Aconite (wrestler)- unpretentious perennial grown as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Aconite does not lose its appearance even after flowering due to the pattern of foliage. The plant can be used in many landscape compositions.
Site selection and soil preparation
Shaded corners are best for aconite in the garden. An open sunny site for a plant of climbing species is destructive, aconite will grow poorly and get burned, especially during hot periods, flowering in such conditions will become sluggish. Curly aconite is an exception, other plants develop equally well in the sun and in the shade. It is not recommended to plant in areas where moisture is often delayed - excess water will lead to rotting of the root system. The wrestler does not like stony and sandy soils, he needs loose and light soil. Before planting, primer for aconite must be sated. Dig the site with the introduction of peat, compost and any organic matter.
Did you know? In the gardens of ancient Rome, aconite was used as an ornament, its purple flowers adorned almost all corners of court parks. However, after the occurrence of cases of poisoning among the courtiers, the emperor Mark Ulpiy Nerva Traian forbade growing a poisonous plant.
Planting rules aconite
Planting aconite is carried out in spring when the soil is heated. For the seedling plants need a hole a little more than the size of the rhizome. Lay a drainage on the bottom (expanded clay or large pebbles), on the drainage - a little top dressing. As a fertilizer for aconite, you can use the mineral composition, while following the instructions, in order not to harm the plant.
Place the seedling in the hole so that the root neck is no deeper than two centimeters from the surface. Powder and lightly press the soil around the stem. If you plant several copies of aconite in the garden, the distance between them should be up to 70 cm. After planting, water well, preferably put mulch: it will retain moisture and heat.
Partners and use in landscape design
Most popular for the cultivation of konobuchkovy aconite due to the unusual shape of the flower. The plant blooms for a long time and grows to a meter, which makes it possible to place it in many compositions and design options. Gardeners also love bicolor and variegated aconite. Curly aconite can be used for gardening gazebos, to cover the unsightly part of the garden.
Peonies, delphinium, astilbe, rudbeckia, daylilies will be suitable partners for aconite. A wrestler with blue and blue shades of flowers next to yellow irises will look bad. High grade aconites can be used as a folding screen in single and group plantings. A wrestler can be planted as a border, for decorating the lawn, flower beds.
Care for perennial aconite
In the hot summer season, it is advisable to sprinkle the roots of the plant with soil, you can use sawdust or peat for this. Such a mulch will compact the soil around the plant and will not allow moisture to evaporate quickly. It is also advisable to cover dense mulch for winter in order to prevent freezing of the root system in the absence of snow.
Watering and loosening the soil
In the care of aconite, correct watering plays a big role. Excess moisture for the plant is dangerous. During dry periods, water twice a month, on other days, subject to mulching, watch the top layer of soil, do not let it dry. Be sure to loosen the ground, the root system needs air. Weed the weeds so that the plant does not lose nutrients.
Fertilizer and feeding aconite
Aconite for planting and care in the open field does not require multiple feedings. The first fertilizer is introduced into the landing hole, mineral or organic, the plant responds gratefully to both species. In the spring before flowering, you can feed with compost under a bush. The result will be lush and bright bloom.
Important! It is not necessary to make wood ash as a top dressing: it significantly reduces the acid balance of the soil.
Pruning inflorescences
In order for the bush to have a magnificent view, the withered flowers are pruned. Since aconite blooms for a long time, this procedure will give an incentive to re-bloom. For seeds, you can leave a couple of the largest inflorescences and wait until they fully mature.
How to deal with possible pests and aconite diseases
Aconite during cultivation and care does not tolerate gross errors: an excess of moisture or, conversely, its lack, the abundance of weeds, frequent dressings. These factors can cause diseases and pests.
Mealy dew - fungus that infects the plant with white bloom. Stems and leaves begin to fade and die. During treatment, the diseased parts of the plant are removed, the upper layer of soil is replaced with a new one. Aconite should be treated with one of these drugs: "Vitaros", "Skor", "Fundazol" and "Acrobat". Folk methods: infusion of garlic, mustard powder solution, infusion of field ivy. The ring mosaic covers the plant with brown, gray and yellow spots. Cure the plant does not work, you can remove the affected parts and prevent the disease from spreading further.
Inflorescence greening - viral disease; in diseased plants, flowers acquire an ugly shape and a green tint. This infection is carried by insects: aphid, mites. In addition to them, aconite and nematodes attack. Use Arrive, Aktar, Fufon, Konfidor for aphids and spider mites. From nematodes help "Phosphamide", "Mercapthos" and "Lidan".
How aconite multiplies
Reproduction of aconite is possible by the seed method, but in this case the plant does not always retain maternal characteristics. The most popular and not difficult way to propagate a wrestler is by dividing a bush. If the procedure is carried out correctly, there are no difficulties in further cultivation.
Dividing bush
The division of aconite bush is a procedure that is necessary every four years so that the plant does not grow and lose sight. The shrub is undermined, the part of the plant and the root are cut off in such a way that there are at least three buds on the seedling. In the prepared (with drainage and fertilizer) hole planted delenok, deepening the root of the neck no deeper than two centimeters from the surface. After landing, water well.
Interesting fact! What is aconite, the ancient Greeks knew well. With the help of poisons, the Greeks saved their society from criminals. There is evidence that Socrates was poisoned with aconite, accused of conspiring against the ruling elite.
Tubers
Varieties breeding tubers, divided in early autumn. Each separated tuber must first be germinated. When buds appear on the tubers, they are divided, leaving a few buds on each part, and planted in the holes. It is necessary to deepen, leaving a growth bud on the surface. The distance between the holes - up to 30 cm. After watering, cover the planting with moss or other mulch.
Cuttings
For grafting plants take young, green shoots of aconite. The lengths of the cuttings are up to 15 cm. The procedure is carried out in May, the cut cuttings are germinated in a greenhouse (under a film or a plastic bottle). After the appearance of strong leaves sapling transplanted to a permanent place.
Seeds
Cultivation of aconite from seeds is carried out in the fall. Seeds are sown immediately in open ground, where in winter they will undergo a natural stratification and spring together in the spring. 
Sowing is done to a depth of not more than a centimeter, planting is covered with a layer of manure to preserve heat. If you prefer a seedling method, place the seeds for a month in a pot with the soil at a temperature of 20 degrees, then in a cold month (balcony, basement). Then sow the prepared seeds in the seedling box. With the appearance of three strong leaves, dive the sprouts into peat cups for the convenience of further transplant of aconite into open ground. When transplanting to the site, leave the distance between the bushes to 25 cm. With this method of reproduction, flowering will begin in two seasons.
Attention! Remember that most aconite varieties are poisonous to all parts of the plant. All procedures are performed with gloves and in no case immediately after contact with the plant do not touch the face, lips or eyes.
Aconite is becoming more and more popular in landscape design, the plant looks attractive both in the flowering season and after.
