Catnip

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

Catnip (lat. Nepeta) - a genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Yasnotkovye family. In nature, catnip is found in South and Central Europe, Central Asia, as well as in Pakistan, India and Nepal. On the territory of the Russian Federation, catnip grows mainly in the European part, the Caucasus, the Far East and Siberia. The genus has about 250 species, of which only 80 grow in Russia. Typical places for wild species are forest clearings, wastelands, slopes, weeds and roadsides.

Characteristics of culture

Catnip is a herbaceous plant with a woody strongly branched root and a strong erect stem 40-100 cm high. The leaves are sharp, large-toothed, pubescent over the entire surface, triangular-ovoid, heart-shaped base. The flowers are small, collected in dense complex semi-umbrellas or false whorls, located at the ends of the shoots or stem. Corolla off-white with purple or purple specks or specks on the lower lip. The fruit is an elliptical nut of brown, brown or black color, often with a slight silvery sheen. Catnip blooms in June - July, fruits ripen in late July - early August.

Growing conditions

Kotovnik is a light-loving and thermophilic culture; it prefers areas well-lit throughout the day, protected from cold, piercing winds. Soils are desirable fertile, loose, aerated, permeable and moderately moist. Will not accept the culture of acidic, saline, heavy and compacted soils. Areas with a close groundwater table are not suitable for growing catnip. Mineral and organic fertilizers are positive.

Reproduction and planting

Catnip is propagated by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. The seed method is quite simple and effective. Seeds are sown in open ground in May, or for seedlings in boxes in April. It is not forbidden to sow catnip in hotbeds or greenhouses. The seeding depth is 1 cm. When growing crops by seedlings, plants bloom already in the first year of life. Seeds germinate at a temperature of 18-20C for 14-20 days. Until 3-4 true leaves appear, seedlings develop very slowly, then the plants start to grow and build up green mass.

When growing catnip on a windowsill in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive into separate containers. Seedlings are planted in the ground at the end of May with an interval of 25-30 cm, by that time the plant should be at least 10-12 cm high. 3 kg per square meter). In the spring, the ridges are loosened and fed with complex mineral fertilizers.

Care

Caring for a catnip consists in the obligatory loosening of the row spacing at least 2-3 times per season and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, which are carried out after each cut. For this purpose, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate, or universal fertilizers such as "Solution" or "Kemira-Lux" are ideal. Watering is carried out as needed. The catnip hibernates without shelter. In the northern regions, plantings can be mulched with peat or sawdust. The greatest activity of catnip growth is observed during the budding period, and it is at this time that it is desirable to collect fresh herbs intended for cooking.

Application

Catnip is used as a spice; it is often included in confectionery recipes. Catnip is used in soap making and perfumery. The culture is also grown as an ornamental plant in flower beds, borders and rockeries. Catnip is widely used in folk medicine. It is useful for bronchitis, anemia, migraine, melancholy, neurosis and cholera. The plant causes great excitement in the feline family.