Heliotrope: planting and care in the open field, varieties and species, growing in the country

Heliotrope is a flower planted and cared for in a special way. The plant loves heat very much, for many years it grows in the same place. But in our climate, the flower will certainly freeze in winter, for this reason it is cultivated as an annual plant. Heliotrope has an amazing smell, reminiscent of vanilla, and is used in perfumery. And the flower turns to the sun, follows it like a sunflower.

Description and features

If you decide to plant a heliotrope, then the dacha will change as soon as the plant begins to bloom. Small flowers, conjugated in inflorescences, will fill the backyard with a pleasant aroma of vanilla. The color palette of the plant is wide:

1. Inflorescences may be highlighted in blue.
2. Pink and white heliotropes occur.
3. And also the flower may have a bright purple, purple hue.

Attention is also worthy of the leaves of the plant, which are distinguished by their decorative effect - they seem to be fringed, have an oval, ovoid shape.

The height of the heliotrope is different, it depends on the plant variety and can range from 20 to 60 centimeters. If you give preference to low-growing varieties, then plant them in a flower pot or earthen vases available on the site. The flowers look spectacular.

As mentioned earlier, heliotrope loves warmth. South America is considered its homeland, the flower grows in a subtropical and tropical climate without changing its location. You can plant a heliotrope in a greenhouse, water it abundantly and take care of it, protect it from frost. In this case, he will delight for many years.But when planting in open ground, it freezes during the winter, the next year the flower will have to be planted again.

Growing seedlings

In our climate, due to its specificity, the seeds do not have time to ripen. Therefore, preference is given to material sold in stores. If you take seeds for planting from friends, then their germination is unlikely to please. But even if the seeds germinate, the bushes will have a different height. Such plants on the site look out of place.

Date of planting

If you decide to plant a flower and grow it from a seed, then choose the material carefully. It is better to start germinating seeds at the end of February. When the flower sprouts, it is planted under a film or in open ground.

Attention! Often seedlings are prepared for planting, kept in boxes or pots, allowing the flower to get stronger and gain strength.

From the moment of planting to the beginning of the flowering of the heliotrope, 3-4 months pass.If planting outdoors, then keep the flowers at home until the temperature in the region stabilizes. Heliotrope loves warmth, so it is best to plant it in early May. But here much depends on the temperature characteristics of the climate.

Seed selection and preparation

When selecting seeds, follow these rules:

• pay attention to the appearance of the material for planting - the seeds should not have rot, signs of mold;
• Damp material for planting is hardly suitable.

It is better to buy a package of seeds in a specialized store. You can collect seeds yourself, but there may be problems with germination.

How to plant

Planting material chosen correctly is part of success. Another component is the soil mixture, which you can prepare yourself, just mix:

1. Mature humus.
2. Peat and sand (in different proportions).

You can buy land in the store, this substrate is suitable for planting seeds. But it is better to treat the soil with a strong solution of potassium permanganate before planting (just rinse it).

If you do not germinate seeds, then planting a crop, adhering to the following rules:

• moisten the soil;
• fill the seeds with 1-2 millimeters of soil;
• cover the box or container with cling film;
• keep the temperature at 19-20 degrees.

After 1-3 weeks, shoots will appear, at this moment the film is removed, and the boxes are placed on a light windowsill. If after the specified time the seeds have not germinated, then the planting material is removed, the containers are thrown away, preferably together with the soil.

Temperature and light conditions

Heliotrope loves warmth and light. Therefore, seedlings are grown at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. If there is not enough light, then use special lamps.

Picking

When 2-3 leaves appear on the plant, it is transplanted into a separate container, after watering the soil and carefully loosening it. When the flower reaches a height of 10 centimeters, pinch the growth point so that side shoots appear. Transplantation into the ground is carried out when warm weather sets in on the street, frosts that can destroy the culture will be excluded. It is advisable to perform manipulations at the end of May, beginning of June.

Hardening

The flower loves heat, so it is better to harden the seeds, treat them with a solution of potassium permanganate. Apply growth stimulants. It is not recommended to expose seedlings to low temperatures - this can lead to their death.

Irrigation

Heliotrope loves moisture, it will have to be watered often, but the plant does not tolerate stagnant water in the area. So that the roots of the shrub do not rot, take care of the drainage system.

Feeding

Feed with any mineral fertilizer, the procedure is carried out after planting the prepared seedlings in the ground or greenhouse. Top dressing is repeated after 14 days, carried out during the growing season to optimize the process.

You can feed the seedlings after the first leaves appear on the flower. It is also carried out using organic or mineral fertilizers.

Landing in open ground

Produced if the required temperature indicator is established in the region. More often the plant is planted in a greenhouse, it is possible under a film shelter.

When to plant

Seedlings are planted at the end of May, at the beginning of June. If you are transplanting into a greenhouse, then it is possible earlier. Much depends on the climate and temperature fluctuations. Can be planted earlier if weather permits.

Soil Requirements

The substrate is a mixture of clay, sand and peat. If there is a lot of sand in the soil, then add clay and peat, if on the contrary, then sand.

Plant pattern

It is advisable to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Prepare the soil in advance, water it abundantly, and then loosen it.
2. Shape a shallow hole to fit the roots of the plant.
3. Plant, sprinkle the root system with soil.
4. The next day, fertilize with mineral or organic fertilizer.

Care

Any culture requires care, otherwise it is not necessary to wait for it to bear fruit or please with abundant flowering. Therefore, before landing a heliotrope, read the rules of care.

Irrigation

The flower loves water, it is recommended to water it abundantly, daily, if the climate in the region is hot. But it does not tolerate drought well - it immediately loses its decorative effect. However, an excess of water on the site leads to consequences - the root system rots, and the risk of developing fungal diseases increases.

Loosening and weeding

Weeds will have to be removed regularly, pulling them out so that they do not harm the plant. Loosen the soil after each watering, that is, daily or once every 2 days.

Mulching

This procedure will significantly reduce the frequency of watering.You can use straw, dry grass or sawdust. They are laid directly around the root system of the flower. Reference: mulching will reduce not only the intensity of watering, but also save the summer resident from regular weeding and loosening the soil.

Feeding

Carried out in several stages. Preference is given to mineral or organic fertilizers that contribute:

• after landing in the ground;
• procedures are repeated after 10-14 days;
• and also resort to fertilizers during the growing season.

Diseases and pests

There are several pests that can cause serious harm to planting. As for diseases, with improper care, non-compliance with watering recommendations, the risk of developing fungal infections increases.

Aphid

Small-sized insects form colonies, it is not difficult to detect them, but they can be destroyed when treated with an insecticide.

Spider mite

Amazes mainly young shoots, seedlings. Cobwebs and white dots appear on the leaves, indicating that the flower is affected by a spider mite.

Whitefly

You will need to treat with insecticide 2 times, with an interval of 2 weeks between treatments.

Grey Rot

If the leaves of the plant begin to dry, areas of necrosis appear on them, it is worth collecting damaged shoots, plucking the leaves, and then burning them.

Pinching

Carried out after planting the plant in the ground or greenhouse, when it reaches a height of 10 centimeters. Pinching the point of growth, which allows you to stimulate the growth of the side shoots of the bush.

After flowering

When the growing season is over, you can start preparing the crop for winter. Some gardeners are starting to collect planting material.

Collection and storage of seeds

If you still decide to try to collect planting material, then adhere to the following rules:

1. We'll have to wait until the flowers wither and the leaves wither.
2. Then start looking for boxes filled with seeds.
3. Store planting material preferably in a dry place, at room temperature.

Self-collection of planting material rarely produces seeds suitable for planting.

Preparing for winter

You can save a flower only if:

• dig out its mother part, do it before the onset of cold weather;
• put it in a pot and take care of it throughout the winter (water, loosen the soil);
• in the spring it will be possible to use cuttings to plant heliotrope on the site.

Views

In nature, there are many types of heliotrope, but not all of them have taken root and are cultivated in our country. Let's consider several varieties of a flower that gardeners often plant on the plot.

Peruvian

Common variety with dark purple flowers. Bushes reach a height of 60 centimeters. The leaves are dark green, reminiscent of linden in shape and shade.

Stem-embracing

Suitable for those who like compact crops - undersized variety.

Shield

Differs in large flowers and small leaves compared to other species. The variety has a wide distribution.

Hybrid

The species is compact and often used for cultivation at home. Bushes reach a height of 30-50 centimeters. The shade of flowers is different, from dark purple to white. The variety does not tolerate a lack of light and quickly dies in a dark place.

Tree-like

Blooms profusely and for a long time, the growing season continues until the first frost. The bushes are decorated with dark purple inflorescences.

Public-fruited

Inconspicuous, small inflorescences appear on the bushes, when they bloom, they acquire a yellow tint. The height of the heliotrope is 20-50 centimeters, the stem is hard.

Popular varieties

There are several varieties that are popular with summer residents and are widely cultivated in our country.

Marin

Has a wide distribution, will decorate the site with small inflorescences of a dark purple hue. Dark green leaves also look decorative. Bushes bloom until cold weather, filling the area with a wonderful aroma.

Regal Dwarf

Compact bushes will surprise the gardener, but even more - the ability of flowers to change color during the growing season. Initially, the buds are pink, and when they open, they turn white.

White Lady

Compact bushes with white or pale pink inflorescences will decorate the site. During the growing season, small buds form on the plant.

Black Beauty

Will delight the gardener with a pronounced vanilla aroma and large, purple-purple flowers located on a stiff stem.

Odysseus

Planted on balconies, the bush does not differ in large dimensions, and reaches a height of 30 centimeters.

Sea breeze

Planted on borders, decorates them with blue flowers that form large, shield inflorescences. Grows up to 45 centimeters in height. There are notes of freshness in the smell.

Helios blue

A medium-sized plant, 25-30 centimeters high, decorated with blue-violet inflorescences. Due to its modest size, it is often planted in pots. The variety is picky about the soil and requires careful care.

Reproduction

Occurs in several ways and involves the participation of cuttings and the mother plant in the process or is carried out using seeds.

Shanks

Remove the upper part of the shoot, cut it off. Remove leaves (last). The cut is treated with a stimulant in the form of a powder.It will help the heliotrope to form roots faster. It is advisable to place the cutting in a peat mixture, and then transplant the plant into a pot with a substrate or transfer the planting to the site.

Seeds

Propagating a flower with seeds, having collected them yourself, is unlikely to succeed. But you can buy planting material. It is germinated in the standard way.

Features of growing at home

When planting heliotrope in a pot, you will have to follow certain rules:

1. Take care of the flower, water it as needed, loosen the soil.
2. Provide heliotrope with temperature control and additional lighting. The room temperature should be 15-18 degrees.

Benefits and dangers

Heliotrope has a lot of useful properties, its use allows you to:

• get rid of worms and other parasites living in the human body;
• flower reduces the size of stones formed in the kidneys;
• plant juice is used to remove warts and papillomas.

But the plant contains a dangerous alkaloid that can cause intoxication of the body. Therefore, you should be careful with heliotrope.

Landscape use

Medium-sized bushes with decorative leaves and multiple inflorescences will decorate any site. It is recommended to plant a flower at the entrance, as well as next to the house, in order to fill with aroma not only the garden plot, but also the dwelling.

Heliotrope is planted on balconies, borders, flowerbeds are formed, preference is given to low-growing varieties.

Heliotrope is a wonderful perennial that can change the look of an area as well as infuse it with a vanilla scent. But in order for the plant to please with long flowering, it will be necessary to provide it with suitable conditions. Otherwise, it will simply die.

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