Neighbors will be delighted: how to grow heather at home

Heather is a real decoration of any garden or home, which fascinates with its delicate colorful flowers and honey smell. This evergreen plant is also known for its endurance and ability to adapt to different conditions.

Its unpretentiousness and long flowering period make heather popular among gardeners and florists. The World of Plants told us how to grow this flower at home.

If you dream of growing a plant at home that will be pleasing to the eye throughout the season without requiring special care, heather is the perfect choice.

What soil is suitable for heather

This plant does well in acidic soil, with a pH level of 4.5 to 6.5, but does not like heavy clay or marshy places.

In order to provide heather with conditions close to natural, you should add acidic peat, compost from the bark and needles of coniferous trees, and sand to the soil. Also, if the groundwater level on the site is high enough, it is recommended to arrange drainage from pebbles or expanded clay.

In addition, to increase the plant's resistance to unfavorable conditions, you can add mycorrhiza to the soil - special fungi that enter into symbiosis with the plant and provide it with additional nutrition. However, even without this, heather is quite hardy and unpretentious.

Planting location

For heather to grow healthy and delight with its flowering, it should be planted in well-lit areas or in light partial shade. Remember, if the plant lacks light, it can lead to weak and short-lived flowering.

It is also important to choose a place protected from flooding to avoid root rot.

Features of planting heather

The easiest way to grow heather is to buy ready-made seedlings. However, if you wish, you can try to grow a plant from seeds. The most favorable periods for planting are spring, when the ground has already warmed up, or early autumn, a month before the onset of frost.

The planting process includes several stages:

• Digging a hole that should be twice as deep as the root system;
• Adding compost, mycorrhiza and fertilizers to the soil;
• Placing the seedling in the hole with an earthen lump on the roots;
• Soil compaction and abundant watering;
• Mulching the area with peat or sawdust to protect the roots from drying out.

Also, to prevent fungal diseases, avoid excessive crowding of plants. The optimal density is from 9 to 15 seedlings per square meter.

How to water heather properly

Newly planted heather seedlings need regular watering.

Adult plants that are already well rooted can do without frequent moistening. They should be watered only in the heat and it is better to do it directly under the bush to avoid the development of gray rot due to wet leaves.

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