2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Talinum (lat. Talinum) - flower culture; a small genus of the Talinovye family. Previously, the genus belonged to the Purslane family. In nature, representatives of the genus are distributed mainly in North and South America, some species can be captured in Africa and Asian countries. In culture, Talinum is rarely used, although some types of go deserve attention, since they are distinguished by high decorative properties.
Characteristics of culture
Talinum is represented by perennial and annual plants, as well as miniature dwarf shrubs, equipped with linear or obovate, petiolate, isosceles foliage of green, golden or yellow color. The flowers are small, numerous, have a two-lobe calyx and a five-petal corolla, collected in panicles or brushes. Fruits in the form of three- or five-celled spherical capsules. They contain huge amounts of round black seeds.
Common types
It is worth noting that a small number of species are used in culture. Among them, the recognition of gardeners and florists was won by:
• Talinum paniculata (lat. Talinum paniculatum) - a native of Central America. In the process of growth, it forms plants that do not exceed 60 cm in height. The foliage, in turn, is glossy, juicy, golden, collected in sufficiently voluminous rosettes. The flowers are small, pink, as they bloom, they are transformed into crane berries, which give the plant a special zest. The species is used in breeding.
• Talinum short-leaved (lat. Talinum brevifolium) - a native of South America. Dwarf species. Forms grayish, juicy, cylindrical foliage, collected in rosettes. The flowers are small, no more than 3 cm in diameter, usually saturated pink with a transition to a light shade.
• Talinum prickly (lat. Talinum spinescens) - a native of North America. The species is famous for its dense, juicy stems, which are crowned with red flowers. Flowering is long, almost until the end of summer. Belongs to the category of persistent and unpretentious representatives of the genus.
• Talinum prickly (lat. Talinum spinescens) - a native of North America. It has fleshy stems that do not exceed 20 cm in height. The species is famous for its red flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Like the previous representative of the genus, prickly talinum is unpretentious.
Growing features
Soils for cultivation of representatives of the Talinum genus are preferable to light, sandy, well-drained, neutral. Strongly acidic, waterlogged, saline, heavy and clayey soils are not suitable. The location is preferably sunny, diffused light is possible. It is not forbidden to plant crops at the foot of stony flower beds, as well as on talus. Plants feel great in garden containers.
Representatives of the Talinum genus are propagated mainly by seeds, they also use a vegetative method. The latter is suitable only for the reproduction of perennial species. Seeds are sown in seedling containers, preferably separate without subsequent picking. When grafting, the cutting operation is carried out in the first or second decade of June, that is, at the moment when the plants begin to gain green mass. The cuttings are planted in a moist substrate, as a rule, they take root within 2-4 weeks.
Crop care is relatively simple. Plants should be regularly watered. A short drought, in turn, will not hurt. For the winter, plants must be brought indoors by transplanting them into a pot. Culture is rarely affected by pests and diseases; in some years slugs bother it. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the condition of the soil, do not get too carried away with watering.
