Kobey: planting and care in the open field, growing from seeds, how to save in the winter for next year

An annual tropical shrub-liana is used in household plots and dachas of Russian gardeners for planting arbors and creating hedges. Kobeya grows rapidly, covering vertical structures with greenery. Flowers in the form of large double bells enchant with their sophistication and beauty. How to plant kobei in the open field correctly and what elements of care to pay attention to, every gardener should know.

Description and features

A tropical flower, under the right growing conditions, thrives in our climate.

Description and features of the plant:

• Fast growth rate.
• Powerful branched root system.
• The presence of tendrils on the stems.
• Large bell-shaped flowers with long stamens and pistils.
• The fruit is a box with rounded seeds.

Under natural conditions grows in tropical forests of South America and Mexico. Cultivated since the end of the 18th century. Popular name - Mexican ivy.

Growing

The main difficulty of cultivation is the relatively poor germination of seeds. The shell of the seed material is very thick and dense, it is difficult for a sprout to hatch through the crust. Pre-sowing seed preparation is mandatory.

Seed preparation

The purpose of pre-sowing preparation is to get rid of the thick shell of the seeds, to dissolve the crust to a slimy state. Material preparation steps:

• The seeds are laid out on the bottom of the container and poured with warm water.
• After 2 hours, they will be covered with slime, which must be cleaned off.
• Then the seeds are soaked again.
• Repeat the procedure several times until the seed is completely clean.

Note: Seed germination averages about 40%. Shoots appear after a long time, after about 3 weeks.

Timing

Sowing seeds for seedlings produced in early spring or late February. The growth period of the material is long, it is not recommended to delay the planting season.

Soil preparation

The soil for kobei should be nutritious and loose, sand can be added. Before sowing seeds, the soil must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or scalded with boiling water as a preventive measure against fungal and bacterial diseases.

How to plant seedlings

Kobei when grown for seedlings are planted immediately in individual cups. The flat side of the seed is laid down on the ground, then the future sprout is sprinkled with earth to a depth of no more than 1 centimeter.

Picking

At the age of three true leaves, kobei seedlings dive. The sprouts are carefully removed from the cups and transplanted into 3 liter pots. Tropical creeper roots are powerful and should be well formed. Moving the plants to larger containers will result in stronger stems.

Support

After picking, additional devices are installed in each pot in the form of a ladder, which will be a support for the future liana.

Hardening

For better acclimatization and survival of plants in the open field, they are hardened after planting.Around the third decade of April, seedlings can be placed on a balcony or glazed veranda. Under favorable weather conditions, seedling containers can be left outdoors until disembarkation.

Landing in open ground

Kobeya is a heat-loving tropical plant, it is not worth rushing to plant vines in unprotected ground, but at the same time, excessive stretching of seedlings should not be allowed.

When to plant

As soon as the threat of spring frosts passes, and the soil temperature reaches a stable level of +10 ^{С, plants are planted in a permanent place in open ground. As a rule, this is the end of May - the beginning of June.}

Choosing a seat

The main requirement of kobei to the place of growth is the absence of drafts and strong winds in the area. The soil must be nutritious, drought is unacceptable. The illumination of the site is above average, although the cultivation of Mexican ivy is also carried out in places with partial shade.

Plant pattern

The kobe is planted in the landing holes, which are prepared in advance. The depth of such recesses is 30-40 centimeters, a mixture of humus and sand is laid on the bottom. The distance between the holes is about 1 meter. The pits are watered and a bush is planted.

It is necessary to establish a support for a young creeper on the day of disembarkation. To grow a strong stem and create dense thickets, the plant needs its presence.

Care

Kobey is demanding on growing conditions. To achieve full coverage of the fence with foliage and flowering of a tropical liana, systematic care is needed.

Irrigation

Mexican ivy does not tolerate drought well. The soil must not be allowed to dry out. Regular watering is required. Irrigation is carried out with warm water under the root of the plant. But you should not get carried away with watering, excess moisture leads to various types of fungal diseases.

Feeding

The main necessary fertilizers for kobei are fertilizing containing nitrogen. As soon as the plant has gained a sufficient amount of foliage and stretched out in length, potash and phosphorus fertilizers must be applied during the budding period.

Note: From folk recipes, it is recommended to water the vines with an infusion of bird droppings or mullein 2-3 times per season. The introduction of humate and other organic top dressings is welcome.

Loosening and weeding

Removal of weeds, regular loosening are mandatory procedures, after which the bushes can be sprinkled with a mixture of humus, wood ash and sand.

Diseases and pests

The main enemies of tropical vines are aphid colonies and spider mites. In case of severe infection, the plants are treated with insecticides: Iskra, Aktara, Fitoverm. For prevention, mustard powder and wood ash are used, Bordeaux liquid can be used.

Formation of lashes

The bush begins to form immediately after transplanting into open ground. The plant is tied to supports in the form of ladders, nets or pegs. The growth rate of the vine is fast, it is necessary to tie up the bush regularly throughout the season. To form beautiful lashes, the plant is pinched, excess shoots are removed.

Reproduction

Kobei breeding involves two methods: seed or seedling, as well as cuttings. Creepers cannot be propagated by dividing the bush.

Seeds

The main propagation method for Mexican ivy. Seeds are pre-treated, the hard shell is removed or softened to improve the quality of seedlings. Such plants bloom longer and get sick less.

Cutting

Cuttings for cuttings are obtained from adult plants that overwintered in warm protected ground conditions.Cutting cuttings begins in early spring. A sprig is formed no more than 20 centimeters long, placed in water until the roots appear, then the plant is planted in an individual pot, in which it develops for 3-4 weeks. Next, the vine is transplanted to a permanent place.

After flowering

The flowering period of tropical vines continues until late autumn. Further, the kobei bushes are removed, since Mexican ivy is grown as an annual plant in Russia.

Collection and storage of seeds

Seeds of own production, harvested on time and stored at the right temperature, humidity and light, have extremely low germination. It is recommended to purchase kobei seeds from a specialized store.

Preparing for winter

In late autumn, the bush is dug up and removed. In the Russian climate, the plant lives only one season. Advanced gardeners, in order to save the vine, root some of the shoots of adult plants for wintering and grow them at home until next spring.

Popular varieties

The varietal variety of kobei is not too extensive. As a rule, flower growers grow one or two favorite varieties of climbing tropical vines. When choosing a variety, it is necessary to take into account the natural and climatic conditions of the region where it is planned to grow the liana.

Purple

Proven variety for vertical landscaping. Reaches a length of 4-5 meters. An advantageous advantage of the variety is large flowers-bells, rich bright purple color.

White

Ideal variety for creating hedges, landscaping arbors and balconies. Spectacular white flowers will create a delicate image for places of rest. Liana reaches a height of 4 meters.

Tsar Bell

Distinguished by the shape of white bells with a small collar. The diameter of the flowers is 8 centimeters. Blooms before the first frost. Whip length - 3 meters.

Amazon

Effective purple bells during the flowering period cover the entire vine. Forms many shoots. The length of the vine is 4 meters. Suitable for creating hedges.

Rules for landing on the balcony

For landscaping balconies, two methods are used:

• Lower the vine from the pots according to the "top-down" principle.
• Pull support "bottom-up" from the ground to the balcony railings.

In this case, it is necessary to select varieties depending on the purpose of growing and gardening. Regular watering of plants is important, it is advisable to use deep containers.

Landscape use

Kobey is an indispensable plant used in landscape design for landscaping vertical surfaces. A long flowering period and the original shape of the flowers are the beneficial advantages of a tropical liana.

Hedges

To create hedges, kobei whips are formed on nets or ladder supports. Tropical liana is able to fully tighten the fence with dense foliage and decorate the hedge with spectacular flowers.

Arches

Decorate the entrance to a garden or recreation area by creating blooming kobei arches. Ready-made arched supports can be purchased at specialized stores. It is enough to plant 2 bushes of Mexican ivy on the left and right sides of the arch. Further, the flower will cling to the supports with tendrils and will soon cover the arch with completely dense foliage.

Balconies

You can grow kobe on balconies, planting bushes in deep boxes and lowering the branches down. In this case, supports are not used. Regular watering is important. The plant reacts extremely negatively to overdrying of the soil and drought.

Pavilions

Gardening arbors with thickets of kobey is a favorite technique of landscape designers. The plant completely covers vertical surfaces, blooms profusely and for a long time. Tropical liana, although demanding on light, can grow in partial shade.

You can decorate a gazebo on a personal plot with a living curtain of beautiful flowers with the help of kobey. Tropical liana will look great when landscaping balconies and terraces. The appearance of the plant is unforgettable, the grown liana will perfectly complement the recreation area and create a pleasant shade in your favorite gazebo.

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