Small garden chamomile, or Pyrethrum, is a perennial flowering plant of the Asteraceae family, widely used for various purposes. Due to its external similarity, chamomile is often confused with other plants of the Asteraceae family: gerbera, chrysanthemum, nivaria.
The first mention of chamomile dates back to the eighteenth century; even then, scientists noticed the medicinal properties of this plant and began to use it in the treatment of gynecological diseases. To this day, low growing chamomile is used in medicine: internally in the form of tea or tincture, for diseases of the stomach, intestines, and also as an anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic.
In addition to medicinal purposes, small chamomile is widely used in gardening. It is planted both separately and in combination with other wildflowers, and is grown to create bouquets, ikebana and floral arrangements.
Botanical description
All representatives of the daisy genus have a weak but characteristic odor . The plant is widely used in folk and traditional medicine because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the plant can be used in landscape design and for arranging bouquets of wildflowers.
The classification of chamomile is still not streamlined . There are several systems for its description, each of which considers several dozen species of this plant. The most popular type of chamomile is Chamomile. It is this species that has the most pronounced medicinal properties.
Sometimes daisies are also called other plants that are similar in appearance to this flower. These include pyrethrum, cornflower, as well as some types of asters and chrysanthemums. And, although from a botanical point of view this is not true, all these plants are grown in approximately the same way as ordinary chamomile.
pharmaceutical camomile
Chamomile is a low herbaceous perennial plant with pinnate, dissected leaves.
The chamomile inflorescence is a semicircular basket containing several hundred small flowers. The diameter of the inflorescences ranges from 5 to 20 mm. Their center is yellow or yellow-orange in color, the outer leaves are almost always white. The structure of the inflorescence is quite interesting: in the center there are bisexual flowers, at the edges there are only flowers with pistils.
Chamomile inflorescence
Flowering begins quite early . Usually, the first inflorescences appear at the very beginning of spring, in warm areas sometimes as early as early March. Since flowering does not occur simultaneously, blooming daisies can be found even in one area throughout the entire season - from early March to late October. Peak flowering occurs between May and July. Pollination is carried out by wasps or bees.
The fruits of the plant are achenes with a pappus . Fruit ripening occurs within 1-1.5 months after the end of flowering.
Chamomile is grown to produce pharmaceutical raw materials, primarily essential oils and azulene . For this purpose, the inflorescences and tops of the plant are collected.
Characteristics of crop species and varieties
Blue daisy
In addition to the fact that small chamomile (another name is Pyrethrum) has many names, they include more than a hundred species. Most often, about fifty are used in floriculture, descriptions of some of them:
- Pyrethrum hybrid is the progenitor of all subsequent species. It can be with both fairly large and small flowers of various shapes and petal colors: red, yellow, pink and so on.
- Pyrethrum maiden (tansy) is a highly branched plant approximately 50 cm high. It differs from other species in its smaller petal size. In floriculture, varieties of tansy with double spherical flowers no more than 5 cm in diameter, reminiscent of chrysanthemums, are highly valued.
- Pyrethrum corymbosa (meadow chamomile) - single stems, baskets collected in thyroid-shaped inflorescences. There are no hybrid varieties; the color of the petals is most often white.
- Dalmatian chamomile - distinguished by the bright pink color of the petals and the small size of the shoots, only about 50-60 centimeters. It is recommended to plant along the edges or in the center of the flowerbed, then during flowering the bright, attention-grabbing petals will be especially noticeable. There are several ways to plant small daisies. The most common is using seeds.
Planting chamomile
General issues
Chamomile can be grown either by direct planting in the ground or by seedlings. If you don’t want to tinker with seedlings, you can simply sow chamomile seeds in open ground, however, the quality of the resulting plants will not be very good.
Chamomile seeds
The germination rate of the seeds will not be very high, in addition, the planting will be uneven. Over time, the plant will spread over the entire area of the site, however, the time spent on bringing it into relative order will be comparable to growing seedlings.
The plant does not like excessive thickening; It’s better to plant it evenly right away. That is why the seedling method of growing chamomile is more preferable.
Site preparation
Usually, the area for chamomile is prepared before directly planting seeds or plants in the ground. There is no need to prepare it six months before planting. For daisies, you will need a sunny area with soil of normal acidity or close to it. It can also be grown on slightly alkaline soils.
Strongly acidic soils require liming with wood ash ; its application rates depend on the acidity level of the soil, but in the vast majority of cases it is enough to add wood ash at the rate of 200 g per 1 sq. m. m.
Chamomile in early spring
The root system of the plant can spread quite deep, so for growing daisies, soils with a groundwater level of at least 1 m are recommended.
The area must be dug to a depth of 30 cm, loosened and leveled, removing plant debris. After which you should apply complex fertilizer for flowers in the concentration recommended by the manufacturer. At this point, site preparation can be considered complete.
Planting in open ground
Seeds are planted directly in open ground at the end of May or at the end of September. The seeds are evenly distributed over the surface and sprinkled with a very thin layer of crushed soil.
Chamomile seedlings in open ground before thinning
After planting in the spring, the site needs regular watering. Seeds germinate in about 1-2 weeks. As they germinate, it will be clear what to do next with the young seedlings - whether or not they will have to be replanted in empty areas. It is best to do this when 4-5 leaves appear on young plants.
If planting was done in the fall, then one watering will be enough for the seeds; They will sprout anyway only next spring.
Seedling planting method
Seedlings are planted at the end of March. It is best to grow chamomile seedlings in a tray with 4x4 or 5x5 cm cells. But you can use any container at hand, even individual planting using plastic cups.
The soil for seedlings should be light and well-permeable to moisture and air. Usually a simple peat-sand mixture is recommended (peat and sand are mixed in equal proportions).
Planting seeds in a seedling box
The mixture is poured into the cells to the very top, small depressions are made in it. Where two or three chamomile seeds are placed at the same time. The seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of soil on top and watered.
The box with seedlings should be covered with plastic film or glass and placed in a warm place with a temperature of +20-22°C. It is not recommended to place seedlings directly under direct sunlight, since direct sunlight can destroy young seedlings. Therefore, the box can be placed at some distance from the window opening and protected from drafts.
On the other hand, seedlings require about 14 hours of daylight to develop normally. For this purpose, it is recommended to use fluorescent lamps, which will provide additional lighting at night.
Chamomile seedlings a month after planting
The seedlings need to be watered as needed (the substrate must be constantly moderately moistened) , and also ventilated daily for 15-30 minutes, removing the protective film or glass.
After 1-2 weeks, the seeds will germinate and young plants will appear on the surface . The shelter is removed, but additional protection from drafts is provided. The box with seedlings can be moved closer to the windowsill, but do not forget about the danger of direct sunlight. It is necessary to either shade the box with seedlings, or think about how to get diffused sunlight.
When the plants reach a height of about 5 cm, they should be thinned out , leaving one of the strongest plants in each cell. In this case, there is no need to uproot the seedlings; you need to carefully pinch them off at ground level so as not to damage the root system. Also at this time you need to pinch the remaining seedlings at a level above the third leaf. This will additionally stimulate the formation of new leaves and shoots.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Produced 1-1.5 months after planting. In a previously prepared area, holes are made 10-20 cm deep. The seedlings are planted in several rows; The distance between plants in a row should be from 20 to 40 cm, and between rows 40 cm.
Chamomile in open ground
A seedling is placed in a hole along with a lump of earth, carefully sprinkled with soil, compacted and watered. At this stage, no additional fertilizing (except for the previously applied complex fertilizer for flowers) is required.
Plant care
Watering chamomile
Watering
- After planting seedlings in open ground, they need to be watered abundantly for a month so that they adapt to new conditions and begin active vegetation . After stable rooting (which usually occurs 15-20 days after transplantation), watering should become more moderate. Ideally, natural rainfall levels are sufficient for chamomile.
- Adult plants should be watered abundantly only in dry weather or during flowering . Watering is carried out in the evening, the water should be warm, it can get on the leaves and flowers. Therefore, sprinkling is often used to water daisies.
- To preserve moisture in the soil, it is recommended to mulch the place where daisies are planted with peat about 3 cm thick. This will solve two problems at once - preventing the formation of a crust on the surface of the soil and fertilizing with organic fertilizers.
Nitroammofoska is used for the second feeding of chamomile
Feeding
- For chamomile, it is recommended to apply four feedings per season . The first is applied in early spring, preferably at the end of March. This is an organic fertilizer consisting of peat or humus. The fertilizer is either placed on the ground and mixed with the top layer of soil, or mulch is made from it.
- A month after the first feeding, the second is applied. It is mineral, consisting of nitrogenous fertilizers. Ammonium nitrate or nitroammophoska is best suited for this purpose. Application rates are 20 or 15 g per square meter. m respectively. The fertilizer is evenly distributed between the rows; watering does not need to be done.
- When the plant begins to budding, a third feeding should be applied. It is not global in nature, since it is actually a continuation of the previous one. Fertilizers are applied only to those bushes that have a faded appearance and short shoots and leaves. It is recommended to add from 5 to 10 g of urea for each such bush.
- The last feeding of the season is done in the fall . In the middle or end of September, wood ash or dolomite flour is added to the row spacing in an amount of 200 g per 1 sq. m. m.
Chamomile is not “friendly” with weeds
Other care activities
Chamomile also needs regular weeding and loosening of the soil. Loosening is recommended to be done after each watering, or, if the soil is under mulch, as it is depleted.
The plant is very sensitive to weeds . Therefore, once a month it is recommended to thoroughly weed the area with daisies.
We should also talk about preparing the plant for winter . If winters are relatively warm and the temperature does not drop below -15°C, chamomile does not need shelter. Otherwise, at the end of the season it is necessary to cover the chamomile for the winter. Typically, foliage, sawdust, or any other covering material at hand is used for this purpose. Its layer should be from 15 to 20 cm. The stems of the plant are cut off at surface level.
Another important component of chamomile care is bush rejuvenation . Usually it is done once every 4-5 years. In this case, the bush is divided into two parts directly in the garden bed, without removing it from the ground. To do this, use a shovel to cut off and dig up half of the plant’s root system, and add fertile soil to the resulting hole.
The depth of the pit is about 30 cm.
After three years, the bush is rejuvenated , but the other half of its root system is removed.
Report option for children in grades 3-4
The description of a chamomile flower for grade 3 and older implies deepening knowledge.
For such a child, you can add the information below to your essay.
“There are approximately 25 varieties of chamomile growing in the world. Some of them are used to treat people, for example, chamomile. It is prescribed for colds, indigestion and to calm the nerves.
The name of the flower comes from the Latin word “romana”, previously it was called Romana flower. In Ancient Egypt, people worshiped the god Ra (sun). Since chamomile looks like a luminary, it was also considered divine.
This is the kind of magical flower each of us can meet on the street and admire its beauty.”
The description of the chamomile flower for grade 4, in addition to the information provided, can be supplemented with the following information.
“Chamomile blooms in summer: from May to September. The height of the plant reaches 60 cm.
The flower is used not only to treat diseases, but also in cosmetology to create masks, soaps and creams.
Chamomile, in my opinion, is a symbol of our country. Many poems and songs are dedicated to her. Artists depict the plant in paintings. Girls wear dresses with this pattern. Chamomile is also designated as the emblem of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. This holiday is celebrated on July 8.”
Chamomile propagation
The most common method of plant propagation is propagation by seeds. The seeds are collected after several large inflorescences have faded and completely dried out. They should be cut and placed to dry in a dry, well-ventilated area.
When the inflorescences are completely dry, you need to remove the seeds from the middle flowers and place them on a piece of paper. After this, the seeds must be sifted and excess husks and flower remains removed. Seeds should be stored in paper bags at room temperature in a shaded and dry place. Under such conditions, seed germination is maintained for three years. Planting a plant with seeds was described earlier.
Obtaining plant seeds
Less common is chamomile propagation by dividing the bush. Usually, it is carried out either simultaneously with the rejuvenation of the plant, or somewhat more often (every 2-3 years). In the first case, the bush is simply divided into two identical parts directly in the ground using a shovel, and half of it is dug up and transplanted to a new place.
If a more controlled division of the plant is required, then the chamomile bush is dug up completely . It is inspected, weak or diseased parts of the root system are rejected, and young and strong shoots are separated from the main bush. They are planted in a new location in pre-prepared holes, which should be pre-moistened and humus, peat or compost added to them.
This procedure is recommended to be done in September. It is advisable to do this in cloudy and cool weather in the evening.
Some gardeners recommend dividing the bush annually . In the winter, the chamomile shoots will still be cut off, so the bush will in any case re-form its vegetative part, and thinned bushes have a higher growth rate. The main thing is not to forget about autumn and spring feeding.
Are chamomile leaves used for medicinal or culinary purposes?
Only chamomile inflorescences are used as medicinal raw materials, since they contain the largest amount of useful substances. There are no descriptions of recipes using the roots or herbs of the plant. The latter can be found in medicinal preparations, which can be bought at the pharmacy in loose packaging or in bags, but the content of such impurities is permissible at a level of no more than a few percent of the total mass.
Chamomile leaves have a bitter taste. Some sources say that they are sometimes used as a spice, but recipes for dishes to which they would be added are not known.
Useful video: how to distinguish chamomile from similar plants right in nature
Pests and diseases
Chamomile, although it has strong bactericidal and repellent properties, is itself susceptible to attacks by pests or diseases. This can happen for various reasons, but the main one is always improper care. Usually a mistake in care is untimely watering, either too rare or too frequent.
Diseases
Manifestation of rust
Basically, chamomile is affected by fungal infections, among which are the following:
1 Powdery mildew. Its manifestation is the formation of a whitish coating on the leaves and stems. Sometimes the root system of the plant is also affected. Over time, the plaque acquires a brown tint.
2 Fusarium. Most often it affects young plants of the first and second years of life. The disease affects the root system, but becomes noticeable when rot appears on the root collar. The affected part of the plant turns brown instead of green. The leaves turn yellow and the shoots become thin.
3 Rust. With this disease, the upper side of the leaves becomes covered with red or black spots, and black fungal bodies with spores appear on the underside.
4 Gray rot. It is characterized by many necrotic spots on all parts of the plant. The spots grow very quickly and a grayish mycelium appears on them. When the first symptoms of damage appear, the plant should be treated with fungicides. These may be Topaz, Fundazol or Kuproxat. You should strictly adhere to all recommendations for the use of products specified by the manufacturer. Typically, plants are processed twice with a break of 10 days. Collection of material from plants treated with fungicides is allowed if the last treatment was carried out no earlier than 20 days before collection. It is better to miss one year's harvest than to receive medicinal material with fungicide residues.
If gray rot appears, the plant should be destroyed as quickly as possible , and the soil in its place should be treated with any anti-fungal agent.
However, it is best to prevent fungal infections from occurring by using preventive methods. These include, first of all, a competent watering schedule, as well as regular loosening of the soil and weeding.
Pests
Chamomile affected by aphids
Among insects, chamomile can be attacked by aphids, thrips, wireworms and star flies.
1 Aphids and thrips . The most common pests of almost all garden crops. These insects can be found on all parts of the plant. Densely clinging to its stems and leaves, they suck the juices from the soft tissues of the plant. Numerous microtraumas can form on the leaves: spots, stripes or dots. Damaged tissues begin to die over time, the foliage withers and falls. The flowers also become deformed and lose their attractive appearance. Measures to combat aphids are quite simple - the plant must be treated with insecticides. For this purpose, specialized anti-tick products, so-called acaricides (for example, Karbofos or Agravertin), are best suited.
2 Wireworms. In fact, this is not a separate species of insect, but the larvae of a click beetle. They live in the soil for several years and damage the roots of the plant. Most often, the larvae attack potatoes and plants that are planted next to them. The best way to get rid of wireworms are traps. Place a small piece of potato, carrot or beet at the bottom of a small hole, and cover the hole itself with a board. Regularly, every 2-3 days, you should lift the board and get rid of trapped pests.
3 Star-winged fly. Adult plants and larvae infect the central shoots and inhibit plant growth. As a rule, larvae accumulate in large groups. It is recommended to treat the plant with insecticides, as well as manual collection and destruction of the larvae.
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The content of the article:
1.Description of garden chamomile.
2. Useful properties and contraindications of garden chamomile.
3. Varieties of garden chamomile.
- Varieties of white garden daisies.
- Varieties of multi-colored garden daisies.
4.Planting garden chamomile.
- Time and place for landing.
- The soil.
- Landing technique.
5.Caring for garden chamomile.
- Watering and loosening.
- Feeding.
6. Diseases of garden chamomile. 7. Propagation of garden chamomile.
- Reproduction by dividing the bush.
- Propagation by cuttings.
- Propagation by seeds.
- Propagation by seedlings.
Garden chamomile belongs to the perennial flowering plants of the Asteraceae or Multiflora family. The genus includes more than 20 species of different representatives. Garden chamomile is a herbaceous plant, ranging from 50 to 120 cm in height. The stem is thin, dark green. The leaves are also lush green tones, depending on the type of garden chamomile, either pinnately dissected with many thin lobes, or elongated with carved edges. The inflorescences resemble baskets, with a diameter of 3 to 9 cm. Chamomile petals are elongated, smooth and thin, usually located in the first row. The fruit is an elongated black and white achene; after collection, the seeds do not lose their viability for more than 2 years. Garden chamomile blooms at the end of May and delights with its flowers until the end of July. Some varieties can repeat flowering closer to September. Garden chamomile is very easy to care for, prefers to grow in sunny places, is not afraid of cold weather, loves moist soil and fertilizing, which makes chamomile flowers grow larger.
The scientific name of Chamomile is translated from Latin as “uterus”, which is due to the use of the plant in the treatment of gynecological diseases. The word “chamomile” was adopted into the Russian language from the Polish language, where chamomile was called “Romanov color”. Nivyanik, popovnik, or more familiar to Russian ears, simply garden chamomile, was brought from Central and Southern Europe and Asia many centuries ago.
Garden chamomile is an unpretentious crop, so it can often be found in flower beds in parks and gardens. Garden chamomile also grows well in summer cottages, decorating beds and garden beds with its white flowers. Chamomile gets along well next to any garden plants; it looks especially impressive next to peonies, tulips or hyacinths.
Useful Properties and Contraindications.
Chamomile is actively used in folk medicine. Chamomile decoction contains essential oils, vitamin C, and tannins. The decoction helps calm the nervous system, has antimicrobial properties, helps dilate blood vessels and relieve headaches. Chamomile decoction is also used externally: for gargling, lotions. Chamomile infusion helps with intestinal spasms, diarrhea, and is used as a diaphoretic.
However, it is not recommended to use chamomile decoction for pregnant women or people with individual intolerance. Excessive consumption threatens allergic consequences, and frequent use of chamomile decoctions and tinctures, especially in “shock” doses, can cause nausea, dizziness, poisoning and fainting. You should also not use chamomile decoction if you are intolerant to essential oils.
Varieties.
Varieties of white garden daisies:
Giant Chamomile (Nivyanik).
The chamomile variety is nicknamed because of its large flower size. The diameter of one inflorescence can reach more than 15 cm, the petals are thin, snow-white, the middle of the chamomile is bright yellow. This variety reaches a height of more than half a meter, the stem is thin, green in color, and has many rounded leaves. Giant chamomile will bloom in large inflorescences if it grows in sunny places, but in the shade the plant will grow slowly and the flowers will be smaller. Giant daisy is great for cutting.
Princess.
The variety differs from the previous species in having a smaller flower diameter, its size does not exceed 10 cm. It blooms in white tones, on one flower there are about 15 thin and delicate petals, the middle is bright yellow. It produces stems all summer and blooms from July to September. This variety also prefers open sunny places, fertile and well-moistened soil.
Alaska.
It is distinguished by the large size of the bush, the height of which reaches 90 cm. It is also distinguished by large flowers with many white petals, thanks to which the chamomile bud seems voluminous and lush. The variety is unpretentious in care, like its other brethren, it likes to grow in the sun, moderate watering and fertilizing.
North Star.
The most popular variety among garden daisies. The plant is tall, about 80 cm in height. Chamomile buds are lush, with many white petals, the core of the flower is bright yellow. It is planted with seeds or seedlings, but it will produce flowers only in the second year of growth. It also needs timely watering, loves the sun and nutrients.
Crazy Daisy.
It especially stands out among all varieties of daisies. A bush 60 cm high, with gorgeous fluffy and double flowers, the diameter of the basket is from 7 to 10 cm. The inflorescence consists of many rows with thin white petals, with a yellowish center. The leaves are small, bright green. Flowering period from June to September. The variety does not require special care, except that during the period of filling flowers, chamomile needs timely watering. Reacts well to nitrogen and mineral fertilizers. Chamomile requires shelter for the winter and dividing the bush every 4 years.
Varieties of multi-colored garden daisies:
Pyrethrum.
Perennial plants. The shape of the flower is like a white daisy. A round flower, the diameter of which exceeds 10 cm. Like white daisies, pyrethrum prefers moist and nutritious soils, but it is not recommended to plant it in open sunny areas. The flower grows best in partial shade. Propagated by both seeds and seedlings. Flower color can be found in 2 types: pink, the buds are deep pink, the flowers are more than 12 cm in diameter, and the bush itself is 60 cm high; red, the inflorescences are bright red, the bright yellow middle, densely surrounded by red petals, looks especially beautiful.
Doronicum.
Another variety of chamomile, but it has bright yellow petals. The petals are openwork, which is why the flower grows lush and seems terry. Yellow petals surround a convex, brown center. Doronicum is unpretentious to nutrients in the soil, watering and undemanding to the sun. However, after five years of growth, it is better to divide the bush and replant it in new places.
Landing.
Time and place for landing:
Garden chamomile reproduces mainly by seedlings. Garden chamomile seedlings need to be planted in early March, then by May the seedlings will have become stronger and can be moved into open ground. Garden chamomile can be planted by simply dividing the bush; it is better to divide the bush in the spring; the separated part will quickly take root in a new place and will produce inflorescences next year. You can plant the bush in the fall, but then it is better to cover the transplanted chamomile bushes in the first winter, otherwise they may not get stronger and die from frost.
It is better to choose a sunny place for garden chamomile, where there will be a lot of sunlight throughout the day. Garden chamomile growing in the shade will bloom with small flowers, and the plant itself will be weak. After 2-3 years, the chamomile bushes will grow, so when planting seedlings it is better to leave about 30-40 cm between the bushes.
The soil:
Garden chamomile is an unpretentious plant and can grow in poorly nutritious soils. However, in order for the plant to delight with large and lush flowers, it is better to choose loose and nutritious soil. Chamomile grows well in sandy, well-drained soils that contain lime. When planting, it is better to avoid acidic, clayey or salty soils. In addition, garden chamomile needs timely watering, especially in hot and dry weather. But overwatering the plant threatens the development of root rot and other diseases.
Landing technique:
Planting garden chamomile is very simple; the plant quickly takes root and does not require special care even in the first days after planting. First you need to prepare the ground, dig small holes measuring 30x40 cm. Remove lumps and weeds from the ground. You can put peat and fallen leaves at the bottom of the hole. Next, the chamomile is placed in a hole and sprinkled with earth. The soil around the root of the plant should be lightly crushed. It is better to water chamomile with slightly warm water. In the first days, the plant will hurt, its leaves will droop, and the plant itself will droop, which is how chamomile endures the first days after planting. But after a couple of days, its leaves will rise and it will begin to grow. Timely watering will promote faster growth. After a couple of weeks, the garden chamomile can be fed.
Care.
Watering and loosening:
Garden chamomile is a moisture-loving plant that requires constant maintenance of moist soil. The plant especially needs moisture in hot and dry weather. Mature chamomile needs at least twice a week of watering. Garden chamomile is very sensitive to loose soils, so the plant needs to be loosened at least once a week. Lush soil gives oxygen to the roots, weeds are removed, which means the flower will not only accelerate growth, but will delight with buds all summer.
Feeding:
It is not at all necessary to feed garden chamomile if the plant is planted on well-nutrient soil. Chamomile is able to provide itself with the necessary nutrients. But the flower loves feeding and after it it grows much faster, the buds become larger in size, and their number increases. Responds well to mineral, potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. Loves sand, ash, peat and humus. Garden chamomile especially prefers simple urea. The plant needs to be fed at least 2 times during the summer. The first time fertilizer is applied in the spring, when the bushes are still small, the second time it is necessary to feed it as soon as the plant begins to fill buds.
Diseases of garden chamomile.
White rot: This disease affects the root system of the flower, causing brown spots to form on the roots of the plant. The disease is also transmitted to the leaves and buds of the flower. Chamomile quickly stops its growth, the flowers dry out and die. To save the plant, it is better to transplant it to a new place, destroying the diseased roots and treating them with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Root rot: Often occurs on daisy seedlings; older plants are less susceptible to this disease. Dark spots form around the root collar, the stem of the plant begins to rot, turns black and the chamomile breaks. White spots form at the site of the dead plant. Most often, this disease occurs on poorly aerated soils, where there is little moisture and insufficient nutrients.
Powdery mildew: This disease damages the plant mainly in mid-summer, during dry and arid weather. A white coating appears on the inside of the leaves, which spreads not only on the leaves, but also on the stem of the entire plant. Infected chamomile does not develop, produces small flowers and slowly dies.
Rust: Another disease of garden chamomile that occurs in the second half of July. Small light brown spots appear on chamomile leaves, which damage the entire plant. If preventive measures are not taken in time, the plant will completely die by the end of summer. An effective measure to combat all diseases is spraying garden chamomile with chemicals. Spraying with a solution of potassium permanganate, ash or soap will help. If the disease does not recede, it is recommended to completely cut off the diseased shoots and burn the remains. Next year, garden chamomile will produce young and healthy shoots.
Reproduction.
By dividing the bush:
Garden chamomile needs to be replanted and divided every 5 years. In addition, if you propagate garden chamomile this way, you can get large white flowers at the end of summer. It is better to divide the bush in the spring, but not in hot weather. The chamomile bush is dug up and divided into several parts with a shovel or sharp knife. Each individual part of the bush is planted in a hole with loose and well-moistened soil and sprinkled with earth, after which the chamomile needs watering. In just a couple of days, the garden chamomile will regain its strength and form buds by mid-summer. You can divide the bush in the fall, but then it is better to trim the bushes’ stems and cover them with covering material in the first winter. If planted correctly, the chamomile will bloom next spring.
Propagation by cuttings:
Not every gardener succeeds in propagating garden chamomile by cuttings; although this method is simple, the survival rate of the cuttings is extremely low. The cuttings of the chamomile bush are cut before the buds appear. The cutting is cut no more than 10-12 cm long, from a strong and healthy shoot. To make roots appear faster, a small hole is cut at the end of the cutting, and this is where the roots will begin to appear. The cuttings are placed in a container with water. Within a week, small white roots will begin to appear at the end of the cutting. To prevent the water from stagnating, it must be changed every 2-3 days. After the cutting has formed more than 3 roots, each 3-4 cm long, the cutting can be planted in open ground. It is worth noting that garden chamomile can be propagated by cuttings, but the survival rate of this method is extremely low.
Propagation by seeds:
Garden chamomile is also easily propagated by seeds, which have a high germination rate. Seeds are collected in autumn, preferably from dry and brownish buds. Stored all winter in a dark and dry place. It is better to plant seeds in the spring, in mid-May, when the ground has warmed up sufficiently and the threat of frost has passed. In the spring, the bed is prepared; the soil should be moist, loose, free of weeds and lumps.
The seeds are planted in a garden bed (it is more convenient to sow in rows), sprinkled with earth and sand. In the first week, chamomile seeds need watering, warmth and light. In just a couple of weeks the first shoots will appear. If seeds are planted too often, they need picking. By the beginning of summer, the sprouts should have at least 4 leaves, only then are the young seedlings ready to be transplanted to a permanent place. It is easy to propagate garden chamomile by seeds, it sprouts quickly, and the seedlings do not require special care.
Propagation by seedlings:
Garden chamomile is easily propagated by seedlings. In order to get strong seedlings by the beginning of May, they must be planted in mid-March. It is better to plant seeds in small containers or pots, in the bottom of which holes must be cut to allow water to escape so that it does not stagnate in the ground. The container is filled with earth, mixed with peat and sand, and watered. Chamomile seeds are evenly laid out on the ground, after which they are covered with a thin layer of earth. To make the seeds germinate faster, they are covered with glass or a plastic bag and placed in a sunny place. The covering material should only be opened for watering.
After the first shoots appear, the glass is raised to give the sprouts air and to ventilate the soil, to prevent the development of root rot. Garden chamomile seeds need timely watering, every 2-3 days. Seeds need sun and high air humidity. If the seeds have sprouted too often, they can be thinned out by removing weak and diseased seedlings. By the beginning of May, the sprouts should have at least 4-5 leaves, which indicates that the garden chamomile seedlings are completely ready for transplanting into open ground.
