Amazing beauty of the garden - Eschscholzia Californian

Eschscholzia belongs to the Poppy family, which includes several dozen different species. This plant was first found in North America, in its western part.

Its color resembles gold, which is why the Spaniards jokingly call Eschscholzia the golden cup. The plant is very beautiful and romantic, but does not require special care and is becoming increasingly popular in cultural cultivation.

Description and features

It is a herbaceous perennial shrub with a tap-shaped root. The shoots are thin and numerous. The flowers resemble poppies, colors range from yellow to red and their shades, single or double, depending on the variety.

Blooms from summer until winter. However, one bud lives only a few days; it is replaced by a larger number, approximately 1/2. The hallmark of this plant is not only the delicate flowers, but also the white, bluish coating on the stems and leaves.

Reviews

1. Irisana: My mother considers Eschscholzia a weed, but I specially bred it at the dacha and it makes me happy with its bright flowers. I have sowed and sowed it directly into the ground in early spring, using my own seeds. The main thing is not to miss the moment to collect them - they ripen in small pods that quickly dry out and burst. Although this is not a problem - it turns out that the seeds overwinter well in the ground; as soon as it gets warm, stems appear from the ground. I love Eschscholzia, it’s just a pity that the flowers don’t last long.”
2. Che!, Yekaterinburg: “Eschscholzia is an unpretentious, but very beautiful flower. This is a self-sowing plant, but you can specially sow it before winter - then it will bloom in June and will show off in the flowerbed until the end of September. But she doesn’t like transplanting, so I don’t plant her with seedlings.”
3. KlimN, Ukraine: “California poppy is, in general, an unpretentious plant, but it just loves the sun very much. In a flowerbed that was exposed to the sun only half the day, it grew very poorly for me. And in open areas there are bright and wonderful flowers.”

Eschscholzia is a cold-resistant annual. In cloudy, rainy weather, as well as at night, the buds close. Each flower lives only 3-4 days, but it is quickly replaced by several others. Until the frosts, you will be able to see delicate flowers continuously blooming in your area.

Type and varieties of Eschscholzia

In nature and in gardens, both single species and inflorescences are found.

Californian

The most common. In addition, all the varieties under consideration are varieties of Californian.

The plant is perennial, spreading along the ground. It has fairly strong stems, of medium height, about 50 cm in height. The buds are single, 8 cm in diameter.

Botanical description of the flower

The peculiarity of Eschsolzia is not only in the uniqueness of the structure or the legend of its origin. An annual flower is:

• bushy plant;
• in the wild it is a perennial crop, but is cultivated as an annual to enhance its decorative qualities;
• height no more than 40 cm;
• Reminds me of a poppy.

The color scheme is varied: yellow, red, white, bright orange. The botanical description of the culture standard is:

Interesting fact! The Eschscholzia bud reacts very strongly to changes in weather conditions. It can be used to accurately predict thunderstorms, rain, and cloudy days, since at such moments it does not open. With the onset of dusk, the flower also falls asleep and collects its petals in a tight box.

Growing Eschscholzia from seeds

The simplest and most effective method of propagation is seed. Seeds can be stored for a long time, while they retain their properties.

Sowing dates, pros and cons

An excellent solution would be to plant the seeds in the fall. This allows them to be stratified 100%. Moreover, the weaker ones simply do not survive in such conditions, and the flowering of eschscholzia will be early. To do this, you need to prepare special grooves, about 5 cm deep.

Seeds are sown by lightly pressing them into the soil. Mulch from loose humus is poured on top of them; its layer is no more than 2 cm thick. This is done to prevent the soil from freezing where the plant is planted, as this greatly impedes the development of the root system.

Autumn sowing usually occurs in October. Mainly in dry weather, only with the onset of frost.

Some people, on the contrary, prefer to plant seeds in the spring. However, to do this, they need to undergo certain training before disembarking. They are placed in a special cotton bag, and it is already in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. They need to be stored there for at least a month before planting.

When to plant Eschscholzia

It is necessary to plant Eschscholzia in dry, sandy soil with a good drainage layer. The reaction must be neutral or slightly acidic. If the soil on your site is too acidic, then you should dig it with a shovel full and at this depth lay out dolomite flour at the rate of 200 grams per square meter. Flour can be replaced with ash. For one square meter of land you will need two cups of ash. Seedlings can be planted from late April to mid-May. This is the period when frosts no longer appear at night, but the earth is not yet completely warmed up.

Technology for sowing Eschscholzia at home

The plant does not tolerate transplantation at all, but this does not stop flower growers. Around the beginning of March, you can start growing eschscholzia on the windowsill in your apartment, but not using the usual method. Only peat tablets are used. This is done in order not to damage the root system of the plant during transplantation.

The tablet is placed in water to soften it. Then 2-3 seeds are placed into it using a toothpick. After which they are sprinkled with peat, and the surface is moistened.

It is recommended to cover the seedlings with plastic film; the greenhouse effect will allow for faster seed germination. When the first shoots appear, the film must be removed and the seedlings themselves must be placed in a cooler, bright place.

15 days after germination, you need to feed the plants with a special mineral mixture.

If it is necessary to transport the plant to open ground, this is done together with the tablet; it decomposes in the soil, and the root system is not damaged in any way during transplantation.

About 3 weeks before planting seedlings in open soil, hardening of the seedlings begins.

This is done by placing the container with the sprouts in the open air for several hours. Hardening is necessary so that when transplanted into open ground, the plant does not die from sub-zero soil temperatures.

Advantages of application in landscape design

To grow a flower garden in your garden that will attract the attention of others, there are a huge number of varieties and types of crops.

But growing Eschscholzia is more profitable than other proposals. In addition to the diversity of the color palette, the plant is distinguished by its constant flowering until the first frost.

The buds bloom in early summer. The duration of the process is 3-5 days. But as soon as one bud fades, a new one appears in its place.

Due to the constant replenishment of flowers, Eschscholzia forms a colorful living carpet. The gardener is required to monitor the removal of faded buds to ensure timely replenishment of inflorescences.

Planting Eschscholzia in open ground

Sandy soil is recommended for planting; it must be well drained.

Landing dates

Seedlings should be transplanted into the soil when the threat of frost has passed. Usually this is May-April.

However, it all depends on the landing region.

Landing Features

Initially, it is necessary to prepare small planting holes. Keep a distance between them of at least 30 cm, this is due to the strong spreading nature of the bushes. The seedling is immersed in a pre-dug hole along with a peat tablet, after which it is sprinkled with soil, then compacted. After this, water it. Flowering is observed after about a month.

Choosing a landing site

Eschscholzia blooms profusely only in sunny places. Flowers bloom from 10.00 to 16.00, then close.

On cloudy days, you can forget about the beautifully blooming Eschscholzia. This is a drawback, because in rainy summers Eschscholzia blooms little.

There are no special requirements for the substrate; it is desirable that the soil for Eschscholzia be:

• permeable;
• light;
• carbonate;
• quite dry.

Eschscholzia grows well in less nutrient-rich soils and even sandy soils, but produces smaller flowers. Flowers will be larger if the soil is amended with compost.

Caring for Eschscholzia in open ground

This plant is unpretentious by nature, requiring only fertilizing and timely watering. The latter must be carried out exclusively in the evening, before sunset. In this case, the flow of water must be directed precisely under the root of the plant so as not to affect the inflorescences or damage them.

Mineral fertilizer with a predominance of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium is excellent for feeding. It promotes overall plant growth and an increase in the number of inflorescences.

Organics are highly not recommended; because of it, the Eschscholzia will die.

To allow air to reach the roots, the soil must be loosened regularly, and dried buds must be destroyed in a timely manner.

Popular varieties

Apricot chiffon

Perennial Eschscholzia bushes are covered with creamy apricot flowers. They grow to a height of 35-40 centimeters. The flowers of this variety are double with corrugated petals.

Golden glory

Large simple yellow flowers with an orange center.

Orange King

Has bright orange inflorescences. The diameter of the flower is 5-8 centimeters. Blooms from June to October.

Mikado

This variety belongs to the Californian Eschsolzia. It has bright yellow flowers with an orange center and is 7 centimeters in diameter.

Karminkoenig

Simple flowers are dark carmine in color.

Strawberry fields

This variety has semi-double, scarlet flowers with a yellowish center.

Fruity explosion

The name of the flowers comes from the combination of bright, rich colors of yellow and crimson; their shape can be wide and folded.

Apple tree flowers

The varietal species is distinguished by increased color of large inflorescences. Their color is pink, but has a bright tint at the edges and a pale tint in the middle.

Eschscholzia after flowering

At the end of flowering, the seeds are collected and the plant is prepared for wintering.

Collecting seeds

In general, Eschscholzia reproduces well by self-seeding, so collecting seeds is not necessary. If in the future it is planned to plant the plant in the same place, you can “let the process take its course.” Next spring, several dozen beautiful flowers will delight the eye. However, if they are supposed to be planted in another place, it is necessary to put special gauze bags on the flowers. Then, after 4 weeks, cut off the seed pods and only then remove the seeds.

Gauze bags allow you to isolate seeds from the outside world, thereby preventing the emergence and development of various diseases. I dry it and then put it in the refrigerator for storage.

Preparing for winter

In the fall, the remains of plants are cut off and the area is thoroughly dug up. In the spring, strong stems will definitely appear there; they will be thinned out and fed. In just a month they will already bloom.

Collecting seeds

If you plan to plant Eschscholzia seeds on your plot again next year, then it is not at all necessary to collect seed material, since the plant can give excellent self-seeding. This will save you from the unnecessary hassle of stratification, planting, etc. In the spring, you will only have to thin out the seedlings in the beds and calmly wait until the eschscholzia blooms.

In general, seeds are needed only in the first year of planting a plant on the site, and then you will no longer have to purchase them in the store. If you don’t trust self-sowing or want to transplant the plant to another area, then you will have to collect the seeds. It's not difficult to do this. Look for a few bushes in advance, put gauze bags on the wilted flowers so that the seeds do not spill out on the ground, and as soon as they ripen (about a month after flowering stops), the seed pods can be safely cut off, remove the gauze, and shake out the contents , preferably on newspaper, and then leave in a warm, dry place to dry. After this, the seed is collected in a paper bag and left in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator until spring, this was noted earlier in the article.

If the seeds were collected correctly and stored under normal conditions, their germination will continue for three years.

Diseases and pests

Eschscholzia is highly resistant to various kinds of diseases, but does not have immunity from all diseases. The most common problem with this plant is root rot. It is caused by excess moisture in the soil. This disease manifests itself by the wilting of the flower. The only way to know for sure is to dig up the root. If there is a gray coating on it, then it is gray rot. The affected plant is removed, its neighbors are treated with a fungicidal solution, and watering is temporarily stopped.

During dry periods, the main problem is spider mites. It manifests itself by enveloping the leaves in cobwebs, and on the leaves themselves you can observe small, running dots. Acaricides are ideal for treatment.

Aphids are also a common problem with Eschscholzia. However, it is easy to cope with it; it is necessary to spray the affected plant with cold water, and pollinate it and neighboring plants with a fungicidal solution.

Hello, dear readers!

Until recently, I did not plant Eschscholzia on my plot. And even now I don’t understand why.

But two years ago, while looking through another catalog of flower seeds, I unexpectedly saw (as if a veil had fallen from my eyes) eschscholzia.

And from now on, I can no longer imagine my garden without eschscholzia - a sunny flower that enlivens everything around.

When the Eschscholzia blooms, many little suns light up on the summer cottage, transforming it fabulously.

A person perceives the main flow of information through vision

It is important that this foundation is mostly filled with positivity.

That’s why we take into our sight an unpretentious, pleasant-looking flower: eschscholzia.

A relative of the poppy (poppy family), delicate and varied in color shades, Eschscholzia came from afar.

The birthplace of the flower is northwest America. It is named after the surname of the Russian scientist Eschscholtz who discovered the flower in the 7th century.

Mister summer resident recommends: medicinal properties of eschsolzia

In fact, every plant in nature has a special purpose. The same is true with this flower. The ancient Indians long ago studied the issue of the medicinal properties of eschscholzia. With its help, they relieved toothache and fought lice. Even pollen was used; it was used to improve skin elasticity and restore its former attractiveness. Modern medicine uses the extract of this plant as one part of multicomponent medications. It is included in sedatives and pain relievers. In addition, medicines based on eschsolzia are 100% safe, which allows them to be used by all people, regardless of age or individual problems with the body.

However, it is worth keeping in mind that nothing is perfect, and eschscholzia-based drugs also have side effects that can only develop if the dosage is exceeded. These include the development of allergies. It does not matter in what form the medicine was used. There may be a decrease in effectiveness, which often leads to an increase in dosage. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions.

How to collect eschscholzia seeds

If you plan not to change the place where you plant Escholzia and leave everything as it was, then you shouldn’t collect the seeds at all. The plant itself will take care of its offspring. And self-seeding will help him with this. The only thing you need to do is thin out the seedlings after they sprout.

If you have chosen a different area for planting the crop, then you should collect the seeds. It is best to tie a small bag over the drying inflorescence and when the box opens, the fully ripened seeds will not spill out, but will end up in the bag. The seeds collected from the bags will be ready to become planting material after a short drying on an ordinary piece of fabric. They are stored in the bottom of the refrigerator for no more than 3 years. After this period, seed germination sharply decreases.