Origin
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston, commonly known as California Buckwheat, is a native plant of California that belongs to the family Polygonaceae.
Common Names
California Buckwheat has many common names such as Eastern Mojave Buckwheat, Red Buckwheat, and many others. It is known locally as "Kotolo" by the Chumash Native Americans.
Uses
California Buckwheat has been used traditionally by the Native Americans for medicinal purposes. They used it for treating various ailments such as headaches, fever, and stomach aches. It is also used for culinary purposes in making flour and tea. California Buckwheat is a native plant and is important for supporting native pollinators and wildlife. In addition, it is widely used in landscaping and gardening due to its attractive flowers that bloom from April to October.
General Appearance
California Buckwheat is a low-growing shrub that can grow up to 3-4 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. The leaves are small, narrow, and green, and are covered with fine hairs. The flowers are small and white, pink, or red and grow in dense clusters at the end of the stems. They are surrounded by showy, papery, reddish-pink bracts that last long after the flowers have fallen. The flowers attract a variety of insects, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant prefers dry, rocky, and sandy soil and can be found growing in the wild in California's coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.
Light Requirements
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston requires full sunlight to thrive, meaning it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas with intense summer heat, some shading during the hottest part of the day might be necessary.
Temperature Requirements
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is native to California and has adapted to Mediterranean-type climates. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it grows best in areas with hot summers and cool winters. The plant can withstand temperatures of up to 110°F (43°C) during the day and down to 20°F (-7°C) at night.
Soil Requirements
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston prefers well-draining, sandy or gravelly soils. The plant can tolerate soils that are slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 6.0 to 8.5). The soil should be moderately fertile and have good water-holding capacity. Avoid planting Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston in heavy clay soils, as they may lead to root rot.
Cultivation of Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is an attractive perennial that is native to Southern California and Northwestern Mexico. It grows abundantly in the desert areas of the region and can tolerate the hot and arid conditions. Cultivating this plant is relatively easy, and here are a few tips that you can follow if you plan to grow it in your garden.
The plant prefers a well-draining soil that is slightly alkaline in nature. It can be grown in pots or in the ground, provided the soil is adequately drained. You can prepare the soil by incorporating some sand or gravel to improve drainage.
Watering Needs of Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is a drought-tolerant plant and can survive in low to moderate watering conditions. However, it requires regular watering during the initial stages of growth until it establishes a deep and robust root system. After that, you can reduce the frequency of watering to once or twice a month.
Ensure that the soil is dry before watering the plant. Overwatering can harm the plant and cause root rot. Water the plant deeply, so that the water reaches the roots and does not evaporate quickly.
Fertilization of Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston does not require much fertilization. You can fertilize the plant once every year during the spring season, using a balanced fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can cause a flush of weak and spindly growth. Organic fertilizers like compost or cow manure can also be used instead of chemical fertilizers.
Pruning Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston
Pruning Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is not required, as the plant has a natural growth habit. However, you can remove the spent flowers or dead leaves during the growing season. This will not only enhance the appearance of the plant but also promote better air circulation.
If the plant has outgrown its space or is becoming too large, you can prune it back by a third of its size during the winter season. This will promote healthy and vigorous growth in the next season.
Propagation of Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is propagated through both sexual and asexual means. The plant produces viable seeds that can be sown directly into the ground during the early spring or fall when the temperature is cooler. It is essential to ensure the soil used for propagation is well-draining and located in full sun. Eriogonum fasciculatum seeds require moisture to germinate and should be regularly watered to maintain soil moisture content. However, it is essential to prevent waterlogging the soil to avoid the development of root rot.
Another propagation method for Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation can be achieved through cutting or layering. For stem cutting propagation, softwood cuttings are obtained from the plant during the summer months, ensuring the cuttings are roughly two to three inches long. The cuttings are dipped in rooting hormone and then planted in well-draining soil, kept moist, and located in a full sun area. Layering propagation is achieved by gently bending a branch from the plant onto the soil and covering it with soil, leaving the tip exposed. The covered section of the branch will produce roots, and a new plant will develop. The new plant can be severed from the parent plant and transplanted into a new location.
Disease Management
Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. var. flavoviride Munz & Johnston is relatively disease-resistant, but it can still be affected by some fungal diseases.
One common disease that affects this plant is powdery mildew, which appears as a white, powdery coating on the leaves. To prevent powdery mildew, provide good air circulation around the plant by spacing them properly, and avoid watering the foliage, especially at night. Fungicides can be used to treat powdery mildew, but it is best to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place.
Another fungal disease that can affect E. fasciculatum var. flavoviride is rust. Rust appears as yellow or orange spots on the leaves and stems. To prevent rust, avoid overhead watering and remove any infected plant debris from the area. Fungicides can also be used to manage rust.
Pest Management
E. fasciculatum var. flavoviride is generally not favored by many pests, but a few insects can still cause problems.
One common pest that can affect this plant is spider mites. Spider mites appear as tiny, red or yellow dots on the leaves. To manage spider mites, regularly inspect the plant for infestations and use a strong jet of water to dislodge the mites off the plant. Insecticidal soaps and oils can also be used to control spider mites.
Aphids can also be a problem for E. fasciculatum var. flavoviride. Aphids appear as small, pear-shaped insects that cling to the underside of the leaves. To manage aphids, regularly inspect the plant for infestations and use a strong jet of water to dislodge the insects or remove them by hand. Insecticidal soaps and oils can also be used to control aphids.
Cutworms can also be a pest that affects this plant. Cutworms are caterpillars that feed at the base of the plant, causing it to wilt and die. To prevent cutworms, use physical barriers around the plants and handpick any worms you see. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can also be used to control cutworms.
Overall, with proper care and maintenance, E. fasciculatum var. flavoviride can remain relatively pest and disease-free.
