Description and photo of the platycodon plant, planting and caring for a shirokokolokolchik in the open field, breeding rules, tips for combating pests and diseases, interesting notes, varieties.
Platycodon (Platycodon) can be found under the name Shirokolokolchik. The plant is classified as a genus containing only one species - Large-flowered bellflower or Platycodon grandiflorus. The genus is part of the very extensive Campanulaceae family. In nature, such a representative of the flora is found in the Far East, in the eastern regions of Siberia, it is not uncommon in Chinese and Japanese lands, as well as in Korea. It prefers to settle on slopes with a rocky substrate, in forest glades and forest edges. Today, through the efforts of breeders, a large number of varieties have been bred, which differ from the basic variety in color of flowers and height of stems.
| Family name | Bellflower |
| Growing period | Perennials |
| Vegetation form | Herbaceous |
| Breeding method | Mainly by seed, but occasionally by cuttings |
| Landing period in open ground | End of May or beginning of June, when return frosts will take place |
| Landing rules | It is recommended to leave the distance between seedlings 25-30 cm |
| Priming | Loose loam with a little sand |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 6, 5-7 (neutral) |
| Lighting degree | Sunny and open location or slight partial shade |
| Humidity parameters | The first 14 days after planting - daily, then in moderation - once every 3 days |
| Special care rules | Regular pinching and feeding |
| Height values | 0.4–1.2 m |
| Inflorescence shape or type of flowers | Single flowers or paniculate inflorescences |
| Flower color | From pale blue to deep blue, occasionally snow-white or purple |
| Flowering time | From mid-June |
| Decorative period | Summer |
| Application in landscape design | Flower beds, flower beds, mixborders, for decorating paths |
| USDA zone | 4–8 |
The genus got its name from the fusion of a pair of Greek words such as "platys" and "kodon", which means "wide" or "equal" and "bell", respectively. This indicates the outer outline of the flowers of the plant. Due to the natural place of growth, you can often hear such a term as the Japanese bell.
Platycodon is a herbaceous perennial, the stem of which is bare and with some bluish tint. Its size can start from 40 cm and even reach 1.2 m in height, but basically the parameters fluctuate between 50-100 cm. breaking, milky juice begins to stand out from it. The stem grows straight or ascending, in the lower part it is covered with thin, longitudinally running grooves, gradually disappearing towards the apex.
The leaf plates are arranged on the stems both alternately and practically in opposite order. The outlines of the leaf can be rhomboid-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. Its length varies within 2, 5-7 cm, with a width of approximately 1-3 cm. On the lower side, the foliage color is pale, the upper side is deep green or bluish. The leaves are devoid of petioles, they are wedge-shaped at the base, the edge is serrated or there are large denticles along it. The top of the leaf plate is pulled back into a strongly pointed tip.
It is the flowering that attracts the eye when growing platycodon. So from the middle of June or in July, single apical buds open on the stems. But occasionally, at the ends of the shoots, an apical inflorescence is formed, numbering 1–5 pairs of flowers. The length of the inflorescence reaches 10 cm, but in some specimens this indicator is measured by 25 cm. The pedicels with which the buds are attached to the stem are straight. Until the buds open, they resemble swollen lanterns. The calyx has a bluish tint, its shape is inversely conical, there is an expansion in the upper part. The length of the calyx is 0, 9–1, 5 cm. It is divided into 5 lobes, while their shape is narrowed-triangular with a pointed tip at the apex; also, the teeth of the calyx have a slight bend back. The corolla of the flower gave the name to the plant - it is broadly bell-shaped or looks like a wide funnel. Its color ranges from pale blue to deep blue, in rare cases being almost snow-white or purple.
The length of the corolla is measured in the range of 2, 1–5, 2 cm. The corolla is composed of five lobes, characterized by ovoid or ovoid-triangular contours. The tops of the lobes are pointed and curved. 5 free stamens grow inside the corolla; at the base, the filaments are characterized by a triangular expansion. The anthers crowning them are 6.7–7 mm long. The base of the column is thickened, there is a deep cleavage into 5 stigmas, which diverge on the sides in the form of a star.
After the insects pollinate the flowers of the bellflower, the fruits will begin to ripen, which have the shape of a box sticking up. Its outlines are straight, ovoid, the length reaches 1.5–2 cm and the width is about 1–1, 2 cm. When fully ripe, the capsule will open in the upper part with five teeth. The inside of the capsule contains seeds that have the shape of an ellipse or an egg, they have a characteristic flattening and a shiny surface. The seed color is blackish. The length of the seed reaches 2–2, 4 mm with a width of about 1–1, 3 mm.
Platicodon is a plant that is not capricious, despite its decorative effect. If you do not violate the rules of agricultural technology below, then it will thank you for many years with lush and colorful flowering.
Platicodon - planting and care in the open field
- Landing place Japanese bellflower should be well lit, but the plant can tolerate light partial shade. If the light level is low, then the stems will be very elongated, the color of the leaves will turn pale, and flowering, if it starts, then few flowers are formed and their sizes are crushed. Since the root system of the plant lies quite deep in the soil, the proximity of groundwater is undesirable. It is important to carefully consider the place for planting, since due to the fragility of the roots, the shirokokolokolka is not transplanted. Usually, a plant, without changing its location, can remain in one place for almost a decade.
- Planting soil Platycodone should be loose and quite nutritious. The best choice would be loam with the addition of river sand. The last component in the substrate should be a little. In this case, the soil should not be too wet. Acidity indicators are preferable neutral with a pH of 6, 5–7.
- Platycodon planting is carried out during the period when return frosts completely recede - the time is from the end of May to the beginning of June. Before planting, you should dig the substrate in the selected area and combine the soil with fertilizers. They can be the following mixture - a tablespoon of a complete mineral complex (for example, Kemira-Universal) and half a glass of wood ash. Funds are paid on the basis of 1 m2. Landing holes are dug at a distance of 25–30 cm from each other. The volume of the holes should slightly exceed the earthen ball surrounding the root system of the Japanese bell seedling. Before planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly, which will help not to suffer so much from the transplant. Some gardeners completely immerse the container with the seedling in water, and when air bubbles stop rising from the surface of the soil, remove the plant from the pot. In order not to bother with such a transplant, it is recommended to use pots made of pressed peat with humus when diving. A shirokokolokolchik sapling is installed in the hole, then it is filled to the top with soil and squeezed a little. After that, it is necessary to abundantly moisten the substrate around the seedlings.
- Watering when caring for Platicodon, it is recommended to carry out an abundant one for 14 days for newly planted plants. When this time is over, the soil is moistened moderately, only 3 times a week. After each watering or rain, the soil should be loosened and weeds should be pulled out. To prevent the soil from drying out quickly and the less rapid growth of weeds after planting, Japanese bell seedlings should be mulched with peat chips or humus.
- Fertilizers when growing a shirokolokolchik, it is recommended to be carried out once a month. Such drugs can be complete mineral complexes (for example, Kemira-Universal or Fertika). Do not overuse nitrogen products. Since they will contribute to the growth of deciduous mass, and a little flowers will be tied.
- Pinching. Since Japanese bells tend to stretch strongly upward, even growing in a sunny place, and at the same time may lose their decorative effect, it is recommended to periodically engage in pinching the tops of the stems. You should also be treated with inhibitors that will slow down growth. The drug Athlete can act as such a remedy. If it happened that the stems of the plant became too high, then it is recommended to think about a garter so that the gusts of wind do not break them off. To maintain decorativeness, it is necessary to periodically remove faded inflorescences.
- Collecting shirokokolokolchik seeds. It is possible to determine that it is time to collect seed material by the condition of the fruits. When the box began to crack from the inside, then this is a sign of the full ripeness of its filling. The collection is recommended to be performed at a time when the pedicels are completely dry, and this time corresponds to September. However, since cross-pollination by a number of growing varieties is possible, the output may result in plants with completely different corolla shades than the mother bushes.
- Wintering the Japanese bell does not require much effort. Since the plant is characterized by a long-term growth cycle, then with the arrival of the autumn cold snap, when the flowering process is completely completed, it is necessary to cut off the entire above-ground part of the bush to the ground level. After that, the area where platycodons grow should be mulched using peat chips, humus, sawdust or spruce branches and dried foliage.
- The use of platycodon in landscape design. Since the shirokokolokolchik is characterized by decorative spreading outlines of the bush, it is recommended to plant them in flower beds and flower beds, as a group planting in the central part of the lawn. Low-growing varieties can be used to plant paths and curbs. Such plants look good next to garden buildings and fences. Platycodon does not differ in aggressive growth and allows its green "neighbors" to grow quietly, so it can be planted without fear in any flower garden. A good combination would be peonies and phlox planted nearby, as well as various types and varieties of irises. Depending on the height of the stems, it is recommended to plant shirokololchik both in the foreground and in the background of the phytocomposition or in its center. Since there are varieties with shoots that do not exceed 25–34 cm in height, such plantings can fill the voids between stones in rock gardens or rockeries. Its blue flowers are well set off by conifers with a shrub form.
Also, Japanese bell bushes can be used to decorate balconies or verandas if planting is carried out in garden pots. However, since the plant needs a constant supply of fresh air, it is rather difficult to cultivate it indoors. Inflorescences, due to their durability, which is not lost for 7-10 days, are perfect for cutting and making bouquets.
Read also about growing a bell in your garden bed
Platycodon breeding rules: growing from seeds and cuttings
Often, it is customary to propagate a shirokokolokolchik generatively - using seeds, but in rare cases, a vegetative method is also used - rooting cuttings.
Reproduction of platikodon using seeds
Seed material, which was collected after the ripening of the bolls, can be immediately sown in open ground in autumn or spring. But it is often recommended to grow seedlings. Sowing in seedling boxes is carried out in the last winter week or with the arrival of March. But here you will have to carry out preparatory work with the seeds in order to accelerate their germination. The seed is placed in a gauze or cotton bag and placed in a small container of water. The seeds should be there for at least a day so that they absorb moisture well and swell.
Purchased soil for flower plants is poured into a seedling container (you can take a box or a large pot), but many growers prefer to make up the soil mixture on their own from equal proportions of river sand, peat substrate and humus. The soil is well loosened and seeds ready for sowing are placed in it. There are two opinions about the seeds being buried in the soil, according to which, in the first case, the seeds are simply laid out on the surface of the soil mixture, in the second case, they should be sealed to a depth of no more than 3-5 mm, after which the crops are powdered with a thin sand layer.
In any case, when the seeds are visited in a container, they are moistened using a finely dispersed spray bottle and water with a temperature of 20-22 degrees. The irrigation field is covered with a transparent plastic wrap to create conditions with high humidity. The place where the seedling container will stand should be light and with room heat indicators. The next watering should be done if the top layer of the soil dries up. Usually, after 7-14 days, you can see the first shoots of Platycodon. This will be the signal for the film to be removed.
For growing seedlings of Japanese bellflower, the heat indices must be reduced to 18–20 degrees, so that the stems do not stretch too much and do not weaken. With such care, soil moistening is carried out as needed, and after watering the soil, it is recommended to loosen it very carefully. When the seedlings develop two pairs of true leaf plates, a dive is performed in separate pots using the same soil composition. The diameter of the planting capacity should not be more than 10 cm. Until the weather conditions permit, that is, when the threat of recurrent frosts has passed, the seedlings of the shirokokolokolchik grow indoors. A week before the transplant, you can start hardening the seedlings. For this, plants are exposed to fresh air during the day for 15–20 minutes, gradually increasing this time.
Propagation of platycodon by cuttings
Although this method takes place, it does not end with success for many. In the spring, for grafting, it is recommended to cut stem blanks with a heel and a pair of internodes. Then the cuttings are planted in loose peat-sandy soil and covered with a plastic bottle with a cut bottom. Maintenance should consist of watering when the soil dries and daily airing. When signs of rooting appear, you can transplant Japanese bell seedlings into open ground.
If the bush grows in sandy soil, then you can try to divide it. To do this, the platycodone is carefully removed from the substrate and examined. When it is noticed that the plant has formed shoots with renewal buds, then they must be very carefully separated from the mother's root system. The division is carried out with a very sharp knife or other garden tool. All cuts should be sprinkled with crushed charcoal or activated carbon at once and the cuttings should be planted in a prepared place in the garden. However, it should be remembered that such parts of the Japanese bell are very difficult to take root, which cannot be said about seedlings obtained by the seedling method.
Pest and disease control of Platicodone at home
The plant is distinguished not only by its decorative effect, but also by its resistance to damage by pests and diseases. But if the cultivation technique is often violated, this will lead to the appearance of fungal diseases, usually provoked by excessively moist soil and a decrease in heat indicators in the summer to 18 degrees and below. Among such diseases, the greatest harm can be caused by gray rot, which manifests itself in the form of "dust" of a grayish color, reminiscent of a fluffy coating.
Usually young leaves, flowers and unblown buds are affected first. If such symptoms are noticed, then it is recommended to remove all parts damaged by plaque, and the plant should be treated with fungicidal preparations, such as Fundazol in 2% concentration or copper sulfate. The drug Topaz-M at a concentration of 1% has been recommended for the fight against this disease. After 7-10 days, the treatment will most likely have to be repeated. However, if the infection of the shrub shrubs is large, then it is better to remove them from the site and burn them so that the infection does not spread to neighboring plants.
Harmful insects show no interest in the Japanese bell, but mice and moles, which prefer to feast on the succulent and fleshy root system of the plant, can cause significant harm to it. To get rid of such rodents, you should use special traps, for example, SuperCat mouse traps, SKAT62 or SWISSINNO mole traps, as well as glue traps and chemicals, such as the rodenticide preparation Bros.
Interesting notes about shirokolokolchik
The large-flowered bellflower is often confused with the broad-leaved bell (Campanula latifolia), but the plants are distinguished by many things. To begin with, platycodon mainly grows in nature in the eastern regions of Siberia, in China, Japan, and so on, while the bell is found both in Asia Minor and Europe, as well as in the Transcaucasus, in Altai and the Himalayas. The foliage of the shirokokolokolchik is naked, while in Campanula it is pubescent; there are also winged petioles here, which Platycodon does not have. Inflorescences in Platycodon, paniculate or single flowers, crown the tops of the stems, while the bell has a racemose form of inflorescences. The color is also different, since the corolla at the bell is mostly purple, occasionally whitish, and the platycodon has blue shades of petals.
The Japanese bell has been introduced into the culture since 1872, but the plant became most famous only with the advent of the 20th century. Occasionally gardeners, growing such a representative of the flora as Codonopsis ussuriensis, assume that they are cultivating a broad bell, but even the name indicates their mistake, since "codonopsis" translates as "similar to a bell". However, it has nothing to do with the first or the second plant, and besides, when flowering, an unpleasant, pungent aroma spreads around.
Platycodon varieties
Since the species is unique in the genus, but the outlines are quite attractive, more and more garden varieties began to appear through the efforts of breeders. The most successful and decorative ones are presented below:
Album
characterized by upright stems that reach 0.6–0.8 m. The opening flowers are large, the diameter of the opening is almost 8 cm. The color of the corolla is snow-white, while some specimens have a pattern of blue venation on the petals. The flowering process takes the period of all summer months, it is used in flower beds.
Shell Pink
miles Pink seashell, although it is a herbaceous perennial, it has shrubby outlines, and the height of the shoots is almost 80 cm. From June, their tops begin to be decorated with large blossoming funnel-shaped flowers, the diameter of which reaches almost 8 cm. The petals are of a delicate pink shade. It is used for decorating tracks.
Mariesii blue
is the most popular among garden flower lovers. The height of the stems does not exceed 35 cm. The open corollas of blue or lavender bright colors give a large size. It is used in various landscape solutions.
Fairy Snow
or Snow fairy - the bush can reach 0.8 m with shoots, the flowering process takes the entire summer period. Flowers with a very delicate color, which includes a white and pale lilac shade, while each of the petals is decorated with thin veins of a blue tone.
Snowflakes
or Snowflakes, characterized by stems reaching half a meter in height. The variety has semi-double flowers and snow-white petals, which stand out favorably against a green background, both of leaves and grass of lawns.
Mose of Pearl
or Nacre, the owner of stems, reaching a height of 0.6 m, in summer, which are decorated at the tops of pale pinkish flowers.
Apoyama
its outlines are very similar to the usual field bell. The height of the stems does not exceed 20 cm. Large leaf plates unfold on the stems, the tops are decorated with large flowers, the corollas of which are shaded with a violet-blue tone. In the inflorescence, the flowers are arranged in such a way that the open corollas seem to "look" on different sides. Recommended for planting in rock gardens and rockeries.
Astra
a fairly popular variety with dense bushes, the stems of which do not exceed 25 cm in height. The diameter of an open flower reaches 10 cm. There are semi-double varieties in which the corolla is two-row. The variety combines plants with different colors of petals in a flower:
- Astra Blue - has a pale blue shade of petals;
- Astra pink - flaunts with a pale pinkish corolla;
- Astra Semi Double Blue - characterized by a flower composed of two rows of lilac petals;
- Astra alba - reveals corollas with snow-white petals adorned with vague veins.
Captivity (Plena)
characterized by a lush corolla of broadly bell-shaped outlines. The color of the flowers of its forms is quite varied, but the very decorative outlines of the stamens add a special effect. The petals in the corolla can vary in shade from snow-white to deep-dark blue.
Fuji
because of the sprawling stems, loose bushes are formed, having a height of only 45 cm. The flowers, when opened, take the outlines of large stars. This includes variations such as Pink, White and Blue, characterized by corollas with petals, respectively, pale pink, snow white and heavenly shades. The color of the leaf plates and stems is bluish.
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Video about growing Platicodon in the open field:
