WATER NEEDS OF THE IMMORTELLE (Helichrysum italicum lat.) PLANTATION

Primorsko smilje (Helichrysum italicum/ Roth/ G.don) je trajnica koja pripada rodu Helichrysum iz porodice glavočika (Asteraceae). Zbog svojih žutih cvjetova, koji ne venu čak ni kada su ubrani, sinonim je za vječnost i besmrtnost. S obzirom da samoniklo raste na suhim i krševitim tlima mediteranskog područja, dobro podnosi sušne uvjete i visoke temperature te pripada skupini kserofitnih biljaka. Zbog povećanja potražnje na tržištu, u posljednjih nekoliko godina, samoniklo smilje u prirodi nekontrolirano se bere i sakuplja. Negativne posljedice takvog branja, gdje se biljke čupaju zajedno s korijenom, dovode do dugotrajnog oštećenja i postepenog nestanka ove ljekovite i aromatične biljke s njenih prirodnih staništa. Kako bi se očuvala vrsta, zagovara se novi pristup, a to je podizanje nasada smilja koje je, prema procjenama stručnjaka, dugoročno isplativa investicija. Mladim nasadima treba osigurati povoljne uvjete za rast i jačanje grmova, kao i dovoljnu količinu vode. Preporuča se lagano zalijevanje, bez prejakog kontakta s vodom. U skladu s principima ekološke poljoprivredne proizvodnje koriste se sredstva dozvoljena u ekološkoj zaštiti bilja.Helichrysum italicum is a flowering plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. Because of its yellow flowers, which are not fading even when they are harvested, this plant is a synonym for eternity and immortality. It grows as a self-seed plant in the dry and rocky soils of the Mediterranean area. It tolerates drought conditions and high temperatures and belongs to a group of plants called xerophytes. In recent years, picking and collecting wild immortelle is uncontrolled. The negative consequences of such picking, where the plants are pulled out together with the root, are leading to long-term damage and the gradual disappearance of medicinal and aromatic plants with their natural habitats. In order to preserve the species, the experts recommend a new approach and that is the cultivation of immortelle which according to them estimates long-term profitable investment. Young plantations should be provided by favorable conditions for the growth and strengthening of shrubs, as well as a sufficient amount of water. It is recommended to lightly watering, without excessive water contact. Imortelle is cultivated according to the principles of organic farming