Ratibida is a perennial plant with bright inflorescences resembling sombrero. The distribution area is a vast area from Mexico to Canada, but it also feels good in Russian latitudes. The flower is unpretentious in leaving and to the quality of the soil, resistant to arid and hot climatic conditions. In our country, it is better known as a Mexican hat or a prairie flower.
The stems reach a height of 120 cm with leaf plates 3-12 cm long. The flowers bloom in early summer and last until autumn. The cone-shaped core, which protrudes 2-3 cm, is bordered by petals falling down. Color can be burgundy, yellow or combined.
Types of ratibida and their characteristics
Seven varieties of this plant are known, but gardeners grow only two of them:
- Colon-shaped - stem height 1 m. Cirrus-dissected pubescent foliage has a delicate blue-greenish tint, and the flower is red, burgundy or yellow. The drooping petals are bordered by a magenta, yellow or brown border. Thanks to the elongated protruding 3-5 cm core, the look is very reminiscent of the famous Mexican hat.
- Cirrus - most often grown as an annual plant, 1.5 m high. Leaves of a complex, lanceolate-cirrus shape. Flower petals resembling a basket are yellow or brown. A small core protrudes above the inflorescence.
Both varieties have a pronounced aroma.
Gardeners prefer to cultivate ratibida, since the bush, with good care, blooms from May to the end of September and can grow in one place for about five years. Even in the absence of care, it will grow and delight with flowering, because it propagates by self-seeding.
Growing and propagating the flower of the prairie ratibida
Ratibida is very unpretentious in reproduction. The most common methods are: seed self-sowing, seeds directly into the soil, seedlings. Depending on climatic conditions, time and method of planting, the plant will bloom next year or the same, but later.
Seeds
Coloniform and cirrus ratibida cultivation from seeds in open ground begins with sowing in early spring, and in February with mild and warm climates. Material for planting can be purchased or obtained independently. The collection of ripe yellowish-brown grains is carried out from faded dried inflorescences with a dark brown cone. They ripen in late autumn.
The soil should be uniform, well loosened and without lumps. In order to grow ratibida seeds efficiently, they are sown in neutral or slightly alkaline soil. However, it grows well on any earth, the main thing is that the latter should not be too wet. It is not recommended to plant a plant near ponds. It is necessary to sow in beds 2 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm. Watering is recommended only if the winter was not snowy.
Seedlings
Planting for seedlings is recommended in cool regions. Sow in late autumn or early spring:
- Seeds are distributed on a drained, moist (but not wet) compost, sprinkled with a layer of substrate and placed in an illuminated place.
- It is important to maintain a temperature of + 20 ... +25 ° C. Under such conditions, seedlings will rise in a few weeks.
- Diving into pots is carried out after the appearance of the second leaf on the sprout.
- Then the seedlings are transferred to a greenhouse or greenhouse. She is tempered for two weeks, accustomed to the open climate and the sun. When it becomes strong enough for transplanting into the soil, it is watered 2 hours before planting.
- Gently releasing from the pots, without breaking the earthen lump, they are placed in pre-dug holes of the right size and sprinkled with earth. The root neck should be deepened no more than 2 cm.
Bush division
The method of dividing the bush is used infrequently and only for the colony-shaped ratibida, since it has a deep-set rod-shaped root system, and in the cirrus it is also very tender. It is used to rejuvenate bushes. A bush 4-5 years old is gently dug up and divided by secateurs or a knife, without knocking down soil from the roots. The fit level of the divided parts must be the same. In order for the plant to take root faster and start, it should be regularly watered.
Cuttings
Cuttings are also rarely used, since ratibida is excellently propagated by seeds. The procedure is carried out in May-June until the buds are formed. The cuttings are cut off at the root and stuck in a moist kidney. Sprinkle it on top with sand and then cover it with a jar. After 14-20 days, the stem has its own roots. Seedlings are placed at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other.
Outdoor Residual Care Rules
The care is quite simple, and even an inexperienced gardener will cope with it.
The prairie flower does not require constant watering, it is carried out only if there is a strong prolonged drought, and then in a small amount. Lightly watered and during flowering.
The quality of the soil does not affect the growth of the flower, however, if the soil is depleted, a mineral complex, but in no case organic, is introduced before the buds begin to form.
The plant tolerates wintering well and does not need shelter. Preparation for the cold period is reduced to cutting off the ground part of the stem.
Prevention against pests and diseases
The plant is extremely resistant to various diseases and pests. The threat can only be improper care. So, excessive humidity leads to an attack of powdery mildew or aphids. Therefore, frequent watering is avoided, and the area is cleaned of plant debris. The soil is fertilized with a mineral complex containing potassium and phosphorus and mulched with peat.
Landscape designers prefer to plant ratibid next to rudbeckia and echinacea. This allows you to create a richer plant ensemble. Also, the flower is recommended to be placed in rockeries with ground cover plants.
