Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is a fascinating plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This plant, also known as Olympics rockcress, is a subalpine perennial herb that is native to western North America.
Common Names
Olympics rockcress is also known as Forked rockcress, and it is famous for its unique flowering pattern.
Description
The plant has a woody stem that grows up to five inches high and is branched from the base. The leaves are around two inches long and are divided into three distinct leaflets that grow directly opposite to each other. The leaf veins are visible on the upper side of the leaves and are often hairy. Olympics rockcress has small white or lavender flowers that grow at the end of the stem and resemble Radish flowers. They bloom from June to August and have four petals. The plant has seeds that are flat, thin, and round in shape.
Uses
Traditionally, Olympics rockcress was used by Native American Tribes, such as the Salish, to treat stomach ailments and snake bites. They also used the plant as a condiment. Nowadays, it is used as an ornamental plant due to its unique flowers and foliage. Moreover, this plant is essential for ecological purposes as it helps in the restoration of disturbed sites in its natural habitat.
In conclusion, the unique flowering pattern and its traditional uses make the Olympics rockcress plant a valuable addition to gardens.Light Requirements:
The Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins typically grows in full sun to partial shade. It prefers exposed locations where it can receive direct sunlight for several hours per day.
Temperature Requirements:
The plant is native to mountains and alpine regions, where the temperature can be very cold. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from sub-zero to warm areas with temperatures in the mid-70s °F. However, it may not do well in extremely hot temperatures.
Soil Requirements:
The plant prefers well-draining and nutrient-rich soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including loam, clay, or sandy soil. However, it may not tolerate poorly drained soil or soil with high levels of salt or minerals. Maintaining the pH between 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal for good growth.
Cultivation Methods
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins, commonly known as Olympic rockcress, is a herbaceous perennial plant that thrives in well-draining soil. It requires full sun or partial shade to grow appropriately. The suitability of soil for its cultivation usually depends on its pH. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. Sandy loam soils are best for its growth, and it should be planted in early spring or late fall.
Watering Needs
Proper watering is vital for the growth of Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins. This plant requires regular watering during its active growth phase. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Watering should be done deeply at least once a week instead of frequent shallow watering. This helps to encourage deep root growth and prevent waterlogging, which can cause root rot. During dry periods, the plant should be watered more often.
Fertilization
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins, generally doesn't require much fertilizer. However, an occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer will help to promote robust growth of the plant. Fertilizer application should be done after the plant has finished blooming in the summer season. Avoid over-fertilization as it can lead to excessive vegetative growth with fewer blooms.
Pruning
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins, needs minimal pruning. Deadheading the spent blooms is the only pruning needed to encourage continuous blooming throughout the flowering season. Pruning should be done after the plant has finished blooming, cutting back spent flower heads to just above the first set of leaves. This will encourage new flower bud development, leading to more blooming during the plant's next flowering period.
Propagation of Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is a perennial herb that is indigenous to the Olympic Mountains of Washington, USA. The plant produces small white flowers with four petals and can grow up to 20 inches tall. Propagation of this species can be done through various methods including:
Seed propagation
The most common method of propagation for Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is through seed propagation. The best time to plant seeds is in the autumn season after the plant has finished blooming. The seeds need to be sown in a well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 5.5-7.0. Germination occurs after about two to four weeks and the seedlings can be transplanted to their permanent location after about six months.
Division of root clumps
Another method of propagation for Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is through division of root clumps. This method involves carefully digging up the plant and dividing the root clumps into smaller sections. The smaller sections should each have a few healthy roots and shoots. These sections can then be replanted in a well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 5.5-7.0. This method is best done in the spring season.
Stem cuttings
Propagation through stem cuttings is a less common method for Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins but is still successful. This method involves taking stem cuttings from the plant during the summer season when the plant is actively growing. The cuttings should be about four to six inches long, and their lower leaves should be trimmed away. The cuttings can then be planted in a well-draining soil mix and kept in a humid environment until they start showing new growth.
Disease Management
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is susceptible to several diseases that can affect its growth and development. The following are some common diseases that might infect the plant:
- Anthracnose: This is a fungal disease that causes brown or black spots on the leaves. The infected leaves may fall prematurely, reducing the plant's vigor. To manage anthracnose, remove and destroy all infected plant parts, and avoid overhead irrigation that can spread the disease.
- Powdery mildew: This is another fungal disease that causes whitish powdery patches on the leaves. It can stunt the plant's growth and reduce its flowering. To manage powdery mildew, remove the infected leaves, and improve air circulation around the plant.
- Root rot: This is a fungal disease that attacks the plant's roots, causing them to rot. It can cause wilting and yellowing of the leaves. To manage root rot, avoid overwatering the plant, and improve soil drainage by adding organic matter.
Pest Management
Arabis furcata S. Wats. var. olympica (Piper) Rollins is also vulnerable to several pests that can damage the plant. The following are some common pests that might attack the plant:
- Aphids: These are small insects that can suck the plant's sap, causing yellowing and curling of the leaves. To manage aphids, wash the leaves with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Spider mites: These are tiny insects that can cause webbing and stippling on the leaves. They can also reduce the plant's vigor. To manage spider mites, wash the leaves with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Cabbage worms: These are the larvae of a small butterfly that can chew large holes in the plant's leaves. To manage cabbage worms, handpick the larvae, or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacterium that kills the larvae.
