Content
- 1 General description of Lobelia erinus
- 2 Types of Lobelia erinus
- 3 How does lobelia erinus reproduce?
- 4 Planting lobelia erinus seeds for seedlings
- 5 How to grow Lobelia erinus from seeds
- 6 Transplantation into the ground
- 7 Rules for caring for lobelia erinus in the ground
- 8 Pests and diseases
- 9 Conclusion
Lobelia erinus is a plant with very beautiful blue, purple, light blue and white flowers. It grows quickly and completely covers the soil, thanks to which it decorates even inconspicuous corners of the garden. The flower is a perennial, but in the climatic conditions of Russia it cannot overwinter in open ground, so it requires transplanting into a greenhouse. Seedlings are grown from seeds.
General description of Lobelia erinus
This is a perennial herbaceous plant with well-developed shoots. Includes several varieties and species that have great decorative value. Lobelia erinus is often also called blue because its flowers are colored in various shades of cornflower blue - from blue to dark purple.
Other synonymous names for lobelia: hedgehog, border, garden, long-petiolate.
The bushes of the plant spread along the ground, reaching a height of no more than 30-40 cm.The leaves are entire, oval in shape, small in length (up to 6 cm) and width (up to 1.5 cm). May be light or dark green. Some varieties have leaves with purple hues.
Lobelia erinus blooms throughout the summer.
Features of flowering
The lobelia erinus bush (pictured) produces many small flowers of different shades: light blue, rich or dark blue, purple, white.
The flowers are small (up to 2 cm in diameter). They have an irregular shape - 2 and 3 fused petals. But the lack of symmetry gives them a certain charm.
Lobelia erinus flowers resemble beautiful butterflies flying from the leaves
Application in landscape design
Lobelia erinus can decorate both a large garden and a small flower garden. It is used in a variety of design options. Culture adorns mixborders, discounts, used to create a living edging along garden paths.
Lobelia wins thanks to its modest and rare color. Almost all flowers in bright shades - red, orange and yellow - look great against its background. Even lilac or blue ones are in harmony with lobelia.
Flower beds with lobelia and other flowers, designed in turquoise and purple tones, look especially attractive
Hanging varieties are used in flowerpots that are hung in a gazebo or on the porch
Lobelia will fit perfectly into a flower garden; it looks good both in open ground and in outdoor pots
The culture is often used to cover the soil in certain corners of the garden.
Types of Lobelia erinus
Depending on the size and shape of the bush, there are 5 main types of lobelia erinus.
view | bush structure | height, cm |
spreading | volumetric | 12-15 |
compact | dense, spherical | 15-20 |
dwarf | flat | 8-12 |
erect | classical | 20-25 |
ampelous | hanging | 8-10 |
All varieties are suitable for growing in the garden. Hanging ones can also be hung in flower pots on the veranda or gazebo. Particularly popular is the spreading lobelia, which is used as a ground cover plant.
Varieties of Lobelia erinus
There are several different varieties of lobelia. The most interesting of them are:
- Lobelia erinus Crystal Palace is a variety that produces numerous small flowers of a unique soft purple color.
- Royal - an early flowering bush with miniature dark pink flowers, the diameter of which does not exceed 1.2 cm. The seedling is compact and produces many shoots.
- White - another early flowering form. The bush spreads almost completely along the ground (height no more than 12 cm), and is often used in the design of flower beds and borders.
- Emperor Willy – lobelia erinus with classic blue flowers. The shape resembles a small cloud.
- Miss Clibarn - a low but lush bush with purple flowers and a white center.
- Cambridge Blue – a variety of lobelia erinus with blue flowers.
- Sapphire - a variety of hanging (ampeloid) lobelia with bright blue flowers. The shoots are quite long, growing up to 35 cm.
How does lobelia erinus reproduce?
Methods for propagating lobelia depend on the variety. The following methods are distinguished
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- growing from seeds.
The latter method is universal; it allows you to grow seedlings at home. To do this, you need to ensure the correct temperature, lighting and humidification.
Planting lobelia erinus seeds for seedlings
Getting lobelia erinus seedlings is not so difficult - the process is similar to growing vegetables (tomatoes or cucumbers). However, there are also some peculiarities. For example, the seeds of this plant are quite small, so you need to work with them carefully.
Deadlines
Lobelia erinus seeds are sown in late February - early March. If the deadline is missed, you can do this before mid-April.
Selection of containers, soil preparation
Preparatory activities directly affect the quality of the resulting seedlings. Suitable for growing lobelia erinus:
- peat tablets;
- small drawers;
- special cassettes.
Plastic cups are not used in this case, because the containers must be wide enough and low.
To grow lobelia you will need universal soil for seedlings. A few pinches of river sand or coconut fiber are added to it. You can also make your own mixture - for example, from equal amounts of garden soil and peat. In this case, it must first be kept for 10-12 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
How to sow lobelia erinus seeds for seedlings
It is not necessary to pre-treat the seeds. After opening the package, it is not recommended to handle them with your fingers. To do this, use a toothpick soaked in water. Sequencing:
- The container is disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. Rinse and wipe. Pour out the soil mixture and level the top layer.
- Transfer the seeds using a dampened toothpick.
- Place them on the surface and leave them that way. There is no need to sprinkle or bury it.
- Wet it from a spray bottle.
How to grow Lobelia erinus from seeds
Immediately after planting, the containers are covered with glass or film. In the future, lobelia erinus seedlings are grown according to the general rules:
- Maintain a stable temperature of 20-22 °C - this is a normal room environment; the seeds do not need special warmth.
- Moisten the soil periodically to keep it moist.
- Regularly illuminated with a phytolamp so that the daylight hours are at least 12-13 hours.
- At first, the film is not removed, but later it can be removed for 30 minutes for ventilation.
- As soon as the first shoots appear (after 7-10 days), the time for ventilation is gradually increased.
- At the stage of formation of three leaves, the seedlings dive, i.e. placed in separate containers. Each pot can accommodate several sprouts.
- After a month, the film is removed.
- The temperature is gradually reduced - it can be maintained in the range of 16-18 °C.
Before picking, the seedlings grow quite slowly, which is considered the norm. After transplantation the process goes faster. To speed up growth, shoots need to be pinched in different places every 3 weeks. The seedlings will quickly grow stronger and stretch out.
You can moisten the soil where lobelia erinus seedlings grow with a spray bottle or syringe.
The tablets are then simply transferred to individual containers or cassette compartments.
Transplantation into the ground
The plant can be transferred to open ground at the end of May or at the beginning of June. The specific period depends on the climatic characteristics of the region - transplantation is carried out first in the south of Russia, later in the Urals and Siberia.The main requirement is that the night temperature should not fall below 5-7 °C, and the threat of return frosts should be minimal.
Choosing a place to transplant lobelia erinus is quite simple. The main thing is that it is open - the plant loves light. The crop is not tall, so even medium-sized bushes and trees will create shade.
You should not place flowers in low areas where water accumulates. Excessive soil moisture can cause rotting of the root system and death of plants.
Seedlings can be transplanted into pre-prepared holes at intervals of no more than 15 cm. The plants will grow and form a beautiful flower border. The area is dug up in advance; there is no need to form deep holes, because the roots are very shallow. You can transplant the seedlings into a pot and place it in a visible place, hang it in a flowerpot or dig it into the ground. Then in the fall it will be easier to move it into the house.
When replanting, the plant is carefully buried in loose soil and sprinkled with soil so that the roots are completely hidden.
Rules for caring for lobelia erinus in the ground
Since Lobelia erinus is native to South Africa, it needs regular watering. Provide them as needed. If it rains, the extra moisture can cause damage. When drought occurs, water 2-3 times a week so that the soil always remains moderately moist. It is advisable to mulch the roots with peat or sawdust - the material helps retain moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds.
Feeding is carried out 3-4 times per season:
- Immediately after transfer to open ground, nitrogen or complex mineral fertilizer is given.
- Then, at intervals of 2-3 weeks, superphosphates and potassium salt are added to maintain lush flowering.
- The last fertilizing should be done in mid-August; there is no need to fertilize later, since the lobelia must prepare for winter rest.
Timely watering and fertilizing will ensure lush flowering of lobelia erinus throughout the season.
After adding nutrients, it is useful to loosen the soil a little so that they quickly penetrate to the roots, and from there enter the plant tissue.
Wintering Lobelia erinus
Despite the fact that biologically the plant is a perennial shrub, in temperate latitudes it is grown as an annual. This means that in the spring (April - May) lobelia is planted in open ground, and for the winter it is transferred to a shelter, otherwise it dies.
Plants can be planted in a flowerbed in containers, simply by digging them into the ground, or hanging the pot in a flowerpot.
Transfer to the greenhouse is carried out at a time when the temperature drops to 5-6 °C at night. You should not wait for the first frost to occur.
Winter storage is optimal at a temperature of 8-10 ° C. If it is warmer, the lobelia will begin to grow, and it needs rest for lush flowering. Therefore, pots are usually placed on an insulated balcony, loggia or cellar. They must be protected from direct sunlight.
Pests and diseases
Although lobelia erinus has some resistance to disease, sometimes it is still affected by various fungi and infections. The most common are root rot and rust. Signs are determined visually:
- Brown spots (rust) appear on the leaves;
- the foliage darkens, flower stalks form smaller than usual (due to root rot);
- a white coating is visible on the surface of the tops (indicates powdery mildew).
For treatment, special preparations are used: Bordeaux mixture, Topaz, Skor, Fitosporin and others.
Lobelia erinus bushes are sprayed in calm and clear weather, preferably in the evening.
Conclusion
Lobelia erinus is a flower crop that can be used to decorate a flower bed, highlight the boundaries of a garden path, and landscape desert corners of the area. It is often grown in pots as a houseplant. Seedlings are obtained from seeds, providing comfortable conditions for the emergence of seedlings (lighting, watering, room temperature). Thanks to the original blue shades, the flowers will decorate any flower bed.
