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The flowerbed, decorated with a modest but bright heliotrope, exuding an amazing aroma of cinnamon and vanilla, compares favorably with other flower beds. The flower fascinates with its mystery and gives the site a special charm, constantly changing its position. The unusual feature of the plant gave it the name “heliotrope” - turning after the sun. Caring for it is not difficult. Growing heliotrope from seeds does not create any difficulties.
Features of growing heliotrope from seeds
The fragrant and lush flower is highly decorative. Bright green ovate leaves with a velvety surface are surrounded on all sides by numerous small heliotrope flowers, collected in inflorescences. The decorative appearance is maintained even after flowering.
As a result of selection, the traditional purple hue of heliotrope has been complemented by blue, pink and white colors
It blooms all summer, until frost. It fits perfectly into group compositions, and low-growing varieties are good for growing in large flowerpots and flowerpots.
The plant's homeland is South America, so in the climate of mid-latitudes it is impossible to grow it as a perennial. The winter period is destructive for the flower. Faded heliotrope is usually removed and the soil is dug up so that a new one can be planted in the spring. However, you can preserve it if you dig up the bush, replant it in a pot and move it to a room with diffused light and a temperature of at least 16-18 °C.
When growing heliotrope (pictured) with seeds, it is not recommended to sow them in the ground until frost has passed; according to reviews from gardeners, it is best to plant the flower as seedlings.
A feature of the culture is that its petals move after the sun, so it needs to be planted in sunny areas. The plant does not tolerate soil moisture well. The selected area should not have groundwater, ponds or lowlands where moisture will accumulate after rains.
Due to the tendency of heliotrope to fungal diseases, the soil should be steamed or disinfected with a manganese solution before planting.
What do the seeds look like?
After flowering, a seed capsule is formed, which changes color as it matures: from green to dark brown to black. Darkening indicates that the seeds are already ripe and the fruit will soon open and throw them away.
Heliotrope seeds (pictured) are black, irregular in shape, and small.
Heliotrope seeds are sorted before use, sorting out too small and unsuitable specimens
The seed is thoroughly dried and stored in a paper bag until spring.
When to plant heliotrope seedlings
To see heliotrope blooming by the end of May - beginning of June, seeds are sown in February-March. Growth rates depend on the availability of all conditions for its cultivation: air temperature and lighting.
Sowing heliotrope for seedlings
Heliotrope seeds do not need preparation for planting; neither soaking nor freezing is required. They are sown dry.
It is better to use seeds purchased from a specialized store for growing.
Preparing containers
There is also no need to select boxes. Any available container will do:
- pike perch;
- egg carton;
- flower pot;
- container.
Drainage holes should be made at the bottom to allow excess moisture to escape. Rinse containers with soapy water and disinfect them in a baking soda solution. But preparing the land for growing heliotrope should be taken seriously.
Soil preparation
The soil should be loose and light, with an acidity of no more than 6Ph. The ideal option for growing it would be a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 4:1. You can use a substrate intended for indoor plants. Before sowing, the prepared soil must be disinfected by steaming in an oven or in a water bath. To protect the flower from possible diseases and pests, the soil is watered with a manganese solution.
How to sow heliotrope for seedlings
When sowing several varieties of heliotrope at once, stickers are used that indicate the name and date of sowing. Pay attention to the timing of sowing seeds; they may differ for different varieties.
Sowing algorithm:
- The planting container is filled 2/3 with soil mixture.
- The surface is leveled.
- They make grooves.
- Distribute the seeds evenly and sprinkle them with a layer of sand (2 mm) on top.
- The soil is moistened with a spray bottle and the container is covered with film to retain moisture longer.
The planting container should be placed in a room with diffused light and ventilated daily, periodically sprinkling the crops with warm water.
Growing heliotrope seedlings
From the moment of sowing the seeds until the first shoots take place from 2 to 3 weeks. After the sprouts appear, the shelter is removed and the seedlings are moved to a lighted place. And the better sunlight penetrates it, the faster the heliotrope will grow.
The plants are watered periodically using trays of the planting container, and after 2 weeks it is recommended to feed them. Any complex fertilizer is suitable for this.
When two true sheets appear, the heliotrope is dumped into individual containers.
Picking
For picking, it is better to use deep containers - at least 10 cm, so as not to constrain the root system
You can plant both in small flower pots and in disposable cups, carefully removing the sprouts along with the soil. It is recommended to tie up tall heliotrope shoots by inserting a stick or plastic tube nearby.
1 week after picking, heliotrope seedlings need to be fed again.
The tops of sprouts 10 cm high are pinched to stimulate the growth of side shoots.
Watering and fertilizing
In the homeland of the flower there is always consistently high air humidity, which means that when growing it in mid-latitudes, it is necessary to create the most approximate conditions. The soil must always be moist, otherwise the crop will lose its decorative value.During the hot season, heliotrope must be watered daily; in addition, it is advisable to organize spraying, because the flower loves showers very much. If the summer is rainy, then there is no need for watering. Excess moisture can lead to fungal infections of the plant.
Fertilizing after planting in the ground and before flowering begins is carried out every 2 weeks, alternating complex and organic fertilizers. They are applied in the evenings, immediately after watering.
The soil needs to be loosened periodically. It is more difficult for summer residents who visit their plots once a week to create the necessary conditions for growing heliotrope, but if the soil around the flowers is covered with a layer of mulch, then there will be no need for loosening and weeding.
A layer of mulch gives the flower garden a well-groomed appearance and inhibits the growth of weeds
In addition, the mulch layer retains soil moisture longer, and on rainy days it absorbs excess moisture, protecting flowers from direct contact with damp soil.
Transplantation into the ground
Seedlings, pre-hardened for 5-7 days, are planted in open ground in early June.
A site for growing heliotrope is chosen with loose and humus-rich soil. It is recommended to add organic fertilizers to the depleted soil before planting. Heavy soil can be lightened by adding river sand, and sandy soil can be made heavier with clay.
Transplantation is done by transferring from individual containers into holes prepared in advance.
After planting, the soil around the bushes should be compacted tightly with your palms and watered well. The transplanted plant will begin to bloom at the end of summer.
Heliotrope can also be grown from seeds as a houseplant; at home, it becomes a perennial and blooms for several seasons in a row.The process of growing in the house is no different from cultivating a flower in a flower bed.
Conclusion
Growing heliotrope from seeds is not difficult and is accessible to any beginner. A bright flower will become a wonderful decorative element in your garden plot, at the same time enveloping it in the warm aroma of cinnamon and vanilla.
