We grow a lofant in the garden

The main task of the owner of a lofant is to provide acceptable conditions for the development of the plant, namely: warm terrain, abundant watering and proper care.

Below we describe how to get two harvests per season and which diseases can be treated with this plant.

Description and types

Anise lofant is a plant that recently appeared in the catalogs of garden stores. The thing is that the grass is not of natural origin, it was bred by breeders. The main advantages of a lofant include decorativeness, pleasant aroma, its medicinal and melliferous properties. The latter brings great popularity to the plant: honey, which is given by bees on the basis of a lofant, always has a rich taste and a soft smell.

The special flavor is given to the grass by the lofant essential oils contained inside. It is this property allowed to use it in cooking. The whole plant is used: the greens give an unusual taste, and the seeds, together with the inflorescences, are added to the products during their preservation.

Growing lofant tall bushes. On the background of green leaves stand bright flowers that take the form of spikes. They reach about 20-25 cm in length. The color palette is diverse: you can find blue, pink, lilac, white, orange and blue inflorescences. Lofant can grow as beds, whole plantations, and single bushes. Depending on the species, perennials and those that wither after a year can be found. In total there are about 25 species. Among the variety, you can choose a color, aroma or shape that will appeal to you.

The most common types include:

1. Anisic.
2. Tibetan.
3. Barbers.
4. Mountain.
5. Mexican.

The latter belongs to the perennial species. It is badly tolerated by cold and severe frosts, however, it is perfectly restored after death through seeds. Mountain view lofanta is considered the most cold-resistant among all. This property allows it to grow in almost any locality.Perennial grows within 1 m, the diameter of a single bush does not exceed 50 cm.

There are also several varieties of the species presented. Some of them are able to bloom in the same year when they were planted. This is especially useful if you choose the same age.

The exact origins of the barber lofanta are not known. There are three possible origins. There is no need to know for sure, because each of the potential "ancestors" of the barber lofant is heat-loving species that grew only in arid and sunny areas of the United States and Mexico.

According to observations, it became clear that the cultivated varieties get along well in the cold season, unlike the original plant species. But the plant will not survive too severe frosts. Tibetan species, or as it is also called wrinkled, has inflorescences mainly yellow shades. Shrubs, reaching a meter in length, exude a pleasant aroma. The leaves are used in cooking: they have a characteristic licorice taste.

The presented type is rarely used for decorative purposes, often as a food product.For example, the leaves are used in salads. The popularity of Tibetan lofant brought not only these qualities, but also medicinal properties, as well as unpretentiousness in caring for him.

This is an annual plant, therefore constant sowing is necessary. Sometimes it starts to run wild and grow too much. This process is easy to control in the initial stages of growth. One of the most common species is anise lofant. Most of all it is valued for its medicinal properties, which are widely used both in folk and in official medicine.

The plant is able to withstand various types of bacteria and fungi. In leaflets of anise type are ascorbic, lemon, and also malic acids useful in home life. The bush reaches an average of 1.5 m. Flowers on a plant of the presented species usually acquire a blue or lilac shade.

Choosing a place for a lofant

Plant lofant love for simplicity, not only in the care, but also in planting. It is not difficult to choose a place for it: almost any type of soil suits it.But the most well-chosen terrain contributes to rapid growth, and the height can reach 1.5 m.

Lighting

Choose a place that is exposed to direct or diffused sunlight. Some varieties of lofanta prefer the shadow, but still get along well in the light.

Electric light in this case will be the guarantor of lush flowering, not only in summer, but already in early spring.

Remember that this approach is necessary, because at the stage of formation of the buds of flowers, the plant should be exposed to daylight about 14 hours a day. Natural light can be replaced with special lamps in the room.

Growing soil

Wherever you plant a bush, it will grow successfully. However, if you want a lofant to be lush, then do not choose sandy, marshy or acidic soil. Most suitable neutral, drained or sandy sand. Keep in mind that the plant does not tolerate stagnant water.

If you get a long-term view, then in the future it will be necessary to transplant a lofant to a new place.This should be done after 6-7 years to update the soil with all the nutrients.

Planting seeds

The plant propagates not only through the seeds, but also by dividing the bush, cuttings or layering. Each of the methods is suitable for growing at home. In the first few years of sowing, the seeds will ripen around the end of September. Although starting from the second or third year the process will occur by the beginning or by the middle of the same month.

Direct seeding

Lofant plant in early spring, and the most reliable way of reproduction will be growing from seed at home. Before sowing, they must be well soaked.

To do this, dip a rag or cotton wool in a non-concentrated potassium permanganate. Put the seeds on top and soak for about half an hour. Dry them and store on the top shelf of the refrigerator until the desired moment. You should get holes about 3 cm deep. After planting, water the seeds. The jet should not be too strong, otherwise everything that you landed will be washed out. At the end, put a small stick and cover with top cling film.

Lofant aniseed by growing from seed will germinate in about 6 days. After about a month about 4 leaves will appear on the shoots. This will mean that it is necessary to make a picking again in the decontaminated land.

Growing seedlings

For transplanting wait for stable warm weather. Between the rows in the garden should be a distance of 60 cm. The plant will take root in the new soil for several days. During this time, you need to periodically water it. This should be done with the addition of a drop of boric acid. This will help prevent the defeat of still very weak shoots. It is better to send a stream of water not to the landing site itself, but a little to the side.

Growing a Tibetan lofanta will take 2 years, after which you will begin to get 2 crops per plant in one season. The first time you need to cut the plant about 40 cm from the ground. The next time 15 cm, but after you collect the seeds for future planting.

How to care for culture

The plant needs drainage as well as preventive dry shelter. These measures must be taken in winter, otherwise the lofant may not survive the cold. In mid-September, and preferably a little earlier, it is necessary to trim the above-ground part. Leave about 10 cm off the ground. Thus, the root buds will be able to transfer the cold and wake up again in the spring.

During the flowering period, you need to constantly cut flowers. So you provoke the growth of new stems. This cycle can last 4 and a half months. You will also have lush bushes in the event that you water the plants abundantly and regularly.

Nevertheless, the lofant tolerates drought and heat. If you are at the stage of growing small shoots, then monitor the cleanliness of the site. Immediately remove excess grass and weeds that prevent lofant growth. Later this process will not have to be repeated.Feed the plant with fertilizer or mullein.

Little about the healing properties

About the healing power of the plant learned many centuries ago, thanks to the observations and experiments of monks.

The plant performs many functions, among which may be noted:

1. Anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Healing some wounds.
3. Normalization of blood pressure.
4. Slag removal.
5. Strengthening the immune system.

To produce a treatment, often make an infusion. To do this, add water (400 ml) 2 tablespoons of stems and leaves. Let them stand in a thermos, then take 3 times a day before eating 100 ml.

To get rid of skin problems, chop fresh herbs (200 ml). Thrown into boiling water in a volume of 2 liters. Next you need to strain the resulting drug, and pour into the bath. To make an oil extract, it is necessary to pour chopped grass with sunflower oil. After a week, strain.Such extracts are widely used in cosmetology.

All aboveground parts of the plant are used in the recipes: leaves, stem and flowers. Lofant is great for stimulating the immune system, activating all the endocrine glands. In addition, it is actively used in cosmetology: for strengthening hair, smoothing wrinkles and healing the skin.

Lofant is a plant that deserves attention because of its beneficial properties in the field of gardening, cooking, medicine and cosmetologists. In order for it to bring a big harvest, it is necessary to adhere to the proper planting, choose sunny places and water the plant abundantly.