Nigella: growing from seeds, care rules, description of varieties and species

Growing nigella from seeds is an interesting process that allows you to get a good result. This herbaceous culture has excellent decorative properties and provides a healing effect. Today, many varieties and varieties of nigella are known, which differ in appearance and other characteristics. Thanks to this, every gardener can choose the right option.

Description and features

Nigella is often called a blackie. It is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 60 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a straight stem with a large number of branches.The plant is distinguished by blue, white, blue flowers. There are also rose buds. In combination with bright, pinnately dissected leaves, the flowers look beautiful.

Nigella inflorescences are solitary. They are simple and terry. The composition includes a calyx with 5 sepals, 5-8 petals, a large number of large stamens and pistils. Flowering continues from May to August. After its completion, the bush does not lose its decorative properties. This is due to the appearance of unusual boxes filled with seeds

Culture is considered light-loving. It is resistant to cold and easily tolerates spring frosts. Reproduction is carried out by seeds. They are black in color and triangular in shape.

Landing in open ground

To plant a crop in open soil, it is worth following a number of important recommendations.

Choosing a seat

The plant likes lit, unshaded places. It is important to choose the right landing site. In the shade, the culture begins to bloom later. At the same time, the flowers bloom at different times, and therefore the seeds do not have time to ripen.

Soil Requirements

Loose nutrient soil, which is characterized by a neutral reaction, is suitable for the full development of nigella. On acidic soil, the culture grows poorly. In such a situation, the beds are recommended to be limed in the fall.

Sowing dates

You can sow seeds in the soil in May or before winter, deepening them by 2 centimeters. Seedlings are resistant to low temperatures. However, at first, it is recommended to cover the crops. You don't have to repot seedlings. It is recommended to immediately plant them in a permanent place.

Plant pattern

For each square meter of the plot, take 1-1.5 grams of plant seeds. They are recommended to be planted in rows. Between them it is worth keeping a distance of 20 centimeters.

Growing through seedlings

Nigella can be grown in seedlings. In this case, it is worth following some recommendations.

When and how to plant

Seeds for seedlings should be planted in March or April. At the same time, they are buried in the ground by 2 centimeters. Sprouts appear in 2-3 weeks.

Dive

This procedure is carried out when 2 true leaves appear. Sprouts are transplanted into peat-humus pots. Right in them it is worth transplanting seedlings into the garden.

Landing in open ground

When the time comes, seedlings should be planted in the garden. This process has some peculiarities.

Choosing a seat

Nigella should choose an open and sunny area. Culture grows poorly in the shade.

Soil Requirements

Nigella loves loose and dry soil. It should be light. At the same time, nutrients must be present in the composition. It is important that the soil is neutral or calcareous. In acidic soil, the culture does not develop well.

Timing

Nigella seedlings develop quite quickly. Therefore, it should be transplanted into open ground as early as May.

How to drop off

Sprouts are transferred to the ground in peat pots. In this case, it is recommended to observe an interval of 15-20 centimeters. Between the rows it is worth maintaining a distance of 45-50 centimeters. More frequent planting will result in a lack of flowering and seeding.

After planting, the bed should be watered. At the same time, mulching the soil is not recommended. Nigella does not respond well to this procedure.

Care

To ensure that the culture is fully cared for, it is important to properly care for it. To do this, follow a number of recommendations.

Irrigation

Watering the culture is moderate, but regular. She hardly perceives excessive soil moisture. If you do not water the nigella for a long time or use too much water, there is a risk of plant death.

Loosening and weeding

This plant is considered very capricious. It is recommended to constantly weed and loosen it. In this case, weeding should be carried out carefully so as not to provoke damage to the roots. It is important to loosen the soil after watering to provide the roots with oxygen.

Feeding

Nigella is not recommended to feed with fresh organic fertilizers or use a lot of nitrogen substances. This greatly delays the growing season. As a result, it will not be possible to collect ripe seeds. During the flowering period, it is worth applying phosphorus-potassium preparations under the nigella.

Reproduction

There is only one method of crop propagation. This is done with seeds. They are planted directly in the soil or used for growing seedlings. After flowering, the plant can be sown independently.

Diseases and pests

Nigella is resistant to diseases and harmful insects. This is due to the strong odor that repels parasites. However, sometimes problems do occur.

Powdery mildew

This disease develops if the weather is wet and cool for a long time. To cope with the problem, it is worth using fungicides. With such preparations, the plant should be treated 2-3 times in 7 days.

Spider mite

In dry weather, in the absence of timely watering, the plant can be affected by spider mites. Parasites suck out all the juices from the culture. To cope with ticks, nigella should be sprinkled with chemicals. Substances such as Akarin, Aktellik are suitable for this purpose.

After flowering

After the maturation of the seed pods, they begin to collect the seed. It is recommended to use it for growing crops next year. Seeds are harvested in late summer or early autumn.

To do this, dry stems with seeds should be cut and hung in bunches in a ventilated room. Qualitatively dried seeds are recommended to be removed from the boxes. They remain viable for several years. It is allowed to plant a crop in a flower bed in spring or late autumn.

Views

There are quite a few varieties of nigella that have certain characteristics.

Damask

This variety is most often found in gardens. It is an unpretentious ornamental culture that has beautiful flowers and leaves. Stems grow 30-50 centimeters tall.

Culture is characterized by dissected leaves. It also has white, blue or blue flowers. There are many varieties of Damascus nigella that allow you to choose the right option.

Sowing

This plant is also called Roman coriander. It resembles the Damascus nigella, but is characterized by smaller flowers. They differ in white, bluish, yellow tint.

Culture seeds have a pronounced spicy aroma. This variety is often used to improve the taste of dishes. Also, dry bouquets of sowing nigella help fight moths.

Spanish

This plant is somewhat less common. In height, it reaches 60 centimeters. The culture is characterized by dark green leaves and rich blue flowers. They are 6 centimeters in diameter. Inside you can see bright stamens. The plant blooms from June to September.

Eastern

This culture is more widespread in Asia. It has ugly flowers, on which there are practically no petals. The rest are bent down. The bush has a straight stem and branched shoots covered with long leaves.

Popular varieties

Nigella has many varieties that differ in certain characteristics. This allows gardeners to choose the most suitable solution for the flower bed.

Cambridge Blue

This beautiful plant is characterized by large flowers. They are bluish-blue in color. The bush reaches 1 meter in height and is covered with lacy leaves. It is this variety of nigella that is most often chosen for decorating flower beds.

Miss Jekyll Rose

This variety is characterized by large flowers. They may have red or purple hues. In the box you can find red seeds. The plant has a straight stem, the height of which does not exceed 50 centimeters.

Persian Jewels

The plant is characterized by pink, white, red flowers. In their center you can see long green stamens. This variety has thin leaves that form a delicate lace on a small stem.

Dwarf Moody Blue

This variety is a dwarf variety of Damascene nigella. It is characterized by small truncated leaves that form a cloud. That is why the plant was called "blue fog". The height of the stem reaches 25 centimeters. The flowers are small and have a blue or blue tint.

Baby Blue

This is an unattractive cultivar with small, pale flowers. It also has small curved stems. Their height does not exceed 20 centimeters.

Sativa

This plant can be used for medicinal purposes. The culture reaches 30-70 centimeters in height and has white, blue or yellow flowers. The leaves are finely dissected and resemble fennel grass.

Healing properties

Culture is grown not only for decorative purposes. It brings great benefits to the human body and is used in food. The seeds of the plant are characterized by an intense strawberry aroma and taste. They can be added to food.

Nigella leaves are also considered edible. They have a tonic effect on the body and help to improve well-being.

The seeds of the plant contain many useful elements. These include vitamins E and C. Also, the product contains a lot of essential oils. Thanks to this, it has general strengthening properties.

Nigella fruits are actively used in folk medicine. They are used to combat cystitis, dysbacteriosis, pyelonephritis. Seeds are useful for diabetes, oncology, asthma, epilepsy.

Infusions based on them improve metabolism and cleanse the body of harmful elements. Such funds are used in the period of weight loss. They stop the aging process and improve memory.

To make a useful remedy, you should take nigella seeds and mix with vodka in a ratio of 1:5. Clean in a dark place and leave for 1 week. Then strain the liquid and transfer to the refrigerator. The resulting remedy is used for pathologies of the respiratory organs. Single dose - 10-15 drops.

Nigella helps to cope with mosquitoes and moths. The plant has a specific aroma that helps repel insects.

It is worth considering that the plant has contraindications. It should not be used during pregnancy, ischemia, gastritis. Also, gallstone disease is a limitation.

Application in landscape design

Nigella has excellent decorative properties. Therefore, it is often used in landscape design. There are many uses for this plant:

1. The flower fits organically into dry gardens and rockeries.
2. Nigella is often planted near artificial reservoirs and decorative fountains. This plant is characterized by lightness and accuracy.
3. Nigella also looks attractive along the curbs. The plant forms a bright pattern.
4. Nigella will decorate any flower bed. She will not get lost even in a bright flower arrangement.
5. An excellent option would be to decorate an alpine slide. The combination with cornflowers and petunias will be especially effective.

Nigella is a beautiful plant that has useful properties and is actively used in landscape design. This culture is considered unpretentious, because it is loved by many gardeners and is often planted on plots.

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