Lobelia is an interesting ornamental plant, perennial belonging to the family of bell-bells. Homeland of this flower are South Africa, Australia and America, where it grows on stony slopes, along river banks, among shrubs and with sufficient humidity, blooms unusually beautiful, and the color of buds can be the most diverse: white, violet, bright scarlet. Plants of many varieties, for example such as lobelia shiny, blood red and ampel, are considered one of the most beautiful, used for decorative purposes. They are used to decorate garden areas, flower beds, balconies, terraces and suspended pots. Lobelia is perfectly combined with many other plants, so they are often used as a "background" for large-flowered species. As an annual in parks and gardens, an ebony variety is grown, perfectly adapted to the temperate climate of the central part of Russia. In this article we will tell about this beautiful garden plant under the gentle name "lobelia". Planting and caring for this perennial is a complex of agrotechnical operations, which are not particularly difficult for anyone, even a beginner florist. The main thing is to know how to properly water it, fertilize it and plant it.
Lobelia: planting and care. Temperature, lighting, watering and top dressing
These plants can be of different shapes: erect (up to 25 cm in height), ampel, with hanging shoots (up to 50 cm long) with abundant flowering on them and compact - up to 15 cm in height. Lobelia is distinguished among other garden plants with its abundant and long flowering: its flowers are small, about 2 cm in diameter, but bright and cheerful. With proper care, the plant will delight the eye with its pink, purple or white buds from June to September. If you are thinking about how to diversify your garden, choose a plant called "lobelia". Planting and caring for it is the right choice of the site, timely watering and feeding. This plant prefers sunny places or semi-shade, in case of insufficient illumination its bloom can significantly worsen. With regard to climatic conditions, lobelia feels great at moderate temperatures and tolerates small frosts (up to -1 ° C or -2 ° C). In case of excessive heat, the heat needs abundant and regular watering, otherwise it may die. For a plant, a common cultivated garden land with a small amount of organic fertilizers is not bad. The soil must be loose, permeable, unsealed. Watered lobelyu as necessary, training moisturizing in dry weather. The plant responds well to periodic top dressing with complex mineral mixtures. This contributes to a longer and lush bloom of lobelia. In addition to watering and feeding, after the first flowering, the plant is cut off (at an altitude of about 5 cm), in order to create new shoots and tie the buds with new forces.
Beauty lobelia. Planting and care: reproduction
This garden plant is propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings. Seeds of lobelia are sown in containers starting from the end of February to April. It is believed that the March seedlings grow stronger. When planting the biomaterial is not immersed deeply into the ground, do not dig in and very gently watered by spraying. After germination 2 real leaves produce a pick. For a spiked seedling, it is desirable to maintain a cool (up to 18 ° C) and provide enough light. The seedlings are transported to the open ground in May - when the cooling capacity is minimized. You can cover the seedlings, for example, lutrasilom, preventing possible spring frosts. Otherwise, lobelia can die. Planting and care (photo shows the seedlings of the plant) behind it, apparently, are quite simple. The second method of reproduction is also quite easy and convenient. In order to get healthy cuttings, the plant should be left in the pot until the spring comes. And then to blacken the bush by cutting twigs about 10 cm long.
Lobelia ampel: planting and care
There are no special differences in the cultivation of ampel lobelia from other forms. It also requires bright sunlight, constant humidity, sufficient watering and loamy soil with good permeability. For a lush bloom the plant is abundantly moisturized in hot weather and periodically fed. Propagate lobelia ampellum seedlings by sowing seeds in boxes between late February and early April. Seedlings appear after two weeks, after which the room temperature is lowered to 15 ° C.