Content
Lobelia Sapphire is a perennial hanging plant. It is a small but spreading bush, lushly dotted with small, graceful flowers of blue shades. At home, it is easy to propagate from seeds. Planting takes place in early March, and seedlings are transferred to open ground in the first half of May.
Description of ampelous lobelia Sapphire
Lobelia Sapphire (Regatta) is a popular variety of ampelous lobelia native to Central America. Although it is a perennial plant, in most regions of Russia it is grown as an annual, i.e. For wintering, the bush is taken into a heated room.
Lobelia Sapphire (pictured) is a low plant (15-20 cm, less often 30-50 cm). The flowers are blue and consist of three fused corollas of an asymmetrical shape. Their diameter does not exceed 2 cm.
Lobelia Sapphire attracts attention with miniature flowers
The leaves of the crop are small, rich green in color. The shoots of the ampelous lobelia Sapphire spread along the ground; they cannot stay in a standing position. Therefore, the plant is suitable for ground cover plantings.It can be planted in flowerpots and pots that will decorate any corner of the garden. Flowering is long - from the beginning of June to the first ten days of September. The seeds are produced in small capsules. They are very small, so you need to collect them carefully.
This crop can be grown as a houseplant or garden plant.
Features of reproduction
At home, Lobelia Regatta Sapphire can be obtained in different ways:
- from seeds;
- from green cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
Seeds for seedlings are grown using the traditional method. They are planted in early March. First they are kept in a greenhouse at 25°C, then the temperature is slightly reduced. At the beginning or mid-March, the seedlings are transferred to open ground or to a pot that can be placed anywhere in the garden.
Green cuttings are obtained at the beginning of summer - they should have 2-3 internodes. First, they are grown in a greenhouse, and in the fall they are transplanted into a pot and kept at a temperature no higher than 8-10 ° C. The division of the Sapphire lobelia bush is carried out in mid-spring. To do this, choose adult bushes at least 3-4 years old.
Landing rules
Very often, gardeners prefer to propagate Lobelia Sapphire with seedlings. This method ensures the production of strong seedlings that can definitely take root in open ground. Seeds can be purchased at the store and then collected yourself (they finally ripen by the end of September).
Recommended timing
Since Sapphire lobelia seedlings are transferred to open ground in mid-May, the seeds can be sown as early as early March, and in the southern regions - at the end of February. Even with late planting in April, seedlings will be obtained. In this case, the flowering period will shift from June to July, but the lobelia will still have time to please with flowers.
Preparing the container and soil
For growing, you can use ordinary universal soil for seedlings or create a mixture yourself. To do this, take the following components (in equal quantities):
- garden soil;
- peat;
- fine sand;
- rotted compost.
You can also use turf soil with compost and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1. To make the soil light, moss, sawdust or expanded clay are added to it. For containers, you can take a regular plastic container with a lid. It is also acceptable to use disposable cups.
Lobelia Sapphire seedlings can be grown on a windowsill
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Lobelia Sapphire seeds, like those of its other perennial varieties, are very small, so it is more convenient to take them not with your fingers, but with a moistened toothpick. Landing instructions:
- The soil is placed in a container and moistened generously with a spray bottle.
- Transfer several seeds (2-3 pieces per 1 cup) and simply place them on the surface.
- There is no need to sprinkle it with earth - place the container in a warm place and cover it with glass.
Growing seedlings
First, Sapphire lobelia seedlings are grown in greenhouse conditions at a temperature of 24-25 °C. The container or cups are covered with glass or film with holes. It is very important to create suitable conditions:
- regular backlight up to 12-13 hours a day;
- periodic ventilation of the greenhouse;
- humidification from a spray bottle as needed.
It is not recommended to feed the soil with organic matter. However, if the soil is depleted, you can add a pinch of wood ash or complex mineral fertilizer.
Picking is carried out after the appearance of two or three leaves
Lobelia seedlings are very tender at this time, and their roots are strongly intertwined, so you need to act carefully. Subsequently, the temperature is gradually reduced to room temperature, and 15-20 days after planting the glass is removed. Continue to add light and water regularly.
Topping
Lobelia Sapphire seedlings grow very slowly at first. To finally get stronger before transplanting to a permanent place, they will need 60-65 days. To stimulate growth, shoots must be pinched. The procedure begins after picking, as soon as the seedlings grow to 3-4 cm.
The apical shoot can be left to grow until it reaches the desired height (8-10 cm), and then pinch it off too. All other branches are pruned every 2-3 weeks so that the shoots grow evenly. Then the Sapphire lobelia bush will take the correct spherical shape.
Planting and caring for climbing lobelia Sapphire in open ground
It is recommended to move seedlings outside if the night temperature does not drop below 8-10°C and there is virtually no threat of return frosts. In the south, this can be done at the end of April, in the middle zone - at the beginning of May, in the Urals and Siberia - in the middle of the month.
Transplanting seedlings
The area should first be cleaned and dug up. It is not worth applying organic fertilizers, because... Lobelia Sapphire prefers mineral supplements. If the soil is not very fertile, you can apply complex fertilizer.
The holes are formed shallow, with a small interval of 15-20 cm. In this case, the bushes will form a dense planting, reminiscent of a beautiful blue carpet.To avoid damaging the roots, the seedlings are transferred together with a clod of earth. Immediately after transplanting, they are watered abundantly.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Water the plant regularly - at least once a week. If it rains heavily, there is no need to give additional water. If there is no precipitation, watering should be increased to twice a week. To help the soil retain moisture longer, it can be mulched with sawdust, peat or hay.
Fertilizing is applied 3-4 times per season:
- After transplantation, any nitrogen or complex mineral fertilizer is given (if it was applied during site preparation, nothing additional needs to be done).
- The first flowers will appear in early June - at this moment it is recommended to feed the seedlings with superphosphate and potassium salt.
- A similar composition is applied every 3-4 weeks for lush flowering.
- The last feeding is carried out no later than mid-August. Then Lobelia Sapphire needs to be prepared for the winter season.
Regular fertilizing ensures lush and long-lasting flowering of the crop.
Trimming
With even minimal feeding and regular watering, Sapphire lobelia grows very actively. The shoots quickly spread along the ground or hang from flower pots. Therefore, they should be cut or pinched with your fingers. Strongly protruding branches are removed, shortened to normal. As a result, the bush acquires a beautiful spherical shape.
Wintering
Lobelia Sapphire has average winter hardiness. The plant can withstand temperatures down to minus 25-29 °C. Therefore, in the middle zone, the Black Earth Region and in the south, wintering in open ground is allowed. Preparation for winter consists of several stages:
- In early October, lobelia is well watered.
- Trim all branches to a minimum height of 4-5 cm.
- Then cover with foliage and peat, creating a layer of 15-20 cm.
- If the area is exposed to winds, additionally cover it with agrofibre and fix it.
In Siberia and the Urals, Lobelia Sapphire may die due to too harsh a winter. Therefore, it is better not to risk it and move it to a heated room. In winter, the bushes are kept at a temperature no higher than 6-8 °C on a loggia or insulated balcony.
Pests and diseases
With normal care, Lobelia Sapphire is rarely affected by disease, but sometimes spots and other signs of fungal infections (powdery mildew, rust) appear on the leaves. If watered excessively, the plant may suffer from root rot. For prevention, seedlings after transfer to open ground are treated with any fungicide:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- Tattu;
- Fitosporin;
- Profit and others.
It is also recommended to periodically inspect Sapphire lobelia bushes for the presence of pests - slugs or thrips. Folk remedies and insecticides (Aktellik, Decis, Confidor) are used against them. To protect the flower garden from slugs, crushed eggshells or stone chips are poured near the borders.
Conclusion
Lobelia Sapphire is a beautiful hanging crop that blooms almost all summer. The plant goes well in flower arrangements. It can be bred at home or in open ground. Maintenance is simple: watering, fertilizing and preparing for winter.
