As an ornamental plant flax in domestic horticulture is not known to many, since this plant has gained its main popularity due to its economic and raw material value. But despite this, the flower destroys all the stereotypes that it is suitable only as a raw material, as evidenced by its bright and elegant flowering. However, growing flax on the plot requires additional knowledge. Therefore, today we have to reveal all the secrets of the proper cultivation of large-flowered flax in a home flowerbed.
Description
Large-flowered flax is an annual herbaceous plant, the natural habitat of which is the north-western region of Africa, in addition, in its wild form it is widely represented in North America and southern Europe. 
The species is cultivated solely for decorative purposes, since its economic value is minimized.
Did you know? LThe large-flowered en was discovered thanks to the French botanist René Defontaine. It was this scientist who first described this species in 1798..The maximum height of flax reaches about 105 cm, but in most cases it ranges from 30 to 60 cm. The stem is very erect and branched, fairly well covered with sedentary alternate leaves with a typical pointed end.
The shape of the leaf blade is broad-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate with a characteristic three-core structure, and its length does not exceed 2.5 cm (on average, from 1.5 to 2 cm).
The main pride of the ornamental varieties of this species are flowers of predominantly bright red hues. They are located on the top of the stem and are collected in an elegant inflorescence in diameter of not more than 3 cm. The flowering period begins in early spring and lasts until the first half of October. 
After that, a fruit box with a diameter of about 5 mm appears on the plant, in which a large number of flattened brown seeds about 4 mm long ripen in shape. Their number in 1 g is quite large and reaches 300 pieces.
To the annual herbaceous plants also include helihrizum, dried flowers, rudbeckia, nemesia, iberis, coleus, wormwood, black nightshade, fragrant resedu, yaskolka, highlander bird, alissum.
Growing from seed
One of the most popular ways to grow decorative flax at home is the reproduction of plant seedlings from previously germinated seeds, followed by planting on a flowerbed.
Next, we will examine in detail all the features of this process and share some secrets of its success.
Did you know? The seeds of large-flowered flax have a rather high viability, their germination even 5 years after storage approaches 100%.In order to get seedlings, the ideal period for sowing seed is mid-April. Large-flowered flax refers to plants whose cultivation from seeds is not particularly difficult, but in order to obtain perfect seedlings, it is necessary to strictly observe the calendar period of sowing.
Otherwise, the plants will have a low suitability for planting in open soil.Additional preparation before sowing seeds do not require, as they are characterized by high germination. For sowing use special garden containers for germination, but for this purpose any free capacity will do.
Sowing is done in the lungs, loose substrates. The soil is packed into the container with a layer of no more than 10 cm (the optimal amount is 8 cm), after which it is plentifully moistened with a garden sprayer. After that, the seeds are evenly scattered over the soil area and covered with a layer of soil of about 1 cm.
To speed up the germination process, you can create light greenhouse conditions, for this you need to cover the tank with a plastic bag or film.
Important! Flax sprouts do not tolerate high humidity, therefore, when germinating seeds under a film, the structure must be ventilated daily.After 5-10 days, the first shoots appear, after which the plants can be freed from the polyethylene dome. After 2 true leaves appear on the seedlings, the plants can be transplanted into separate pots. With the process it is not necessary to tighten, as flax grows quickly.
If you miss the optimal time for a dive, transplanting plants without damaging the root system will fail.After reaching an average daily temperature of about +20 ° C, the seedlings can be planted in the open soil of the flowerbed, which should be prepared in advance. To do this, on 1 square. m of soil is applied about 4 kg of compost or humus, 1 tbsp. l superphosphate and 1 tbsp. l potassium sulfate, after which everything must be carefully dug up and loosen.
The landing is not recommended immediately, it is necessary to leave the soil alone for 1-2 days.
Growing up
Cultivation of flax in the open air is the easiest way to cultivate this plant, since it does not require particularly complex agricultural methods and special equipment. Sowing of seeds directly in open ground is carried out either at the end of autumn (for the winter) or at the beginning of May. 
Before sowing, it is necessary to prepare the soil in advance, based on the previously described technology (fertilization and plowing).
On the prepared and leveled soil, dig longitudinal holes 5 cm deep and 15 cm apart from each other. Seeds are sown abundantly in the prepared hole, then they are poured with a small amount of soil and watered.
Important! In order to achieve long-term flowering in the area of large-flowered flax, it is necessary to resort to a little trick, namely: periodically cut unripe bolls, which stimulates the plant to a new flowering.After the appearance of the first shoots of the bed, it is necessary to thin it out, and the distance from one plant to another should be in the range of 8-10 cm.
Breeding
Flax, like most non-perennial species, propagates with seeds, which ripen in the fruit-boxes. In this case, planting and caring for the plant are important. Also flax can be propagated vegetatively.
For this, parts of the flower are soaked in special solutions that help them to root effectively.
The method for the most part is not popular, as flax is quite effective and, most importantly, instantly propagated by seed.
Therefore, vegetative propagation is resorted to only in exceptional cases when it is not possible to preserve the cultivated plant by other means.
Care
Large-flowered flax refers to the species, planting and caring for which in the open field does not present much difficulty, even for an amateur gardener, as this species is quite unpretentious. 
However, in order to grow a healthy flowering plant, you need to follow some guidelines for caring for it.
Did you know? The large-flowered flax was introduced into culture in 1820, after which in just a few decades this annual flower conquered almost all corners of modern Eurasia, up to the harsh regions of taiga.
Flower location
The flower, first of all, belongs to the species that love open and bright places. Therefore, the brightly lit area away from tall tree species will be an ideal place for cultivating a plant in its own flower bed.
However, a long stay in direct sunlight will adversely affect the appearance of the flower, therefore, in order to achieve the best decorative value, it is necessary to provide only scattered light. 
Large-flowered flax is also unpretentious to the soil, but the best option for it is light soils, previously fertilized with humus or compost, as well as a special fertilizer for flowering plants.
In addition, the flowerbed, which is abundantly planted with decorative flax, must necessarily be weeded at least 1 time per month.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for the development of large-flowered flax is +20 ° C, but the plant feels good when it decreases to +12 ° C.
Important! During watering, large-flowered flax should not be poured with plenty of water, the soil should be moist, but without surplus. Otherwise, the plant is waiting for dangerous fungal diseases, up to death.In addition, the plant is well tolerated and quite hot periods of the year, but in such cases, the flower bed must be watered additionally throughout the entire period of high temperatures.
Top dressing
In order to achieve a long flowering period, flax needs additional feeding, which should be carried out at least 2 times per season: during the period of active growth and just before flowering. To do this, use complex mineral fertilizers and special mixtures for flowering ornamental species.
Mineral fertilizers include ammonium sulfate, Sudarushka, Kristalon, Kemira, and Ammophos.
Diseases and pests
Like most plant organisms, large-flowered flax is subject to pest and causative agents of dangerous diseases. In order to overcome the fungal disease, use antibiotics for plants of a wide degree of action.
Also, if you diagnose small nodules on the roots of a plant, this means nematode damage. To combat them use special drugs. 
In the case when the flowers are affected by flax flea, the following procedure is carried out: carefully remove the affected parts of the plant, and then carefully treat the flower bed with special chemical means.
Large-flowered flax is one of the few representatives of ornamental plants that can proudly be called unpretentious, as flax grows and develops almost without the participation of a gardener. However, in order to get a flower bed that is rich in bright colors, it is necessary to pay enough attention to the flower just a few times a season.
In this case, your favorite flower beds will be a real highlight of the garden.
