The saxifrage is a surprisingly beautiful, bright plant that is widely distributed as a garden crop.
It has gained its popularity not only because of its remarkable appearance, but also because of its good frost resistance, compact size and incomparable “character”.
If you want to get such a perennial, then listen to some of the tips presented below.
Seed preparation for sowing
Seed preparation starting from April, as this is the most suitable time for planting. Seeds of saxifrage need to pre-process cold. For this, a small container is suitable, in which a thin layer of a very light, slightly moistened substrate is poured. Seed the seeds gently over the surface of the soil, without burying them, and put everything in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Did you know? Under favorable conditions, very small, black seeds ripen in large quantities (more than 16 thousand seeds per gram), and the germination rate is 85.6%.
Planting seeds of saxifrage seedlings
After seed treatment capacity with them should cover with clear glass, film or other similar material, creating a mini-greenhouse in this way, and place in a bright, warm (+ 18-20̊ C) place. Watering should be regular, but make sure that the liquid does not stagnate.
The first shoots you can admire after about 7 days, but if this did not happen after 14-18 days, the seedlings will not germinate. Dive seedlings (in peat pots or bulk box) can be after the appearance of at least one really strong piece.
Planting of seedling of saxifrages in open ground
Planting of seedlings of saxifrage should be carried out in early June. Choose a well-drained, medium fertile soil. The plant will take root on the plot with both poor and limestone soil, but will not tolerate stagnant water, therefore, it is better to prefer slopes and crevices. Arrange the plants at a distance of ~ 10 cm from each other.
Important! Seedlings are placed in the ground either with a peat pot, or with the ground, cutting the soil of the mini-greenhouse like a pie and a spatula, removing the seedling together with a piece of soil.Young plants will bloom only next year.
Combination of saxifrage with other plants
Kamnelomka in landscape design is used as an ornamental, ground cover plant, it is used for the design of rock gardens, artificial slides, embankments, rocks. It will harmoniously fit into any composition with natural stones of various shapes and sizes.
Flowers in this representative of the flora vary in various colors - from white to dark red, and soft green leaves have a white or yellow edging. Other low-growing plants, such as irises or muscarars, can effectively complement such beauty. It is also used for planting near tall plants that bloom a little later, for example, cereals, phloxes. Beautifully complement the saramas with lingonberries and Chinese decorated gentian.
Especially popular for alpine slides are bells, iberis, young, crocuses, alissuma, edelweiss, stonecrop, juniper, tui, Japanese spirea, Thunberg barberry.
Some secrets of flower care
Caring for this plant is not difficult and even an inexperienced gardener can afford. Kamnelom watering should be regular, but moderate, the soil should have time to dry, it should also be loose and weeded. Create a relative shadow for the plant, provide good drainage.
Stones will serve as a kind of barrier, protecting the roots from the scorching sun and helping to retain moisture. After flowering, cut off the ground part of the plant, it will contribute to the emergence of new shoots.
Top dressing of saxifrage with complex fertilizer is done every month along with irrigation (with the exception of the dormant period - from October to the end of winter). The concentration of liquid fertilizer should be halved from that indicated on the package. 
Important! Although the plant has good frost resistance, it should still be sheltered in severe frosts.
Methods of breeding saxifrages
The saxifrage is capable of breeding in three ways: by seed, by dividing a bush, and by grafting.
Seeds
We have already described how to grow stonework from seeds.
Dividing bush
This method is used every six years to rejuvenate old specimens. After flowering has ended, side young shoots in the form of rosettes with roots should be separated from the central mother plant and planted in a shaded place, protecting it from the sun.
Young plants need regular abundant watering. They hibernate in the open field, and in the spring they should be transplanted to a permanent place.
Cuttings
Reproduction by cuttings is also worth starting after the saxifrage has bloomed. To do this, bend to the ground long side branches and secure, pin them. Wait for rooting, which will be at the end of the summer, and just before the frost, fill it with fallen leaves. Next spring, you will be able to separate young, rooted plants from the mother bush and transplant them into a necessary place.
The fight against possible pests and diseases of saxifrage
Although the resistance of kamnelomki to diseases and pests is quite high, but under unfavorable growing conditions, it can still suffer from them.
Spider mite infects the plant when excessive dryness occurs. The signs of this will be whitish cobwebs, yellow spots, and then the drying and dying of the leaves. To get rid of it, use insecticides.
The mealybug is shown in rusty stains that form on the leaves. To combat it, remove all the affected foliage and sprinkle the stonegrass with tobacco extract or soapy water.
Use the pyrimor to get the saxifrage off the green aphid covering the leaves with a sticky black patina.
At high humidity, the plant is affected by fungal diseases and needs treatment with copper-based drugs. 
Did you know? The saxifrage has healing properties. Broth from this plant is treated with boils and suppuration, used at elevated temperatures. Juice from the leaves is an anti-inflammatory agent for external use.We shared with you basic information on planting and caring for such an amazing plant as saxifrage. Adhering to the presented tips, you can easily decorate your site with these wonderful perennials.
