How to plant Echinacea seedlings. Echinacea planting and care in open ground in autumn. Collecting Echinacea Seeds

For a long time now, Echinacea has reliably settled in many garden plots. Flower lovers value it not only for its beauty, but also for the healing properties it possesses. It is believed that there is no better remedy for boosting immunity and treating various inflammatory processes than decoctions or tinctures of Echinacea.

Description of perennial plant

Echinacea is native to North America. This is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae or Compositae family. It is a tall perennial, growing up to 1.5 m in height. The stem is rough. Echinacea leaves can be basal or stem. The basal ones are wide, oval-shaped, with jagged edges and located on long petioles. But the stem leaves are sessile, lancet-shaped, arranged one after another.

Echinacea inflorescences are baskets consisting of marginal reed flowers of pink, red, white, as well as central tubular flowers of red-brown or dark red color. Long-lasting flowering - more than 2 months. The fruit is presented in the form of a tetrahedral achene.

How to grow Echinacea at home?

Echinacea can be propagated in two ways - generatively, that is, by seeds and vegetatively, by dividing the bush. The first method is used to obtain species Echinacea, but hybrid varieties are best grown vegetatively.

Echinacea can be grown from seeds both in open ground and through seedlings.

Growing Echinacea with seeds in open ground

Echinacea seeds can be sown in open ground in spring or autumn. However, it should be remembered that the seed coat is very hard, which makes it difficult for sprouts to germinate. It will take quite a long time to soften the shell, which is why autumn sowing is considered the most favorable. Flower growers who constantly grow Echinacea were able to verify this: seeds that fell into the ground in the fall germinate perfectly by self-sowing in the spring.

The site for growing Echinacea should be light, with fertile, deeply cultivated neutral or slightly alkaline soil. It is also necessary to take into account that too wet or light sandy soil is not suitable for Echinacea. If the soil on the site is acidic, you need to add chalk or lime to the soil.

The germination period of seeds varies: it all depends on how light their shell was. So, the seeds can “hatch” either after 15-20 days or after a month or more.

In the first year of growth, Echinacea will not bloom. Over the summer, it will only have time to form a rosette of leaves 15-20 cm high. But in order for the plant to bloom in the same year, it will need to be grown through seedlings.

How to grow Echinacea seedlings?

Growing Echinacea seedlings consists of the following steps:

Preparing the soil for sowing seeds. Echinacea is a picky plant; it accepts any soil that is offered to it. However, in order for the plant to be comfortable, it is necessary that it grows and develops in light, moisture-absorbing and breathable soil. Before sowing seeds, the soil must be disinfected. To do this, it must be taken out into the cold for 10-15 days, then spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the seedlings from various types of fungal diseases.
Seed preparation, sowing time. To soften the seed shell, they must be kept for a certain time in a solution of a plant growth stimulator, for example, in Epin, or simply in water. To do this, the seeds are laid out on a cotton cloth or paper towel, wrapped, moistened and placed on a saucer. The fabric (napkin) must be constantly damp, and there must be air access to the seeds, so additionally wrapping them in a plastic bag, as some do, is not recommended. Sowing is carried out in early February.
Preparing containers for seedlings. Any container is suitable for growing seedlings: seedling boxes, plastic containers, tall but narrow pots. The container must have drainage holes and place pebbles or expanded clay on the bottom so that the water does not stagnate.
Sowing seeds. Since Echinacea seeds do not germinate smoothly, seedlings must be planted as soon as the seeds begin to “hatch”. Sowing is carried out as follows: a groove 7-10 mm deep is made in the soil, sprouted seeds are placed in it, carefully sprinkled with a thin layer of sand or soil, and moistened with a spray bottle. The container is covered with glass or film and transferred to a bright place. The optimal temperature for seedling germination is 13-15°C, but if the room temperature is higher, this will not harm the seedlings.
Caring for seedlings. As soon as sprouts appear from the ground, the glass (film) is removed from the seedling container. Now the main condition for the full development of seedlings is light and moderate but regular watering.

When and how to plant Echinacea seedlings in a permanent place?

Since Echinacea sprouts are very tender, they should be planted in a permanent place only when the threat of frost has passed. The distance between seedlings should be at least 30 cm. The composition of the soil is the same as for sowing seeds in open ground. Each seedling is carefully removed from the seedling container along with a lump of earth and placed in a hole corresponding to the size of the root system of the seedling. After planting, the planted young plants are watered with water at room temperature, and the bed is mulched.

Caring for Echinacea

Moderate but regular watering.
If the soil is not fertilized, in the spring of the second year, feed Echinacea with saltpeter or mullein, and in the budding phase with fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus, but on the condition that the plant will not be used for medicinal purposes.
Make sure that faded flowers do not remain, otherwise flowering will not be abundant and long.
Before the onset of winter frosts, cut off the entire above-ground part and hill up the remaining part.

Echinacea is an effective, resilient and long-lasting perennial. It is unpretentious in care, its flowers resemble large daisies, attracting bees and butterflies with their brightness and honey content. Echinacea is considered not only an ornamental plant, but also a medicinal one, as it helps strengthen the immune system.

Seeds for sowing are selected from a well-formed head, similar to a prickly hedgehog, which is cut off along with the stem. The inflorescence is wrapped in a paper bag and hung by the stem.

The bud begins to dry out and the seeds fall into the bag. After collection, the seeds are additionally dried on paper for another 20 days, then placed in a glass jar, which is stored in the refrigerator until planting.

Methods for growing echinacea from seeds

You can grow this plant from seeds by sowing them in open ground, or through seedlings.

For seedlings, seeds are sown in February in light, moisture-permeable and breathable soil, disinfected in potassium permanganate. Before planting, seeds must first be soaked in a growth stimulator or simply in water, placed in a damp cloth on a saucer.

Hatched seeds in boxes with prepared soil. Furrows are made in the ground to a depth of 5-10 mm, seeds are placed there and sprinkled on top with a thin layer of pre-moistened soil. The boxes are covered with film and placed in a bright place at room temperature. Grown seedlings are planted in a flower bed in May.

You can sow seeds in open ground both in spring and autumn. Experienced gardeners prefer autumn sowing, which produces abundant shoots in the spring. Thus, Echinacea can also reproduce by self-sowing, allowing its hard shell to soften during the autumn-winter period.

Echinacea grown through seedlings blooms in the year of planting, and sown in open ground, the next year.

Plant care

To make flowers delight you with their beauty, you need:

water abundantly, but without stagnating moisture;
feed with fertilizers;
remove ripe boxes;
prune spent shoots for the winter.

Echinacea is not just a medicinal plant, it is a highly decorative flower that can delight with continuous flowering for 2 months. Growing echinacea in our climate is not at all difficult, because it does not require special care and tolerates harsh winters well.

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Botanical description

The Echinacea plant belongs to the large Asteraceae family. It was originally called Rudbeckia, and was later separated into a separate genus as slight differences were found between cultures. Although many agricultural companies and gardeners still confuse these two plants, therefore sometimes you can find echinacea on sale under the name rudbeckia and vice versa. The medicinal culture is popularly called “American chamomile”, since its homeland is North America. It was from there that the plant migrated to the vast expanses of Europe, where it quickly gained popularity.

Echinacea is a perennial herbaceous crop with straight, branched and rough stems, among which the main and secondary ones are easily distinguished. The height of the shoots is 0.9-1.0 m, although there are varieties with peduncles up to 1.5 m, as well as miniature and dwarf ones, which can even be grown in a pot. Echinacea has two types of leaves:

basal - oval, wide, with jagged edges, on long petioles;
Stem ones are sessile, lanceolate in shape, arranged alternately along the stem.

The decorative value of Echinacea lies in its large inflorescences. Spectacular baskets can reach 15 cm in diameter. The central part consists of tubular red-brown flowers that look like a cone. Ligulate petal flowers up to 4 cm in length with a pointed end have a purple-pink color, for which the “ancestor” got its name, Echinacea purpurea.

Echinacea purpurea

Varietal diversity

Echinacea is a bright, cheerful flower that deserves the attention of gardeners. Its advantages include long and abundant flowering, valuable medicinal properties, disease resistance and good compatibility with other garden crops. This medicinal plant can decorate any area or garden. It can be planted:

in wide borders;
in compositions with herbs, cereals and daylilies;
as a separate decorative group or single solitaire bush;
in mixed mixborders of perennials;
in containers and flowerpots;
along garden paths.

American daisies look harmonious with autumn asters, cosmos, rudbeckias, monardas, pyrethrum and paniculate phlox.

The Echinacea genus consists of 9 species, each of which is interesting in its own way. But in horticultural culture, only 2 types are most widespread:

Echinacea purpurea, from which most modern varieties were derived;
Echinacea strange is the only one of all species with bright yellow inflorescences.

Nowadays, thanks to the efforts of breeders, many cultivated varieties have been developed with a variety of colors: white, milky, vanilla, peach, yellow, pink, raspberry, orange and even lime color. Among them, it is especially worth highlighting the relatively new spectacular varieties:

Colorburst Orange - terry flower baskets are painted in a rich orange color;
Tiki Torch - orange petals surround a brown center;
Butterflies Rainbow Marcella - the color of the flowers has a smooth transition from pink to orange;
Cone Fections Hot Papaya – reed long petals of deep red color;
Puff Vanilla - flower baskets of delicate vanilla color;
Green Line - the middle yellow flowers are surrounded by petals of a delicate green shade, similar to the color of lime;
Pink Double Delight - lush pink inflorescences;
Aloha is a cheerful variety with yellow petals and an orange center;
Supreme Flamingo - coral-orange pom-pom flowers resemble graceful flamingos;
Conefections Marmalade - dense double baskets the color of orange marmalade.

Any of the many varieties of echinacea will not only look great in the garden, but will also decorate the interior of an apartment or office, because the flower stalks can stand for a long time when cut, maintaining their bright color and freshness.

Echinacea Green Line

Growing from seeds

Echinacea can be propagated by seeds or by dividing the bush. The first method is suitable for those summer residents who have decided to plant a medicinal crop on their property for the first time or grow a new variety. To grow from seeds, you need the seeds themselves and sterile soil made up of 2 parts garden soil, 1 part sand and 1 part compost. But experienced gardeners do not recommend using ready-made store-bought soil, because it contains peat, which inhibits the germination of American chamomile.

Echinacea seeds, even under favorable conditions, take a very long time to germinate compared to other flower crops. The first shoots can be seen only after 5-6 weeks.

So you need to be patient and follow the recommendations for sowing:

sterilize the soil substrate in a steam bath;
cool the soil and pour it in an even layer into a low pot or container;
bury the seeds 0.5 cm into the soil and sprinkle with a thin layer of sand (1-2 mm);
moisten the soil using a sprayer with a fine nozzle;
Place the container in a bright place with an air temperature of +13... +15°C - it is under such conditions that Echinacea seeds germinate best.

If you sow the miracle chamomile at the end of February, the sprouts will hatch already at the beginning of April, and in May they can be planted in open ground. Caring for seeds and seedlings involves careful watering as the top layer of soil dries and loosening the soil between the sprouts to better supply the young roots with oxygen.

Planting in open ground

When you decide to plant Echinacea in your garden, you should choose a suitable place for it. This should be an open, brightly sunny area with loose, nutritious soil. Shade and partial shade are not suitable for American chamomile, in addition, it will feel better on slightly alkaline or neutral soils. Sandy and clayey areas, as well as acidic soils, are strictly unsuitable for cultivation. The procedure for planting in open ground will not cause problems for either experienced gardeners or novice summer residents:

at a distance of 30-40 cm, dig small holes, the size of which is slightly larger than a soil ball with roots;
Place a layer of compost or humus at the bottom of the holes;
carefully transfer the seedlings into the holes and fill the voids with soil;
water generously.

You should not wait for Echinacea to bloom in the first year: during the season it will only form a dense rosette of leaves.

But in the second year of life, the perennial will delight you with bright flower baskets and a light, pleasant aroma.

Echinacea can be sown directly into the ground, bypassing the process of growing seedlings. In this case, in the middle or end of April, you need to sow the seeds in furrows no more than 1.5-2 cm deep, water them with water and sprinkle them with a thin layer of soil. But this method is only suitable for the southern regions, since in the temperate climate of the middle zone, tender seedlings often die from sudden temperature changes characteristic of our spring.

Now you can freely purchase ready-made Echinacea seedlings with a closed root system (in containers). They are sold in garden centers, nurseries and online stores. Such specimens can be planted throughout the summer. To do this, it is enough to dig a planting hole 40 cm deep, fill it 1/3 with a mixture of sand, compost and garden soil, transfer the plant from the container so that the lump of earth does not collapse and expose sensitive roots. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the seedling is in the ground at the same level.

Reproduction by dividing the bush Another way to propagate Echinacea is by dividing the bush. This method is preferable when it is necessary to preserve the varietal characteristics of the mother plant. Adult specimens at least 4-5 years old are suitable for this purpose.

The optimal time for dividing and replanting is the second half of April or the beginning of May, depending on the region and weather conditions:
carefully dig up the bush, digging it away from the rhizome so as not to injure the roots;
divide the mother plant into several parts so that each of them has at least 3-4 renewal buds;
prepare a separate hole for each division, the dimensions of which are slightly larger than the volume of the root system of the seedling;
plant the plants without deepening the root collars, sprinkle with soil and water;

mulch the soil around the seedlings with rotted compost.

Caring for Echinacea

Watering. The perennial loves moisture, so it needs to be watered abundantly, avoiding prolonged stagnation of water. Excess water in the soil can provoke the development of fungal diseases and the death of bushes. The best time for watering is in the evening, when the sun is approaching sunset.
Feeding. As a source of additional nutrition, you can use both organic fertilizers and complex mineral compositions containing all the components necessary for active growth and flowering. During the season, 2 feedings should be carried out - in the spring at the beginning of the growing season and at the time of budding.
Trimming. Timely pruning will prolong bright flowering. Wilted inflorescences must be cut back to the first green leaf. This will help preserve the plant's strength, which would be aimed at ripening the seeds.
Shelter for the winter. Echinacea is a winter-hardy crop, but in a cold winter with little snow it can freeze. Therefore, at the end of October or beginning of November, it should be mulched with compost or humus and covered with a layer of dry leaves or spruce branches, but before that, all the stems must be cut off.

If you plan to collect your own seeds, you need to leave the most beautiful flower baskets on the stems and wait for the seed to ripen. The signal to collect seeds is the darkened center of the flower and completely fallen petals. The collected seeds must be dried and sown next spring, as they quickly lose their viability.

Diseases and pests

American chamomile, with normal care and favorable climatic conditions, is resistant to diseases, so it practically does not cause problems. In cold, rainy summers, the plant may suffer from fungal and viral infections. The cause of disease is usually an abundance of moisture combined with cool air, sudden temperature changes and excess nitrogen fertilizers.

Most often, Echinacea suffers from powdery mildew, which is characterized by the formation of a loose bluish-white coating on the green parts of the plant. Septoria blight and cercospora blight appear as dark spots on the leaves. To rid a perennial of fungus, you should treat it with a solution of colloidal sulfur, Bordeaux mixture or any fungicide that can defeat the disease, for example, Topaz or Fundazol.

If echinacea turns yellow and dries out for no apparent reason, and its flower stalks become deformed, this is a sure sign of a viral infection. It is impossible to defeat the disease, but if it is detected at an early stage, it is quite possible to save healthy bushes. To do this, you need to remove and burn diseased plants, and disinfect the soil with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate. You cannot throw virus-infected bushes into the compost heap, otherwise in a couple of years the entire area will be infected.

Of the insects, Echinacea is bothered by slugs, bugs and slobbering pennies. Mechanical means will help in the fight against gastropods: manual collection, beer traps, mulching the soil with “prickly” material (broken shell rock, wood chips, nut shells), which slugs try to avoid. Almost all commercially available insecticidal preparations are effective against other insects: Aktara, Aktellik, Karbofos and others.

Echinacea belongs to the genus Echinacea of the same name; previously it was classified as a genus Rudbeckia. Both of these genera belong to the numerous and rich in cultivated plants family of Asteraceae (Asteraceae). It is really difficult to understand the difference between echinacea and rudbeckia at first glance. The shape of the flowers is very similar, and the difference in color (echinacea is purple-pink, rudbeckia is characterized by yellow, orange, brownish shades) cannot be considered significant. The first person to introduce confusion was none other than Carl Linnaeus, who described a plant with pink petals and gave the purple coneflower (head photo) a name Rudbeckia purpurea in honor of his teacher - Olaf Rudbeck.

Forty years later, the German botanist Moench corrected the mistake by highlighting generic differences: the difference is not only in color, but also in the structure of the bracts, that is, the small leaves surrounding the inflorescence - in Echinacea they are characteristic, prickly and hard, in Rudbeckia they are completely different - soft. Hence the name - Echinacea (echinos in Greek - prickly).

It is noteworthy that both plants are native to North America. There are names there - Purple Coneflower for echinacea, and Black Eyed Susan for rudbeckia. In general, of course, both genera, Echinacea and Rudbeckia, are very close, but it is worth understanding that this is a difference at the level of the genus, not the species.

In the title photo there is purple coneflower - Echinacea Purpurea

Description of the plant

Echinacea is a perennial rhizomatous plant, the stem is straight, branched, rough, although it is easy to distinguish the main and secondary ones. There are two types of leaves, basal and stem. The height of the plant is about a meter, although now there are low-growing and even miniature varieties. The flowers are baskets, quite large, the reed flowers of Echinacea purpurea are pink with a purple tint; in other species of other shades, the tubular flowers are very characteristic, form a small cone, of a rich red-brown color. It blooms in the second half of summer, for quite a long time - for two months, from July to September.

Modern varieties of Echinacea are not only purple, but also peach, white, milky, vanilla, yellow, raspberry, wine, and orange.

Echinacea flowers only partially resemble daisies, belonging to the same family makes itself felt, in general the image is completely different - brighter, juicier, original, decorative. Echinacea has many advantages as an ornamental plant: it is unpretentious, it has large expressive flowers that appear within two months, the flowering is very abundant, creating a carpet effect. In addition, it is an excellent neighbor for many crops and has medicinal properties, which we will discuss below.

Types and varieties

The genus Echinacea includes 9 species, and, which is quite rare, all of them can be of interest to gardeners. The most common:

Echinacea purpurea— it was she who became the ancestor of many modern varieties. The flowers are large, up to 15 cm, the core is in the shape of a dome or cone, often in a contrasting shade, making the flowers even more expressive.
Echinacea strange (Echinacea paradoxa)- also very decorative. In addition, it is the only Echinacea species that has bright yellow flowers.

Echinacea paradoxa

The best varieties of purple coneflower (they are familiar to many gardeners): White Swan(the color of the flowers is like that of daisies, the center is convex, expressive), Cranberry Cupcake(terry, pink-purple), The King(a tall variety, very large flowers with light pinkish petals and a core similar to a convex large button), Indiaca(tall, the centers look like small cones with hedgehogs, the petals are long, thin, of different shades), Magnus(very tall, up to 1 meter tall, the flowers are very bright, pink, the center is also deep pink-red).

A selection of some other spectacular modern varieties that are relatively new:

Colorburst Orange - double dense flowers of a very rich shade of orange.

Butterflies Rainbow Marcella is a variety with two-tone flowers: petals the color of sherbet orange with a transition to pink.

Supreme Cantaloupe - flowers the color of ripe mango.

Greenline variety, with lime petals, with a dark green condensation towards the center. The center is yellow.

Tiki Torch - orange flowers with a velvety brown center.

Supreme Flamingo - coral orange pompom flowers, really reminiscent of flamingos.

Puff Vanilla - vanilla terry clouds.

Pink Poodle - pink pompom flowers.

Charming compact border variety - Pink Fascinator

The Aloha variety has hot flowers with sunny petals and a rich, dense yellow-orange center.

Conefections Cherry Fluff - original lime green center, creme brulle petals.

Conefections Marmalade - double, truly marmalade orange flowers.

Variety Cone Fections Hot Papaya with juicy red petals and an original flower shape - the reed flowers are very long.

Landing

In nature, Echinacea grows in the woodlands of the southeastern United States. These are fertile, light, moist and open areas. The choice of location is important not only in order to immediately create favorable conditions for Echinacea, but also because it does not require replanting for 5 years. Echinacea is planted only in sunny areas. Sometimes in the photo you can see it in partial shade, but it should be borne in mind that this is most likely a temporary shadow, for example, several hours a day. In partial shade and shade, Echinacea grows poorly and may even die.

Echinacea is not too demanding on soil, with the exception of light sandy soils - such soil should be made more “solid” by adding components that improve its moisture capacity and viscosity (organic matter is added, claying is carried out).

Plant the plants in small holes and add compost to each hole before planting. Depth – about 5 cm, distance between plants – 30 cm.

Adult echinaceas are sometimes found on sale in pots or containers - they can be transplanted into open ground at any time during the warm season. They are replanted using the transshipment method; there is no need to deepen them, that is, the plant should remain at the same level as in the pot. The soil in the hole for planting, of course, should be prepared: it is filled with nutritious light soil so that a potted plant planted in concentrated nutrient soil does not feel too sharp a contrast and takes root better.

Reproduction

Seeds

A plant grown from seeds will bloom in a year and a half. Sowing is carried out on seedlings, or directly in open ground.

Seedling method

Sowing is carried out at the end of February. The seeds are laid out on the surface, lightly sprinkled with sand, and moistened with a spray bottle. The ideal temperature for germination of Echinacea seeds is +13 °C. Germination takes quite a long time - about 1.5 months. In the first few weeks, seedlings need humidity and warmth - an indoor greenhouse (that is, a planting box covered with film) is ideal. Seedlings are planted in open ground in May. Caring for seedlings: watering as needed, loosening the soil.

Dividing the bush

The bushes are divided in the spring, in April. The cuttings can be treated with a root formation stimulator; they are planted so that the root collars are at soil level.

Care

It is simple, just a few steps:

To enhance the effect of a bright carpet and obtain longer flowering, faded flowers are removed.
Echinacea loves moisture and is watered generously.
During the growing season, if desired, they are fed with mineral and organic fertilizers: in the spring immediately after planting and in the summer during the formation of buds - Echinacea is quite responsive to feeding.
In the fall, approximately at the end of October, the stems are cut off, humus is added to the soil around the plant, and the plant itself can be mulched a little with dry leaves - although in a snowy winter, natural cover with snow will suffice.

Difficulties and problems

The plant is not painful, but in cold and rainy summers it can be affected by rot and powdery mildew.

Application in landscape design

Echinacea is suitable for the scent garden. The plant is an excellent honey plant that attracts bees and butterflies.
Looks good in gardens, better with a larger structure.

Flamenco Orange variety as a solo accent

Wide border along the path of echinacea. In the background on the left side there is a window sill.

In a mixborder with phlox and daylilies.

Purple coneflower, varieties ‘Magnus’ and ‘White Swan’ act as a kind of hedge.

How to use Echinacea flowers for medicinal purposes

Roots and flowers are used, and to a lesser extent leaves. Fresh is best, but dried is also possible.

Only freshly blossomed flowers are collected, dried in the shade, and stored for no more than six months. A tincture of roots is equal in potency to a decoction of fresh flowers. Echinacea has a complex effect, somewhat reminiscent of ginseng in strength and the nature of its effect on the body. It can be added to tea or consumed instead of tea.

It is a herbal stimulant of the immune system, has an antiallergic effect, stimulates the central nervous system, and is used to treat:

infectious diseases
respiratory and viral diseases,
chronic autoimmune diseases (there are cases of curing some forms of lupus with echinacea),
oncological diseases,
chronic fatigue, depression,
wounds and burns.

About growing from seeds - on video

Details of planting medicinal perennials are in the “About Plants” blog.

Echinacea improves immunity by producing interferon, which has a beneficial effect on the human body. The tincture is prepared from the inflorescences of the beautiful Echinacea flower. It helps in the treatment of neurasthenia, sinusitis, laryngitis, cystitis, influenza, prostatitis, and is often prescribed in combination with antibiotics to maintain immunity. Externally used to treat furunculosis, urticaria, insect bites, and herpes. Echinacea actively fights infectious diseases, E. coli. It can rightfully be called a natural effective antibiotic and immunomodulator. This plant is still being studied by scientists today, as it still conceals many secrets.

The flower itself is a stem up to 1 m long, straight stems with a light rough structure, basal leaves collected in a rosette, baskets can reach a diameter of 15 cm. Echinacea flowering in open ground begins differently, depending on the planting method: from the second year of life when sowing in open ground or in the year of planting, if through seedlings. Takes place from July to September. The most popular is Echinacea purpurea.

It is planted on a personal plot to decorate the landscape, in a flower garden, or for medicinal purposes. Anyone can grow a beautiful echinacea flower, since planting and care are quite simple. Suitable for any climate, it is not afraid of rain or heat, and will tolerate less than ideal soil composition. Pairs beautifully with phloxes. This is an excellent honey plant.

How to plant Echinacea seeds

For planting, choose an open, sunny area. If the soil has an acidic pH, then... Seeds that have a shelf life of more than 1 year have a very low germination rate.

Echinacea seeds are planted in open ground in late April-May. Shoots appear in 2-4 weeks. However, in the conditions of central Russia, growing Echinacea through seedlings is recommended.

To grow seedlings, seeds are planted in late February-early March, first pressed down 0.5-1 cm and sprinkled with a thin layer of sand on top. Germinate at a temperature of 13-15°C. Sandy soil or a mixture of garden and wood ash is used as a substrate. Seedlings appear within 2-5 weeks, during which time you need to maintain soil moisture. At night, crops can be covered with polyethylene, creating a greenhouse effect.

Young seedlings are transferred to open ground in May, when their height is 10-15 cm. They are planted in holes, at the bottom of which a drainage layer is made of crushed stone or expanded clay. The distance between the holes is 30-40 cm.

Caring for Echinacea

The plant does not like frequent watering; once every 2 weeks is enough; in hot weather it can be done more often. Water in the morning or evening. Weeds and faded inflorescences are regularly removed. Replanted after 4 years in spring for rejuvenation. Fertilizing begins a week after planting and during the budding period, using complex mineral fertilizer or organic matter in the form of a mixture of compost and wood ash. This will allow the plant not to stagnate, but to develop and bloom luxuriantly.

Overmoistening of the soil or stagnation of water causes disease, spots appear on the leaves caused by Cercospora spores, and this causes the flower to die. Detected damaged parts are removed or treated with a fungicide. Viruses cause curvature of flower stalks. Sick plants are immediately removed from the site so that other plants are not harmed.

Of the pests, bugs and slobbering pennies love echinacea.

For the winter, at the end of October, the above-ground part is cut off, and the root collar is mulched with peat, spruce branches or compost. Cover with a layer of dry leaves on top. Such shelter for the winter will allow the plant to successfully overwinter and not die during the snowless season.

Echinacea is usually propagated by seeds or by dividing the bush. Division is carried out on plants that are 4-5 years old. In early spring, the rhizome is divided into several parts so that each section has 3 or more buds. Next, they are kept in a growth stimulator for 2-3 hours, after which they are planted so that the root collar is at ground level.