Features of growing nemesia from seeds, planting and care in the open field
Nemesia has gained its high popularity among lovers of plant growing due to its exotic appearance, abundant flowering and relative unpretentiousness in care. This original shrub has another name - snapdragon. It is planted both as a separate decoration on a personal plot, and in combination with other decorative plantings.
For the cultivation of nemesia from seeds to be successful, you need to know the planting process and the subsequent subtleties of care.
Botanical description of plants
Nemesia is a flowering perennial plant, but it is grown as an annual in northern latitudes. The bushes reach a height of only 30-60 centimeters. They consist of branched tetrahedral shoots, which can be with hard pubescence. As massive inflorescences are formed, the stems begin to bend, creep along the ground.
The leaf plates differ either oval or ovoid in shape, there are practically no petioles. They are painted in bright green color, their structure is soft, on the sides there is a jagged edge.
The flowering phase of nemesia occurs in July and lasts until early September. The plant stands out for its huge number of axillary flowers. They are single or collected in the apical inflorescence. The tubular rim contains several tiers; it is divided into 4 parts. Among them, two lip-shaped petals with a limb are large in size.
The flower color is coral, white, yellow, blue and purple.
This diversity allows gardeners to choose the best option for a particular flower arrangement. There are specimens where the cups are monochromatic, there are also two or three colors. The flower is 15-2 centimeters in diameter.
When the flowering phase ends on nemesia, seed pods of dark color and oblong shape are formed. The seeds in them are found in large numbers and small sizes. The shelf life of the seed is 2 years.
Types and varieties of nemesia with photos and names
Experienced gardeners distinguish among the most common varieties of nemesia in northern latitudes: hybrid, goiter, multi-colored, lush, ampelous, Carnival, Foxtrot.
To determine the choice, you need to consider in more detail each of the varieties.
Hybrid
Hybrid flower forms were bred as a result of crossing goiter and multicolored nemesia. Their height rarely exceeds 60 centimeters. The leaf mass has a lanceolate shape and crenate edges. Unusual flowers are 2.5 centimeters in diameter, they grow in racemose inflorescences on the top of the shoots.
Goiter
The nemesia bush is distinguished by strong branching, its height is 30-40 centimeters. The leaflets located on the upper tiers are oblong, and oval on the lower tiers. Swollen flowers have no spurs, the pharynx is pubescent, their diameter is 2.5 centimeters. The color is: pink, red, yellow, orange, there are also variegated specimens of nemesia.
Multicolored
Colored nemesia is presented as an annual herb. It branches strongly, the shoots are thin. Such varieties of nemesia as Blue Bird with bright blue flowers and Edelbau with a forget-me-not shade of inflorescences are especially popular with gardeners.
Lush
The height of the bush does not exceed 30-40 centimeters. Shoots grow strong, bright green in color. Delicate flowers are blue and small in size.
Ampelnaya
Eight varieties were used to create this nemesia: Peach, Cranberry, Lemon, Banana, Blackberry, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut. The plant is quite beautiful, unpretentious to growing conditions.
Sunsatia plus granada
The flowering phase of nemesia begins in July and ends in September. Shoots grow up to 30 centimeters. Photophilous nemesia is used for planting in flower beds, flowerpots, pots. Flowers of nemesia are distinguished by their blood-red color and sweetish aroma.
Poetri
Nemesia is a compact bush - up to 30 centimeters. It blooms profusely with beautiful flowers. Branching is strong, pinching is not required. It is actively grown in open areas, containers, flowerpots.
Seven Haven
Annual nemesia is 30-35 centimeters high. There are single-color and two-color specimens. Nemesia attracts attention with its high decorative effect, universal use: in open ground, in flowerpots, containers.
Carnival
Nemesia was bred through the use of different varieties. Its height is only 30 centimeters, the stems are branched, the leaves are sessile, oppositely located. The swollen flowers have no spurs. The inflorescences are painted in a variety of colors, which gives them originality.
Foxtrot
The height of the highly branching bush is 30 centimeters. Bicolor flowers stand out in strong blue and white. The plant looks quite exotic and beautiful.
How to plant in open ground
Although nemesia has established itself as a non-demanding plant, it must be planted in accordance with certain rules.
Timing
Planting nemesia seedlings in open areas should be done in spring, when the threat of return frosts has passed. The best time is late May-early June.
In regions with a warm climate, sowing work can be carried out directly into the ground - in the spring. Seedlings are sown for seedlings in late February-March.
Site selection and soil preparation
For normal growth and development of culture, you should choose sunny and protected from through winds. The soil should be sufficiently drained, moistened with a slightly acidic or neutral environment. The fertility should also be medium. Planting in partial shade is possible, but it is better to give preference to well-lit areas.
Scheme and technology of sowing and planting seedlings
The sowing algorithm provides for the following actions:
- Fill the prepared containers with a light substrate of garden soil and sand, or a universal soil mixture.
- Moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
- Spread small seeds over the surface.
- Sprinkle with sand.
- Cover crops with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect.
Locate containers with seeds in a warm, well-lit place where the temperature is within 15-20 degrees. The crops should be aired every day, half an hour a day is enough. Irrigation should be done with a spray gun, to exclude drafts. A dive into separate containers is carried out when a pair of true leaves appears.
In open areas, seedlings are determined when warm weather sets in. If you need to decorate the garden path, then the bushes are planted in shallow grooves at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other.
The soil for growing nemesia bushes should be with sufficient moisture and air permeability, but moisture stagnation should not be allowed so as not to provoke decay of the root system. When planting, you do not need to hold the nemesia by the stem, it is better to hold the leaves.
Flower care
Nemesia does not require a special approach when growing, it is enough to water it regularly, remove weeds around it, and loosen the soil. Nemesia also gratefully responds to feeding procedures.
Irrigation
You should not overdo it with watering, nemesia is moistened 3-4 times a week. Irrigation measures are carried out as the top layer of the soil dries up.
Loosening the soil
In order to avoid oxygen starvation of the roots, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil under the nemesia bushes. It is best to do this after each irrigation.
Fertilization
The first feeding procedure is carried out 7 days after disembarking to a permanent place. During the active growing season, it is necessary to apply fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen. At the budding stage, fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium is required.
Topping
In order for nemesia to branch beautifully, it is recommended to pinch its shoots. It is permissible to shorten long stems at any time of the year.
Transfer
When growing a culture in a pot, transplant should be done every year. The optimal time for the procedure is spring.
How to care for nemesia after flowering
To preserve decorativeness, the plant, after the end of the flowering phase, is eliminated from faded inflorescences. This technique allows new shoots with flowers to form soon.
Diseases and pests: protection and treatment
Fungicides should be used against root decay. Such an ailment appears when the irrigation regime is violated - an excess of moisture. Actellik, Fitoverm, Karate effectively work against spider mites.
Reproduction
To get a new plant, you should use the seed or vegetative method.
Vegetatively
Shoots are obtained from the top of the shoot. Each cutting should have 2-3 leaves. The soil mixture should be for succulents. The cutting is placed in a pot with a substrate, watered and covered with polyethylene. For better rooting, the room temperature should be 12-20 degrees.
Irrigation is carried out from a spray bottle. After 2-3 weeks, the greenhouse is removed.
A transplant to a permanent place is performed when the roots braid the entire earthen lump.
Seeds
Sowing seeds is carried out in the spring. First, they are kept in a cool place at a temperature of 15-22 degrees and in the dark, and after 7 days the sprouted specimens are determined in a container with fertile soil.
Nemesia is a luxurious and unpretentious plant. It is not difficult to grow it, the main thing is to follow the basic recommendations for planting and care.
