Nemesia Azure

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

Nemesia azure (lat. Nemesia caerulea) - one of fifty representatives of the Nemesia genus of the Norichnikov family. Belongs to the category of perennials, but in culture it is grown only as an annual crop, since it is a thermophilic species. South Africa is considered to be the homeland. In the same place, the plant can be found in natural conditions.

Characteristics of culture

Azure nemesia is represented by plants that, in the process of growth, form quite a lot of soft shoots creeping along the ground, some of which rise slightly upward. The stem of the culture under consideration is short, up to 30-40 cm, tetrahedral, pubescent over the entire surface with hard hairs. The stem and shoots are covered with oval or ovoid, serrated, blunt foliage at the tips, which does not have petioles. She has a rich green color.

The flowers are small, no more than 2 cm in diameter, endowed with a tubular corolla, depending on the variety, they can have a pink-orange, yellow, blue, white or lilac color. Also on sale you can find multi-colored varieties that carry both two and three shades of a bright palette of colors. Blooming nemesia azure is observed throughout the summer, as a rule, occurs in the first or second decade of July and ends with the arrival of frost. However, the flowering period largely depends on the care, because the process of proper cultivation includes the removal of faded inflorescences. It is this procedure that prolongs the flowering period.

Currently, azure nemesia is actively used in breeding. To date, there are several very interesting and, most importantly, profusely flowering varieties on the market that can become a real highlight of the garden. For example, the Woodkot variety is famous for lush greenery topped with numerous purple flowers with a pinkish tint. No less attractive is the Coconut Ice variety. It has delicate white-lilac flowers with a rich yellow center.

Breeding features

Nemesia azure is propagated (mainly) by means of seeds. They are sown in small separate seedling containers filled with a nutrient substrate. Sowing is carried out early enough - in the third decade of February - the first decade of March. Contain crops at a temperature of at least 18C. When sowing, the seeds do not need to be sealed, it is enough to lay them on the substrate and sprinkle them with earth a little, and then stretch a film over the top, which will speed up the pecking process. Seedlings appear very quickly - after 7-9 days.

It is not forbidden to sow seeds in seedling boxes, but in this case, the seedlings will have to be dived. Young and immature plants do not tolerate the last manipulation well, they often die. Therefore, it must be carried out with caution, trying not to damage the root system. In open ground, grown seedlings are planted not earlier than the end of May - beginning of June, that is, after the threat of spring frosts has passed, because the plants have a negative attitude towards lowering temperatures.

Culture care

Crop care comes down to simple procedures. It is worth noting that, by its nature, azure nemesia is a moisture-loving crop, it will not tolerate even a short-term drought. It is recommended to water it regularly and abundantly, but avoiding stagnation of water at the root zone, otherwise the plant can become hostage to fungal diseases, for example, powdery mildew. Whereas the lack of proper watering can lead to slow growth and lack of abundant flowering.

The culture has a positive attitude towards fertilizers. The first feeding is carried out immediately when the plants are planted in the ground. Rotted organic matter and complete complex mineral fertilizer are introduced into the soil. The second feeding is carried out after about 3-4 weeks, and then every month until mid-August. Organic matter is not required for the second and subsequent feeding, mineral fertilizers are enough. Thanks to timely feeding, azure nemesia will delight you with active and bright flowering.

In addition to the listed procedures, the culture in question needs a pinch. This manipulation is carried out at the time of the green mass gain. Due to the pinching, the plants grow stronger and form a very lush and beautiful bush, literally strewn with flowers. Later, as the flowering proceeds, the faded inflorescences should be removed.