Water hyacinth Eichornia: planting and care

Hyacinth is the name of a plant that 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 characteristics of growth, it is worthwhile to understand its geographical origin. In tropical and subtropical areas, it is usually called "water plague" or "green dropsy". For the countries of southern Europe and Turkmenistan, the majestic name of eichornia or water hyacinth is more familiar. Of course, such high-profile names do not characterize the fetus in any way. The green plague was discovered in areas 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 reproduction of the plant in warm conditions. It is located on the surface of the water and poses a threat to the flora of South America. For countries with colder climates, they are usually classified as decorative, requiring special care for reproduction. Water hyacinth belongs to the Pontederia family.

In 2015, a semblance of eichornia appeared in the garden markets of Moscow. Distinctive features are in the following parameters:

• has bright dark green leaves;
• differs from other plants of its kind by the presence of a thick leg;
• at the peak of growth (this is the end of summer, the beginning of a warm autumn), multi-colored inflorescences appear;
• the grown flower looks like an orchid.

However, experienced botanists had doubts about the authenticity of this species. The fact is that water hyacinth is quite thermophilic and will not be able to multiply at a high rate in water bodies of Russia, but it will decorate a small open pond during the hot summer. In winter, it is required to transplant to warmer and more comfortable conditions.

Eichornia flowering period in natural and artificial habitat

Water hyacinth belongs to the class of tropical plants. Like all plants of this type, he likes when a number of conditions exist:

• warm weather during the day and at night.
• a lot of light;
• a large amount of fertilizer in the water;
• presence of carbon dioxide in water

Flowering in natural conditions begins when the air temperature reaches 28 degrees during the day and at night the thermometer does not drop below 23. If the temperature is lower, the plant stops developing. Plant buds begin to bloom mainly in July and August. The life cycle of a flower is not long - a day. Then, the inflorescence is immersed in water, and a core with seeds remains in place of the bud.

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 the fall, when the temperature drops below 8 degrees, the eichornia must be removed to the greenhouse. You can take it out into an open reservoir when the temperature of the water and air is approximately at the same level and exceeds 15 degrees.

Tropical terrain

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 reservoir. Pond hyacinth is the perfect combination of beauty and comfort.

In the reservoir, you can place either one young plant at a time, or in bulk. Hyacinth is ideal for an aquarium. Any seasoned landscape designer will remember that the amount of hyacinth planted depends on the temperature and length of the day. The higher the air temperature and the longer the daylight hours, the fewer plants are needed for placement.

To create picturesque landscape designs, you must remember the following nuances:

• reproduces in water using seeds;
• for reproduction, the temperature in the air must be at least 36 degrees. This means that this flower variety is suitable only for the southern strip of Russia;
• considered unpretentious, but reacts extremely unpleasantly to drafts;
• easily grows in water, it is necessary to create a barrier in the water space. It is highly undesirable to place hyacinth next to water lilies;
• where there is eichornia, it is necessary to additionally enrich the water with oxygen. To do this, it is necessary to thin out the roots as they grow and clean the reservoir.

Reproduction of eichornia

The reproduction of water hyacinth does not require special work. There are two ways to grow new shoots:

• growing from seeds. The problem with this approach to growing eichornia is that the minimum temperature for the breeding environment should be at least 35 degrees. That is why for Russia such reproduction is suitable only in indoor conditions or in the presence of a greenhouse;
• in a vegetative way. Some experts compare vegetative propagation with strawberry planting. The algorithm of actions is 100% similar. A plant can give about a hundred new shoots in one month.

Each method has its own characteristics of cultivation. Both types of breeding are quite simple, if you follow all the nuances.

Vegetative method

All about planting a plant

The water hyacinth, planting and caring for it in the pond requires a careful approach. It is necessary to plant young shoots when the contents of the pond are heated to the optimum temperature. This is done in July-August. For planting, shallow, light and oxygen-rich bodies of water are ideal.

Home and outdoor care

In order for the fruit to grow, it is necessary to recreate the natural conditions as accurately as possible during care. Namely:

• lots 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, this is the only way to save the life of the hyacinth.

How to keep eichornia during cold weather

Keeping water hyacinths at home is no easy task. There are four ways to preserve it until the summer heat:

• caring for a home hyacinth in an apartment is not so troublesome if you keep it in the silt. To do this, fill the pot with water and fill the bottom with silt. Put a pot and periodically monitor the water level;
• you can store the plant in the winter in a regular glass jar. To do this, fill a clean jar with one third of clean water. Tightly tighten the lid and put on the window at room temperature;
• The easiest way to overwinter is to store your water hyacinth in the sand. To do this, it is necessary to fill the contents of the container with sand, moisten it enough and constantly maintain the required water balance. Special conditions in the form of lighting, fertilizers and temperature are not required;
• The most time-consuming way to store a plant is to overwinter in an aquarium. But if you understand all the difficulties and small details, then this is the most reliable way to preserve hyacinth.

Thus, water hyacinth is an exotic plant that, with proper care, will delight the owner with its beauty and original look of the decorated body of water. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations for growing and care.