Hyacinth - the name of the plant, which is usually attributed to the Liliaceae family. However, the article will focus on a completely different plant, consonant with this beautiful flower.
Water hyacinth and its features
Water hyacinth has a second, less pleasant name - "green plague." In different parts of the country, a representative of this species is called differently. Speaking about the features of growth, it is worth understanding its geographical affiliation. In tropical and subtropical areas, it is customary to call it "water plague" or "green dropsy". For countries of southern Europe and Turkmenistan, the majestic name Eichornia or water hyacinth is more familiar. Of course, such big names do not characterize the fetus. Green plague was discovered in parts of Africa, but the species was cultivated only in South America.
Water hyacinth
The inhabitants gave the name to the plant due to the rapid propagation of the plant in warm conditions. It is located on the surface of the water and is a threat to the flora of South America. For countries with colder climates, it is customary to classify them as decorative, requiring special care for breeding. Water hyacinth belongs to the Pontederiev family.
In 2015, a kind of eichhoria appeared on the garden markets of Moscow. Distinctive features are the following parameters:
- has bright leaves of dark green color;
- differs from other plants of its species by the presence of a thick leg;
- at the peak of growth (this is the end of summer, the beginning of warm autumn), multi-colored inflorescences appear;
- the grown flower looks like an orchid.
Important! If the summer turned out to be cold, then the appearance of inflorescences should not be expected.
However, experienced nerds have doubts about the authenticity of this species. The fact is that water hyacinth is quite thermophilic and cannot reproduce at high speeds in Russian waters, but it will decorate a small open pond during a hot summer. In winter, it is required to transplant in warmer and more comfortable conditions.
Note: Eichhornia should not be left in the open water in winter. She has no chance of survival.
The flowering period of eichhornia in natural and artificial habitats
Water hyacinth belongs to the class of tropical plants. Like all plants of this type, he loves when there are a number of conditions:
- warm weather during the day and night.
- a large amount of light;
- a large number of fertilizers in the water;
- carbon dioxide in water
Important! Flowering and growth of hyacinth begin when all of the above items are present in the pond.
Flowering in natural conditions begins when the air temperature reaches 28 degrees day and night, the thermometer does not fall below 23. If the temperature is lower, the plant stops in development. The plant buds begin to bloom mainly in July and August. The life cycle of a flower does not have a long time - a day. Then, the inflorescence is immersed in water, and in place of the bud remains a core with seeds.
Flowering in an artificial habitat begins in May and, in the presence of warm greenhouses, continues until September. The plant is not adapted to winter in the reservoirs of Russia, therefore, in autumn, when the temperature drops below 8 degrees, eichhornia must be removed to the greenhouse. You can take it out into the open water when the temperature of the water and air are approximately at the same level and exceeds 15 degrees.
Note! At lower temperatures, hyacinth in open water can die.
Tropical area
Eichornia for landscape design ideas
Water hyacinth fits perfectly into any landscape. Due to its place of origin, the plant gives the area a tropical look. That is why landscape designers have this favorite plant for decorating a decorative pond. Hyacinth for the pond is the perfect combination of beauty and coziness.
In a pond, you can place both one young plant and a whole osprey. Hyacinth is ideal for an aquarium. Any experienced landscape designer remembers that the amount of hyacinth planted depends on the temperature and duration of the day. The higher the air temperature and the longer the daylight hours, the fewer plants are needed for placement.
Note!In violation of this balance, the plant absorbs oxygen in the water, giving away carbon dioxide in return, which leads to the death of living organisms in the reservoir.
To create a picturesque landscape design, you need to remember the following nuances:
- propagated in water using seeds;
- for reproduction, the temperature in the air should be at least 36 degrees. So, this sort of flower is suitable only for the southern strip of Russia;
- considered unpretentious, but extremely unpleasantly reacts to drafts;
- easily grows in water, it is necessary to create a barrier in the water. It is highly undesirable to place hyacinth next to water lilies;
- where there is eichhornia, it is necessary to additionally enrich water with oxygen. For this, it is necessary to thin out the roots as it grows and clean the reservoir.
Reproduction of Eichhornia
Reproduction of water hyacinth does not require much work. There are two ways to grow new shoots:
- growing from seeds. The problem with this approach to growing eichhornia is that the minimum temperature for the breeding medium should be at least 35 degrees. That is why for Russia such breeding is suitable only in room conditions or in the presence of a greenhouse;
- vegetative way. Some experts compare the vegetative method of propagation with strawberry seedlings. The algorithm of actions is 100% similar. A plant can produce about one hundred new shoots in one month.
Each method has its own characteristics of growing. Both types of reproduction are quite simple, if you follow all the nuances.
Vegetative Method
All About Planting
Water hyacinth, its landing and care in a pond require a careful approach. It is necessary to plant young shoots when the contents of the pond are warmed up to the optimum temperature. This is done in July-August. Shallow, light and oxygen-rich ponds are ideal for landing.
Home and outdoor care
In order for the fetus to grow, it is necessary to recreate the natural conditions as accurately as possible during care. Namely:
- a lot of sunshine. In the shade, the stem can multiply, but the inflorescence may not open;
- a large amount of nutrients;
- high air temperature. The lower the temperature, the worse the plant feels. Ideally, if the thermometer is the same as in the tropics, the only way to save hyacinth life.
Important! As a fertilizer, humus and compost are ideal.
How to maintain eichhornia during the cold season
Keeping water hyacinth at home is no easy task. There are four ways to keep it until the summer heat:
- caring for home hyacinth in an apartment is not so troublesome if you keep it in silt. To do this, fill the pot with water and fill the bottom with sludge. Put a pot and periodically monitor the water level;
- You can store the plant in the winter in an ordinary glass jar. For this, a clean jar should be filled with clean water by one third. Screw the lid tightly and put on the window at room temperature;
- the easiest way to winter is to store water hyacinth in the sand. For this, it is necessary to fill the contents of the container with sand, it is enough to moisten and constantly maintain the necessary water balance. Special conditions in the form of lighting, fertilizers and temperature are not required;
- the most time-consuming method of storing the plant is overwintering in the aquarium. But if you understand all the difficulties and small details, then this is the most reliable way to preserve hyacinth.
Important! The water in the aquarium should be from the same reservoir where eichornia grew. It will not be superfluous to carefully prepare and collect sludge from the bottom of the pond where the plant grew. In order for it not to rot, plant so that only the root touches the water.
Thus, water hyacinth is an exotic plant that, with proper care, will delight the owner with its beauty and original appearance of the designed water space. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations for cultivation and care.
