The new is the well-forgotten old. This can be said about matthiol or night violet. How can you not be mesmerized by an unusual aroma in the evening.
Therefore, more and more often you can find cultivars in the garden and on the balcony. Breeders have contributed to the development of new varieties of matthiola, which are not only fragrant, but also with new terry buds, pleasing to the eye.
Description and features of Matthiola
In horticulture, two types of annual and perennial are most common. matthiols: two-horned and left-handed (gray-haired). Both species grow as shrubs and herbaceous plants. Combines two types of extraordinary flavor matthiola flowers which can be smelled in the evening. In the daytime, the buds close.
Mattiola bicorne
Mattiola bicornu is inconspicuous and very small. Gardeners breed varieties of this species exclusively for aromatherapy. They are planted near the paths, near the benches, so that you can enjoy the fragrance.
The method of reproduction is only seed. They retain their germination capacity up to 3 years. frost-resistant - a strong cold snap to minus 5 degrees C will not be able to destroy the plant. Therefore, it fits perfectly in northern regions.
Mattiola Levkoy differs from the previous species in flowers. They not only have an aroma, but also look beautiful in flower beds, forcings. Although in smell they are much inferior to bicorn species. Compensate for this lack of buds.
Flower petals can be double and simple. Reach up to 8 cm in diameter. Bushes can have a length in the range from 20 cm to 80. Therefore, they can be conditionally divided into some groups according to growth. When the growth is up to 20 cm, they are classified as dwarf varieties, medium-sized - 45 cm, high - 80.
Shoots single-stemmed or branched. Color depending on the variety may be different: white, golden, lilac, reddish, lavender.
Can be grown from seed and seedling way. Moreover, only varieties with simple petals can produce seeds. Terry varieties are grown for decoration.
Levkoy can bloom depending on the variety in three different periods. Bushes are grown in the garden that bloom only in summer. love open sunny places, but do not tolerate fresh organic matter as a top dressing. It is used six months before planting, then, only mineral.
Planting and propagation of matthiola
Predecessors at planting matthiola cruciferous representatives should not be: horseradish, mustard,. This is considered the main growing matthiola. Otherwise, they are doomed to diseases.
Choose a sunny planting site, although they can grow in partial shade. The land is acceptable non-acidic, loamy, fertile and well moistened.
Matthiola bicorne is grown with seeds in the spring:
Before how to plant matthiola prepare the soil in autumn. To do this, digging of the soil is carried out with the addition of organic matter.
April is the time when is matthiola sown into open ground.
Holes are prepared in increments of 20 cm. 5 seeds are sown in each hole. matthiola seeds.
planting material mixed with sand, sprinkled with a layer of soil on top. After one week, one and a half, shoots can be expected.
Discharge the seedlings, leaving the strongest.
Flowering is expected in 30 days.
Experienced flower growers to extend matthiola aroma in the garden, seeds are planted in several stages, with a gap of 10-14 days.
The seedling method of propagation for this species is not used, since root system suffers when picking. As a result, it does not take root well, but for mattiola gray-haired reproduction in this way is acceptable:
In February, the planting of seeds in peat-muck cups begins.
Planting material is kept for several hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
The composition of the substrate - sod land, substrate (3: 1).
Boxes with cups are kept in a cool place with an ambient temperature of 13-15 degrees C.
As soon as shoots appear, the temperature of the medium is reduced to 8-10 degrees C and taken out to a bright place. Lowering the temperature will have a positive effect on flowering, which will happen one month earlier.
Picking is carried out in the presence of two true leaves. The roots are slightly trimmed during transplantation. Then they will bush better.
Landing in open ground occurs in May. The root system of flowers will not suffer if the seedlings are planted with cups.
The seedling method will allow you to see flowering much earlier than with the seed method.
Levkoy is planted at home for distillation. In the summer, they take out flowerpots with mattiola to the balcony, terrace.
Inflorescences of this species are terry and simple. An interesting detail - you can distinguish them when the leaves appear. Terry varieties have large leaves of saturated green, simple - small leaves dark green tint. What makes it possible to grow decorative varieties with double leaves, purposefully.
Mattiola care
The plant is considered unpretentious, therefore it is feasible to grow even a beginner. By fulfilling small requirements, the bushes will bloom and smell fragrant:
Matthiola is a winter-hardy plant, but does not tolerate heat. Therefore, watering the flowers should be plentiful. The procedure is carried out in the morning in two steps (a gap of 10 minutes) to allow the flowers to saturate with moisture. Evening watering is undesirable, as it provokes diseases. Drip irrigation is well suited for bushes, but do not forget about the overabundance.
V caring for matthiola use - this will protect the bushes from weeds, retain moisture in dry weather.
Seeds are obtained only from matthiola levka with simple inflorescences. Therefore, terry faded buds are immediately cut off for greater decorative effect.
Flowers are suitable for cutting and creating various arrangements. For these purposes, plants are pulled out of the soil with roots. Freed from the ground under running water. Then, the bouquet will last 30 days.
The shrub responds very well to top dressing. The flower loves organics only before planting. It is brought in in the fall, and the plant is planted in the spring. Fertile soil needs mineral up to 5 times a season. Then, as poor soils are fed even more often - 8.
Loosen the soil, but very carefully so as not to injure the stems.
Remove weeds in time, do not leave them on the field.
Types and varieties of matthiola
V wild nature There are 50 types of Matthiola. The most popular in floriculture are two types: matthiola bicorne, Matthiola Levkoy(gray-haired). Each species is the ancestor of many varieties.
Dwarf varieties of matthiola Levkoy reach a height of only up to 20 cm. The flowers are small, as well as leaves up to 2.5 cm in girth. Used for planting along borders, planted in pots on terraces and balconies, have a different color.
Among dwarf varieties there are large-flowered specimens, 8 cm in diameter. Inflorescences with double petals and a divine smell.
Mattiola snowflake
In the photo Matthiola"Snowflake" with incredible white buds.
Mattiola Thumbelina
"Thumbelina". Buds with a raspberry hue will please not only the garden, but also the balcony, terrace.
Mattiola ruby
"Ruby". The name speaks of the beauty of the "precious" flower of a reddish hue, sitting in the form of a panicle on the tops of the shoots.
Mattiola sapphire
"Sapphire". Peduncles clearly hold a spikelet panicle with pale blue petals.
Mattiola pure gold
"Pure gold". The buds stand in the form of candles of a yellow-orange hue.
Mattiola Rita Blosey
"Rita Blosey". Includes a variety of colors of blue and yellowish white buds.Semi-high varieties of mattiola levkoy stretch up to 34-40 cm. They have terry buds. Shoots are collected in a compact bush of a pyramidal shape.
Mattiola northern
"Northern". Pink and white buds
Mattiola standard
"Stamp". Upright stems, at the end of which lilac buds flaunt.
Mattiola gigantic
"Gigantic". Variety captivates with a variety of colors
Mattiola remontant
"Remontant". Flowers are collected in an ear with lilac, pink, white shades.
Mattiola summer
"Summer". Like a bride in a white dress, it is fragrant on a peduncle.
Mattiola grandiflora
"Large flowered". Extraordinarily large buds look great in bouquets.Varieties of mattiola bicornu are distinguished by small and inconspicuous flowers of various colors. Florists grow them exclusively for aroma in the evening. Bushes up to 50 cm high.
Mattiola Star color
"Star Light". The color of the buds plays with different colors.
Mattiola evening fragrance
"Mathiola evening fragrance - lilac mattiola." A pleasant and strong aroma does not leave indifferent people passing by a flower garden with modest miniature flowers.
Mattiola night violet
"Night violet mattiola. compact bush small size, will look great in live compositions.
Mattiola lilac
"Mathiola Lilac". Delicate buds of light lilac color are in perfect harmony with the bright neighbors in the flower bed. annual plant. Belongs to the category of cold-resistant varieties.
Diseases and pests of matthiola
Root or keel disease is a disease. A favorable environment for infection is a warm, humid environment, soil acidification. Symptoms: the color of the leaves acquires a light shade, droop in hot weather.
Plants are infected through root hairs. It is possible to exclude infection with a keel if the representatives of the sacral family are not the predecessors. Pathogenic microorganisms can stay in the soil for up to 15 years. Fight: pull out, burn. till the soil chemicals, add lime.
Fleas. Insects attack in dry weather. The leaves are covered with holes. Fight: water and sprinkle with ash, tobacco dust, soil. You can also spray flowers:
Ash tincture. It is necessary to prepare the remedy in the evening, and spray the bushes in the morning.
Horse sorrel root tincture.
Tops from tomatoes are dry.
Shampoo for dogs (for fleas).
Use insecticides as a last resort. Since they are harmful to human health, the microclimate of the garden.
Cabbage white. There is no harm from a butterfly to a flower, but its caterpillars are very harmful. In spring, butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf. If you look at the appearance, they have a yellowish tint.
Symptoms: caterpillars eat leaves around the edges. Why do they lose their decorative effect. Struggle: before planting flowers, should landing area free from weeds.
If there are caterpillars, you can collect them from the leaves mechanically. If there are too many of them, treat infected bushes with insecticides, for example, Kinmins, Fury.
Evening on suburban area a cup of fragrant tea open veranda, silence and an amazing aroma that cannot be confused with anything ... It's all about Matthiol " Evening fragrance”, It is she who creates a special evening atmosphere in the country, at least in mine.
A flower garden without this plant, in my opinion, cannot be called complete - even if it looks unattractive during the day, but at night Mattiola truly becomes the queen of flowers. I love this culture not only for its aroma, but also for its unpretentiousness. How to care for this flower, consider in more detail.
The progenitors of matthiola grow in Greece and Asia Minor, mentions of this plant are known already in the 16th century. This annual is notable for its eccentricity, in the daytime the flowers are covered, but with the onset of the evening they open and begin to exude a pleasant aroma.
The plant, depending on the variety, can be upright or sprawling, with proper care it can reach 60 cm in height. The stems and leaves are strongly pubescent, the foliage is bright green, bordered with denticles.
The inflorescences are collected in brushes of rather pale tones, the flowers are small, simple, sometimes terry. Flowering begins in July and continues until the first cold snap. After flowering, pod-like fruits with very small seeds are formed, the germination of which lasts for three years.
In nature, there are over 50 types of matthiola, it is also a fragrant violet, but flower growers are breeding only two of them:
- Mattiola bicorne;
- Levkoy or mattiola gray-haired.
Now breeders have created dozens of various varieties of violets, each of them is different appearance, color and aroma. Today we will deal with one of the varieties of matthiola two-horned, namely the “Evening Aroma”. This variety is characterized by abundant branching.
The height of upright shoots reaches half a meter. The flowers are incredibly fragrant, medium-sized, pale lilac shades.
Fragrant violet seedling
Most often, matthiola is not grown seedling method, it is much easier to do this by simply sowing seeds into the soil. This is due to the fact that this plant has an extremely weak root system and often most individuals die during transplantation. However, if you need to speed up the flowering period, then you have to take a chance and resort to just this method.
- Before planting the seeds, prepare the substrate and containers for planting. The soil should be loose and fertile, well permeable to water and air. Boxes for sowing are disinfected with a hot solution of potassium permanganate.
- They begin to sow seeds from the beginning of February, if they are planted at intervals of a month, then flowering will last longer;
- Due to the fact that the seeds are very small, they are simply scattered on the surface of the soil with a distance of at least 4 cm, sprinkled a little on top. You can’t bury them in the ground, otherwise you won’t wait for shoots. Crops are carefully sprayed warm water, cover with polyethylene or glass and clean in a warm, well-lit place. Until the first sprouts appear, the seedlings are no longer watered.
- After the violet rises, it needs bright light and cold, it is better if the temperature does not rise above 12 degrees, then the seedlings will not stretch.
- If you originally planted matthiola seeds in a common container, then after two weeks it will have to dive. However, even with a very careful attitude during seating, some of the specimens will die. Therefore, it is easier and more reliable to plant seeds immediately in separate containers. In this case, 2-3 seeds are thrown into each pot, and subsequently one of the strongest is left.
- If you still can’t do without a pick, water the seedlings well before that, so you minimally damage the roots. Then carefully pull out one seedling at a time, being careful not to injure the delicate roots. In new containers, make small holes, place the plant there and sprinkle them with soil up to the cotyledon leaves. For better contact with the soil, gently press them down. Carefully water the violet.
- Matthiola is planted in a permanent place in late May-early June after the establishment of warm weather. Planted, trying not to destroy the earthen ball with roots, at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other. To speed up the engraftment, the violet is shaded for the first time.
Sowing seeds in the ground
- First you need to choose a suitable site for Matthiola "Evening Aroma". It should be sunny so that the plants do not stretch out, protected from gusts of wind so that the bushes do not break.
- The soil at the planting site should be soft, loose and rich in nutrients. However, humus should not be introduced under the culture, as this can cause infection of the violet with phytophthora. Matthiola grows well on loamy and sandy soils with neutral acidity.
- No less important are the crops preceding planting, the areas where representatives of the cruciferous were previously grown are not at all suitable. This can lead to damage to flowers by fungal diseases and clubroot.
- It is good if you prepare the soil on the site in the fall. Careful digging will save the soil from fungal spores and blacklegs that are going to winter in it. It is necessary to dig to a depth of 40 cm, a good result will give the simultaneous introduction of compost.
- Matthiola "Evening Aroma" does not have to be planted on a separate ridge, it will look much more interesting with other crops with large, bright inflorescences. You can plant it both in spring and autumn.
- The land prepared for planting is well shed with a strong solution of potassium permanganate, well loosened and shallow grooves are made. Their depth should not be more than half a centimeter, otherwise weak sprouts will not be able to break through a thick layer of soil.
- For even distribution of achenes over the surface on the surface of the earth, they are mixed with sand and covered in grooves.
- Next, the crops are carefully sprinkled with earth, its layer should not be more than 0.5 cm. In no case do not compact the planting, carefully water the ridge.
- Mattiola shoots will appear by the end of May.
How to care for emerging seedlings
After the appearance of two or three true leaves on the Evening Aroma, the planting must be thinned out. A distance of at least 15-30 cm should be maintained between the bushes, this is taking into account their growth. Too thick planting due to difficult ventilation can be the cause of the development of fungal diseases.
Mattiola loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant water, her root system can simply rot. Likewise, it does not tolerate drought. Remove weeds regularly from the moment of planting, they, competing with flowers for space, food and water, weaken them, and can also spread dangerous diseases.
Immediately after rain or watering, the soil under the violets must be carefully loosened, helping oxygen to penetrate to the roots.
Remove wilted brushes in a timely manner, otherwise they will take some of the nutrients from the plant, and the decorativeness of plantings suffers in the presence of dried inflorescences.
You can not do without dressings, special formulations for home flowering plants are well suited. They need to be diluted according to the directions on the package. In total, five top dressings are needed during the growing season, if the soil is not fertile, the number of feedings can be increased to eight.
The first time they fertilize three weeks after planting mattiola, then water the flowers several times during the formation of buds. It is strictly forbidden to use fresh organic matter to feed the Evening Aroma.
Pests and diseases of "Evening aroma", their prevention
It cannot be said that matthiola is highly susceptible to attacks by harmful insects or diseases, but, as with the cultivation of any other crop, one should always be on the alert. The most common diseases are fusarium and clubroot, both of which are fungi that reproduce by spores. Unfortunately, spores easily overwinter in open field.
From dangerous insects you can distinguish cabbage, whitefish and cruciferous flea. The latter, along with caterpillars, can completely destroy matthiola crops. To prevent this from happening, you need to constantly carefully examine the plants. You can cope with all problems with the help of special preparations from a flower shop.
Don't wait for insects and diseases to seriously damage your flowers, it's much easier to prevent any problem than to fix it.
To do this, take a look at a few useful tips from experienced flower growers:
- As a prophylaxis for a disease with a keel or black leg, spill the earth with a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, wood ash or special fungicides;
- At the slightest sign of Fusarium infection, the bushes should be treated with the preparations intended for this, having previously plucked and destroyed all damaged foliage;
- The two-horned matthiola belongs to the cruciferous family, and, just like its relatives, it is attacked by cabbage and white butterflies. You can save yourself from them by spraying the flowers with valerian tincture, as they cannot stand its smell. To prepare a magic solution in a liter of liquid, stir a small spoonful of valerian;
- You can scare away the cruciferous flea with ordinary wood ash. After watering and rain, just pollinate the bushes with ashes.
If you have ever grown such garden flower, like mattiola bicorne, it is annual and, then we must remember that it is very simple to grow it, while the plant has a very delicate appearance and long lush bloom. Before proceeding with the cultivation of such a plant, it is necessary to study exactly how matthiola can be grown from seeds, when to plant, and how to care for it.
On the garden plots Most often, this plant is grown in two different types:
- gray-haired, which is also called left-handed;
- two-horned, which has another name, namely: night violet.
Night has a very strong pleasant smell, which is better than the aroma of levkoy. However, it is the levkoy that has a very decorative appearance.
How should seeds be prepared?
The seeds of such a flower fully ripen only in late autumn. After this happens, you will need to cut off the pods that contain the seeds and hang them in a warm place with low humidity so that they dry thoroughly. Experts advise pulling the seeds out of the pods only after they become completely dry. Before sowing, the seeds need to be disinfected. To do this, they must be held for half an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate. This will provide young plants good protection from diseases. Do matthiola grow through seedlings?
Experts do not advise growing a two-horned mattiola through seedlings, the fact is that a dive can be fatal for her. But gray matthiola it is recommended to grow seedlings.
What time to sow?
Sowing night violet seeds in open soil is recommended in April. It should be noted that the flower is not at all afraid of frost, but the temperature should not fall below minus 5 degrees. In the southern regions, you can sow the seeds of such a plant before winter and do it in November. At the same time, sowing seeds of levkoy for seedlings must be done in last days February or the first - March. Sowing, if desired, can be done in open soil. In order for this plant to bloom continuously in your flower bed, experts advise sowing its seeds not all at once, but in parts at intervals of 1.5–2 weeks.
How to grow seedlings?
Levkoy is sown in individual cups, while the composition of the substrate includes sand and soddy land (1: 3). Put them in a place with a temperature of about 15 degrees. After the appearance of seedlings, it is necessary to lower the temperature to 10 degrees. This will keep the seedlings from stretching out. Landing in open soil can be done in the last days of April, but there should not be strong frosts. The distance between the bushes is from 15 to 20 centimeters.
Features of sowing seeds in open soil?
For ease of sowing, the seeds must be combined with sand. Seedlings will appear in 7 days. Such plants will begin to bloom after 4-8 weeks. After the appearance of three true leaf plates, seedlings must be thinned out, while the distance between the bushes should be from 15 to 20 centimeters.
What is the right care?
The flower needs light, and it reacts negatively to stagnant water. If planting is in the spring, then it is necessary to dig and fertilize the soil in the fall. The area where a member of the cruciferous family had previously grown is not suitable for matthiola. Water systematically and moderately, remove weeds, loosen the soil and fertilize, the flower does not need anything else.
With a marginal flower with an unusually strong aroma, some call it mattiola, others call it levkoy. Both names are correct, but are more related to the Matthiola genus to which the plant belongs, so sometimes it is confusing when identifying a specific species. And there are about fifty of them. And only two of them - the Matthiola bicorn species (also known as the long-petal levkoy, or the long-petal matthiola, Matthiola longipetala, or Matthiola bicornis) and the gray-haired Matthiola species (Matthiola incana), - used in floriculture, often raise questions about the name of the plant. For convenience, it is customary to call the long-petal levka, or the long-petal mattiola, the bicorn mattiola. Her main highlight is small flowers and strong fragrance. Mattiola gray-haired, or gray-haired left, is called left-handed. Levkoy has larger flowers, but the aroma is much inferior to its nondescript relative. Botanically, both plants can safely bear the name mattiol, or levkoy. What are the features of this flower, and why does it have two equivalent names.
Photo: Mattiola bicorne (she is also a long-petal matthiola, or long-petal mattiola). The Latin name is Matthiola longipetala, or Matthiola bicornis.
The history of matthiola-levkoy
A beautiful flower, from the smell of which the head is spinning and the soul sings, comes from Greece. There, the name levkoy is translated simply and unpretentiously - “white”, less often “light”, because in Greek “λευκό” (levko) means “white”, “white”. Since mattiola bicorne mainly grew there, in which the leaves and stem are covered with the finest hairs, giving them a whitish tint, and the flower petals are also painted in pale tones, the plant was called left-handed.
The flower received its second name "mattiola" in the first half of the 18th century. The English scientist Robert Brown, whom the whole world knows for his Brownian movement, christened Levkoy Mattiola in honor of the remarkable Italian botanist, part-time doctor, Pietro Andrea Gregorio Mattioli. He was born on the threshold of the 16th century and for his time was a very educated person. How the botanist Mattioli did detailed descriptions many plants, published several books, and as a physician he served as a court physician to members of the Habsburg dynasty and King Maximilian II.
This modest fragrant flower has a third name, folk. For a wonderful smell at night, people call him "night violet".
Mattiola bicornu in the Middle Ages and now
About 400 years ago, this flower was extremely popular. In Greece, they decorated rooms, goblets and bowls with wine. Later, mattiola (species of mattiola bicorn and levkoy) moved a little to the north, where they began to grow it with pleasure in flower beds and use it to flavor houses. In 1568, the Dutch introduced matthiola with double flowers, which further increased its popularity. In pre-revolutionary Russia, mattiola two-horned and left-handed also occupied an honorable place in flower beds, mainly due to their intoxicating smell. For some time, this plant undeservedly faded into the shade, giving way to brighter and more catchy flowers, but gradually interest in its charm increased again - few other plants can boast such a magical aroma with such simple care. V last years mattiola bicornu is gradually regaining its former popularity. It is planted under windows or around arbors to enjoy an unusual aroma while relaxing in the garden.
Range and use
Mattiola bicorni is widely found throughout Southern and Atlantic Europe. It grows in the Mediterranean, and in Central Asia, and in the Caucasus. You can see it in the steppes, forest-steppes, on rocky slopes and chalk deposits. In Russia, mattiola bicorne is grown in gardens and flower beds. Its unusual smell uplifts the mood and amuses the soul. It is planted in gardens and on balconies. good decision- nondescript mattiola bicornu in the company bright colors. Modest and unobtrusive during the day, she will turn into the queen of the flower bed at night. After all, during the day the flowers are closed and open only in the evening and in cloudy weather. This must be taken into account when arranging flower beds. Matthiola is planted on Mauritanian lawns
, in mixed discounts
and as a border plant along walking paths. Some people even use mattiola in potato beds, because there is evidence that mattiola repels with its smell. colorado potato beetle
.
Photo: Mattiola two-horned (levkoy long-petal, or mattiola long-petal) - Matthiola longipetala, or Matthiola bicornis.
Biological description
Mattiola, or Levkoy, is a relative of the well-known cabbage
and belongs to the Brassicaceae family. As a typical representative of cabbage (according to the shape of a cruciferous flower), matthiola bicornu has all their properties. The root of all representatives of the species is taproot, slightly branching and not very long. The stem is erect, 15 to 50 centimeters high. In some species, it is naked, while in others it is covered with very thin hairs that have a stellate or glandular shape. The leaves of Matthiola are alternate, that is, they grow one at a time on the stem. In the Mattiola species, the bicornuate stem is highly branched, and the flowers are collected in loose brushes.
Mattiola bicornis is valued not so much for its appearance, but for its aroma, which intensifies in the late afternoon and at night. And although the flower can be pollinated on its own, in this way it tries to attract nocturnal insects that cannot be seen in the dark. bright colors petals and are guided by the smell. Therefore, the flowers of matthiola bicorne are mostly inconspicuous, 15-25 mm in diameter. They have four symmetrical petals, four sepals, one pistil and six small stamens. The color range of matthiola bicornuate is from white to pale purple. Its fruit is a dry pod containing yellow or greenish seeds. When ripe, they acquire a grayish-brown color. They are so small that up to 1000 pieces fit in 1 gram. Seed germination persists for 3 years.
Mattiola bicorne, growing from seedlings
Many flower growers do not recommend growing mattiola two-horned seedlings. It is believed that she does not tolerate the transplant. However, some of them, in order to obtain flowering plants, grow matthiola seedlings as early as possible. To do this, the seeds are sown in March in greenhouses or in boxes on the windowsill. The soil should consist of two parts of earth with turf, two parts of earth with rotten leaves and one part of sand.
Photo: Mattiola gray-haired, or left-handed, (Matthiola incana)
Although mattiola bicornu is completely unpretentious in the flowerbed, growing from seeds requires some skills and attention. The main condition to be followed is temperature regime. The fact is that all matthiols are cold-resistant plants that can even withstand frosts down to -5 degrees C. Therefore, the temperature in the room where the seeds are sown should be maintained no higher than +15 degrees, and when shoots appear, it should be reduced to +8 - +10 degrees. Otherwise, flowering will come with a delay of up to a month. The second important condition is to observe moderate watering so that young shoots do not get sick with a black leg. Seedlings should appear after 7, sometimes 10 days. When the sprouts throw out two true leaves, they need to be transplanted into pots (dive), and when the fifth leaf appears, plant the plants in open ground. Depending on the region, this happens from the second half of April, then in late May - early June you can get flowering plants.
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Sowing matthiola bicornu seeds in open ground
If it is not so important when matthiola bicornu blooms, seedlings are grown in a seedless way, sowing seeds immediately in a flower bed. right time for this - the end of April - the beginning of May, depending on the weather conditions of the region. With this method, the plant will bloom 30-70 days after germination. For planting in the ground, shallow holes are made, where 3-5 seeds are placed. From above they are sprinkled with a small layer of sand. You can sow the seeds in a different way. Some flower growers mix them with sand and simply sprinkle them on top of moist soil, and then sprinkle them a little with earth. The distance between the holes and between shoots should be at least 20 centimeters. If the seedlings turned out to be thicker, they must be thinned out.
Features of care
Mattiola bicornu feels great in sunny areas. But light penumbra will suit her. The soil for it requires sod-sand or sod-loam. It does not grow well in acidic soils. Watering is very important for matthiola, which should be plentiful, but without stagnant water, otherwise the plant will start to hurt and the roots will rot. It is better to water mattiola in the morning, preferably in two doses, to ensure better penetration moisture into the soil. Once or twice a month (depending on the fertility of the soil), it is advisable to feed mattiola mineral fertilizers. Manure is not recommended. With proper agricultural technology, mattiola bicornu is quite resistant to diseases, so it will not cause much trouble. The flowering period of ordinary mattiola is small, only a few days. Only terry varieties Levkoy bloom up to three weeks. So that the tender beauty Mattiola bicornu will delight all summer with colors and aroma, cultivation from seeds is carried out regularly, sowing them at intervals of 15 days.
A variety of varieties of Mattiola bicornu
There are several varieties of Matthiola bicorn in our gardens. For example, the Aelita agricultural firm offers bicorn mattiola with the most delicate aroma of Lilac, the Night Violet variety with blue and pale purple flowers, Summer Evening; agricultural firm "Gavrish" - varieties "Evening aroma" with lilac strongly smelling flowers, "Darling", "Summer Song", "Purple", "Fragrant"; agrofirm "Poisk" - variety "Mattiola lilac-pink". In the online store "First Seeds" you can buy the English variety of Mattiola bicornu "Sensation of the Starry Sky", "Fragrant Midnight", the French variety "Mathiola Bicorn Pink-Lavender", as well as the variety "Starlight" with flowers of an unusual pink color trademark"Russian garden".
Mattiola is a genus of herbaceous plants known among gardeners, belonging to the Cabbage family. It has about 50 species, among which there are annual and perennial. Not all varieties of matthiola, or levkoy, in the same degree decorative. The culture gained particular popularity for the magnificent aroma of flowers, which intensifies with the approach of night.
The main method of propagation of matthiola is growing from seed. When to plant different kinds culture and how to do it right, you will learn from this article. We wish to help gardeners not only to manage their household properly, but also to enjoy life. Growing levkoy is one of the ways to enrich gray everyday life with pleasant emotions.
Matthiola varieties and planting dates
Of the 50 types of matthiola in our latitudes, two are most often grown:
- Matthiola incana - gray-haired matthiola or gray-haired or gray-gray left. The leaves of the varieties of this group are predominantly whitish pubescent. Pink, purple or white flowers can vary greatly in structure. The flowering period of summer varieties is unusually long - from the beginning of summer to the very winter. Height varies from 15 to 70 cm.
Mattiola gray - Matthiola longipetala (bicornis) - matthiola long-petal (two-horned). Variety with inconspicuous flowers that close for the day. In the evening, the flowers open and exude a charming aroma. The people called the dove gray night violet. Summer varieties bloom from early to late summer. The height of the bushes is 50-60 cm.
Mattiola bicorne Planting matthiola: terms depending on the variety
There are varieties of matthiola according to flowering periods. Depending on this feature, varieties determine when to plant seeds.
- summer matthiola- sow the seeds in the spring and get flowering plants in two months.
- winter matthiola- sowing seeds is carried out in the middle of summer, waiting for flowering only next spring.
- autumn mattiola- planting is carried out in early spring, and flowering occurs in early autumn.
Low-growing varieties of levkoy are grown as greenhouse and pot crops. For this, most often varieties of gray-haired levkoy are chosen.
Stages of growing levkoy from seeds
Growing with seeds - the only way breeding matthiola. Summer varieties, characterized by rapid development, can be sown immediately in the ground with the onset of heat. Autumn and winter are most often grown through seedlings.
Seed preparation
Many gardeners and flower growers sow matthiola without any treatment. But to maximize the potential of each seed, it is better to make a two-stage preparation:
1. Soaking in water at room temperature for a day. The water needs to be changed several times.
2. Placing in the refrigerator for several days, after wrapping damp cloth.
Planting levkoy seeds Planting seeds for seedlings
To grow a gray-haired or two-horned levkoy through seedlings, it is necessary to prepare the right substrate. A mixture of soddy soil and sand will be suitable (3 times less). First, planting is done in a common container, and with the advent of two leaves, the plants are seated in separate cups or briquettes.
Features of planting matthiola seeds:
Seeds are laid in a pre-disinfected and moistened substrate to a depth of 0.5 cm.
For the convenience of further planting levkoy, small gaps are left between the seeds.
The seedling container is covered with glass or polyethylene and placed in a dark and warm place. Sprouts should appear after 5 days, maximum two weeks.
seedling care
As soon as soft green sprouts break through to the surface, the shelter should be removed, and the container should be moved to a sun-drenched window. The temperature needs to be lowered, for which a heated balcony is well suited. Seedlings should be watered as the top layer of soil dries slightly.
With the advent of two leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into cups or open ground. This should be done very carefully. Usually flower growers feed Matthiola shortly before transplantation, using multicomponent microfertilizers. Before planting in the air, seedlings are hardened by exposing them to the street or opening the window wide.
Planting matthiola in open ground
For growing levkoy in the garden, choose a sunny klaptik of land with a good outflow of water. Lowland and shade are categorically unsuitable, as is acidified soil. Additional soil fertilization can be omitted. Matthiola should not be planted in places where crops from the Cabbage family grew in the past.
They plant levka in the garden at a distance of 15-20 cm - low-growing varieties, 25-30 cm - tall varieties. The holes are abundantly filled with water, the roots are straightened and the soil is compacted. It is better to immediately mulch the earth around each bush, as it will quickly dry out in the sun.
Growing matthiola in open ground When to plant matthiola in the garden? The second half of May is suitable for this. Levkoy will easily survive light frosts, but flowering in this case may be slightly delayed.
Mattiola - what you need to know about care?
Growing levkoy is not particularly difficult, but there are some nuances:
Water the plant regularly, preventing the soil from drying out. Water stagnation should also be avoided.
As a fertilizer, it is best to use a ready-made mineral mixture. You can periodically sprinkle the earth with ashes.
Double flowers are obtained from the seeds of underdeveloped bushes with regular flowers Mulching the soil will have a positive effect on the development of levkoy.
To collect seeds, you must wait until the pods turn brown, and uproot the plants. After complete drying, shake out the seeds.
Perennial mattiola in cold regions is completely disposed of before winter, in warm zones it is cut off at the root. Some of the flowers can be dug up and transferred to the house.
