The Alsike Clover, is sometimes known as the genus Trifolium. It is a genus of about 300 annual and perennial plants in the pea family Fabs.
It can be found in most temperate and tropical parts of the world except Southeast Asia and Australia.
Alsike Clover is a semi-oblong, slightly branched, grooved stem perennial plant that is hairy above. A five-lobed calyx and a wavy, five-petaled pink corolla characterize each individual flower. The trifoliate leaves are unmarked, and the leaf axils bear stalked pale pink or white flower heads.
Alsike Clover Plant
Alsike clover is native to Eurasia. It is named after the parish of Alsike in Sweden, where it has been cultivated since 1750. The parish of Alsike in Sweden, where Carl von Linne researched the species, is named after the Alsike clover.
Alsike Clover is native to much of southwest Asia and southern Europe. It is commonly grown, especially in sloping areas. The plant can be grown as a cover crop or used as green manure and is good as animal feed. Bees find the flowers very attractive, and clover honey is a typical result of clover production.
The height of this plant is about 40 cm. They often have alternate compound leaves and are short-lived plants. Leaflets usually have three teeth.
The small, fragrant blooms can be white, pink, red, or yellow and are arranged in thick, nearly spherical heads or spikes. It is high in protein, phosphorus and calcium and is very palatable to animals.
Alsike Clover Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Trifolium hybridum
- Common Name: Alsike Clover
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea)
- Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Mature Size: Up To 40 Cm
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Soil Type: Poorly drained soil
- Soil pH: Wetter and more acidic soil
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
- Flower Color: Pink and White
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Native Area: Europe
Alsike Clover Plant Species
There has always been an Alsike clover species in the wild. However, several kinds were created as it became a favoured pasture plant among farmers and ranchers.
Aurora: It has good tolerance to both wet and acidic soils, and is commonly available in the USA. However, its growth rate is slow and its maturity time is long.
Dawn: Farmers choose it because it is more resistant to common illnesses like the mosaic virus, despite the fact that it does not have Aurora’s level of tolerance for various soil conditions.
How To Grow Alsike Clover Plant
Alsike Clover thrives in moist soil and full sunlight. Plant grass seed in spring or fall. Depending on the hardiness zone, the best time to plant grass seed is often in the spring. It is possible to plant grass by the end of July.
It is easy to establish where soil preparation is poor, although seeds should be sown shallow. Alsike has a limited tolerance for shade, and cannot tolerate heat or dryness. After planting the seeds, if the soil is poor, some organic manure should be applied.
Pick a seed cover to keep the seeds firmly in place while retaining moisture. A maximum depth of 1/4″ is required. Topsoil, peat moss or sterilized straw can be used to cover the seeds. Water the seeds slowly and often, keeping them moist until they germinate.
Pruning
Pruning alsike clover is a very easy procedure. Anyone can use a brand-new pair of sharp shears if you don’t have pruning or garden shears. Simply let this plant to fall dormant throughout the winter to prune Alsike clover.
Using a clean pruner or trimmer, get rid of any leaves that have fallen or are discoloured or damaged. When pruning, take care not to harm the new growth that emerges close to the base of the plant.
The best time to pick flowers is as soon as they are prepared for pollination. This has no negative effects on the clovers and instead encourages the plant to generate additional flowers.
Also Read: Types Of Lipstick Plant: Which One Is Right For Your Garden?
Propagation
They do not plant any varieties of cloves. Instead, grass or other plants are planted in it. The best conditions for Alsike clover are full sun and moist soil. Although it tolerates acidic, alkaline, infertile and poorly drained It prefers moist soil.
Only scattered sites with clover have been found. Alsike Clover Often used as a cover crop and fodder. It also acts as an erosion control seed. Before seeds germinate, there is no natural adaptation for long-distance dispersal. Before seeds germinate, no innate adaptations exist for long-distance dispersal.
Alsike Clover Plant Care
The Alsike clover is easy to grow and has a strong tolerance to varying degrees of acidity and alkalinity. The best conditions for Alsike clover are full sun and moist soil. However it tolerates acidic, alkaline, infertile and poorly drained soils.
The few plants you do grow can really become out of control if you let them develop and disperse their seeds since it is so adaptable.. Therefore, trimming and deadheading this perennial will be part of your maintenance.
Soil And Fertilizer
Alsike clover plant needs loamy or sandy soil to thrive healthily. Some varieties can tolerate wet soil. If the dirt starts to clump, it is too heavy, and you need to mix it with perlite or coarse sand. To increase the speed and rate of seed germination, experts advise adding organic material. You can incorporate organic compost, such as from mushrooms or rabbit droppings, into the soil.
Light And Water
The Alsike Clover needs full sun to bloom and thrive. This perennial will continue to bloom every year as long as it receives about 6 hours of sunlight per day. Planting it in partial shade will stunt its growth and cause the plant to stunt next year.
After planting alsike clover seeds, the soil needs frequent but gentle irrigation. You can stop watering once the seeds have germinated and the clover has grown two inches above the ground. In summer, plants need 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Temperature And Humidity
Their rapid germination and high survival rates in cool, wet environments offer countless benefits to our soil, including the retention of vital nutrients.
It promotes soil formation and increases water penetration into the soil. Besides being well adapted to mountain conditions, it has high cold resistance and poor tolerance to shade. The ideal temperature for growth is between 40 °F (5 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C).
Pests And Diseases
Alsike clover is resistant to a variety of ailments, including northern anthracnose, bacterial wilt, bacterial blight, mildew, and bacterial wilt, which can seriously harm other fodder crops. Alsike clover management techniques that keep a robust stand can reduce the majority of crop losses.
The best methods for preventing most albic clover infections include using clean seed and rotating with non-legume crops. Brown and Fusarium root rot, crown and stem rot, sooty blotch, Stegonospora leaf spot, and snow mould can all affect Alsike clover. Lick clover may become harmed by ligus bugs, aphids, and leafhoppers.
Toxicity: The perennial Alsike clover, which is utilized as a hay and pasture plant for cattle, has been proved to be extremely toxic to other animals, including horses. Keep pets out of the clover if there are dogs or cats in the home.
Reference: Trifolium_hybridum