Planting, growing and caring for heliotrope in the open field, varieties and types

Heliotrope is a flower that is planted and cared for in a special way. The plant is very fond of warmth, for many years it has been growing in the same place. But in our climate, the flower will certainly freeze out 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 also turns to the sun, follows it like a sunflower.

Description and features

If you decide to plant heliotrope, then the cottage will be transformed as soon as the plant begins to bloom. Small flowers, paired in inflorescences, fill the backyard with a pleasant vanilla aroma. The plant has a wide color palette:

1. The inflorescences may appear blue.
2. There are pink and white heliotropes.
3. And also the flower can have a bright purple, purple hue.

The leaves of the plant, which are distinguished by their decorativeness, are also worthy of attention - they seem to be fringed, have an oval, ovoid shape.

The height of the heliotrope is different, it depends on the type of plant and can range from 20 to 60 centimeters. If you give preference to undersized varieties, then plant them in pots or earthen vases available on the site. Flowers look spectacular.

As mentioned earlier, heliotrope loves warmth. South America is considered its homeland, the flower grows in subtropical and tropical climates, without changing its location. You can plant heliotrope in a greenhouse, water and care abundantly, protect from frost. In this case, he will delight for many years. But when planted in open ground, it freezes over the winter, next year you will have to plant the flower 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 different heights. Such plants on the site look out of place.

Landing dates

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, keeping them in boxes or pots, allowing the flower to grow stronger and gain strength.

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

Selection and preparation of seed

When selecting seeds, adhere to the following rules:

• pay attention to the appearance of the planting material - there should be no rot, signs of mold on the seeds;
• damp planting material is unlikely to be suitable.

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

How to plant

The correct planting material is part of the success. Another component is a soil mixture, which you can prepare yourself, just mix it:

1. Ripe humus.
2. Peat and sand (in varying proportions).

You can buy land in the store, such a 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 plastic wrap;
• 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 sprouted, then the planting material is removed, the containers are thrown away, preferably together with the soil.

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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 growing point so that lateral 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 in late May, early June.

Hardening

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

Watering

Heliotrope loves moisture, it will have to be watered often, but at the same time, the plant does not tolerate stagnant water in the area. To prevent the roots of the bush from rotting, take care of the drainage system.

Top dressing

They are fed with any mineral fertilizer, the procedure is carried out after the prepared seedlings are planted in the ground or greenhouse. Top dressing is repeated after 14 days, and is carried out during the growing season in order 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 index 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 in late May, early June. If you are replanting in a greenhouse, then you can. Much depends on the characteristics of the climate and temperature fluctuations. Plants can be planted earlier, weather permitting.

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 add sand.

Landing scheme

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. Form a shallow hole to accommodate the roots of the plant.
3. Plant, cover the root system with soil.
4. The next day, fertilize with mineral or organic fertilizers.

Care

Any culture requires care, otherwise it is not necessary to expect that it will bear fruit or please with abundant flowering. Therefore, before planting heliotrope, read the rules of care.

Watering

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

Loosening and weeding

You will have to remove the weeds regularly, pull them out so that they do not harm the plant. The soil is loosened 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 of the soil.

Top dressing

It is carried out in several stages. Preference is given to mineral or organic fertilizers that make:

• 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 seriously harm the planting. As for diseases, with improper care, non-compliance with the recommendations for watering, the risk of developing fungal infections increases.

Aphid

Small insects form colonies, it is not difficult to detect them, but they can be destroyed by treatment with an insecticide.

Spider mite

It affects mainly young shoots and seedlings. A cobweb and white dots appear on the leaves, indicating that the flower is affected by a spider mite.

Whitefly

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

Gray rot

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

Topping

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

After flowering

When the growing season is over, you can start preparing the crop for winter. Some gardeners start collecting 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 for the flowers to wither and the leaves to dry out.
2. Then start looking for bolls filled with seeds.
3. It is desirable to store the planting material in a dry place at room temperature.

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Self-collection of planting material rarely allows you to get seeds suitable for planting.

Preparing for winter

You can save a flower only if:

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

Kinds

There are many types of heliotrope in nature, but not all of them have taken root and are cultivated in our country. Consider several varieties of a flower that are often planted on the site by gardeners.

Peruvian

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

Stalk embracing

Suitable for those who love compact crops - undersized variety.

Shield

Differs in large flowers and small, in comparison with other species, leaves. The variety is widespread.

Hybrid

The species is compact and is often used for cultivation at home. The bushes reach a height of 30-50 centimeters. The shade of the 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

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

Pubescent

Nondescript, 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.

Marine

It is widespread, it will decorate the area with small inflorescences of a dark purple hue. Dark green leaves also look decorative. The bushes bloom before the 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 have a pink tint, and when they bloom, 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 aroma of vanilla and large, purple-purple flowers, located on a hard stem.

Odysseus

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

Sea breeze

It is planted on borders, decorates them with blue flowers, which form large, shield inflorescences. It grows up to 45 centimeters in height. The scent contains notes of freshness.

Helios blue

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

Reproduction

It occurs in several ways and involves the participation of cuttings and the mother plant in the process, or is carried out with the help of seeds.

Cuttings

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

Seeds

To propagate a flower with seeds, collecting them yourself, it is unlikely that this will succeed. But you can purchase planting material. It is germinated in the standard way.

Features of growing at home

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

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

Benefit and danger

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

• get rid of worms and other parasites living in the human body;
• the flower reduces the size of the calculi formed in the buds;
• the juice of the plant 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.

Use in landscape design

Medium-sized bushes with decorative leaves and multiple inflorescences will decorate any area. 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 personal plot, but also the home.

Heliotrope is planted on balconies, curbs, flower beds are formed, preference is given to undersized varieties.

Heliotrope is a wonderful perennial that can change the appearance of the site, as well as fill it with the aroma of vanilla. But in order for the plant to please with long flowering, you will have to provide it with suitable conditions. Otherwise, it will simply die.