Purslane or dandur is a plant that grows mainly in the tropics of the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. The family has about two hundred species, which are located mainly near water bodies. As a garden plant was appreciated in the Middle Ages, when the British began to grow it near their homes.
In Russia, it can be seen in the wild in the Far East and the European part of the country. Domestic gardeners appreciate it for its attractive appearance during the flowering period - the variety of flowers and stalk shapes, as well as the healing properties of purslane, make him a welcome guest in any garden or even on the windowsill in the house. In addition, landscape design can be diluted with several types of dandur, which looks very presentable in parks or squares.
Annual and perennial purslane
There are both annual and hybrids that can be grown for more than one year. At home, perennials are rarely preserved until next year. In the best case, they manage to save it before the start of the new season, replanting it in a pot during the cold season.
However, some hybrids may feel good both at home and on the street. In summer, they grow in the open air, and in winter it can be safely removed to the premises. This one lives for a long time, but is unlikely to be able to please the eye with lush flowering - annuals are considered not so modest in terms of flowering.
If the goal is to get colorful luxurious flowers, you should look in the direction of annuals. Of course, it will have to be re-grown at the beginning of each season, but for the sake of appearance, many gardeners are ready to sacrifice their time.
By the way, there is a method that does not involve human intervention: you just need to plant the soil once and not dig the soil near it, then the purslane will independently disperse the seeds from year to year. An important point - this method is relevant only for a warm climate, because the plant is considered thermophilic.
Types and varieties of purslane
Out of the whole variety of species, only four are propagated by humans. They can often be seen in gardens or kitchen gardens.
The most common types:
| View | Description |
| Garden | An annual plant that in the wild can usually be seen along roads or in various ravines. Often compared to weed due to breeding rate. It is famous for its medicinal properties. The optimal period for sowing is from May 20 to June 10. The leaves have a rather rough structure. |
| Ampelic | Hybrid obtained during selection. It is grown in a cache-pot. Looks great on balconies. Flowers can be both terry and simple. |
| Large flowered | As a rule, it does not exceed 30 cm in height. It has lodging stems. The leaves in it take the form of a cylinder. The flowers reach a diameter of up to 7 cm and take the shape of a bowl. Thanks to the selection, it was possible to bring out not only a plant with red, but also white, and even cream. |
| Terry | It blooms all summer. It is famous because of the attractive shape of the petals. Closes the buds at night, and the garden is beautifully decorated throughout the sunny day. There are varieties that keep buds open around the clock. |
Large-flowered Purslane Hybrids
Breeders have long begun work on breeding varieties of this plant. Among hybrids, the following stand out especially:
| Grade | Description |
| Double mix | Buds with a complex structure can be of various shades, in fact this is a mixture of several varieties of purslane. |
| Sanglo | Big buds that never close during flowering. |
| Air marshmallow | A relatively small variety. Inflorescences are white. They have a terry structure. |
| Cream | Various shades of beige during the flowering period. |
| Splendens | Eyes pleasing bright pink hue. |
| Tequila white | Bred by selection hybrid. It differs in flowers with a complex structure and a carpet of leaves, which can reach up to 35 cm in diameter. Not picky with moisture, so you can water it infrequently. |
| Cherry | Relatively low plant with cherry blossoms. |
| Princely rug | A combination of white, red and bright orange colors. |
| Royal | During the flowering period, you can observe combinations of a wide variety of shades. |
| Sonia | Simple foliage perfectly harmonizes with luxurious flowering of different colors and medium-length stems. Suitable for cultivation in sultry climates. |
| Pun | Multi-colored flowers of medium size. |
| Scheherazade | Large-flowered variety, showing itself in all its glory in July. The buds close at night and in cloudy weather. |
Purslane Reproduction
You can grow a plant in the following ways:
- Seedling method. This option is considered the most effective. A suitable period for planting is the last of February or the beginning of March, but it is possible in April. To plant a house, you need to make sure that the soil is not too saturated with peat.
- Planting seeds in open ground. Seeds are planted in the ground in early summer. Recommended soil temperature is + 20 ... +25 ° C. At a lower level, the death of sprouts is possible. The place that was chosen for planting should be well lit by the sun. The soil should be moistened, and after they have been planted, cover them with polyethylene. When the first sprouts appear, remove the film. Watering the grown plant is necessary as the top layer dries.
- Wintering. Since climatic conditions in our country do not allow us to grow purslac in the open ground, in the cold season, the plant is grown in the room where it is transferred for the winter. Dandur breeds well and on its own, so you can not dig a bed every year.
- Cuttings. Vegetative propagation is also possible. In the spring, cuttings should be cut, removing excess foliage and putting it all in water. When the roots are formed, you can begin to transplant them, after moistening the soil. The cuttings will feel good where the sun will not be at all times. A grown plant can be transplanted from partial shade to a permanent place of residence.
Choosing a method of growing should be depending on the preferences and resources necessary for proper growth.
How to care for a garden purslane
In order for the plant to grow for a long time and delight with beautiful flowers, one should take into account recommendations for caring for it:
- Growth and flowering. To accelerate growth, it is best to water the dandur in hot weather. Water should not be at very high temperatures, and pouring it must be strictly at the root. The procedure is performed approximately once a week. Can be used as fertilizer ash. To do this, it can be mixed with water, about 20 grams per liter of liquid. Special fertilizers usually do not need.
- How to collect and store seeds. Collecting seeds is also quite simple - you just need to remove the flowers that have withered in time. This is usually done in August and September.
However, you can completely abandon the collection of seeds and give the plant the opportunity to propagate on its permanent place independently, if the climate allows.
Purslane problems, diseases and pests
To be content with beautiful flowering, it is necessary to take into account a number of conditions necessary for the purslane in order for it to form healthy flowers. The most common problem is improper site selection or inappropriate soil. In the shade, the plant does not bloom, and the earth should not be oversaturated.
Growing from seeds in the soil, which was fertilized even several months ago, can be a problem. Greasy soil is a signal for growth, not reproduction. The addition of sand or gravel solves the problem of refusal of the dandur to open the buds.
Various parasites very rarely disturb this plant. But if nevertheless aphids or thrips lay their eyes on the sprouts, you can get rid of them with any insecticide. In fact, planting and caring for the purslane should not be a problem for experienced gardeners or novice lovers.
Cultivation of purslane on a window sill seasonal
Regardless of the variety, you should adhere to the following:
| Factor | Warm season (spring / summer) | Cold season (fall / winter) |
| sunlight | Direct sunlight. | |
| Temperature mode | +20 ... +25 ° C | With additional lighting + 18 ... +25 ° C |
| Humidity level | Additional spraying is not required. | |
| Watering frequency | Once every 5 days. | Once a week. |
Watering, fertilizing and trimming at home
When growing purslane, it is important to avoid watering too often and keep to the schedule. The plant should not be fed - it loves poor soil, and in a supersaturated it will begin to grow abundantly. On the contrary, avoid too fertile soil so that flowering begins as early as possible.
Mr. Summer resident informs: purslane medicinal properties and medicinal use
The medical properties of this plant were known in ancient times. It was previously believed that the seeds of Dandur can cleanse the human body of poisons and save them from death in the event of a bite of any snake. There is also information by which it can be judged that with the help of the leaves a mixture was prepared that relieves swelling from the eyes.
Also, a number of historical sources report the internal use of gruel from seeds, which was mixed with wine - so the ancient Greeks relieved stomach pain and struggled with uncomfortable sensations in the area of the bladder.
In Middle East medicine, purslane was used as a remedy for warts or other skin diseases. Now plants are advising those suffering from mild forms of diabetes.
