Origin
The Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, particularly in Alaska and northern Canada.
Common Names
The Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is commonly known as Arctic mouse-ear chickweed, mouse-eared chickweed, mouse-eared snow chickweed, and Beering's chickweed.
Uses
The Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum has no significant uses in medicine and agriculture. However, it is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes due to its low-maintenance requirements, attractive flowers, and evergreen foliage.
General Appearance
The Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is a small, perennial herb that grows up to 15 cm tall. It has stems that are spreading and densely covered with fine white hairs. The leaves are semi-evergreen, opposite, elliptic, and covered with white hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are five-petaled, white, and about 1 cm in diameter. They bloom in late spring and early summer. The fruit is a capsule that contains numerous brown seeds.
Light Requirements
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum prefers to grow in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade, but excessive shade can affect its growth. Therefore, it should be planted in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Temperature Requirements
The plant can grow in a wide range of temperatures. It can tolerate frost and cold temperatures, but it prefers moderate temperatures of around 20-25°C. Therefore, it is best to plant it in areas with a temperate climate.
Soil Requirements
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum can grow in a variety of soils, but it prefers well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter. It can tolerate slightly alkaline or acidic soils, but it grows best in neutral soils with a pH of around 6 to 7.5. The plant can tolerate dry soil conditions, but it grows best in soils that are moist and fertile.
Cultivation Methods of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is a low-growing perennial herb that is native to the Arctic region. It is commonly found in rocky areas and dry tundra. To cultivate it, you will need to mimic its natural habitat by providing good drainage and plenty of sunlight.
You should plant Cerastium beeringianum in early spring or fall, in soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. The plant prefers soil that is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. When planting, make sure to space the plants about 6-8 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
Watering Needs of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum
Cerastium beeringianum is a drought-tolerant plant that does not require frequent watering. However, you should make sure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant deeply about once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in the fall as the plant goes dormant.
Fertilization of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum
Cerastium beeringianum does not require heavy fertilization, but adding organic matter to the soil before planting can help improve soil quality. You can also use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year when new growth starts in the spring.
Pruning of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum
Cerastium beeringianum does not require regular pruning. However, if the plant becomes too leggy or sparse, you can cut it back by about half its size in the early spring. This will encourage denser growth and promote more flowers.
Propagation of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum can be propagated by both seed and stem cuttings.
Propagation by seed
Seeds of Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum can be collected from the plant in the fall when the seedpods have dried and turned brown. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden bed in the spring after the last frost date. The soil should be well-draining and free from weeds. The seeds should be sown on the surface of the soil and just lightly pressed in, not buried, as the seeds require light for germination. The seeds will germinate in about 7 to 14 days if kept moist and at a temperature of around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Propagation by stem cuttings
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum can also be propagated by stem cuttings taken in early summer. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the stems and should be about 4 to 6 inches long. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed and the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone. The cutting should be planted in well-draining soil and kept moist. The cutting can be covered with a plastic bag to increase humidity. Rooting should occur in about 3 to 4 weeks and the new plant can be transplanted into the garden bed once it has established roots.
Disease Management
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is susceptible to a few diseases:
- Powdery mildew: This disease appears as a white powdery substance on the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. To manage powdery mildew, prune off infected leaves and increase air circulation around the plant by spacing them out. Use a fungicide spray if the infection persists.
- Canker: This disease causes sunken, diseased areas on the stems of the plant. Prune off infected stems and treat the plant with a fungicide solution.
- Rust: Rust disease appears as orange or brown spots on the leaves of the plant. To manage this disease, remove infected leaves and plant debris from the area.
Pest Management
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. ssp. beeringianum var. beeringianum is generally pest-resistant. However, some pests can still cause damage to the plant:
- Aphids: These tiny insects suck the sap from the plant and cause the leaves to curl or yellow. To manage aphids, spray the plant with a strong stream of water or use an insecticidal soap solution.
- Slugs and snails: These pests leave holes in the leaves of the plant. To manage slugs and snails, use a trap such as a beer trap or handpick them from the plant.
- Spider mites: These pests are difficult to spot as they are tiny. They cause yellow spots on the leaves and webbing on the plant. To manage spider mites, spray the plant with a solution of insecticidal soap and water.
