snowdrop with galanthus . The unopened flower of this touching plant resembles a thick drop of milk. Indeed, the translation of the name from Greek means: “gala” - milk and “anthus” - flower.
An unopened galanthus flower resembles a milk drop
Galanthus have been cultivated in gardens since time immemorial; there are many different variations and forms of this primrose, including double ones.
“The main snowdrop” is galanthus. Galanthus 'Flore Pleno'
Description of the plant
Snowdrops are early spring flowering bulbs. Each bulb produces two or three stripe-shaped leaves of a dark green color. The white flowers tend to grow singly in early spring, but sometimes in mid to late winter. Three green-tipped inner petals overlap the outer petals to form a tube.
Crimean species, Galanthus plicatus, giant snowdrop and Galanthus elwesii are the most popular species.
These species do not even wait for the snow to melt before germinating and blooming.
Spreading
Snowdrops hybridize easily and therefore do not germinate from seeds without suitable conditions.
Snowdrops are a flexible, fast-flowering garden plant that will grow even in snow. This characteristic is reflected in the name of the flower. It takes a year for the bulbs to take root. So even if the first year after planting is disappointing, expect better results next year.
Pests and diseases of snowdrops growing in the garden: prevention and treatment
Most snowdrop varieties are extremely resistant to diseases and pests. However, do not forget about the rules of plant care and protection. This will avoid premature death of the crop.
- When affected by a fungal disease, such as Rust or Gray Mold, the stems and leaves of the flower wither. At the first manifestations of the disease, the plant must be dug up from the site to avoid its spread to healthy plants. As a subsequent preventative measure, healthy flowers are treated with a fungicide.
- The viral disease is characterized by the appearance of light spots on the leaves and their subsequent change in shape. Unfortunately, there are no effective methods for treating viral diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately remove the affected specimen. Additionally, the contaminated soil should be shed with a concentrated solution of potassium manganese.
- A sign of poor drainage and chlorosis is the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves. Fertilizing the soil with iron is considered an effective method of treatment and prevention.
- Swollen edges of the leaves are a sign of damage to the bulb by a worm, bulb nematode. In such cases, treatment is not resorted to; the affected flower is immediately removed from the area. For prevention, healthy bulbs are also dug out of the ground and placed in warm water for several hours. After this, they are planted in a new place. Preventive measures include regular autumn weeding.
- Special solutions help to avoid damage to the bulb by slugs and caterpillars. Preventive measures are carried out at the planting stage: before planting in the hole, it is filled with river sand to the top of the bulb. Soil is poured into the hole on top of the sand.
- To preserve flowers from moles and mice, experienced gardeners use specialized traps. When the bulb is damaged, the plant slows down and begins to wilt. You can save a damaged plant by digging up the bulb and removing the damaged area down to healthy tissue. After this, it is necessary to treat the area with wood ash.
4.Varieties:
4.1.Elvis's snowdrop - Galanthus elwesii
One of the largest species of snowdrop. They are perennial plants, the bulbs of which reach a diameter of 7 cm. Each bulb produces 2 - 3 narrow, long leaves and a peduncle with a drooping bell-shaped flower. A distinctive feature of this plant is the greenish markings on the petals. Most often, flower stalks develop first; leaf blades reach their final size after flowering.
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4.2.Narrow-leaved snowdrop - Galanthus angustifolius
The plant is distributed in the mountains of the North Caucasus, where it grows at an altitude of 700 - 1000 meters above sea level. The bushes reach a height of only 12 - 15 cm. The plants have long and narrow leaves - the length of the leaf plates can grow up to 15 cm, while their width does not exceed 5 - 7 mm.
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4.3.Voronov’s snowdrop - Galanthus woronowii
A large variety, the leaves of which can reach a length of 25 - 40 cm. The leaf blades are bluish-green, wide, slightly bent along the central vein. The flowers are solitary, drooping, reaching 3 cm in diameter. This species is found mainly in northeastern Turkey, eastern Georgia and southern Russia.
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4.4. Caucasian snowdrop - Galanthus caucasicus
Compact perennial primroses with hard, dark green leaves and strong peduncles, at the top of which are bell-shaped flowers.
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4.5. Snowdrop or snow-white - Galanthus nivalis
The most common type of galanthus is small bushes 20 - 25 cm high, found in Europe and South-West Asia.
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4.6. Queen Olga's snowdrop - Galanthus reginae-olgae
Perennials with linear, dark green leaves up to 15 cm long. In the center of the leaf blades there is a light, almost white, narrow stripe. An interesting feature of the plant is its flowering, which occurs... in autumn. Flowers appear first and foliage follows.
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4.7.Folded or Crimean snowdrop - Galanthus plicatus
The bushes of folded snowdrop have quite wide - up to 2 cm, light green leaves. Bell-shaped flowers consist of outer petals up to 3 cm long and short inner corrugated, greenish petals. This variety is found in Eastern Europe.
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Liverworts
These plants got their name from their leaves, which are shaped like the image of a liver in medieval treatises. There is a widespread misconception that they were once used to treat diseases of this internal organ, which never happened.
The noble liverwort is found in the European part of Russia, and the Asian liverwort is found in the Far East. Now these plants are truly wildly popular. Collectors are chasing the latest and most expensive varieties, forgetting that the simplest liverwort from the Russian forest is just as charming and touching as its foreign relatives. Where liverworts grow en masse, you can find forms with white, pink, purple and double flowers. By planting several varieties in the garden that will cross-pollinate, over time you will be able to observe the appearance of new colors in the liverworts, since they reproduce well by seeds.
Anemones (anemones)
The name of these sweetest flowers (both Russian and Latin) is associated both with the peculiarity of gently nodding their “heads” at the slightest breath of wind, and with the dissemination of their seeds with the help of the wind.
In the western regions of our country, oak anemone with white flowers is more common; further to the east, buttercup is dominant - with yellow flowers. In nature, among tens of thousands of ordinary flowers, you can notice those that differ in the degree of terry or color. Most of the modern varietal anemones come from such natural mutants. And dozens of them are already known: pink, red, blue, light blue, purple, cream and even green!
Shoots (sleep-grass)
Large and noticeable flowers of lumbago in the forest have always attracted people's attention. Alas, in the vicinity of large cities these plants have practically disappeared. Few people will believe it, but half a century ago, lumbago decorated the spring forests of Serebryany Bor, Kuzminki and Razdorov in the near Moscow region. Now these populations are completely exterminated. But these plants tolerate digging and replanting very poorly. It is much preferable to propagate lumbago by seeds, which must be sown immediately after harvesting. They would preserve nature and enrich the gardens. In the meantime, gardeners are buying lumbago produced in Poland and Holland. Sleep grass is known for several, sometimes not very similar, species. The color of their flowers can be white, yellow, red, blue, cyan and purple-black.
Primrose (primrose)
This is one of the most beloved plants in Russian folklore. Little rams, little keys – whatever they call it! The last name has a deep meaning. Indeed, in the countries of Northern Europe, since ancient times it was believed that the keys to spring, hanging on the belt of the goddess of the same name, were shaped like the flowers of these very plants! Almost everyone knows the common forest primrose, but, unfortunately, it is extremely rarely used in the design of their gardens. But this is a magnificent, unpretentious and durable plant, easily grown from seeds.
Kaluzhnitsy got its name from the old Russian word “kaluga”, which meant a roadside pit with water. They actually grow in water, preferring meltwater streams and small forest streams. But few people know that if they are provided with water, marigolds do well under the canopy of large trees on rich soils. These are wonderful shade plants. In gardens, they can often be seen in small decorative ponds. On sale you can find double and white forms of marsh marigold.
Secrets of success
The only drawback of Snowdrops is the short growing season. Appearing first from under the snow, they are the first to fade at the beginning of summer. Therefore, you need to think carefully about how to organize plantings so that there are no bare spots on the site. A good solution to the problem is to place lush perennials next to the primroses, which gain strength closer to June. Spreading green bushes more than cover the area left orphaned after the Snowdrops withered. All summer, the soil where the primroses were must be loosened and weeded.
They are not often replanted. Bulbous plants can sit in one place for 5 or more years. In the year of “moving,” the plants are dug up no earlier than the last leaf dies. It is not recommended to dry the bulbs, otherwise there is a danger of destroying them. They cannot be kept outdoors for more than 30 days. For further storage, they are sprinkled with sawdust and placed in a plastic bag. At the end of summer - beginning of autumn, the material is buried again to a depth of 5–8 cm.
Snowdrops tolerate winter well, are resistant to damage by pests and rarely get sick. You just need to follow a few simple tips so that the primroses grow together and delight you with long and abundant flowering.
Features of planting and caring for snowdrops at home
What you should know about the rules for planting spring flowers
To answer the question “How to grow snowdrops in the country,” you need to study the description of the variety of the flower you like. The optimal time to buy a bulb and plant a plant is the summer months.
In the case of a warm autumn, the planting period can be extended until October. At this time, the bulbs are at rest, which increases the survival rate of the primrose in a new place.
When buying bulbs, do not forget a couple of simple recommendations:
- the bulb should not contain a sprouted root system, be heavy and dense;
- If even minor signs of rot or mold appear, you should refuse the purchase.
Prolonged drought is extremely undesirable for snowdrop bulbs, so experienced gardeners place them in sawdust if planting is delayed. In such conditions, the bulb can be stored for no more than three months.
It is important to remember that many types of flowers are poisonous, so experienced gardeners recommend using rubber gloves when planting the plant. Upon completion of planting, you should thoroughly wash your hands and garden tools. Observing the described conditions, you can grow snowdrops in a pot on the windowsill.
How to care
Caring for primroses comes down to the correct choice of planting site, preparing the soil, applying fertilizers and proper watering.
Despite the fact that the plant loves sunlight, direct rays should be avoided. The optimal planting location is near bushes or trees that will protect Galanthus from snow in winter.
You should choose a site with moist, loose soil. It is highly not recommended to plant seedlings in dry places or where water stagnates. Leaves must be cut off when they are completely dry. Fertilize with inorganic compounds at the beginning of flower growth. These recommendations will help you grow snowdrops in a pot at home.
Do snowdrops need feeding?
Experienced gardeners recommend feeding plants every two weeks with water-soluble fertilizers. Fertilize should be done from the moment the first shoots appear until the leaves completely die off.
What to do if the flowers begin to fade
Snowdrops are an extremely resistant crop to external influences. If Galanthus wilts, you should first of all pay attention to the condition of the soil, if necessary, moisten the soil and apply additional fertilizers.
The second important factor in the fading of a flower can be damage by a disease or pest. In this case, it is necessary to take emergency measures to identify the pathogen, as well as carry out preventive measures to preserve healthy snowdrops growing on the site.
How to speed up the flowering of snowdrops at home
It is extremely difficult to bring plants out of dormancy during the winter season. However, you can grow snowdrops by March 8 if you adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
you need to bring the flower into a warm room and leave it to grow until mid-November. There is no need to build an additional greenhouse;
- Spray and water the snowdrop with warm water daily. For intensive awakening, water 3-4 times a day. Regular spraying is stopped from the moment the flowers appear;
- To speed up flowering by March, many gardeners additionally immerse the root system in a bath of warm water. The duration of the procedure is 15 hours. The main thing is not to allow the water to cool; for this, additional heating should be organized;
- Snowdrops will grow more efficiently due to increased daylight hours. In the winter season, up to a minimum of 10 hours is possible using fluorescent lamps.
Nickname – “snowdrop”. What flowers are hidden under one name?
In Russian tradition, all first spring flowers are usually called snowdrops. Although from a botanical point of view only Galanthus is considered a true snowdrop, in different regions of our country a variety of plants from completely different botanical families are known under this proud and lovely name.
Snowdrops in Russia are most often called anemones, or anemones (Anemone), liverworts (Hepatica), lumbago (Pulsatilla), scillas (Scilla), cyclamens (Cyclamen) and hellebores (Helleborus). Almost all of these plants are protected by law, as they are often the subject of mass harvest for commercial purposes, and in addition, they are greatly affected by climate change and forest loss.
In the forests of the European part of Russia, you can most often find two types of woodles: Siberian and two-leaved. Sibirskaya is the “blue snowdrop” familiar to many. It is very unpretentious and reproduces well by children and seeds, which are carried around by ants. As a result, this plant forms magnificent blue carpets.
