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The plant known as locksmith it is very interesting to grow in gardens and patios. With a minimum of care it is very easy to have a special corner in any place, since its leaves have a shape that is not always seen 😉.
If you would like to know everything about her, in this article I'm going to tell you what its characteristics are and how you should take care of it.
Origin and characteristics
The locksmith, whose scientific name is Sonchus congestus, is an evergreen shrub endemic to the Canary Islands, specifically to Tenerife in the Sierra Anaga and on the north coast at an altitude between 100-800 meters above sea level, and in the central and northern regions of Gran Canaria. Reaches a height of up to 1 meter, and their stems sprout smooth leaves and have triangular to rounded lobes. These form a very nice rosette.
The flower heads are large, 4 to 5 centimeters wide, and yellow in color. They are quite reminiscent of those produced by dandelions (Taraxacum officinale).
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
- Location: outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: fertile, with good drainage.
- Irrigation: you have to water every time the soil is almost dry, more or less 2-3 times a week.
- Subscriber: it is interesting to pay it from spring to late summer with ecological fertilizers. If it is in a pot, it is better to use liquid fertilizers so that the drainage remains correct.
- Plagues and diseases: it is very resistant, but as it can happen to any plant, if the growing conditions are not suitable it can be affected by aphids, mealybugs or Red spider that are fought with specific insecticides.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring. Direct sowing in seedbed.
- Rusticity: supports weak frosts down to -2ºC.
What did you think of this plant?