This genus of plants is widespread, mainly in temperate and northern latitudes, they can be found even in Arctic regions. Often, saxifrage can be seen on rocks, stones. They penetrate into the cracks by roots, thereby destroying them. Probably from here the genus got its name. In Latin saxurn means stone, and frangere means to break. As for ornamental breeding, only one species of plant that belongs to this genus is known here. This is S. stolonifera.
The plant, which is called "saxifrage", is very unpretentious and undemanding neither to heat, nor to humidity. It grows well in an ampel form. Look great examples, consisting of a set of outlets, placed in pendant pots. From them hang, like garlands, thin red "antennae", on which are located many small outlets. The plant can be used as a ground cover in winter gardens.
Sinter saxifrage: species.
This type of saxifrage is also called saxifrage sprout. In Latin, the name sounds like Saxifraga sarmentosa L. f. The plant can be found on stony plots in the mountains of China and Japan. This is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its height reaches about 50 cm. It has long filamentous rooting whips. Almost rounded leaves are collected in a rosette, they have a heart-shaped base. The edges of the leaves are crenate-lobed. On the upper side they are green, with whitish veins, and from the lower side - reddish. Flowers of plants are collected in brushes of complex shape, the petals are reddish or white.
The plant begins to blossom in May. This deciduous ornamental plant. It is spread both as a potter and as an ampel, thanks to its beautiful lashes hanging down. It is highly appreciated as a plant of winter gardens, ground cover plants of greenhouses and room culture.
This plant also has a characteristic feature: it forms a threadlike long "antennae" of a reddish hue. At their ends, rosettes are formed from the leaves. These "antennae" can be quite long (up to a meter). Often a plant is called a "beard" or "spider", or "hair of Venus".
Saxifraga stolonifera Tricolor variegated leaves. This species is not so decorative, so it is less well known in culture.
Saxifrage: leaving.
Houseplant saxifrage likes places semi-shadowed type. Pots with saxifrage should be placed on the windows on the west side or on the east side. It grows well on the north window sill. On the southern side of the plant must be pritenyat not to get direct sunlight. The saxifrage loves fresh air, so it can be carried out in the summer, for example, on a balcony or veranda. If the lighting is very intense, then the plant becomes faded, and if the lighting is not enough, the decorativeness also suffers.
Optimal is the temperature of the plant's content within 20 or 25 degrees. This is true for the whole season. In winter, the plant feels better in coolness. The variegated form of the plant prefers a temperature regime of 18 degrees.
Watering saxifrage should be moderate in the fall and in the spring. Re-watering should be done when the upper layers of earth in the pot dry. In winter they water very little, but do not allow the land to dry out. From the first spring days, watering starts more. Water for irrigation must have time to stand.
The leaves of the plant should also be sprayed with water, which has already stood. This is especially true for summer and spring.
The saxifrage is a plant that loves top dressing. They can be carried out in the summer and in the winter, approximately once a couple of months. The fertilizer solution should be weak. In the spring and in the summer, the plant needs to be fed every 14 days. If the plant does not have enough nutrient connections, then the petioles are stretched, the shoots begin to grow randomly.
In the last days of spring, rare inflorescences of inflorescence with pink or white flowers, which beautifully fall in the form of stars, are formed. The plant blooms in summer, and for a very long time. Floral loose panicles on arrows grow from the middle of the plant. After the flowering, the plant loses decorativeness and attractiveness, so when such arrows appear, it is better to remove them.
This houseplant must be transplanted as necessary. Capacities for transplantation should be shallow, flat, because saxifrages do not tolerate the souring of the substrate badly. To saxifrage gave more beautifully hanging rosettes, in each pot you need to plant a few young seedlings. The acidity of the soil for transplantation should be about 6, in composition it should be humic. The composition of the substrate includes clayey-turf earth, leafy (part) and sand (half as much). It is also possible to compose a substrate from an equal amount of sand, peat, humus, leaf, sod land. The bottom of the pot should be covered with good drainage.
Sawclaws can be propagated by slices from shoots. They can immediately be planted in pots, even a few pieces. Scourge after rooting on the ground can be separated and also planted in pots. The land includes a sod type of land and humus plus sand (less than twice). You need to water the shoots abundantly.
Saplings: medicinal properties.
From the juice of plants make drops that are used to treat ear ailments. With juice make bandages, which treat abscesses and other inflammations. Decoction of the plant - a good antipyretic, disinfectant. It is used for frostbite, furuncles and wounds with pus.
Saplings: difficulties in growing.
If the temperature is too high, then spider mites and worms can attack the saxifrage.
If the plant is in a cold and damp place, then the roots can be rotten. If this happens, then it is necessary to remove the plant from the container, examine the root part. If the socket is alive, and the roots are rotten, then the outlet can be rooted separately. We remove the roots and blackened leaves with traces of rot and root the saxifrage in the pot with a new substrate, and the earth must be loose. It is better if you use the cut sphagnum with sand, in the same proportions mixed. We put the pot under a translucent hood or a bag of polyethylene. Put the pot in the light in the heat. Approximately, after four weeks, the first leaflet should appear.
Plant saxifrage can be damaged by a spider mite, chervetsom and thrips.