Content
Heliotrope Marin is a perennial tree crop that has decorative qualities and can decorate any garden plot, flower bed, mixborder or flower garden. The plant has a charming vanilla aroma and therapeutic potential, therefore it is used in cosmetology and pharmaceuticals. Growing Marin heliotrope from seeds is a rather difficult task, requiring certain theoretical preparation and practical skills.
Description of heliotrope Marine
The homeland of heliotrope is South America. In tropical and subtropical climates, the flower can delight its owners for many years. However, heliotrope is not able to survive the winter in the temperate continental climate zone, therefore in Russia the crop is grown mainly as an annual one.
A distinctive feature of the Marine variety is its rapid pace of development, allowing the plant to bloom in the first year after sowing
Heliotrope Peruvian Marin has a tree-like form and reaches 50 cm in height. In warm climates, the plant can grow up to 65-70 cm. The leaves are alternate with a wrinkled surface. Heliotrope Marin is distinguished by lush inflorescences that exude a subtle vanilla aroma. The culture is very unpretentious, but many gardeners have difficulties when propagating by seed.
Features of flowering
Marin heliotrope flowers have a corymbose shape and include many buds. Reach 20 cm in diameter. They have a bright violet-blue color. Flowering of Marin heliotrope begins a few months after planting the seeds. The first buds appear in June. Flowering is quite long and ends with the onset of frost.
The Marine variety is considered light-loving, but the scorching sun can cause the buds to burn out
Application in landscape design
Heliotrope Marin (pictured) is suitable for growing both in flower beds and at home. The optimal places for a flower are loggias, balconies and terraces. Decorative heliotrope Marin can be used to form flower beds and mixborders. Since indoor conditions are considered more preferable for the crop, it is much more common on window sills and balconies than in garden plots.
Pots must be placed on the sunny side, as Marin heliotrope prefers an abundance of light and warmth
Features of reproduction
Previously, the crop was propagated mainly using cuttings. As selection developed, many new varieties arose that were propagated by seeds.
In the case of propagation by cuttings, the mother flower is carefully dug out of the soil along with a lump of earth, placed in a suitable container and left to overwinter in a warm room. Marin heliotrope cuttings are prepared in mid-February. Each shoot should have three to four internodes. The abundance of foliage weakens the cuttings.
Rules for planting and care
Heliotrope Marin prefers sunny places with loose soil rich in organic matter and high water permeability. The decorative effect of seedlings depends on the correctly chosen territory and proper care.
Deadlines
Marin heliotrope seedlings can be planted in open ground only after the frosts have stopped and before the flowering period begins. The shoots require preliminary preparation in the form of hardening, which begins in late April.
Selection of containers and soil preparation
To prepare the soil mixture, take peat, sand and humus in equal proportions. You can use ready-made substrates intended for growing flower seedlings. Before planting seeds, it is recommended to disinfect the soil (for this, use a pink solution of potassium permanganate). The soil for growing at home should consist of 2/3 peat.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
The seeds are scattered over the surface of the soil, after which they are pressed in, but not covered with anything. Some gardeners recommend sprinkling the seeds with a three-millimeter layer of soil. Marin heliotrope seeds germinate within three weeks. The boxes should be placed in a warm place with good lighting.After 35 days, the plants must be distributed into separate containers, which are placed in a well-ventilated room.
Heliotrope seeds obtained from your own garden have low germination rates, so it is recommended to buy seed material only in stores
Seedling care
Seedlings should be kept in a room with a temperature of +21 to +23 ° C, providing them with periodic watering. Approximately two weeks after germination, seedlings require feeding with one of the complex preparations. When the seedlings acquire two true leaves, they are planted in separate pots, the depth of which is at least 9 cm. At the end of April, they begin to harden the plants, taking the pots out into the fresh air, gradually extending the time spent outside.
Transplantation into the ground
Hardened Marin heliotrope seedlings are planted in open ground after the threat of return frosts has passed. Experienced gardeners recommend replanting from the end of May to the first half of June. The soil needs preliminary loosening followed by the addition of organic fertilizers. In case of heavy soil, sand is added, and in sandy soil a little clay is added.
Growing heliotrope Marin
Heliotrope Marin is suitable for growing in open ground. However, due to intolerance to negative temperatures, it must be removed indoors for wintering.
Watering and fertilizing
An adult plant does not need frequent watering. Water should be poured under the root only after a dry crust has formed around the flower. A period of drought negatively affects its decorative qualities, so in hot and dry weather, Marin heliotrope is watered every day.If there is sufficient rainfall, you should be careful with watering, since the flower is susceptible to fungal diseases.
Excessive watering with cold water can cause rust and gray rot.
Heliotrope Marin prefers mineral complex fertilizers, which have the most favorable effect on the duration and splendor of flowering. Fertilizing is applied every 14-15 days after planting and until the first buds appear.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Gardeners who rarely visit their plots are advised to mulch the soil around the heliotrope with hay, wood shavings or sawdust. This manipulation allows you to retain water in the ground for a long period and eliminates the need for regular loosening and weeding of the flower bed. Mulching significantly reduces the risk of fungal infections and mold damage to Marin heliotrope.
Topping
When the seedlings grow to 11-12 cm, the growth point of each is pinched. Thanks to this procedure, Marin heliotrope bushes will be more lush and bloom profusely.
Wintering
In winter, heliotrope tree Marin is in a dormant state; it needs to be provided with temperature conditions from +5 to +8 ° C. Since the plant is heat-loving and prefers a subtropical climate, for wintering it is dug out from open ground and planted in a pot, which must be kept indoors until spring.
Pests and diseases
For Marin heliotrope, the danger is represented by the whitefly, which has an external resemblance to a moth or small butterfly. Plants affected by whitefly become covered with cloudy yellowish spots, and the leaf blades curl and stop developing.For prevention, the room in which the flowers are located is regularly ventilated. In case of infection, use a soap solution or insecticide (Marin heliotrope is treated 2 times at intervals of a week).
Proven folk remedies for whiteflies - infusion of garlic or yarrow
Getting rid of spider mites on Marin heliotrope is much more difficult, since the pest is very small in size. The most suitable time to combat spider mites is autumn, when they acquire a noticeable orange color. Signs of crop infection are multi-colored spots (from yellow and red to silver).
It is worth pruning leaves with traces of damage, which will stop the further spread of the mite.
Gray rot on leaves can occur due to regular waterlogging or lack of sunlight. Droopy leaves indicate insufficient moisture. If the tips of the leaves curl, the air is too dry. Light or yellowed leaves indicate insufficient light levels or excessively high temperatures.
Conclusion
Growing Marin heliotrope from seeds is possible subject to certain rules. This variety is distinguished not only by its decorative qualities and enchanting aroma, but also by its therapeutic properties. In folk medicine, the plant is used as an anthelmintic and a cure for urolithiasis. Heliotrope is used to treat lichen, and warts are removed with drugs from it.
