Nasturtium

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

Nasturtium (Latin Tropaeolum) - flower culture; annual or perennial belonging to the Nasturtiev family. The homeland of nasturtium is South America.

Description

Nasturtium is represented by herbaceous plants up to three meters long, with climbing or creeping stems. There are bush forms of nasturtium, the stem length of which does not exceed 40 cm. In Russia, the plant is cultivated as an annual crop.

Leaves are alternate, entire, thyroid, lobed or palmate, located on long petioles. The upper foliage is rich green, the lower one is gray-green, often with blueness.

The flowers are single, rather large, axillary, irregular, up to 4-6 cm in diameter, have a pleasant aroma. The calyx is greenish-yellow, consists of 5 sepals, one of which has a spur. The corolla of the flower is five-petal, yellow, bright orange, creamy or red, 2 petals have a different shape.

The fruit is modular, consists of three single-seeded kidney-shaped rounded nuts, separating at the time of ripening. The seeds are medium, equipped with an embryo and two cotyledons. The flowering of nasturtium is abundant and long-lasting.

Growing conditions

Nasturtium belongs to the category of light-loving crops; it prefers open sunny areas with protection from cold gusty winds. In the shade, the plants develop a lush green mass and small flowers. Soils for cultivation are desirable moderately moist, drained, fertile, with a rich mineral composition. Lowlands and areas with stagnant water are not suitable as excessive moisture can lead to the build-up of green mass. The plant does not tolerate night frosts.

Reproduction and sowing

Propagate nasturtium by seed method. Seeds are sown in the ground in the second decade of May. Sowing seedlings - in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in early June. Before sowing the seeds, they are soaked in warm water for several hours. The planting depth is 2.5-3 cm. The distance between plants should be at least 25-30 cm.

Terry forms of nasturtium are propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings. The best specimens are selected, in the fall they are transplanted into pots and kept at home. In the spring, the plants are cut, rooted and planted on the site where they plan to grow.

Care procedures

Culture care is subject to even a novice florist. In dry weather, nasturtium is abundantly moistened, weeds are systematically removed and loosened near the stem zones. Two dressings are carried out per season. Organic matter, especially fresh, should not be introduced. With timely and care, the culture allows you to get a lot of seeds, which crumble and sprout on their own next spring.

Disease and pest control

Despite the fact that nasturtium is classified as a pest repellent plant, there are harmful insects that cause incredible damage to the culture. One of the most dangerous pests of culture is the bear, it devours flowers, foliage and even the root system. In the fight against it, biological products are effective.

Among the diseases of the culture, gray rot can be noted, affecting the aerial part and forming grayish-brown spots on their surface /. Unfortunately, uprooting and burning plants is considered the most effective method of fighting gray mold.

Application

Varieties of nasturtium with curly stems are used to decorate walls, fences and arches. Creeping forms are used as ampelous and soil-bearing plants. Dwarf varieties of nasturtium are grown in flowerpots and rock gardens. Often, nasturtium is grown near vegetable crops, since the plant is capable of repelling various pests.