home House and garden Garden Lobelia (Lobelia): planting, growing and care

Lobelia (Lobelia): planting, growing and care

Lobelia from the Bellflower family are annual or perennial plants that develop in the form of shrubs, shrubs or grass. From the beginning of summer to the very frosts, compact bushes densely covered with small flowers of blue, pink, purple or purple tones have fascinated with their excellent decorativeness.

Species and varieties

In the wild, the numerous genus has more than 300 species, of which about 20 are represented in the culture.

Growing flowers from seeds

The main method of propagating lobelia is seed, in which there are two methods of sowing. A more productive method of growing from seeds is the seedling method.

How and when to sow seedlings for seedlings?

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out at the end of winter:

A box for seedlings is prepared with a depth of not more than 5 cm and with good drainage from expanded clay or broken brick.
The tank is filled with a light substrate of peat and sand in equal parts, which is well moistened before sowing.
Seed is distributed over the soil mixture and slightly crushed by sand.
The box is covered with glass and moved to a place with good lighting.
From time to time, glass (or film) is removed for ventilation and systematic moisture, as soil and air droughts can destroy seedlings.

Lobelia pick

The pick is carried out when the height of the seedlings will be 3-4 cm, which is noted 2.5 months after the emergence of seedlings. Before diving lobelia, it is recommended to moisten the soil and use a spoon to plant seedlings of 4 in disposable cups. The substrate around the lobelia is compacted and watered.

When the growth is 3-4 cm, the shoots are nipped to stimulate branching.

Outdoor lobelia planting

Lobelia seedlings are planted in the garden in late spring, when the threat of freezing frost passes and the soil warms up well. A sunny area with loose and rather poor soil containing a small amount of nitrogen is selected for landing. An excess of this substance can lead to the plant building up green mass to the detriment of flowering.

In the selected area, shallow holes are dug with a distance of 10 - 15 cm, where seedlings from cups are placed by the method of transshipment.

Plant care

When caring for this beautifully flowering bush, special attention must be paid to certain agricultural activities.

Watering

Systematic watering is the most important component of comprehensive care. The soil under the lobelia should always remain slightly moist.

Especially this requirement applies to the cultivation of ampel forms, which in the summer heat require double watering throughout the day.

Pruning

Shortening the shoots to 5 cm after the first flowering will ensure good branching and an abundance of flowers in the subsequent flowering phase.

Fertilizing and fertilizers

In order for the culture to bloom magnificently for a long period of time, it is recommended to feed the lobelia three times a season with the help of complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.

Care after flowering

In latitudes with a temperate climate, lobelia is cultivated as an annual plant. After the end of autumn flowering, plant debris is harvested with a preliminary collection of seeds.

Seeds are harvested as follows:

The bush is cut off and shakes over the spread paper.
What was obtained from the cut specimen is sifted through a sieve.
The seed cleaned from foreign debris is poured into matchboxes.

Propagation of lobelia (Lobelia) by cuttings and layering

Since the seed method does not guarantee the preservation of varietal characters, some growers resort to vegetative methods of breeding.

Cuttings

When propagating lobelia by cuttings, the following algorithm is observed:

In autumn, bushes are dug up and planted in pots that move to a cool, bright place for wintering.
At the end of February, cuttings up to 10 cm long are cut from shoots of the overwintered specimen, which are planted in individual containers for root formation.
When the specimens take root, and stable heat is established on the street, lobelia are planted in open ground.

Propagation by layering

With this method of cultivation, the flower also hibernates in a wide pot, where in February - March shoots of the lower tier are pinned and dug. Before pinning, an incision is made on the shoot.

Protection against diseases and pests

Lobelia can be affected by both diseases and harmful insects.

Blackleg

The disease is noted during distillation of seedlings, when the basal neck becomes thinner and blackens, provoking lodging and death of seedlings. At the first symptoms of the development of the disease, it is recommended to immediately treat with a fungicidal preparation and add fresh substrate from peat and sand, which will allow seedlings to grow healthy roots.

Gray rot

The main signs of a fungal disease are brown spots on the shoots of lobelia, which, in high humidity, in addition, are covered with a dusty coating. Low temperature conditions, lack of sunlight, excessive watering or excessively high levels of humidity provoke the development of rot. When a disease is detected, affected plants are removed, and plantings are sprayed with copper-containing fungicides.

Tracheomycotic wilt

Both seedlings and adult specimens can be affected. If the plants began to fade, turn yellow and dry out, then it is worth cutting the shoot and looking at the place of cut. With tracheomycosis, a darkening of the vessels of the plant can be seen. If the assumption is confirmed, sick specimens should be burned and the soil treated with a solution of manganese. Healthy plants should be sprayed with a systemic fungicide according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Thrips

If the leaf plates are covered with bright spots, then perhaps the grower has encountered a sucking insect that feeds on leaf juice. As a protective measure, the treatment of lobelia with an insecticide is used.

Slug

The holes on the leaf plates in combination with the shiny paths from the mucus indicate the colonization of the culture by a gastropod pest, which will have to be handled using various traps (roofing material, cups of beer, etc.).

Lobelia in landscape design

Bushes resembling colorful clouds are often used in the design of various art objects:

Landing on flower beds and discounts. Before forming a floral composition, a color scheme should be considered.
At registration of the lower tier of the alpine hill. Blue varieties will perfectly complement the picturesque flower bed of stones.
In hanging flower pots. In order for the flowers to completely hide the frame, effectively hanging from the basket, ampelic varieties of lobelia are used.
In decorative flowerpots. Lobelia is often used in wide flowerpots in combination with petunias, pelargoniums and ivy.
In the formation of flower towers with the help of several flowerpots. Magnificent blossoming "rugs" perfectly look in vertical container decoration.

Thus, if the florist wants to decorate his garden with contrasting, lushly flowering plants, then he should pay attention to the lobelia resembling charming cirrus clouds. Caring for her is not difficult, but the joy for the eyes is amazing.