The Kochia Scoparia is an attractive ornamental plant or invasive species. There are several common names for it, such as ragweed, summer cypress, mock-cypress, belvedere, blazing bush, Mexican firebush, and Mexican fireweed.
It depends on many factors, including geographic location and your purpose for growing the plant. The fluffy, bright green leaves have a beautiful erect columnar form that turns crimson in fall. The popular name comes from the resemblance of the leaves of the sky blue flower.
The flowers on it are unimportant. As they grow older, erect stems can break off to become tumbleweeds. It scatters seeds across the landscape and takes on an almost candelabra appearance.
Kochia Scoparia Plant
The Kochia Species known as Kochia Scoparia is native to Southern and Eastern Russia. It came from Europe and was brought to North America. It was used as an attractive hedge around the garden or planted as a background planting.
When the plant matures and dies, the color turns to yellow, red, and brown. The axils of the leaves have clusters of the tiny green blooms, which are without petals. Across the top leaves and terminal spikes.
One brown flattened is used to breed it. In a fruit with a star form, there are seeds that are roughly 1/16 inch long. In ideal circumstances, one plant may generate more than 50,000 seeds annually.
Kochia Scoparia Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Bassia Scoparia
- Common Name: Kochia, summer cypress, fireweed, Mexican fireweed, mock cypress, belvedere
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Plant Type: Introduced, erect, annual forb
- Mature Size: 1-6 Ft.
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
- Soil Type: Saline/Alkaline Soils
- Soil pH: 2-12 pH
- Bloom Time: Mid-Summer To Early Fall
- Flower Color: Greenish Yellow in Overall Appearance
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9 USDA
- Native Area: North America
Kochia Scoparia Plant Species
The Kochia Scoparia It has many different species. It is a species of grass. It has different sets.
Kochia Americana: It is a small sessile shrub that can reach a maximum height of about 40 cm and has very slender, usually unbranched stems. Small, fleshy leaves cover stems less than 2 cm long.
Kochia prostrata: This is a very variable species. It is a perennial xerophyte and semi-shrub plant in desert and semi-desert regions. It is very important for livestock production.
How To Grow Kochia Scoparia Plant
The ideal method for cultivating Kochia Scoparia plants in the garden is surface sowing. It is also raised outside as livestock feed. The plant can flourish in low water conditions and needs less water.
The optimal time to plant is a few weeks before the final anticipated spring frost. They love to grow in sunny locations with soil that has a pH of 6 to 7.
Kochia Scoparia seeds should be raised in nursery beds 100 cm wide and 15 cm high. Then, on an elevated nursery bed, 10 to 20 grams of seeds per square meter should be sown. A total of 1 cm of sand and this seed fertilizer. Add a layer of thick mixture on top.
A thin nursery bed is covered with a layer of hay or straw, and then water is poured on top. These seeds need moisture to germinate. After 10 to 15 days of sowing, the seeds start to germinate. Pollen is removed to give the plants sunlight. The best time to plant seeds is from late January to mid-February.
Also Read: Macho Fern – Best For Novice Gardener
Pruning
This is a type of grass. Kochia Scoparia plants do not require pruning. The plant can be trimmed slightly in summer to create a neat shape.
Propagation
The Kochia Scoparia can be propagated by seeds. Steps for Propagation : Choose a good location to plant the plant you wish to grow. The dirt can then be loosened with a soil fork.
Carefully firm it up using a rake to remove any large stones and clumps of dirt and then level it. The seeds can then be planted by being dispersed over a prepared surface or in drills.
Kochia Scoparia Plant Care
The Kochia Scoparia enjoys a sunny environment as it needs light. In deep shadows, it loses its decorative quality. Due to its thermophilic nature, it cannot withstand frost. Following the first, it immediately freezes, the leaves turn black and all beauty is lost.
The soil should not be acidic or wet, and should be loose, fertile and rich in humus. A plant called Kochia Scoparia can survive drought well. Regular adequate irrigation is required only during the dry season.
It requires three to four mixed mineral and organic fertilizers throughout the growing season. Top dressing should be done every two weeks.
Soil and Fertilizer
While Kochia Scoparia is in the flowering stage, five kilos of compost or farmyard manure and 100 grammes of nitrogen are fed to each square meter.
There are many different climatic and temperature zones where Kochia Scoparia may be found on earth. It works well in areas that are dry and semi-dry. On rangelands, pastures, fields, wastelands, orchards, roadside ditch banks, and high salinity soils, Kochia is widespread.
Light And Water
Plants of the Kochia Scoparia genus can live with little water. This Plant won’t need a lot of water. It requires water every four to five days throughout the summer. Watering should be done once every six to seven days throughout the winter and rainy season.
Kochia Scoparia prefers and requires direct sunshine. It may be planted directly in the ground or in other pots, adding lovely color to the landscape.
Temperature and Humidity
When Kochia Scoparia is broken off from the roots and carried by the wind like tumbleweed, it spreads quickly and can become invasive in hot, dry regions. Kochia Scoparia grows as a weed in dry desert areas and does not require much moisture.
Pests and Diseases
Ruminants can obtain sufficient protein from Kochia Scoparia. It is a water-tolerant, self-seeding plant that produces large yields and has no significant pests or diseases.
Many of its crops are dangerous annual weeds, and they are widespread in most of the United States. It is often found as a ruderal species on the sides of highways, ditch banks, railway lines and other untouched places.