Few people can be found who would not like nasturtium. This flower continues to be popular today, when more exotic species are available to every gardener. This can be explained quite simply: nasturtium attracts not only with its rich color palette, but also with its unpretentiousness and stability. However, you can assess the correctness of such a choice if you know about the features of caring for nasturtium.
Typically, nasturtium is grown by sowing seeds... After that, you will not have to wait very long for the appearance of radiant flowers, thanks to which your garden will become more attractive.
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Description of nasturtium flowers
Almost everyone is familiar with the photo of this plant; only a few are aware of the peculiarities of nasturtium. Namely, taking them into account, leaving is planned.
The birthplace of this flower, which is known to specialists as capuchin, is South America. Despite the fact that its natural conditions differ from the Russian climate, in our country it has been actively cultivated for more than one year. Wild species of nasturtium differ in structure, height and vigor. In the natural environment, you can often find specimens that are in height can reach 2 meters... At the same time, species of this plant grow in some places, which are limited in height to 20 cm. In the middle zone of our country, nasturtium has become widespread as an annual plant, in which single flowers are formed, differing in a variety of colors.
Landing requirements
Many specialists, as well as experienced flower growers, are aware of the unpretentiousness of nasturtium in growing and caring. However, regardless of this, you should worry about creating optimal conditions if you want to achieve lush flowering of this annual. Therefore, it is possible to start growing nasturtium on the site only after familiarization with the basic requirements.
The soil
Curly nasturtium feels most comfortable on light and moderately fertile soils with high-quality drainage and slightly acidic reaction... Having decided to grow this crop on a plot rich in organic fertilizers, you most likely will not wait for flowering, because in such conditions it will “fatten”.
A site where infertile soils predominate will not be entirely suitable for it. In this case, most of the time the stems will stand bare, and only small leaves will form on them during the season. When trying to grow nasturtium on heavy soil, it will be subject to various diseases, which often ends in the death of the plant. From this it can be concluded that planting and leaving should be planned with a culture in mind.
Lighting
Remembering that nasturtium refers to warm and light-loving plants, the most comfortable conditions for its development can be created only in a sunny area. Having decided to plant it in partial shade, you will not wait for abundant flowering, since the whole season the plant will delight you only with a lush green mass.Keep in mind that drafts can also damage nasturtium and therefore the site must be protected from the wind.
Temperature fluctuations also negatively affect the plant. It is imperative to protect nasturtium from frost, because in the absence of protection, the plant will lose its attractiveness.
How to plant a nasturtium flower on the site?
A photo of a well-groomed plant can amaze any grower, but achieving such an appearance is not easy.
In its natural environment, nasturtium has become widespread as a perennial. It is grown in our latitudes as an annual plantand therefore needs appropriate care. For breeding hybrid forms and terry varieties of nasturtium, the propagation method is used using cuttings. However, the most commonly used method is sowing seeds. It is used for such types of nasturtiums as large, bush and curly.
The seeds obtained from these flowers remain viable for a long time. Therefore, by sowing seeds even after 4 years, you can be sure that they will sprout.
To plant nasturtium in the garden, you can choose one of the following methods:
- reckless. The prepared seeds are sown on the garden bed.
- seedling. First, seedlings are grown at home, which, when favorable conditions occur, are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.
In the first case, sowing seeds is recommended at the end of May. In places with more severe conditions, planting is postponed until early June. It should be borne in mind that nasturtium does not tolerate frost, therefore, it is advisable to provide for such a risk and cover the area with plantings with covering material.
- before planting seedlings in a permanent place, they are treated with hot water for 10-15 minutes, after which they are soaked for a day in room water;
- for planting flowers, pits are prepared with a depth of 2 cm, which are placed at least 25-30 cm from each other.
In the second case, sowing seeds to obtain seedlings is carried out at the end of April and May... It usually takes one month for the seedlings to reach a state sufficient for transplanting into the garden. It is advisable to grow seedlings in special peat cups, as this will help to avoid injury to the delicate roots of the seedlings during their transplantation to a permanent place in the garden.
Seedlings are planted in the same way as in the case of the seedling method. The seeds must be buried by 2 cm. If the temperature is kept at + 2 degrees, then the appearance of the first shoots should be expected no earlier than 1.5-2 weeks. Subsequently, it is necessary to lower the temperature to + 18 degrees. As a result, with proper care, the sprouts will take root and start growing in two to three weeks.
Most growers prefer the first planting method. This is due not only to the practicality and convenience of this option, but also the ability to make plants less susceptible to disease. However, keep in mind that with proper care, plants grown in the first way will begins to bloom later than seedlings.
How to care for plants?
To create favorable conditions for the development of nasturtium, planting and care should be carried out according to certain rules. And without fail, she needs watering and weeding.
the highest demand of flowers for water is at the stage of active growth. It is after him that the plant begins to bloom. It is necessary to choose the time for watering based on the condition of the surface layer of the soil. However, watering nasturtium too often is harmful - in this case, pale inflorescences will begin to form;- there are some peculiarities in relation to weeding. Its main goal is to reduce moisture evaporation and improve air access. If certain circumstances interfere with regular weeding, then instead, the soil in the root zone can be covered with mulch;
- you will also have to do certain things if you want to keep the attractiveness of nasturtium as long as possible.A mandatory operation is pruning wilted flowers. The benefits of such a procedure will be tangible, since it will launch the mechanism for the formation of new inflorescences, as a result, the flower will delight you for more than one week.
If you want not only to enjoy the flowering of nasturtium in your area, but also to acquire seeds, then you just need to choose a favorable moment for this. The easiest way to do this is if you constantly observe the fruits of flowers... Noticing that they are beginning to ripen and have already become whitish, you can start collecting. However, this should be done before they fall, otherwise nasturtium will multiply on its own in inappropriate places for this. If you grow climbing nasturtium, then you should be aware that, unlike other varieties, this variety of flowers does not fully ripen the seeds.
Thus, providing adequate nasturtium care is not as difficult as many believe. If you choose the right place for planting in advance and maintain favorable conditions for its development throughout the year, then the plant will delight you with lush flowering throughout the summer season.
Conclusion
Unlike many exotic plants, many growers, including amateurs, have heard about nasturtium. And when you have to think about what flowers to plant in a flower bed, many choose nasturtium among the famous ones. This plant is not only looks very attractive, but also do not create hassle in care and cultivation. Therefore, for many gardeners, these flowers are one of the most preferred options for decorating the site. True, here, too, there are certain rules that must be observed if you want to wait for the abundant flowering of nasturtium.
Moreover, it is important not only to provide flowers with abundant lighting, but also pay attention to the quality of the soila, since nasturtium will not feel comfortable on all soils. If you wish, you can even prolong the bloom of the nasturtium by pruning it on time. This operation will not only not weaken, but will also stimulate the formation of new inflorescences, which will continue to decorate your site until the first frost. But in this matter, much depends on the seedlings, since it is at the stage of its cultivation that future flowers are laid. Therefore, it is this stage that needs to be given the utmost attention.
