Lipstick

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Lipstick (lat. Mimulus) - a genus of flowering plants of the Norichnikov family. In nature, representatives of the genus are found everywhere, European countries are an exception. Typical habitats are hills, seaside, deserts, mountain slopes. Other plant names are monkey flower, mimulus. The genus includes about 150 species, a considerable part of which gardeners successfully cultivate on their personal backyard plots.

Characteristics of culture

Gubastics are represented by relatively small herbaceous plants or semi-shrubs, the height of which varies from 10 to 150 cm. They are characterized by erect, branched or creeping stems, pubescent over the entire surface. The foliage, in turn, is ovoid, opposite, most often green in color, it can be even along the edge or with notches.

Flowers, depending on the species, of the most varied colors and sizes, but always of irregular shape, for which, by the way, they were called monkeys. Flowers, subject to growing conditions, are formed in large quantities. They are collected in loose brushes. The fruits are represented by capsules, which, when ripe, crack into two parts. They contain small brown seeds.

Common types

• Hybrid lipstick (lat. Mimulus x hybridus) represented by a whole group of forms and varieties obtained by crossing different species. They are characterized by a bright color of flowers and the presence of numerous spots on them, which give the plant a special zest. It is for this reason that the group in question is often called the tiger lip. Flowering of representatives of the group is observed in early - mid-summer. In Russia, they are grown only as an annual.

The most interesting varieties are recognized by gardeners as Viva and Magic Spots. The first is characterized by large yellow flowers covered with red spots, the second - cream flowers with raspberry blotches of different sizes. Most varieties are characterized by low growth, which is why they are actively used to decorate alpine slides and the first line of mixborders.

• Red lipstick (lat. Mimulus cardinalis) represented by perennial highly branched plants, which are most often cultivated as annuals. They are characterized by low growth - only 50-60 cm. The flowers, in turn, are not too large, but very fragrant. They are characterized by a two-lipped limb and a red color. It is also actively used by breeders in order to obtain new varieties.

• Speckled lip (lat. Mimulus guttatus) represented by plants no more than 70-80 cm in height, endowed with erect stems, forming sprawling bushes. The flowers are small, no more than 20 mm in diameter, yellow with red dots and spots. Along with the species described above, it is used in breeding. A distinctive feature of the considered representative of the genus is the ability to exist in wet areas. It can be planted near water bodies and even in shady areas where other flowering plants do not get along.

Growing features

Most of the representatives of the genus are warm and light-loving plants, but some species feel great on shady areas. Loose, fertile, moderately moist soils are preferred. The speckled sponge considered above prefers highly moist areas, it can also be immersed in water, but for these purposes the plant should first be planted in special containers.

Propagation of lipsticks is preferable by seeds. Sowing is carried out in mid-spring, that is, in the first or second decade of April, a nutritious slightly acidic substrate. Since the seeds are small, they do not need to be embedded in the substrate. It is enough to distribute the seeds and slightly cover them with earth, and then cover with glass or film.

In the process of growth, it is important to provide young seedlings with abundant watering without waterlogging, feeding with potash fertilizers, and good lighting. The optimum air temperature is 15-18C. If the sponges were sown in one box, with the appearance of four true leaves on the seedlings, dive into separate containers is carried out. Landing in open ground is carried out in early June.