Asparagus Meyer: description, photo, features of growing at home

Hello dear flower growers! I really like Meyer's Asparagus. It is actively used in phytodesign. It is grown outdoors and in flowerpots. Twigs can be used to decorate bouquets and flower garlands. Intrigued? Let's talk about this plant.

In the case of the Meyer's asparagus plant, growing from seed is always successful. It is a herbaceous shrub with dense branching from the roots. From each of its root branches, many lateral processes depart, on which there are many thin and long leaves.

During flowering, the crown becomes covered with small whitish-yellow flowers. Later, small bright red fruits appear in their place. They do not crumble from the branches for a very long time - thereby giving the bush a very beautiful look.

In flower shops, you can buy Meyer's asparagus and transplant into another pot at home. In this case, the plant will have to adapt for a long time to new conditions for itself. At this time, he must be looked after in the most attentive way. There is a risk that the bush will not take root. If you grow Meyer's asparagus from seeds, then there will be no hassle with it.

Growing Meyer's asparagus from seeds is not particularly difficult. In addition, such plants turn out to be much stronger and more durable than those purchased in the store or propagated by cuttings. With proper care, they do not get sick and easily tolerate crown cutting.

Asparagus Meyer: description, photo, features of growing at home

If you are dreaming of an unusual ornamental plant for your home, asparagus will fully satisfy these requirements. What care rules are required to follow, how to propagate plants and get a real living garden in the house, which plant species is ideal for keeping in an apartment? All these questions are of interest to amateur gardeners, therefore the prepared material will be useful not only for those who already have Meyer's asparagus on their windowsill, but also for those who first heard about such a plant, but already want to acquire one.

Species diversity

In total, about three hundred species of asparagus are distinguished in the world, differing in appearance. These plants live on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, therefore they have adapted to survive in different climatic zones: from the tropics to the savannahs.

Some of the species of this plant are edible, you definitely heard about them, only they are called asparagus. Others, such as Meyer's asparagus, are used as window sills ornamental plants. It is interesting that the branches cut from the bushes are not thrown away, but used as a floristic addition to bouquets or flower arrangements.

In indoor floriculture, the most common varieties are: Meyer, dense-flowered, feathery, medicinal, sickle-shaped asparagus. For pots with flowers, spacious areas of premises are allocated, where they could calmly coexist with other plants.

Most of the representatives of this species, including Meyer's asparagus, are unpretentious in care, but they look spectacular and harmoniously fit into the interior.

How to protect an Ethiopian guest?

The main prevention of diseases and problems arising with the plant is the observance of the rules of care and temperature conditions.It is also worth keeping a balance while watering and applying mineral fertilizers. Examine the plant regularly for pests, parasites and fungal diseasesthat need to be immediately treated and prevented at the stage of appearance.

Regular watering, sufficient lighting, competent feeding and timely transplantation, coupled with periodic inspection of the plant for the presence of pests, will provide your pet with everything it needs and Meyer's asparagus will always delight the eye with a healthy and beautiful look.

Botanical plant reference

Asparagus is a typical plant representative of the asparagus family. The pubescent shoots of a flower are often called leaves, but visually they are more similar to the fluffy tails of bizarre animals. The flowering period of this evergreen dwarf shrub falls in the summer season. The flowers are distinguished by their elegance: small inflorescences of white color with a bright, but pleasant smell. Interestingly, when kept indoors, these plants rarely bloom.

After flowering, small red fruits are formed, resembling berries, inside with large black seeds.

Reproduction takes place in several ways: by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush.

It is easiest to propagate Meyer's asparagus by dividing the bush. Growing from seeds is a more laborious, but entertaining process that is not difficult. Sowing of planting material is carried out in January-February, using flower pots or small boxes for this. When performing this procedure, make sure that the upper layer of earth that covers the seeds does not dry out. To do this, you can create an artificial mini-greenhouse by covering the container with film, glass or a plastic bag. The first shoots appear in 30-60 days, depending on the suitability of the seeds and the temperature regime, as a rule, showing good germination.

Sometimes the grafting method is used, which is usually carried out from the beginning of March to June. Cuttings are cut and placed in water. After 30-45 days, when root shoots are formed on them, asparagus can be planted.

Breeding features

You can get a new plant in two ways: by dividing the bush and growing from seeds.

You need to plant seeds in the second half of February or the first half of March.

Seeds are poured into the prepared moistened soil, and cellophane is stretched over the container, creating a portable greenhouse. Seeds germinate in about three to four weeks.

Dividing the bush can be done throughout the year, but it is still better to do this before the beginning of the growing season.

Features of the content

Asparagus Meyer feels best in a sufficiently lit room in winter at temperatures not lower than 14-15 degrees. In summer, the plant is best kept outdoors, placing the flower pot in partial shade.

In the summer, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture level in the pot. Homemade asparagus is grown adhering to the following rules:

do not allow the soil in the pot to dry out in the summer;
in winter, water the plant once a month, it is kept in hot conditions more often as needed;
spraying the crown of the plant is a prerequisite for the harmonious growth and development of the plant; this procedure is performed at least 2 times a week;
to artificially create additional moisture in the air, place flower pots on pallets or stands with gravel;
try not to treat asparagus with special pests and diseases;
apply fertilizers twice a month: mineral or organic (you can alternate).

Provide asparagus with home care. Photos of him show how beautiful a healthy plant can be, which is taken care of.

general characteristics

Asparagus Sprenger is sometimes called Ethiopian and it is one of the most popular species of this flower.It belongs to evergreen perennials. It can be found in apartments, office-type premises, various institutions and winter gardens.

The dense shoots have a creeping appearance and are covered with fluffy cladodes (modified small stems that look like small needles and act as foliage). The branches grow in different directions and can grow in length up to one and a half meters.

False leaves have a rich pale green hue and the entire length of the shoot is covered with them. Many of them are collected in bunches of 3-4 pieces. This endows the plant with high decorative qualities.

Asparagus blooms. The flowering period is in May or June. It forms bunches of white flowers with a pleasant and delicate aroma. When pollinated, fruits are formed on the plant - small red berries of a round shape. Such fruits can be used to collect seeds in order to grow a flower in the future.

Conditions for comfortable keeping flowers in the house

The state of the flower throughout the entire life cycle directly depends on the microclimate in the room. Therefore, it is so important to ensure the optimal temperature, humidity and lighting in an apartment or house where asparagus is kept.

The plant loves a lot of light, but only when it is diffused. The flower adapts well to conditions in partial shade. Almost all species, except for Sprenger's asparagus, must be protected from direct sunlight in order to avoid overheating and dropping of needles from the plant.

Description and photo

The plant is a small shrub that branches out as soon as it leaves the root system. It grows 3-4 meters in width and half a meter in height.

The central stems are straight, but sag under weight. Numerous shoots covered with small and thin cladodia "needles", which look like the leaves of a plant, extend from them. Real leaves look like scales, which are virtually invisible.

Water and moisture

During the summer, be especially careful about how Meyer's asparagus feels. Watering should be systematic and abundant, while moisture should not stagnate: the earth should dry out, but not turn into stone. In winter, the plant is kept in cool conditions, the number of watering is reduced, but the level of dryness of the soil in the pot is monitored.

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Asparagus loves a cool "shower", especially in winter, when the heating is on, when there is a lack of moisture in the air. Periodic carrying out of this procedure will not damage the flower in any way.

Watering and maintaining the humidity level in the room is important when growing a plant at home. By being inattentive to the flower, you will see how it begins to dry and turn yellow.

Young plants are transplanted annually, moving them to a larger pot. This need arises due to the rapid growth of the roots of a young plant. Old flowerpots can be replanted every 24 months. The procedure is usually carried out in the spring.

To rejuvenate plants, flower growers recommend removing the lower tubers that are not involved in the formation of greenery. The procedure is carried out for all types of asparagus, except for pinnate.

Top dressing is carried out periodically: from March to September every 10-15 days. For the winter, they stop fertilizing the plants.

Care rules

Despite the fact that home care for Sprenger's asparagus is simple, you need to know certain subtleties. This will help keep the bush healthy and lush. When watering, keep in mind that the plant is very sensitive to the acidity level of the soil, so chlorinated tap water is not suitable for this. You should not spray the flower with it either.

Allow the water to settle before watering the asparagus. You can also use boiled water at room temperature or filtered.The plant does not have a pronounced dormant period, but despite this, in the winter period, watering should be slightly reduced, and again increased with the beginning of spring. Watering is required plentiful, but the water in the sump should not stagnate.

Sprenger's asparagus is fed with the beginning of the growing season. At the same time, a complex mineral fertilizer intended for indoor plants is used. The frequency of feeding is about once every two weeks. In the cold season, it can be done once a month. You can also use an organic type of fertilizer - ash or chicken droppings. During the dormant period, you do not need to feed the flower.

Pruning can be done periodically. This procedure will stimulate the growth of new young shoots and the shape of the bush will become more lush. Also, sometimes you need to resort to sanitary pruning, removing loose and dried shoots. It also serves to prevent diseases.

Reproduction methods

There are several ways to reproduce asparagus. These include:

seed method;
cuttings;
reproduction by shoots.

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Before planting seeds, you must first prepare the soil. For this, sand and peat are mixed in equal proportions. They begin to sow them around the end of February. After sowing, they are covered with film or glass. For germination, the temperature should be maintained at 21-22 degrees. In addition, the seedlings should be regularly ventilated and sprayed with a spray bottle.

The first shoots should appear after 4-5 weeks. When they grow up to 10-12 centimeters, then they can be dived. Then, when the seedlings grow a little, they should be transplanted to a permanent place.

Also, asparagus reproduces by dividing the bush. When replanting a bush, you can carefully divide the root system of the plant into several parts, but each part should contain 3-4 healthy shoots. They can be placed in separate pots.

Another way is grafting. To do this, cuttings must be cut into a length of 10-12 centimeters. For rooting, use a container with wet sand. Cover the cuttings with a cap. For rooting, they need daily ventilation, enough light and a temperature that will not drop below +21 degrees. After 1.5 months, the seedlings should be ready for planting in a permanent place.

Asparagus transplant

While the asparagus is young, it should be replanted annually. This is done in the spring. Mature plants can be replanted every 2-3 years. The soil for the flower is chosen loose and fertile. You can make it yourself using leafy soil, turf, peat soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5.

When replanting a plant, old and bare branches should be removed. It is better to choose a container for planting that is spacious and rather strong. Metal and ceramic pots work well. This is necessary for the reason that the root system of the flower grows rather quickly, and in adult plants they begin to bulge outward, deforming the plastic pots. If the root system of an adult plant has grown strongly, then when transplanting it is recommended to remove a small part of the tubers and reduce the root system by about a third.

Diseases and pests

Pests infest asparagus quite rarely. Sometimes a spider mite may appear. It lives on the back of the leaves. You can recognize his presence by a thin cobweb that wraps around the flower. To get rid of it, its nests should be thoroughly rinsed with running water.

If worms appear, then the flower should be treated with insecticidal preparations. You can use the Actellik tool.

Diseases can occur due to improper plant care.When the branches acquire a lighter shade and stretch out, this indicates a lack of sunlight. It is necessary to change the location of the flower. Better to put it on a windowsill or the sunny side of the loggia.

Diseases and pests

Asparagus infect scabbards, thrips, spider mites, which must be immediately disposed of.

If the plant turns yellow or begins to dry, this is the first sign that you need to provide proper home care for asparagus.

Photos of this stunning plant amaze with their uniqueness. And the asparagus itself in the house pleases the eye not only of the owners, but also of guests who admire your abilities in floriculture. Have you decided to grow Meyer's asparagus at home? The description will help you grow a large and healthy bush that harmoniously complements the interior of the house.

Briefly about the plant

The description of asparagus has the following:

indoor flower has small flowers that can be seen in the axils of the leaves;
flowers form thyroid or racemose inflorescences;
each flower has a simple perianth and six petals, which are arranged in two circles;
the plant bears fruit with berries, with several large seeds inside. Each seed is covered with a thick skin;
indoor plants have horizontal rhizomes, from which shoots extend upward.

There are many different types of asparagus, so any grower can choose a more suitable option for himself - a plant for growing in a pot in the form of a bush or a climbing liana.

Description of the plant

Asparagus meyeri refers to the form of the Ethiopian asparagus and is a shrub with drooping shoots, the stems of which are densely covered with small needle leaves and resemble the tail of a fluffy animal, for which the plant received the nickname "foxtail". Reaches a height of 50 cm, in width it can grow up to 6 m. It blooms in summer with small yellow-white bells with a delicate aroma. In place of faded flowers, fruits appear in the form of spherical red berries with a diameter of 6-10 mm.

What is asparagus

Several types of asparagus are widespread:

Green asparagus has a rich flavor. It is considered the most useful due to the content of antioxidants, a complex of vitamins and folic acid. It is loved and grown in the UK, where the climate is favorable.

Green asparagus
White asparagus has a delicate flavor and softness. It has a high calorie content due to its high sugar content. Before use, it is peeled. To obtain a white color, the shoots are covered with earth to the full height. This process is labor-intensive, which determines the high cost of the product. The most common white asparagus in Germany.

White asparagus
Soy asparagus is called fuju in Chinese and yuba in Japanese. Fresh and dried soy asparagus is eaten. In China, the layer is dried and then used to prepare meals. The Japanese prefer fresh asparagus dipped in soy sauce.

Soy asparagus

Popular asparagus varieties include:

"Obsky",
"Large-peeled",
"Harvest",
Mary Washington
"Glory of Brauschweig",
Early yellow.

Conditions for growing at home

In order for a decorative flower to be comfortable, it is necessary to create conditions for it that are close to natural ones.

A well-lighted room is suitable for a flower. The place for the flower must be chosen light, but without direct sunlight, since the leaves turn yellow from their influence. If the plant is in a darkened corner, it is necessary to provide good lighting using fluorescent or phytolamps).

Temperature

In spring and summer, the plant must be kept at a temperature of +22. + 25 ° С, it can also be taken out into the open air, hiding from the direct sun and drafts. In winter, the optimum temperature is +14. + 15 ° C.

Air humidity

High air humidity is important for Meyer's asparagus.It can be ensured by spraying the flower 2 times a week, as well as placing the pot with the plant in a tray filled with wet expanded clay or pebbles.

Possible growing difficulties

Diseases that can affect asparagus are usually caused by two factors: improper care and harmful effects of parasites.

The fact that the plant is kept in uncomfortable conditions will be signaled by its appearance:

yellowed leaves and their abundant shedding indicate a lack of moisture;
pale green indicates a lack of lighting;
the appearance of yellow spots on foliage is associated with sunburn;
too dark, even brown coloring of greenery is a sign that the plant has been exposed to excessive exposure to the sun, and its soil is dry;
sluggish branches and drooping stems indicate over-watering. This is the first signal that the root system is starting to rot;
White-coated asparagus berries are indicative of gray mold damage caused by sudden temperature fluctuations and high levels of humidity.

The following signs indicate the defeat of a tropical guest by pests:

sticky liquid on the stems and greenery, yellowing of the leaves - the impact of the shield;
the presence of a spider web between branches - defeat by a spider mite;
accumulation of wax filaments and the formation of similar tangles - the action of the mealybug.

Asparagus is quite sensitive to various kinds of insecticidal preparations, therefore, less aggressive agents must be used to combat parasites. First, you should isolate the affected flower from the rest, then it is recommended to wash the diseased branches first with hot water, then with an alcohol solution or a solution of laundry soap.
Did you know? Asparagus berries contain saponin, a substance that, when ingested, causes severe nausea and vomiting, so you should be extremely careful when growing a plant in a house where small children live.
Asparagus is an ornamental plant, easy to care for, but pleasing with its aesthetic beauty, which will serve as a wonderful decoration for any interior. In order for the plant to retain its exquisite appearance and lush greenery for a long time, it is enough for it to provide traditional care that does not require large financial or time costs from the grower.

Home care

Proper watering, timely fertilization, pruning are essential components of flower care.

Since spring, when asparagus is actively growing, it must be watered regularly and abundantly with water at room temperature. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil so that it is slightly moistened, but not to allow stagnation of water. In winter, reduce the amount of watering. If the room temperature drops below + 14 ° C, stop so that the flower does not die.

It is necessary to feed Meyer's asparagus from mid-spring to early autumn once every 2 weeks with mineral and organic fertilizers, such as "Mister Color Universal" (1 cap per 1 liter of water), "Master-agro" (1 teaspoon per 2 liters water), crystal fertilizer "For decorative deciduous plants" (0.2 g per 2 liters of water).

For Meyer's asparagus, shallow pruning is undesirable because it does not increase the number of branches. The most suitable procedure is to remove old and scattered shoots at the base. Thanks to this, new branches will appear.

It is recommended to transplant Meyer's asparagus in this way:

plant each year in a larger container in the spring;
before removing a flower from an old container, it must be well watered;
carefully examine the root, if necessary, remove dried or damaged areas;
the tubers formed in the roots do not need to be removed, since they contain nutrients and if they are removed, the flower can get sick for a long time;
place the plant in a pot, spread the root and sprinkle it with earth on top;
water, fertilize after 2 weeks.

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Useful properties and application

Due to the fact that Asparagus, in addition to wonderful decorative qualities, has others, it is used both for food and as a medicinal plant. Asparagus purifies the air in the room where it grows. It contains many vitamins, these are vitamins of groups "C", "K", "B", folic acid and others. Asparagus shoots are used in food both boiled and canned. In taste, boiled shoots resemble green peas, they are used in dietary nutrition. Dishes with the use of Asparagus are recommended for people with liver diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus and to increase appetite. In folk medicine, shoots, roots and fruits of this wonderful plant are also widely used. They are used for diseases of the heart, liver, cystitis, urolithiasis, epilepsy, rheumatism, as a laxative.

Reproduction of asparagus

Reproduction of Meyer's asparagus does not require much effort and is carried out in several ways: using cuttings, from seeds, dividing an adult bush.

It is considered the most difficult breeding method.

Is as follows:

cuttings 10-15 cm long must be prepared in early spring, treated in a growth stimulator;
plant cuttings in containers filled with a mixture of peat perlite and wet sand;
cover on top with transparent glass or foil;
make sure that the sand does not dry out by regularly spraying it from a spray bottle;
periodically open for ventilation;
after 4-6 weeks, the cuttings will take root and can be planted in separate pots.

Seeds can be sown in late February - early March.

This requires:

soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection;
sow into prepared soil at a distance of 3 cm from each other;
moisten the top with a spray bottle;
cover with tinted glass and put on the windowsill;
check the condition and moisture of the earth, ventilate;
in a month the seeds will germinate, and when the sprouts reach a height of 10 cm, transplant them into separate containers.

The breeding method is as follows:

carefully divide the root of an adult bush into several parts without damaging it;
shake off the formed new bushes from the previous soil and plant in separate pots filled with ready-made soil;
place containers in a shaded place with a temperature not higher than + 15 ° С;
water regularly and fertilize after 2 weeks;
when the seedlings take root, you can move them to a permanent location.

When to wait for the harvest

Experienced gardeners recommend starting harvesting 3 years after planting, when the root system is already getting stronger.

In the spring of the third year, young shoots suitable for food will grow in the garden. The sprouts are freed from the earth and broken out at the point of growth, when they begin to lift the earth crust. The resulting holes are leveled. The length of dense, unblown heads should be at least 30 cm with a thickness of over 1.5 cm.

Harvesting

In the first year, they manage to take about 4 harvests per season. The fruiting period of 1 year should not exceed 1-1.5 months so that young rhizomes do not weaken.

Thereafter, the crop is harvested every 2 weeks until mid-summer. All mature shoots must be harvested to help increase yields. Warm days stimulate the growth of asparagus, then the harvest is carried out in the morning and evening.

Watch also a video on the topic:

Potential diseases and pests, and how to deal with them

Pests and diseases that plague Meyer's asparagus:

spider mite - settles on the leaves of a plant in the form of a thin web and sucks the juice out of it.Since the flower does not tolerate chemical treatment, it is recommended that when infected, rinse it under a strong pressure of warm water (+ 40 ° C), then spray it with Actellik (2 ml per 1 liter of water);
scale insect that feeds on flower sap. You can fight it by spraying it with a solution of laundry soap, taking a shower, and also treating it with Actellik;
thrips - cause discoloration of the plant, which stops growing. It is necessary to adjust the temperature and humidity, spray with Actellik or Decis (0.1 g per 1 liter of water);
yellowing and falling leaves - occur as a result of improper care. To eliminate these signs, you need to normalize the growing conditions for the bush.

Asparagus Meyer, having a beautiful appearance, unpretentiousness in growing and caring for it, is used not only as a houseplant, but also serves as an original addition to flower arrangements and in landscaping interiors.

Soil preparation

If you decide to grow Meyer's asparagus from seeds, then it is better to prepare the soil for this yourself, especially since this is not at all difficult to do. Mix the garden soil with plant humus in equal proportions and disinfect the mixture in the oven or freezer.

After that, warm the soil mixture in natural conditions to room temperature. Only then can it be poured into the seed container. It should be wide and shallow.

Now moisten the soil mixture abundantly with a weak solution of manganese and leave for several hours to soak. Thus, not only insect larvae will be destroyed, but also harmful bacteria and viruses. Now you can start sowing seeds.

Indoor bushy plant Asparagus Meyer: photo and home care

Asparagus Meyer is a houseplant, incomparable in its beauty.

Has a wide crown and numerous side shoots.

Prefers low temperatures and constant spraying. It responds well to fertilizing and fertilization.

Asparagus Meyer is a capricious houseplant.

Refers to the form of the Ethiopian Asparagus of the genus Asparagus. It is the most common subspecies of Asparagus 'Meyeri'. It looks like a herbaceous branched dwarf shrub.

Widely distributed in Europe, South Africa and Asia. In natural and indoor habitat, it reaches a height of no more than 50 centimeters. It grows 6 meters wide.

The main branches are straight and even. They can bend under their own weight and lignify at the roots of the base. Small lateral shoots extend from the central stems in a horizontal position. They densely cover the plant, representing graceful leaf-shaped cladodia in the form of numerous "needles".

Due to this arrangement of lateral shoots, Asparagus Meyer looks like a huge ovary of "fox tails" - phylloclades.

The leaves of all members of the Asparagus family are invisible. They look like small scales that completely cover the lateral stems. Flowering time falls in June-August.

Bell-shaped flowers, axillary, amber-snow-white shade. In length they reach no more than 5 millimeters. After self-pollination, oval-rounded burgundy berries appear. The diameter of the berries varies from 6 to 10 millimeters.

Several photos with Asparagus Meyer:

Description

Sprenger's asparagus is an amazing houseplant. It is considered the most widespread and popular species of Asparagus. Its stems are highly branched, directed downward. They are slightly creeping, can grow up to 1.5 meters.

The cladodes are narrow-lanceolate with a bright emerald hue. They resemble delicate hedgehog needles. In length they reach from 2 to 3 centimeters. They can be whorled and solitary.

The main direction of growth of cladodia begins at the base of the stem. On young shoots, their growth is intense, along the entire length of the base.

Adult branches after 1.5 years may begin to “go bald”. The leaves of the plant are miniature, inconspicuous, with a scaly surface.

Flowering period: May-June. The flowers are delicate, small, snow-white. They are collected in axillary paniculate inflorescences. After flowering, bright burgundy ovoid berries remain.

Look at other common types of Asparagus on our website: Crescent, Feathery, Meyer.

Several photos with this interesting plant:

Home care

After purchase, the flower needs close natural seaside conditions.

He needs time to adapt to indoor conditions.

You should choose a place on a hill or in suspended planters.

The flower needs good lighting, so you should not choose shaded corners of the apartment.

After purchase, the plant is transplanted into wider containers due to its rapidly growing root system.

Pruning and shaping the crown

This representative of the flora is not pruned. Due to the location of the growth of the lateral stems, the duration of which under different circumstances does not exceed 5-10 centimeters, the plant is called non-branching. Therefore, the formation of the tops of Asparagus Meyer will not lead to an increase and growth of bushiness.

In order to improve decorativeness, diseased, old and "bald" stems should be cut out at the base of the root system. Instead, new, young shoots grow in the same place.

Planting a plant

For planting, it is necessary to choose wide containers, since an adult plant will have a large number of basal stems. A drainage layer of pebbles or expanded clay is formed at the bottom of the container. It protects the plant's root system from unwanted moisture stagnation. Asparagus Meyer loves nutritious, loosened soil with an alkaline reaction.

Transplant and feeding

The plant is transplanted in March-April. The container must be selected with a larger diameter.

You can not remove the nodules that form in the rhizome of the flower. They serve as a source of mineral and nutrients for the plant.

An ornamental plant can survive without nodules, but it will get sick for a long time and stop growing.

The flower is fed during active growth once every 14 days. Store mixes containing mineral and organic feed are well suited. The use of commercial fertilizer for flowers or deciduous plants is recommended.

Growing

This flower is a moody plant. The period of life depends on the growing conditions. With poor care, the flower can die in 1-3 years. With top dressing, proper watering, transplants into wider containers, an ornamental bush lives from 10 to 15 years. It feels great with other indoor flowers.

Reproduction

Reproduction takes place by dividing the bush and planting seeds. Seed propagation is carried out in the 2nd decade of February - the 1st decade of March. Black seeds are scattered over the top layer of the earth and germinated in a self-made greenhouse. The microclimate is constantly kept at a high level of humidity. Growth occurs 20-35 days after planting.

Reproduction by dividing the bush is year-round. But it is preferable to plant before the start of the growing season.For excellent rootstock survival, you should choose more than three bushes of an adult Asparagus Meyer.

How to properly grow Asparagus from seeds, you can find out by watching the video:

Temperature factors

During the growing season, the flower is kept in a cool temperature from 20 to 22 ° C. If such an artificial regime cannot be created, then the plant is placed against a cold curtained window, taken out to a glazed loggia, a greenhouse, any cool shaded place.

The room must be well protected from winds and drafts. In such a room, the flower will be provided with constant natural ventilation. In the winter period of time, he is at rest.

Asparagus needs a temperature of 12 to 15 ° C. Do not exceed the line below 10 ° C, as the plantation may freeze.

The flower requires a high indicator of air humidity. He needs regular water sprays from a spray bottle.

Correct lighting

Asparagus Meyer prefers east and west facing windows. The plant loves bright, diffused light, but it starts to hurt when exposed to direct sunlight.

It dries and burns mercilessly the soft tissues of cladodes. On the north side, the ornamental bush will pick up the sunlight.

This can negatively affect the decorative effect of the stems. Shoots can become dull, pale, loose, with a loose indent from the half-shrub stem.

Landing

Pot selection. Asparagus produces many shoots, and the root system grows in breadth. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to wide and deep pots.
What should be the soil. The plant needs loose soil with an alkaline reaction. An excellent option would be the following proportion of 2: 1: 1: 1, consisting of sod land, humus, leaf and river sand, preferably coarse.
How to plant? There are several ways to plant a plant: buy a ready-made stalk or plant a flower from seeds.

Benefit and harm

The plant is used as a decoration when drawing up flower sets. Thanks to its beautiful lush shoots, it gives the bouquets charm and splendor. The picturesque flexibility of the graceful branches looks great in hanging planters.

Asparagus Meyer is used as an ampelous plant. Flowering does not cause allergic reactions. To avoid poisoning, it should not be eaten by humans and animals. The plant is successfully cultivated in indoor conditions. It can often be found in the corridors of offices and schools.

Origin

The place of origin of asparagus is ancient Mesopotamia, located in the Middle East. Then the plant was of great value and became widespread in different countries. It was served at the court of the French king and the Egyptian pharaoh. Asparagus was used not only for food, but also for decorating premises and even a wedding bed.

Homeland of asparagus

What varieties of asparagus are best for planting in the garden

Vegetable varieties of asparagus suitable for planting outdoors in the garden must be highly immune to common diseases and also withstand various weather conditions. The most common varieties to grow in all regions are:

Arzhentelskaya;
Mary Washington;
Tsarskaya;
Cumulus F1;
Waldau;
Mikhnevskaya early;
Dutch green.

In addition, experienced gardeners can turn their eyes to the very productive variety Brock Imperial, which, with proper care, has very high yields.

If you choose the right variety of asparagus for planting, this plant can grow in one place for up to 15 - 25 years without transplanting, annually delighting with a good harvest.

It is also important to spray the stems of the plant as a preventive measure, since some species are susceptible to the most dangerous enemies of asparagus: such as the asparagus fly and the asparagus leaf beetle. These parasites are capable of causing irreparable harm to the bush, eating not only young, but also old plantings.As a result of their vital activity, the shoots are bent and turn yellow, which damages the taste and dietary qualities of the final product.

Application features

Thanks to the beneficial components in asparagus, it is successfully used in cooking, medicine, and also for weight loss.

In cooking

Many people compare the taste of asparagus to the taste of beans. Due to its rich original taste, asparagus is used in European and Asian cuisine. It is boiled, fried, baked and steamed.

Cooking is one of the easiest ways to cook this vegetable. But in this case, do not forget about the intricacies of cooking. Shoots need to be peeled and tied with a thread. Pour a small amount of water into a cooking container, put asparagus there and cook. White asparagus is cooked over low heat for 10–20 minutes, green asparagus - 5–8 minutes. This will cook the stems and steam the top of the plant and the asparagus will be ready to eat.

Important! In order not to spoil the asparagus, after cooking it must be immediately placed in a pot of ice water. This will help maintain the color, firmness and flavor of the product.

Asparagus pairs well with seafood, eggs, and bacon. In Italy, this plant is added to pizza and pasta, in France it is prepared as a side dish. Asparagus is an ingredient in many salads. A popular creamy soup made from this vegetable, which can also be mixed with wine, cream or herbs.

In medicine

Doctors advise including asparagus in the diet for diseases:

of cardio-vascular system;
gastrointestinal tract;
nervous system;
kidney pathologies;
impaired metabolism and hormonal background.

Also in medicine, asparagus is used as a decoction, tincture or dietary food. It has a diuretic, blood-purifying, vasodilating and sedative effect on the body.
Did you know? Notable lovers of asparagus were Julius Caesar, Louis XIV, Thomas Jefferson, and Leo Tolstoy.

The drugs are used to prevent the formation of stones in the bladder, gout, arrhythmias, tachycardia as part of complex therapy.

Asparagus is also used for cosmetic purposes. The broth is rubbed onto the skin to get rid of inflammation and acne. Fresh juice of the plant is applied to the face for nutrition and hydration, the shoots are used to make moisturizing masks.

When losing weight

Due to the low calorie content of asparagus and the high amount of fiber in its composition, this plant helps fight hunger and is beneficial for people who are on a diet and are overweight. Fiber in the intestines swells, accelerates peristalsis and prevents constipation.

Asparagus also stimulates urination and forces the body to excrete excess water. With an asparagus diet, swelling decreases, the body gets rid of excess salt, digestion, metabolism and absorption of trace elements return to normal.

Harvesting

After three years of harvest, if the shoots have grown strongly, they are removed. But if the plants are still weak, then the collection is postponed to the next year, and continue to take care of the shoots further.
In the springwhen the first shoots appear, they are carefully cut off as they germinate, and the soil is loosened and hilled - this must be done several times.
After finishing cleaning harvest, you need to leave 3-5 shoots in the ground, which eventually turn into powerful stems, thanks to which the plants accumulate the necessary nutrients.
When the harvest ends, the plants still need to be cared for carefully for the next harvest to be successful.

What types are edible?

Representatives of the asparagus family can be found wild and cultivated on all continents. They are common in the humid subtropical regions of South America, in the arid steppes of Asia, in Africa and Europe. In Russia, asparagus grows from the Krasnodar Territory to Siberia.

From a huge species diversity vegetable growers have selected plants that have a delicious taste and high nutritional value... This is Asparagus officialis or Asparagus officinalis. On its basis, breeders have bred hybrids that give abundant yields.

Asparagus is valued not only for its exquisite taste, but also for its medicinal dietary properties. Its shoots contain asparagine, phytohormones and a unique vitamin complex.

In ancient times, many miraculous properties were attributed to this plant, ranging from improving eloquence to gaining immortality. Read more about the signs and superstitions associated with asparagus here. Nowadays the positive effect of asparagus on the body has been experimentally proven: human reproductive function, the state of the nervous system and increased tone.

What parts of the plant can you eat?

Young sprouts of asparagus vegetable varieties are eaten... Traditionally, delicacies include white underground shoots that have reached a length of 25 cm and a diameter of about 1 cm.

There are many fans of modern varieties that have green, purple and even yellow color of young shoots.

Growers allow them to come to the surface of the soil, but cut them off before the plant fibers become coarse.

Their length also does not exceed 20 - 25 cm.

Watering and feeding

It is simply impossible to fill this plant. Not only does it love the abundance of moisture in the soil, it also has small tubers in its root system, which accumulate useful substances and moisture. In winter, water Sprenger's asparagus less often and less abundantly, you can use the sump. Only moisten the soil in winter when the top layer is completely dry. On very hot days, as well as during the heating season, spray asparagus of the "Vivaldi" type or others more often with water.

Read also: China - useful properties and application of ranks, rank seeds, rank flower

Fertilize the soil twice a month, from early spring to mid-autumn. With a lack of nutrients, the crown of the bush loses its splendor. Feed Sprenger's Asparagus with mineral fertilizers for ornamental deciduous plants. Additionally, once a month, fertilize the soil with organic matter. After transplanting the bush into a new pot, do not fertilize the soil for the first two months.

Where does asparagus grow

Asparagus is ubiquitous, and you can find it both in Central and Southern Europe, and in northern Africa, western Asia, as well as in all regions of Russia, even in Siberia.

The plant prefers shaded areas, feels good on sandy soils, reacts favorably to heat and moisture. However, on a par with that, asparagus has adapted well to the harsh climatic conditions and tolerates long and frosty winters well, adapting well to heavy snowfalls.

Outdoor asparagus care

For any plant, care includes components such as suitable soil, proper watering and timely fertilization. Knowing the preferences of a particular species, gardeners get a rich harvest with minimal effort. Asparagus is an unpretentious vegetable that is resistant to frost.

Priming

The culture is saturated with vitamins and substances useful to humans, therefore, the soil for planting must be appropriate, nutritious sandy loam type.

For spring planting, a site is prepared in the fall. Having cleared the area of dry plants and grasses, a deep digging is carried out, immersing the shovel 0.5 meters. At the same time, fertilizers and compost with a volume of 15-20 kg per square meter are introduced into the ground. Of the chemicals, 70 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium sulfate are used for the same area. As soon as the snow melts, the soil is harrowed and 60 g of ash and 20 g of ammonium nitrate are added.

Watering

Asparagus should be watered frequently immediately after planting, during the adaptation period. For 2 weeks the plant is moisturized often and abundantly, gradually reducing the amount of moisture. After making sure that the asparagus has begun, watering is reduced to once a week. In dry periods, irrigation is carried out daily.The soil in the area where the vegetable is planted should always be slightly damp. By neglecting this recommendation, you can get fibrous shoots with a bitter taste.

Fertilizer

If the planting of asparagus was carried out without preliminary preparation of the site, then after the first weeding, you need to add nutrients. To do this, mix the slurry with water in a ratio of 1: 6. A little later, after about 3 weeks, the bushes are fed with a solution of bird droppings and water in a ratio of 1:10. Before preparing for wintering, the plant is fertilized for the last time using a ready-made mineral complex.

If the land was prepared in advance, then in the first year after planting, top dressing is not needed.

Forcing asparagus in winter

In the cold, vitamins and greens are especially strong. A healthy vegetable like asparagus will come in handy in early spring or winter. There is a method of growing a plant in a greenhouse. To do this, in the fall, the roots of adult plants (5-6 years old) are dug up and placed in a cool place, for example, in a cellar. The temperature should be kept at around +2 ° С.

In the first days of winter, the roots are planted in a greenhouse, rather closely, up to 20 bushes per square meter. The bed is sprinkled with humus and covered with a film. The temperature is maintained up to +10 ° С, and after about a week it is raised again to +18 ° С. During the entire ripening period, the thermal regime is maintained unchanged.

Plants are often watered, but little by little. Immediately after irrigation, the topsoil around the trunk is loosened.

Landing dates

Before planting asparagus, the soil is pre-prepared. The seeds of this vegetable crop can withstand even severe frosts, so asparagus is sown both in spring and before winter.

In the spring

Dug up a bed for asparagus, add rotted manure (5–8 kg per m2) and lime to neutralize acidic soil. If the soil is heavy, it is loosened with peat or sand.

When sown at the end of April, seedlings will appear after the May holidays. In early spring, the average daytime temperatures are relatively low, the soil does not have time to dry out and asparagus grows together. The culture loves space: only 4 plants fit per 1 m2.

Planting pattern: 30 cm between plants and 60 cm between rows.

In autumn

With winter sowing of asparagus, organic matter is not introduced into the soil.

Digging up the ground, add a mixture of mineral fertilizers (per 1 m2):

superphosphate - 60 g;
potassium sulfate - 30 g;
ammonium sulfate - 20 g.

The planting scheme is the same as in the spring. Above each, next to the crops, a small mound is formed, as in hilling. This will protect crops from frost.

Reference! Asparagus grows in one place without a transplant for up to 20 years.

How to cook asparagus?

Due to the wide variety of asparagus species, each has its own characteristics at the time of preparation.

The most common way is to cook white asparagus dishes:

First, the asparagus must be peeled of the inedible upper skin.
Then tie it into a bun, this will allow it to maintain its shape while it cooks.
The bunch must be dipped in boiling, salted water, to which vegetable oil and lemon juice have been added in advance.
Cook for a few minutes.
After that, the bunch is untied and seasoned with oil, and the chilled shoots are used in salads.

Cooking green asparagus:

Before cooking, they are not peeled, they are simply fried in a pan with the addition of vegetable oil and black pepper.
The tips on the stems are pre-trimmed as they taste rough.
It is also boiled, but after boiling it must be immersed in ice water, so the asparagus will retain its green color.
A healthy vegetable is added to salads, baked or fried.

Video: growing asparagus as a business

How to store it correctly

The harvested asparagus is wrapped in a clean, damp cloth and placed in the refrigerator. Asparagus is stored for up to 1-3 months. To increase the shelf life, the crop is frozen or preserved in brine.

Important! In the refrigerator, place the asparagus vertically so that it does not deform, away from strong-smelling foods.

Photo gallery

After flowering, rounded bluish-green fruits are formed, containing 3 large seeds each with a black dense skin covering the embryonic body.

Root system	Fibrous
Stem	Thickened
Leaf shape	Scaly, prickly
Leaf color	Green
Flower shape	Lily
Color of flowers	White
Fruit shape	Rounded
Fruit color	Bluish green
The number of seeds in the fruit	3

The best varieties of asparagus

When choosing asparagus varieties for cultivation for personal purposes, you should definitely take into account the timing of the harvest, as well as the adaptability of each to certain climatic conditions.

Asparagus varieties for Siberia

Arzhentelskaya. Large-fiber shoots with dark pink tips have a yellowish flesh. This variety is the most popular in Siberia, is characterized by frost resistance and early ripening, which is good for a short summer;
Tsarskaya. This variety is also very well adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia and is able to withstand frosts down to -30 ° C in winter. In addition, Royal Asparagus is drought-resistant and has high immunity. Its stems contain white, fleshy, very tender pulp, which is distinguished by its high taste;
Mary Washington. An early ripe variety with green, very juicy and crunchy shoots, forming on the 3rd - 4th year after sowing. The plant easily withstands frosts down to -30 ° C in winter, drought-resistant in summer and practically not susceptible to diseases and pests;
Ligurian. This early maturing variety of asparagus is purple and also thrives in the Siberian region. The shoots have a delicate, very delicate taste and, unlike other varieties of this type, do not taste bitter at all. The pulp is soft, slightly oily, sweet has a creamy texture;
Connovers Colossal. The cultivar has long, bright green candles with deep purple tips. Differs in high productivity, unpretentious care and delicious taste. It grows well on sandy soil and, in addition to feeding, does not require special attention;
Delicacy. Mid-season, cold-resistant variety with green, scaly shoots with delicate flesh and delicate taste. The crop is harvested, starting in May, for 1.5 months, by cutting off the shoots that have reached a diameter of 1.0 - 1.2 cm. After that, the bush is immediately spud.

Asparagus varieties for the middle strip

Below are photos and descriptions of the most popular types and varieties of asparagus for growing in the middle lane:

Enjoyment. Delight asparagus shoots are distinguished by their creamy white color and delicate, incredibly tasty pulp. The variety has good resistance to diseases and pests, easily tolerates drought, as well as sudden changes in temperature;
Glory to Braunschweig. This late-ripening variety is characterized by a huge number of white-fleshed shoots, the main purpose of which is conservation. The culture is resistant to lower temperatures, has good transportability and taste. During the growing season, up to 250 g of the product can be removed from one plant;
Gainlim. An early ripe high-yielding foreign variety with good taste characteristics and high-quality fruits;
Snow head. Long shoots have a pointed, creamy green head. Their pulp is very delicate, with a creamy texture, it has a delicate aroma, as well as a taste of green peas. The variety belongs to the early maturing. It is resistant to disease and is not afraid of the asparagus fly;
Yielding. Delicate white shoots with juicy pulp topped with the same white head. The variety is mid-season, well adapted to various climatic conditions, easily tolerates temperature changes;
Dutch green. High-yielding variety with juicy green shoots, very delicate taste, no bitterness;
Early yellow. Delicate yellowish green shoots with creamy pulp taste great.The variety is early ripe, the fruits are intended both for raw consumption and for canning, or heat treatment;
Xenolim. The pale green petioles of this early maturing variety reach up to 25 mm in diameter. From one square meter of plantings, you can collect up to 3 - 3.5 kg of selected shoots, valued for their excellent taste and refined aroma.

Are there differences in name between ornamental and vegetable crops?

Asparagus is the Latin word scientists use for asparagus. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, we can confidently assert that every asparagus is asparagus, and every asparagus is asparagus, that is, they are the same thing.

As a vegetable, this crop came to Russia from Germany. The German word "spargel" became "asparagus" and was even mentioned in Dahl's dictionary. It lists terms such as - asparagus, asparagus and asparagus.

Indoor florists and florists traditionally call it asparagus, and farmers and culinary experts call it asparagus.

What is asparagus

Real asparagus looks like a perennial shrub plant or in the form of shoots growing directly from the ground - it depends on the variety. The stems of shrub varieties reach 120 - 160 cm in height, with soft green leaves resembling needles. This is an early vegetable crop, ripening by the beginning of April, in which only the upper part of the stem is of particular value: true gourmets consider it a real delicacy.

Comment! Asparagus grows very quickly under favorable conditions and gives about 10 cm of growth per day. By the way, this is one of the most expensive vegetable crops.

Edible shoots are formed no earlier than in the third year of the culture's life. In stem-like plants, they are cut off as soon as they reach 16 - 20 cm in height (ideally - 22 cm), at this age the shoots are the most juicy and soft, and their heads are still dense and unblown. Usually the harvesting period starts from April 18 and lasts until July 20 - 24, after which the vegetable loses its tenderness and becomes tough. On average, this time is 7 to 8 weeks. The cut stems are wrapped in a damp cloth to keep them fresh for as long as possible.

Asparagus is eaten both raw by adding to salads and by heat treatment. On an industrial scale, the vegetable is canned, while the taste and useful qualities somewhat lose their value.

Getting an early harvest of asparagus using temporary foil greenhouses

Asparagus is a very hardy perennial plant, ideally suited to outdoor conditions. Growing it in stationary greenhouses makes no sense. On open field asparagus plantations, temporary plastic greenhouses are sometimes used over the asparagus rows in early spring to protect young shoots from the spring frost. Covering with a film also allows you to harvest a week earlier.

It is not necessary to use film greenhouses: even if the frost has broken some of the already hatched shoots, the whole plant will not die from this, after a while new stems will appear from the ground, formed from dormant buds.

Covering with foil will protect asparagus sprouts from spring frosts

Seed preparation

Asparagus seeds have a dense shell. This factor prevents the culture from giving quick and friendly shoots. In order for the plants to germinate faster, the seeds are pretreated. There are several ways to "wake up" them:

Scarification of the seed coat. They take fine-grained sandpaper and lightly file the shell of the planting material.
Soaking in warm water for 2-3 days. Every morning the water is replaced with fresh water. The tissue is kept warm (the optimum temperature for germination is + 22 ... + 24 ° C). After that, the seeds are placed in wet sand or sawdust for 7 days. During this period, they hatch.

Asparagus is grown in seedling and non-seedling methods.In the first version, sowing is carried out in March - February. Seedlings grow slowly, in 1.5 months they reach only 15 cm. If it is not possible to grow seedlings in apartment conditions, in late May - early June the seeds are planted in the ground.

Possible problems

Possible problems when growing asparagus are most often the consequences of improper care:

Lack of flowering or yellowing of lateral shoots speaks of dry air.
Pale color of the crown indicates an overabundance of light at the location of the asparagus.
Yellowing and falling leaves - cladodia may be associated with a lack of calcium due to watering the plant with too soft water. The plant, which is accustomed to saline soils, prefers hard, settled water.

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2 comments

My asparagus stood on the windowsill in winter and its leaves began to turn yellow, growth slowed down, I could not understand the reason in any way. After reading the article, I realized that hot and dry air has a negative effect, and my plant was right above the heating radiator. After I removed the plant away from the battery, it became much better, the appearance of the asparagus improved, it began to grow in size.

Asparagus lived in my house for about 3 years. Moreover, I noticed that he either disliked me or did not like me in my house. It was located in different parts of the house, near the battery, far from them, high, etc., but in the end, wherever it stood, it poured with terrible force, everywhere there was such small rubbish from it, this is torment. in the end, I parted with him.

Care features

Asparagus Sprenger does not like when other house plants grow next to him. He also doesn't like moving to a new place. Therefore, experienced flower growers plant it in hanging baskets and leave it there for many years. It is said that under this condition, asparagus blooms more often.

With careless care, asparagus leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, sometimes brown spots appear on them. This happens when there is insufficient watering, excessive dryness of the air, or with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Old and weak branches should be cut regularly. From this, the crown of the plant becomes thicker.

With the right care, your plant will grow luxuriantly.

Features of distillation

To feast on asparagus in winter, in late autumn it is dug up along with a clod of earth. They do this only when all the shoots are dry.

The root ball is planted in a voluminous box (container, pot) with fertile soil. Required container parameters: length and width - 50 cm; depth - 20-30 cm. Rhizomes are straightened and sprinkled with the same soil. Plantings are watered abundantly, covered with foil to retain moisture. The optimum room temperature is + 18… + 20 ° C. The harvest will ripen in 1.5 months.