Dusheney Indian: care and methods of cultivation
Content:
The similarity of some unrelated plants is surprising. Proof of this is Indian duchenea, a plant that remarkably resembles strawberries. If the latter is grown for the sake of the harvest, then the ducheneu plays mainly the role of a green decor.
Types of duchenei
The “twin” of strawberries has another name - Potentilla. Sometimes the dusheney plant is called a fragaria. The Indian "guest" owes the similarity to the garden berry to the fact that they belong to the same Pink family.
False strawberry
In Vietnam, China, Indonesia, dusheney has long been cultivated as a medicinal plant. The plant got into the greenhouses of Europe only in the 19th century. Due to its highly decorative appearance and resistance to the vagaries of the weather, Potentilla quickly gained popularity from the northern latitudes to the warm south. Experts believe that it was its patterned leaves and bright berries that were depicted by the masters of Khokhloma painting.
Ducheney strawberry
False strawberries are very similar to true ones. Scarlet fruits attract attention and induce appetite. Many growers worry about whether or not the Indian dushenei berries are edible. This question can be answered in the affirmative. Potentilla fruits are permissible to eat, they are not poisonous and even endowed with useful properties. However, in large quantities, they can cause harm to the body, therefore, it is better for pregnant women and children to refuse to use. In addition, false strawberries cannot boast of a pleasant taste, so most people who try them quickly lose interest in them.
External description of Indian Potentilla:
- Creeping stems and roots;
- Dissected three-lobed leaves of deep green color;
- Red (sometimes white) rounded berries;
- Flowers are single with yellow petals.
Tutti-frutti variety
The culture is remontant; it pleases with flowers and berries for almost the entire warm season.
Duchenei Indian Tutti-frutti
This variety of Potentilla, like others, is grown as a ground cover or ampel plant. False strawberries are a perennial, so you won't have to worry about planting and harvesting seed.
Cute rosettes quickly scatter whiskers and grow, so cinquefoil needs frequent pruning. This procedure is beneficial for the plant. Indian duchenea Tutti frutti tolerates drought and excessive watering. Often it is not necessary to fertilize the soil at the roots, the plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil.
Duchenea Rosita
If the duchenea is grown as a houseplant, it will have to be repotted frequently due to its rapid growth.
Duchenei Indian Rosita
The Rosita variety is a wonderful ground cover. The berries looking up against the background of green foliage look bright in summer. Fruits and berries appear on the plant throughout the growing season.
Dyusheneya Rosita hibernates safely, she does not need shelter. The plant is resistant to trampling. You can grow Indian strawberries in the open field (it looks especially impressive on an alpine slide), in a hanging indoor pot or in a winter garden.
Flower care
It is easy to take care of the cinquefoil of the Indian at home and on the site.Observing all the instructions, you can get a beautiful carpet of leaves, flowers and berries in a short time, which will surprise everyone.
Top dressing
Ducheney loves both organics and complex mineral compositions. Top dressing begins in the spring, once every 7-10 days, alternating the means used. If the plant began to expel a lot of foliage and whiskers, but it began to produce fewer flowers and berries, then it is less worth fertilizing the soil.
In the fall, when the plant is preparing for the winter dormant period, feeding is stopped.
Lighting
The plant prefers partial shade, so in the open field it is better for it to find a place under the trees. Indoors, the ducheneu is placed on the eastern or western windowsills. On the north side, she will miss the sun, and she will have to make additional lighting. On the south side, on the other hand, shading is required.
Spraying and watering
At home, it is advisable to spray false strawberries with settled water, trying not to get on the flowers. In autumn and winter, it is not required to moisturize the plant in this way. On the street, Potentilla has enough natural air humidity.
Flowers and berries of false strawberries
It is recommended to water the plant as the earthen coma dries. At the site when watering, you should be guided by the weather: in a drought, you will need frequent and abundant watering; in cooler weather, you do not have to worry about the plant and rarely water it.
Pruning
The plant is pruned in February-March, this will help preserve its decorative effect. Dry leaves, too long whiskers, drying berries will have to be removed throughout the growing season. It is not necessary to cut off the obsolete flowers - fruits are formed from them.
Temperature
Ducheney loves warmth and feels as comfortable as possible at a temperature of 25-28 ° C. In winter, the room where the Indian strawberries are located should not be colder than 18 ° C. The plant quickly recovers after freezing, even at -5 ° C it keeps well.
Preparing for winter
If a harsh, frosty or little snowy winter is expected, you can cover the plants with straw. Small bushes of duchenei can be transplanted into a pot and taken home to admire the pretty plant in winter.
Pest control
The plant is sometimes invaded by slugs and snails. Special granules scattered around the plantings will help scare them away. These insects do not tolerate ground pepper, which is also sprinkled on the soil under the bushes. If the duchenea has not grown much, you can collect the pests by hand.
At home, cinquefoil is attacked by a spider mite. You can fight it by washing the plant with soapy water. If there are too many insects, you will have to use chemicals such as Actellic.
Growing methods
It is most convenient to propagate decorative strawberries with ducheneus stolons-"mustaches". Young rosettes take root easily and quickly, clinging even to caked soil. In autumn, stolons are cut, new plants are distributed in places.
Dusheney seeds
Next year you can expect flowers and berries.
Seeds
It is not too difficult to grow a ducheneu from seeds. This method will take a little more time.
Planting false strawberry seeds step by step:
- Disinfect the soil mixture for planting by spilling boiling water;
- Pour soil into containers and, making several shallow grooves, sow seeds;
- Having sprinkled them on top with a thin layer of earth, the plantings are removed to the lower shelf of the refrigerator for stratification;
- After 7 days, it is time to remove the container. The earth in it is moistened with warm, settled water;
- Cover the plantings with plastic or glass. Place them in a bright, warm place;
- Every day, the container is opened for ventilation, the earth is moistened, the condensate is shaken off.
Shoots will appear in a month and a half. At this stage, the shelter is removed. It is necessary to take care of the seedlings until they grow up and get stronger. After they can be seated in permanent places and taken care of as usual.
Cinquefoil as a houseplant
Ducheney strawberry is a plant that combines high decorativeness and amazing endurance. She is able to delight with her colorful appearance from spring to autumn, with indoor cultivation and in winter. Plant care is simple and even a beginner can do it.
