The article is dedicated to one of the popular plants that are often grown in gardens and spacious balconies. Lobelia has a wide range of varieties and beautiful appearance. At the moment, about 300 different variants are known. Among the inhabitants of Russia, less than 20 of them can be called the most popular. But this turned out to be quite enough for people to easily decorate their homes and get to know this plant species better.
Which look to prefer: first steps
Before you know the types of plant varieties, it is best to decide which lobelia is needed: annual or perennial. The latter can easily survive even the harshest conditions of life, it can withstand frost. Unfortunately, an annual plant is not able to "boast" of such abilities, but it is most common among the inhabitants of the planet. This is due to the fact that varieties with a minimum life span look interesting, and they also bloom profusely. Long-term lobelia does not indulge in such delights.
Annual plant
Of all annual lobelias, only one is the most commonspecies - erinus. It also has the name "blackberry". Also common under the name Lobelia long-leaved. The plant received thin stems, the leaves have small teeth. Due to the huge number of shoots, an already adult lobelia is a dense ball, consisting of flowers. The latter are small in size (2 cm), but there are many of them. On one bush there are about a hundred flowers. It is about her that will be discussed further in the article. Consider in detail the possible varieties and how to care for the plant.
Basic forms of Erinus
There are five forms that have their own characteristics. The largest is the ampelous lobelia erinus. In adulthood, she is able to grow lashes up to 35 cm long. Due to the fact that they hang towards the floor, a magnificent cascade is formed. A small species is called a dwarf lobelia. The bushes of the plant are small and rarely exceed 12 cm.
Less popular plant forms
The following species are also known: compact, upright and sprawling. The height of the first is 15 cm. The compact lobelia erinus is a dense bush. Its shoots are upright. And the sprawling one is a bush with stems up to 30 cm. Its height is no more than 15 cm. The stems are sprawling. Upright lobelia - a bush of a columnar type, its height is 25 cm.
Spruce varieties of lobelia erinus
There are a huge number of bush varieties of lobelia erinus, so we will consider only the most impressive and famousamong residents of the Russian Federation:
- Miss Clibran. It is a bush of small dimensions, the dimensions of which rarely exceed 15 cm. In diameter, representatives of the variety can reach 30 cm. Flowers that have a white eye can be called a clear difference from other types of lobelia. The petals are blue-violet.
- "Emperor Willy". The bush, though small (10 cm), but lush. The flowers are bright blue in color. It grows well, especially if you use open ground.
- Lobelia erinus "crystal palace". The bush is dense and rarely lush. Height - no more than 20 cm. The flowers are purple-blue, a huge number of them bloom.
- "White Palace". Representatives of this variety also do not differ in splendor, their height is 12 cm. The flowers are white.
- Cambridge Blue. The bush is compact in size, the stems are low (10 cm). Cold blue flowers bloom.
Ampel plant varieties
Lobelia erinus has many different species. Varieties are also ampelous. There are many of them, so we will consider only the main and most common ones.
- "Red Cascade". The shoots of this flower are falling, the bush is lush. The length of the plant does not exceed 35 cm. Logically, the flowers of this lobelia should be red, although in reality this is not the case. The shade is closer to a lilac tone.
- "Sapphire". The plant has drooping shoots. Their height is 35 cm. Flowers have spots on the petals located below everything. Their shade is bright blue.
- "Bluefountain". Due to the large number of hanging shoots, the plant has a bulky and lush cascade. Flowers pale blue. Has white eyes. Scourges in length do not exceed the mark of 35 cm.
Features in the nature of the flower
In order to grow a flower in favorable conditions for it, you need to know about the features of its character. For example, Lobelia erinus loves light and moisture, and is resistant to low temperatures.
When growing a plant, it is necessary to install it in a place where a sufficient amount of sunlight falls. You also need to ensure regular and timely watering. It is the latter factor that is considered almost the most important nuance for the he althy and successful growth of a plant. In the summer, when the air becomes dry and the temperature of the surrounding space is too high, with insufficient watering, the lobelia erinus will simply begin to grow weakly and stop producing flowers.
For optimal life, you need to choose the right soil. It should not have too much fertilizer. It is desirable that it be loose and nutritious. Fresh manure cannot be used; this top dressing will not bring the expected results. If there is a desire to apply it, then it is best to do this before planting the plant in the ground. The fact is that if you use fresh manure, the lobelia will grow quickly, but will stop producing flowers.
Flower reproduction
Reproduction of lobelia is carried out using seeds. All the subtleties are precisely in their landing. Cultivation takes place in the standard seedling method. If the lobelia began to grow, then it can already be transplanted.
Seeds should be sown at the end of February. Due to the fact that during this period of the year the daylight hours are still small, the sprouts will need to be specially highlighted with a special technique. The dishes where the seeds are placed in the future should be as wide and low as possible. There is no need to sprinkle with earth, it should be sown on the surface. If desired, you can mix the seeds with sand. Instead, it is also allowed to use peat. In the event that there is snow cover on the street, you can sprinkle the ground with a thin layer of ice crystals. Seeds should be sown on top. After that, you need to spray potassium permanganate with a spray gun. This is done so that the seedlings do not become infected with any disease. Watering is carried out either using a pot or spraying. The method is chosen by the host.
It is necessary to create a greenhouse effect, Lobelia erinus loves it. Growing then will occur as quickly as possible. To do this, you can use a film or glass. They should be wiped and turned over every day. Seeds often germinate in the second week. It is worth noting that at first they grow slowly, so there is no need to worry.
After the sprouts have appeared, you need to remove the cover every day and leave the small plants to “breathe”. Time should be gradually increased from 30 minutes to 2 hours. After reaching the maximum interval, the glass or film must be removed completely. Due to this, lobelia seedlings witheasily get used to the peculiarities of the local air.
Transplantation into another container (dive) occurs after the seedling leaves become visible. You need to use loose soil. Attention! Seedlings will be very weak, so picking is best done with plastic tweezers. Watering also needs to be as careful as possible, otherwise they may break. After transplantation, lobelia (photo below) grows at a tremendous rate. It should be planted in the ground as soon as the length began to increase.
Features of care
Caring for a plant is easy, the main thing is to follow certain rules:
- Planting material must be chosen carefully. Seeds should be collected only in autumn. You need to make sure that the plant from which they come from is not sick.
- Planting is necessary in a place where the maximum amount of natural light. If this is not possible, then partial shade can be allowed. In the event that water sometimes stagnates, a drainage system would be a good solution.
- Ideally, it is better to use cultivated soil. Organics in it should be the optimal amount, with mineral dressings you should also be careful. If there are too many of these substances, then the plant will begin to grow actively, the appearance of flowers is excluded.
- Water only when the soil begins to dry out. Particular attention should be paid to the "food" system in the summer. It's too hot at this time of the year. Top dressing should be carried out no more than 2 times a day.year (end of spring and summer). You need to use those substances that have impurities of nitrogen or ash. This will allow the plant to release shoots more easily and quickly to produce flowers.
- If a person noticed that lobelia practically does not prosper, and there are no problems with leaving, then you need to carry out the haircut process. It is necessary to cut the ends of the stems. There is no need to be afraid for your plant, as this will make the bushes more active and give flowers much longer.
As you can see, lobelia (there is a photo in the article) is unpretentious, it is easy and simple to care for it. Therefore, you can safely plant it on your windowsill and balcony, enjoying the bright colors all summer long.
