Terry nasturtium high cultivation from seeds. Growing nasturtium, planting and care

Nasturtium or Capuchin is considered a perennial plant in its homeland of South and Central America. In ornamental horticulture, this plant is known as an annual. In nature, nasturtium is found in mountainous, forest areas and lowlands. In Russia, this flower appeared thanks to Dutch growers.

The plant has a long flowering and is not demanding to care for. It is because of these features that many gardeners choose it. Nasturtium is suitable for decorating any garden, decorating flower beds, borders, arches, gazebos, window sills, balconies, hanging baskets, pots, vertical trellises.

Flower description

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) comes from the Nasturtium or Capuchinaceae family. It has bright large or small (depending on the species) single, zygomorphic flowers of various shades. The color of nasturtium flowers can be cherry, brown, raspberry, salmon, pink, scarlet, pale yellow, cream, yellow, orange and apricot shades.

Simple, double, semi-double flowers grow from 2 to 8 centimeters in diameter. The flower consists of a funnel-shaped tube and five or more petals. The flower has a delicate, delicate scent.

Bright green, rounded, thyroid-shaped large leaves are found in most species, but alternate, pawed, whole-edged or palmate leaves are also found. They are arranged alternately and have a glossy surface with a wax coating.

Stems, depending on the variety, can be creeping, branched, curly and erect.

Types and varieties of nasturtium

Nasturtium is available in many species and varieties. In floriculture, there are about 25 species of this beautiful flower, while scientists know more than 90 species.

Depending on the place of growth, shrub, ampelous, liana, climbing, creeping varieties are selected. The most common plants are lianas and dwarf shrubs.

The shrub species forms compact plants, keeps its shape and is used in the design of borders and flower beds.

Tricolor nasturtium has strong roots and weaving stems. The color is bright, combines different shades. Decorative view.

The ampelous view is a cascade of flowing shoots with flowers.

Beautiful nasturtium has thick rhizomes or tubers. The stems are curly, the color of the flowers is red.

The climbing species forms long stems and is used for planting on lawns, in flower beds, in pots, baskets, for decorating balconies, nets, gazebos, as a ground cover or ampel plant.

The undersized species forms upright compact plants 25-30 centimeters high.

Dwarf (small) nasturtium has thinner stems 15-35 centimeters high. The flowers and leaves of the species are small (no more than 3 centimeters in diameter). Flowers with dark yellow spots.

The creeping nasturtium forms a vibrant floral carpet.

Tuberous nasturtium forms tubers underground.

Canary (foreign) nasturtium is very different from all other species. Curly stems form a liana that grows up to 3.5-4 meters and need support. It is this nasturtium that is called curly.

This flower has corrugated leaves and small bright yellow flowers. This type of nasturtium grows rapidly and blooms until the first frost. Due to the low resistance to cold in cultivated floriculture, nasturtium is grown for no more than 1 season.

This species is the most demanding for heat and moisture. The plant is suitable for decorating gazebos, fences, outbuildings.

The most famous species is considered to be large nasturtium. An upright plant grows up to 25-70 centimeters. The creeping plant reaches 2.5 meters. The flowers of both subspecies are bright, large. Large nasturtium is a parent plant for many hybrids, which are united by a common species (hybrid, cultivated).

Also nasturtium can be super-double or thick-double. This species reproduces by seeds or vegetatively. Mostly these flowers are grown as an ampelous plant.

Nasturtium is very popular and breeders develop new varieties from year to year.

Popular varieties of nasturtium include:

The Yeti variety has climbing shoots, the length reaches 2 meters. Leaves are light green. The flowers are delicate cream-white with yellow spots in the center of the color.

Cherry rose - this variety can decorate any flower garden with its beautiful and vibrant flowers. Terry flowers are raspberry pink in color. The plant grows up to 30 centimeters in height.

The Vesuvius variety has compact, small bushes 25-30 centimeters high. Stems are erect, leaves are large as it grows, the plant becomes semi-sheathing. Flowers with dark burgundy spots on the upper part of the flower, salmon-pink color with an orange tint.

The Canary Liana or Canary (South American Liana) is a cultivar with long, curly, light green stems, 3.5 meters high. Leaves are light green in color and unusual shape, with 5-7 separate leaves. The flowers are small, about 2 centimeters in diameter. Fringed edges, canary yellow with green spurs. The flowering of this variety lasts from mid-summer to the beginning of cold weather.

Variety Day and Night, represents low bushes about 30 centimeters high. Erect shoots, light green leaves. The color of the flowers is cream and red. This color contrast attracts many gardeners.

There are a lot of varieties and you can also distinguish: Peach Melba, Alaska, Ladybug, Terry mix, Gleming Mahagani, Tom Tamb, Lucifer, Golden Globe, Tip Top, King Theodore, Moonlight, Black Lady and others.

When to plant nasturtium seedlings

The flower propagates in three ways:

• seeds,
• cuttings,
• seedlings.

The easiest way to breed nasturtium is by direct sowing in open ground. But in a cool spring, it is advisable to sow flowers at home for seedlings, and then plant the matured plants in the garden. This type of cultivation allows for faster flowering. Seeds are planted at home from late March to early April. In regions with a cool climate, sowing is postponed to mid-April - early May.

Terry and new varieties can be bred by cuttings. Cuttings are rooted in water or wet sand before planting. This method allows you to maximally preserve the species (varietal) qualities of flowers.

Growing seedlings

For this purpose, biocontainers (compressed vermicompost in granules), peat pots, cups with a removable bottom (10 cm in diameter) or peat tablets are suitable.

It is not recommended to dive because of weak roots of nasturtium.

Sprouts in peat tablets when 2 main leaves appear are transplanted into a pot. The tablets in the soil dissolve quickly and improve the quality of the soil and save on fertilizers.

Grown plants are transplanted with an earthen clod or directly in peat pots, biocontainers. Flowers are hardened before planting. In warm weather, the seedlings are exposed to the air for 2-4 hours a day. Flowering occurs in 1-1.5 months.

Seed and soil preparation

Before planting nasturtium seeds for seedlings, they need to be prepared.

1. First of all, the seeds need to be sorted and the best ones selected. Weak, small and damaged ones are removed.
2. Then, for disinfection, the seeds are placed in a potassium permanganate solution heated to 60 degrees for 15 minutes.
3. After that, they need to be placed in a cotton cloth or gauze and placed in cool water for a day.
4. For faster germination, they can be germinated a little and only then planted in pots.

Potting mix can be bought ready-made or made with your own hands.

• A sod layer of earth is taken (1 part),
• sand (1 part),
• peat (part 1).

The mixture is thoroughly mixed and sieved. After which it is heat treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate and boiling water disinfect the earth. The potting mix remains at room temperature for 1-2 days. Then it is distributed in containers and can be taken for sowing.

Potassium permanganate can be replaced by watering with Fitosporin solution.

Sowing

The prepared seeds can be planted in the ground.

Varieties that will later grow indoors are planted immediately in a pot in a permanent place.

In any container, a deepening of 2 centimeters is made. Each container holds 2-3 seeds.

The earth is slightly pressed and watered from a watering can with a nozzle or with a spray bottle. Such watering does not erode the soil and allows you to keep the seeds in their places.

Peat tablets are placed in a container and watered. Each tablet contains 1-2 seeds.

Containers with seeds are placed on a light and warm windowsill.

Care

Subject to the temperature regime (20-22 degrees), the first shoots appear in 13-15 days. After 2 weeks, the growing temperature should be reduced by 2 degrees.

The seedlings should not stretch out, otherwise the plants will be weak and will not take root well when transplanted into open ground. In poor lighting, seedlings need to provide additional supplementary lighting with a phytolamp. Daylight hours should be about 15 hours.

Watering is carried out when the soil dries up. Flowers love dry air and no spraying is required. The ingress of moisture on plants should be excluded. If possible, water is poured directly into the sump and the plant roots receive moisture directly from the soil.

One strong plant remains in the container with seedlings, others (weaker) are removed.

Nasturtium: growing and care - video

Transplanting nasturtium seedlings into the ground

The growing area should be protected from drafts and well lit. An important factor for the development of a plant is a fertile, water and air permeable, slightly acidic soil. The depleted soil is reflected in the splendor and flowering of the flower. Land with a high organic content leads to overgrowth of green mass and a lack of flowers. Plants respond well to mineral fertilizers.

Transplanting is carried out depending on the climate from early May to early June. The weather should be sunny and warm. Seedlings by this time should reach 7 centimeters.

The gap between plants should be at least 20 centimeters, for tall and bushy varieties, the distance increases to 40 centimeters. The pits should be slightly larger than the volume of the pots (cups).

The plant neatly, together with an earthen lump, rolls over into a prepared hole, squeezed with earth and watered at the root. To contain moisture, peat, compost or any other type of mulch is scattered around the plants.

For the first time, in order to avoid freezing at night, the plants are covered with a film.

When to plant nasturtium seeds outdoors

Sowing into the ground is carried out at the end of frost, depending on the regions, from late April to early June. The sown seeds are covered with foil or non-woven material to keep them warm and germinate quickly. Covering material is removed in early June.

Before sowing, the seeds are immersed in hot water (for 15-20 minutes), and then soaked in water at room temperature for a day. Seeds are embedded in the ground by 2 centimeters. The gap between the pits is 25-30 centimeters. One hole holds 3-4 seeds. The air temperature during cultivation should not fall below 16 degrees.

For a faster hatching of seeds, plantings are watered with heated water up to 45-50 degrees.

The first shoots appear after 15 days. Such a planting allows you to grow plants that are more resistant to diseases and adapted to the conditions of the local climate and soil. Flowering occurs an order of magnitude later than the planting of grown plants.

Summer flower care

Caring for nasturtium consists of weeding, regular watering, loosening and feeding. Weeding retains moisture and helps the roots get air. When planting weaving varieties, the soil can be mulched with sawdust, straw, dry small grass, needles.

Watering is done with warm water. The first weeks, before flowering, watering should be abundant, then it is sharply reduced. Moisture is supplied after the soil has dried. Excess water leads to overgrowth of green mass and lack of flowers.

Before flowering, potash-phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the soil every 7-10 days.

To stimulate lush flowering, all wilted flowers are removed from the plant. Dead stems and leaves are cut with a sharp knife.

Diseases and pests

Nasturtium is not damaged by omnivorous pests (cabbage, aphids, whiteflies, Colorado beetles).

For this reason, this beneficial plant is planted between beds of nightshade crops and cabbage. This planting allows you to reduce the number of pests.

For other insects, nasturtium is an excellent honey plant.

Of the diseases, nasturtium is affected by bactericidal wilting. The lower leaves at the beginning become weak, and then the plant dies.

Black or dirty brown stains, spots on the plant characterize rust. When gray rot appears, brown dry spots appear on the leaf plates.

The mosaic is manifested by colorful, bright stains. Also on flowers you can see the ring spot virus, leaf spot.

If any of the diseases appears, the affected plants must be removed from the site and burned. The well is treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. Healthy flowers are treated with insecticides (Ridomil, Topaz, Oksikhom).

Excessive moisture and top spraying harm the plant and lead to disease. Weeding and loosening the soil avoids contamination and preserves planting.

How to collect your seeds

If possible, you can not buy nasturtium seeds, but collect them yourself. To do this, you need to monitor the condition of the fruits formed from the flowers. The largest fruits are left for the seeds. Ripe fruits turn whitish.

The ripening period after the wilting of the flower is 40-50 days. Seed collection must be done immediately, otherwise the seeds will fall to the ground.

The seeds trapped in the soil remain viable and begin to germinate in the spring.

The only type of nasturtium in which the seeds do not fully ripen (in the middle lane) is foreign. The collected seeds reach the windowsill.

Dry seeds are packed in paper bags and stored indoors (at 22-23 degrees) until the new season.

Nasturtium seeds remain viable for 4 years.

After collecting the seeds, wilted stems are removed from the site, and the soil is dug up.

Healing properties of nasturtium

This beautiful ornamental plant has many beneficial properties. The flower is used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

This plant is used for vitamin deficiency, anemia, depression, urolithiasis and gallstone disease, in the treatment of acne, skin rashes, to stimulate hair growth.

The plant has an expectorant effect and helps with coughs.

Provitamin A and phytoncides restore metabolism, help with atherosclerosis. The large amount of vitamin C in the plant helps in the treatment of scurvy. Essential oils are effective in vascular diseases. Carotene and sulfur from the plant are beneficial for multiple sclerosis.

It contains a lot of phosphorus, iodine, potassium.

Infusions, decoctions are prepared from the plant, juice is squeezed out, vinegar and oil are made. Can be used fresh.

In cooking, the flower is used as a component for soups, salads, for decorating dishes.

Dry, crushed seeds replace ground black pepper. Pickled fruits resemble capers.

They can be used as a condiment for various dishes. Young leaves can be added to salad. Vinegar and oil are made from nasturtium.

Unpretentious flowers for the garden Nasturtium: video

Observing all the necessary rules for growing nasturtium from seeds, you can get strong and healthy seedlings, and in the future, beautiful bright flowers.

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Nasturtium

Small creeping shrubs with juicy green leaves and bright funnel-shaped flowers of bright orange or yellow color are often found in gardens of the middle lane, in summer cottages and in balcony cassettes. These catchy flowers, flaming against the backdrop of vibrant greenery - nasturtium.

Nasturtiums have become so familiar that we do not see anything unusual in them, and yet it is not just a beautiful plant.

Surprising Nasturtium Facts:

• The tubers that form on the roots of some perennial nasturtium species are edible and taste good.
• You can eat not only the roots of the flower. Young shoots and leaves are used as an ingredient in lettuce, buds and green fruits are salted or pickled, and the seeds are used as a spice to a wide variety of dishes.
• Green ovaries of nasturtium fruit are sometimes used in place of capers.
• Nasturtium is considered a medicinal herb that helps to cure respiratory and digestive diseases, as well as skin ailments. Nasturtium is rich in vitamins C and A, and therefore is used for the prevention of vitamin deficiency.
• The original name of nasturtium - Capuchin - came from the similarity of flowers with the pointed hoods of Catholic Capuchin monks.
• In the setting sun, nasturtium flowers seem to flare up and blaze with bright fiery colors.

Nasturtium, also known as capuchin, is a large genus of herbaceous plants. In the Latin classification, the genus is called Tropaeolum and is divided into many species and subspecies. Nasturtium gave its name to a whole family of dicotyledonous cabbage plants, whose homeland is considered to be Central and South America. Among more than 90 species, there are both annuals and perennials. Unfortunately, in the rather harsh conditions of the middle zone, nasturtiums do not tolerate wintering in the open field, therefore only one-year-olds are used in gardening.

In the article we will consider the main types and varieties of plants, their features and use for decorative purposes, and also give some recommendations for plant care.

Outdoor and popular varieties

Since the homeland of the nasturtium is South America, where the climate is much milder and the land does not freeze in winter, perennial plants of this genus are found. In our climate with cold winters and seasonal freezing of soils for garden decor, you can use only annual subspecies or perennials, but only for one season. The most common ones are listed below, with a mention of the characteristic features of the species. For each subspecies, there is a list of popular varieties in horticulture derived from this species.

Large nasturtium (Latin Tropaeolum majus), also known as capuchin large or May nasturtium, is an annual plant species that is most often used to decorate large areas. The creeping form has long twisting stems up to 2-3 meters long. Standing varieties reach a height of half a meter. Large nasturtium reproduces by self-seeding, therefore, additional planting is not required every season. The seeds remain viable for several years. The leaves of the plant are of a rich green color, have a cup-shaped shape, the flowers are single, large, orange and fiery red. The species has multiple creeping, standing and shrub varieties, including:

• "King Theodore" - with large and bright red flowers;
• "Pitch Melba" - with polychrome inflorescences (cream with red);
• "Salmon Baby" - flower petals have a salmon-pink hue, depending on the variety, the flowers can be simple or double;

• "Ladybug" resembles Melba, but the tone of the inflorescences is apricot;
• Strawberry Ice - creamy yellow petals adorned with a bright red pattern at the base;
• "Empress of India" - small bright red flowers against a background of dark green leaves.

Shield-bearing nasturtium (Latin Tropaeolum peltophorum) is the second popular species, which differs in the color of its leaves: dark green, not saturated. Against the background of dark leaves, bright red and red flowers look more contrasting. According to its life form, this type of nasturtium belongs to creeping shrubs. Individual brittle stems can be up to 4 meters in length. Among the varieties of this species, one standing and several liana-like ones stand out:

• "Lucifer" grows up to 30 centimeters, has dark leaves, common to the species, but with a reddish tint. Large (up to 6 cm in diameter) inflorescences have a reddish-red color.

Cultural nasturtium (Latin Tropaeolum cultorum) combines the features of large and shield-bearing. The leaves on the shoots are densely arranged and, depending on the variety, have a dark green or reddish-brown hue. A variety of flower colors - from pale yellow to deep red. Cultural nasturtium blooms, like other plant species, from early summer to autumn (until the first frost) and is rather unpretentious to the soil and care. Standing out standing, creeping and dwarf varieties:

• "Sparkling Mahogany" - a standing variety, grows up to 40 cm, has large double inflorescences of scarlet color;
• Golden Globe is a small spherical shrub about 35 cm in diameter, the inflorescences are also double, but of a golden hue. The leaves are light green in color.
• "Moonlight" is a creeping creeping variety with brittle stems up to 2 meters long and pale yellow funnel-shaped flowers.

Small nasturtium (Latin Tropaeolum minus) is another popular species that is hardy enough for planting in open ground. It is presented in standing varieties of 20-30 cm in height. The peculiarities of this species are small leaves on relatively elongated petioles and relatively small inflorescences (only 3 cm in diameter) in shades of orange and red. The most popular varieties of the species:

• "Cherry rose" grows up to 25-30 cm, leaves are small, double flowers are scarlet;
• "Black velveteen" is a special variety, the flowers of which, due to their very dark burgundy shade, sometimes seem black. The maximum plant height is up to 30 cm.
• "Just Peachy" is a variety with delicate creamy orange flowers, the middle of which is decorated with stripes of red-brick color.

Other well-known species include azure, multifoliate and tricolor nasturtiums, but they are too whimsical for growing outdoors. Many different varieties have been bred for each of the listed species, so the variety of nasturtiums available on garden ruins is really impressive. Here we have identified only the most popular and unusual varieties of the flower, these varieties of nasturtium can often be found on sale and grown on your personal plot.

Nasturtium in landscape design

The ability to plant nasturtium in open ground in the garden, its self-seeding reproduction and rapid growth make this genus of plants an excellent solution to landscape design problems.

Long stems of creeping nasturtium species (large, cultivated) are excellent for planting it on large areas. For example, you can use the flower for terracing and covering ground slopes, as well as for the edge of other, larger shrubs and trees. The undoubted advantage of nasturtium in relation to the latter is the structure of its root system - low-power taproots with poor peripheral development do not interfere with the nutrition of neighboring crops.

Standing and shrub varieties can be used for point and line planting when decorating flower beds, borders and garden paths. The dense arrangement of leaves on the stem gives the impression of a continuous strip (or cover) with a relatively sparse planting of shoots.

Curly capuchin subspecies are also widely in demand for decorating fences, walls, and fences. The quality of a live nasturtium hedge is ensured by the length and density of its stems, as well as its rapid growth in any direction. In one summer season, a nasturtium planting can cover a significant vertical area.

The variety of plant species allows you to choose the optimal color and pattern for the area to be decorated - light or dark green background, the size and contrast of flowers, as well as the general perception of the cover structure (small or large leaves) can be adjusted using a wide range of varieties.

Caring for nasturtium

As noted at the beginning of the article, the nasturtium family consists of more than 90 species. Some of them are suitable for planting in open ground, while others survive only in home or greenhouse conditions. Individual species cannot exist at all in northern and middle latitudes. Since in the article we consider those types of nasturtium that are widely used for landscape decoration and open ground, below are the basic recommendations for planting a garden plant.

Planting in open ground: sowing seeds, preparing seedlings and caring for them, cuttings

Even a novice gardener can handle planting nasturtium, since this procedure can be considered basic. Several landing methods are possible:

• sowing seeds,
• transplanting,
• grafting.

Sowing of seeds is carried out directly into the ground, by the nesting method (3-4 seeds each) into a hole at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. Sowing time is the end of May, after the end of the last frost. If there is a risk of a drop in temperature during the germination period, it is better to cover the bed (flower bed) with plastic wrap. The first shoots usually appear in 1-2 weeks.

[!] In order for all the seeds to sprout successfully, you need to: buy only fresh planting material, not deeply deepen the seed into the ground, plant the seeds only in the heated soil.

A technique that allows you to achieve better germination is seed soaking. Nasturtium seeds are immersed in water at room temperature for about 15 minutes, thus accelerating the development of the plant.

Planting seedlings allows for an earlier flowering of nasturtium. To do this, the seeds must be sown in advance in pots at home, one nest per pot. It is important to remember that capuchins have a very weak root system, therefore, peat pots are used to obtain seedlings and planting in the ground is carried out directly in them, without diving. When caring for seedlings, you should pay attention to good lighting of nasturtium seedlings. Otherwise, the stems will stretch out strongly, and after planting in the garden, the plant will hurt and bloom much later. Watering the seedlings should be done with warm and soft (settled) water.

In nature, capuchins reproduce by self-garden, however, in garden conditions, cuttings can also be used to obtain new shoots. To do this, cut off the stem of the nasturtium at a sharp angle close to the base and submerge them in wet sand or water. The first roots will appear in a week, after which a new shoot can be moved into a peat pot and continue leaving until the moment of transplanting into open ground using the technique described above.

Location, temperature, watering

After planting nasturtium in open ground in the first decade of June, in order to achieve a beautiful flowering, you need to pay attention to some important recommendations.

Firstly, seedlings and seedlings need a lot of light, therefore, to plant nasturtium, you need to choose a bright area.

Immediately after planting, with a difference in day and night temperatures, it is better to cover a flower bed with young shoots with foil.

Watering nasturtium in the first week is carried out abundantly and, if possible, with settled water at room temperature. After a steady growth of green shoots, watering is slightly reduced and carried out only after the top layer of the soil has dried. In waterlogged soil, capuchins can rot, and a lack of moisture will lead to stretching of the stems, as well as drying out of leaves and buds.

Soil, top dressing

The soil optimal for nasturtiums should be light, loose, water and air permeable, as well as slightly acidic, with a low organic content. Inappropriate soil composition can lead to problems:

1. On a land rich in organic matter, capuchins thrive with many leaves, but they do not bloom well.
2. If the soil is waterlogged and the water table is too high, the roots of the nasturtium can rot.
3. Too poor substrate is the reason for the appearance of small leaves and flowers, as well as elongated long stems.

[!] If the land on your site contains a large amount of black soil or clay, add some clean sand when planting nasturtium.

From time to time (once every one to two weeks) nasturtium can be fed. For this, potash-phosphorus fertilizers are best suited for flowering flowers. The plant does not need nitrogen compounds that stimulate the growth of green mass.

Flowering: timing, what to do after flowering, collecting seeds

Nasturtiums bloom throughout the summer, from June to the first autumn frost in September-October.

Since in our climate capuchins are grown only as annuals, the procedure for harvesting them after flowering is general: collect and burn the tops, and then weed and dig up the area. If next year it is planned to plant nasturtium in the same place, it is possible to make final fertilization of the soil with phosphates. Before destroying old plants, you can collect seeds for the next year if necessary.

Seed ripening occurs in early autumn, after the flowers wilt. Initially greenish in color, they gradually mature to a whitish hue. At this time, their attachment to the peduncle is very weakened, so the seeds should be collected with care, otherwise you can lose a significant part of them. An exception is foreign nasturtium - its seeds do not have time to fully mature by autumn. They are harvested green and brought to the final state at home.

[!] Nasturtium seeds can be canned like any other vegetable, and then used as a snack or salad addition.

Pests and diseases

Despite the fact that nasturtium is a useful and even commonly eaten plant, it is rarely attacked by garden pests. Colorado beetles, aphids, and whiteflies are indifferent to the bright orange flowers of nasturtium. However, capuchins are not protected against bacterial infection and gray mold. As a result of this kind of ailments, oppression of the lower leaves appears, dark and mosaic rusty spots on the leaves, which result in the rapid wilting of individual shoots. To get rid of the infection, remove the diseased plant from the flower bed, and treat the rest with a special antibacterial composition to prevent the spread of the disease. ***

So, nasturtium can rightfully be considered one of the best plants for an outdoor flower garden. Its yellow, orange or red flowers stand out brightly against the rich green background. The features of the plant allow it to be widely used for landscape design, both for the formation of individual elements, and for the rapid filling of voids. In addition, nasturtium is completely unpretentious and does not require complex care, and you can find the right varieties in any garden store.

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Flower "from boulevard of the Capuchins" or magnificent nasturtium for your summer cottage

Greetings to the creators of beautiful gardens, summer cottages and vegetable gardens! To make your garden even more beautiful and healthier, pay attention to nasturtium. This flower is in demand by flower growers and is one of the most popular ornamental plants. I would even say that nasturtium is one of the best for garden decoration. She won love and attention due to unpretentiousness, as well as bright and long flowering.

Today I will tell you about the most popular types and varieties of this culture, as well as its benefits for the garden. By the way, did you know that the nasturtium flower has about 90 species? Yes, scientists know about so many types of these beautiful flowers, but not all of them are used in floriculture. Of the huge number, only about 25 species are cultivated.

Types of nasturtium

Perennial nasturtium is found in Central and South America - the homeland of this plant. In ornamental horticulture, these flowers are grown as annuals. The most common and well-known species is large nasturtium. It has erect stems 25-70 cm high or creeping up to 250 cm long with large flowers of bright color. It was she who served as the basis for breeding many hybrids, which are combined into a separate species - cultural nasturtium, or hybrid.

Bush nasturtium forms compact plants, perfectly holds its shape and is used to decorate flower beds and edging garden paths.

Climbing nasturtium forms long stems and is grown as a ground cover and ampelous crop. It can also be grown on a vertical support. Creeping nasturtium covers the ground with a living flower carpet. And ampelous nasturtium forms a cascade of flowering shoots falling.

Small or dwarf nasturtium is distinguished by thin stems from 15 to 35 cm in height, small leaves and flowers (up to 3 cm in diameter), predominantly yellow in color with dark spots.

Foreign nasturtium (or Canary) in appearance is very different from other species. The curly stems of this species are a real liana and need support. In addition, this species is characterized by an increased demand for heat and moisture. It is she who is often implied when they talk about curly nasturtium. Its stems easily wrap around the support, so it is good to plant it next to a gazebo, fence, or an unsightly barn that you want to hide.

The most popular is terry nasturtium, which is also called dense double or super double. This species reproduces vegetatively or by seeds purchased from the store. Due to the terry flowers of the capuchins (this is another name for the flower), this species is mainly grown as an ampelous form, because this is how its beauty is revealed to the maximum.

Low nasturtium forms compact plants with erect shoots reaching 25-30 cm in height.

These flowers are perfect for all kinds of floral arrangements. Low-growing varieties are used to create borders, ridges, flower beds. Varieties of nasturtiums with long shoots are grown in pots, hanging baskets, and tall containers. They are used in vertical gardening, they are used for arbors and arches, fences and compost heaps. It all depends on your ingenuity and imagination.

Varieties of nasturtium

Given the demand for culture, breeders create new, exotic varieties and hybrids of nasturtium, the number of which is increasing every year. The most popular varieties include:

Nasturtium "Vesuvius". Bushes are small, compact. Stems with large leaves, erect, 25-30 cm high, semi-creeping as they grow back. The flowers have an original color: salmon pink with an orange tint and dark red spots on the upper petals.

Nasturtium "Cherry Rose". Plants about 30 cm high with many double flowers of unusual color for nasturtium are crimson-pink. This variety will add juiciness to any flower bed.

Nasturtium "Day and Night". Compact bushes up to 30 cm tall. Erect shoots with light green leaves. The variety got its name and popularity due to the color of flowers - red and cream. Such a contrasting mixture of flowers looks very impressive and attractive.

Foreign nasturtium "Canary Liana" ("Canary"). The long curly stems of this nasturtium can reach 3.5 m. The small leaves are light green, but they do not at all resemble the shield-like round leaves of other types of nasturtium that we are used to. This variety will surprise you and your friends with its 5-7 split leaves.

Its flowers are small (up to 2 cm in diameter) with a canary-yellow fringed edge and green spurs. It even seems to me that they called her the Canary variety for a reason. Firstly, the color is appropriate, and secondly ... Just look at the shape of the flowers - it seems that they are about to take off like a bird.

Nasturtium "Terry mix". Bushy plant 40 cm high. Erect shoots, bright green leaves. Flowers are double, fragrant, of different shades.

Of the novelties of the seasons 2011-2013, special attention deserves:

Alaska nasturtium, mix. Bushes are compact, low 25-30 cm, well leafy. Erect stems, leaves with original white-variegated ("marble") color. The flowers are simple, large, of different shades.

Nasturtium Yeti. Climbing shoots, up to 2 m long with light green leaves. Delicate, large flowers of amazing color - white-cream with yellow spots in the center.

About the benefits of capuchins

The nasturtium flower is a pretty interesting plant. It is grown for various purposes, including as an ornamental, medicinal, and even spicy-flavoring plant. But that's not all.

All types of nasturtium, with the exception of foreign ones, are useful for the vegetable garden and garden. The smell emitted by the leaves of these flowers repels insect pests.

Just a few nasturtium bushes will protect vegetable plants from whitefly and whitefly. But aphids love nasturtium, but this quality can also be used. For example, sow capuchins near plants that are suffering from aphid infestations. These pests usually prefer nasturtium and when they settle on the flower, simply remove the aphid-infested lashes and throw them in the compost.

It is recommended to plant capuchins between tomatoes, next to cabbage, potatoes, beans and other crops. They also protect cucumbers and pumpkins. Nasturtium is of great benefit as a bait for beneficial insects in the garden (it is the nectar of its flowers that attracts them). In addition, along with marigolds, it is a nematicidal plant that has a beneficial effect on the condition of the soil. It expels nematodes and treats fungal diseases. I will tell you how to grow nasturtium in the next article.

By the way, not only aphids love nasturtium. For example, I also love to eat it. Somehow she even surprised her family and friends with an interesting and at the same time simple dish: sandwiches with nasturtium oil. They never guessed what kind of amazing seasoning with a mustard-sweet taste was added to the butter.

And the recipe is very simple. Pluck a few leaves and flowers of nasturtium (I took the usual large nasturtium). It is better to take flowers of different colors, then the sandwiches will become even more attractive. Wash the flowers and leaves from dust, shave off the water and chop finely. Then mix them with butter. If you wish, you can add a little salt, but it is better to add salt on top later, because not everyone likes salt. Well, then we take bread or a loaf, grease the slices with "flower" oil and serve. Bon Appetit!

And one more thing ... Not only is this a delicious and beautiful dish, but it is also very healthy. This plant is rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as beneficial essential oils. Nasturtium leaves contain a lot of vitamin C (4 times more than lemon!). Both leaves and flowers contain carotenoids, which are good for eye health (you must admit that in the age of computerization, this property of nasturtium is very useful).

Have you ever eaten nasturtium sandwiches? And some other dishes with her?

By the way, this video contains more interesting recipes and tips:

Nasturtium, as you can see, is a very versatile culture. Blooming, which lasts from June until frost, will delight you with fireworks of bright colors and create a good mood. And nasturtium itself will benefit both your garden and you.

Create beauty for health!

I advise, dear readers, to receive fresh articles by e-mail, so as not to miss the publication of new materials on this blog.

Best wishes, Gardensha

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Nasturtium: planting and care in the open field

It looks like splashing sun or bright lanterns blazing in emerald foliage. Planting nasturtium and caring for it in the open field at one time was described in great detail, because the flower was reputed to be one of the favorite in the horticultural environment. Then it was somewhat pushed aside by more elegant and hardy annuals. Today, the flirtatious inhabitant of the flower bed is back in fashion - the same cheerful, cheerful, flaunting new outfits.

Modest and effective: description and pedigree of a tropical flower

Nasturtium is another "tropical bird" that came to our latitudes during the Great Geographical Discoveries. Her homeland is the jungle of the New World (Mexico, Peru, Ecuador).

The herbaceous plant of the Nasturtium family is classified as a perennial, but in our harsh climate it can only grow in an annual crop. The genus includes over 50 species. Cultivated as natural species introduced into cultivation — nasturtium is large, foreign, shield-bearing, but the most widespread N. cultural, representing a large family of varieties and hybrid forms of the plant.

With a relatively small root system, the annual forms a massive amount of greenery. Its stems are thick, succulent, actively branching, capable of growing lashes 1.5–2 m long.

Nasturtium has very beautiful leaves - large, thyroid, on long petioles, which gives the plantings an additional decorative effect and, with proper care, provides a rich green color before frost.

But, of course, flowers make a bright and spectacular annual. Someone in the form of a corolla sees a hood, someone - a helmet - on long pedicels they rise above the leaves and blaze with red-orange petals. Each flower is single, 5–6.5 cm in diameter, unusually graceful, with a delicate aroma. In mass, they create a lush flowering cap that contrasts beautifully with the green background of the foliage.

The seeds of nasturtium are large, irregular in shape, collected in 3 pieces per fruit. From above, they are covered with a wrinkled peel, which is recommended to be soaked in warm water before planting and removed. This will speed up germination.

How to choose varieties?

When planning the planting of nasturtium, it is necessary to choose not only the appropriate color and shape of the flower, the habit of the plant, the ability of the culture to branch, and the nuances of caring for it in the open field are important.

We offer a selection of highly decorative and unpretentious varieties for various kinds of decoration tasks - decorating borders, vertical flower beds, carpet flower beds, flowerpots.

Undersized

This is a group of compact varieties and hybrids, forming neat lush bushes 25-30 cm high. Among low-growing nasturtiums, there are also real dwarfs 15-20 cm high. They are used to frame flower beds and paths, create flower beds, bouquets, planted in small flowerpots, pots.

Examples of varieties:

• Vesuvius is a lush, low variety with dark green foliage. The flowers are salmon pink with orange and red strokes on the petals.
• Tutti Frutti is a variety with large, elegant flowers of a yellow-orange-red palette. Forms a compact bush up to 30 cm, abundantly dotted with flowers.
• Alaska Type Top - undersized series with colors of all shades of orange and red. Differs in unusual foliage - dark green with irregular white spots.
• King Theodore is a plant with a slightly larger habit, forming a bush 40 cm high. In the group it stands out with large purple flowers with orange strokes along the edge of the petals.

Long-braided (curly)

Long-leaved nasturtiums are sometimes called vines, although this is not entirely true. The plant does not have antennae to cling to the support; its branches hang freely or spread over the soil. Develops lashes 150-200 cm long. This group is perfect for vertical gardening, decoration of terraces, balconies, gazebos. With its help, it is easy to decorate the flaws of buildings.

• Golden Flash is a powerful branchy plant with large golden yellow flowers. Extends beards up to 150 cm.
• Python - fully justifies the name, growing shoots up to 2 m long.Without support, it covers the soil with a thick lush carpet. Flowers 5-6 cm in diameter, color - red-orange, yellow, pale yellow, terracotta, some corollas come with contrasting strokes along the petals.
• Gloss is a modern hybrid that forms whips up to 3 m. Flowers are large, semi-double, most often in a mixture of colors from beige to purple-burgundy.
• Vasilisa the Beautiful is another hybrid with 3-meter shoots and double flowers.
• Mahogany is a bright medium-sized nasturtium that grows shoots up to 150 cm. The eyes are attracted by double flowers of maroon color up to 7 cm in diameter.

Semi-double and terry

There is a growing interest in planting terry nasturtium hybrids, because with high decorativeness and unusualness, caring for it in the open field is not much different from simple varieties.

• The Purple Legion is a climbing hybrid with multi-layered flowers in deep purple red. Forms shoots 1-1.2 m.
• May Terry Salmon is a delicate, refined nasturtium with two rows of petals in a flower basket.
• The jewel is a semi-double hybrid of the undersized group. Bushes 25–30 cm high are decorated with a cap of velvety flowers of pink and fawn.

Unusual color

Fans of flower novelties will like nasturtiums with an unusual color for us, since planting and caring for them is the same as for other varieties.

• Day and night - mixture of undersized group. An original combination of two colors of nasturtium - cream and maroon.
• Ladybug is a compact bush hybrid with milky flowers, the petals of which are decorated with red spots.
• The Yeti is a climbing nasturtium with creamy petals and a yellow heart.
• Creamy strawberries are an original mix of their red and white flowers with red strokes.

Loves, does not love - the secrets of agricultural technology

Knowledge is behind the unpretentiousness of the flower and the simplicity of its agricultural technology, as always. About its origin, biological characteristics, vegetation cycle. Nasturtium has secrets too.

Sun flower

She is light and heat-loving, like a real native of the tropics. If you plant nasturtium in partial shade, it will “wrap up” in leaves and bloom much worse. To reach her full potential, she needs the sun. A lot of sun.

Watering it also needs "tropical" - infrequent, but plentiful, so that the soil gets wet to the last root. During flowering with watering, it is generally better not to rush, wait for the soil to dry out, and then give a moisture-charging dose.

The heat-loving nature of the flower is also manifested in the fear of the slightest frost. Never rush to sowing, and even more so, planting seedlings, wait for steady spring heat.

More a gourmet than a glutton

Installation - the more fertile the soil, the better, it does not work for nasturtium, and this must be the fate of planting and caring for the plant.

On greasy soil, rich in humus, it drives foliage and blooms worse. It is also not necessary to keep it from hand to mouth, but it is better to feed it less often with targeted "goodies" - mineral complex fertilizers for flowers. It is better to refuse manure, mullein, humus and other organic matter altogether.

Flower cultivation technology

Knowing these traits will help you go from planting to flowering nasturtium without loss or frustration.

Sowing seeds

The seeds of nasturtium are large, germinate quickly, the seedlings are intensively gaining green mass, so there is no great need for growing seedlings. Flowers are recommended to be sown directly into the soil.

Sowing dates are calculated based on the time of seed germination (12-14 days) and the disappearance of the threat of recurrent night frosts. In the middle lane, this is the second half of May.

The flower bed is loosened, too poor soil is filled with compost at the rate of 1 bucket / m². If you know that there will be no time for feeding, you can fill the bed with prolonged-release fertilizers. These are capsules that will dissolve gradually under the influence of rain and watering.

To accelerate the germination of nasturtium, it is recommended to cover the plantings with agrofibre - the material retains heat and does not interfere with the care of the seedlings.

Growing seedlings

If, nevertheless, there is a desire to get an earlier flowering, they practice growing seedlings. This is done 1–1.5 months earlier than the intended sowing in open ground, approximately in late March - early April.

What you need to know about growing nasturtium seedlings?

1. The plant does not tolerate transplanting, so plant the seeds in cups, from which the seedling then rolls over into the open ground with a lump of earth.
2. Don't dive for nasturtium! Her root system is weak, any injury stops growth and slows down the development of the plant.

The seeds are sown in the same way as in the soil. To maintain the optimal temperature and humidity, the planting container is covered with polyethylene, another transparent material, and kept in a bright place, for example, on a windowsill, until shoots appear.

Seedlings are planted when the soil warms up to 10–15⁰ and the threat of frost has passed.

How to get nasturtium off to a good start?

In order for the plant to bloom for a long time and profusely, it is necessary to stimulate the growth of the vegetative mass at the start. For this, two weeks after germination, it is recommended to feed the seedlings with complex fertilizer. A little nitrogen won't hurt at this point.

Fertilizer options:

• herbal infusion (organic);
• wood ash (potassium) + superphosphate;
• nitroammofoska or other fertilizer of this series;
• targeted complex fertilizer for garden flowers (Kemira lux, Agricola).

Do not forget to water the flower bed abundantly before feeding.

How to achieve abundant flowering?

Nasturtium loves to loosen, but since it weaves along the ground, it is extremely inconvenient to do this. As a way out, you can offer mulching of the soil in the projection of the bush - it can be rotted sawdust, bark, decorative expanded clay.

If the soil was properly tilled during planting, during the summer nasturtium can be left without feeding. The exception is ampelous varieties growing in a small volume of soil. They need to be watered with a nutrient solution every 1.5–2 weeks, reducing the recommended fertilizer dose by half.

Planting nasturtium in flower beds can also be fed 2-3 times per summer. To do this, prepare a liquid solution or use granular fertilizer (a pinch under the bush).

If you do not plan to collect seeds, remove the ovary immediately after the flower wilts. The plant spends up to a third of the nutrients on the formation and ripening of seeds - let them be better for flowering.

The many faces of nasturtium

A story about nasturtium, planting and caring for it would be incomplete without mentioning its many properties and merits.

1. It is a medicinal plant. Few people know that nasturtium is the richest source of vitamin C; its flowers contain many valuable essential oils. Water extracts from them are used as an antidepressant and sedative, with their help they strengthen the immune system, activate metabolism and cleanse the body. Broths help in the treatment of stomatitis and thrush, the plant is part of the choleretic, cardiac, renal collections.
2. Nasturtium attracts bees and protects garden crops from pests. This property is used when planting flowers in the near-stem circles of fruit trees and aisles of vegetable ridges. With its bright colors, it attracts bees, contributing to the pollination of crops. The smell repels such pests as whitefly, white butterfly, stops the spread of certain fungal diseases, for example, late blight.
3. All parts of the plant are edible. Young leaves of nasturtium are used in salads, and capers are prepared from the buds and milk-wax ovary. Dried seeds are good as a savory spice for appetizers and meat dishes.
4. The plant is a wonderful green manure. German gardeners actively use the flower as a green fertilizer. It is not necessary to plow it in during the budding period, like other green manures. It can be allowed to bloom until the end of the season, and then left for the winter in the trunks of trees and shrubs. Delicate juicy tops are a great treat for earthworms.

As you can see, nasturtium is a beautiful and healthy flower. Growing it is a pleasure.

Planting and caring for nasturtium:

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum), also called capuchin, is a member of the Nasturtium family. This genus is represented by herbaceous plants, it unites about 90 species. The homeland of nasturtium is Central and South America, however, it has been grown in the middle latitudes for a very long time, and it is quite popular. This plant is unpretentious to growing conditions, and it also possesses demanded taste characteristics and medicinal properties. And also during flowering nasturtium looks extremely impressive, and can become a decoration of any garden plot. This plant was brought to Russia from Holland, and at first they began to call it capuchin there, which is associated with the shape of the flower, which looks like a hood. However, over time, this plant increasingly began to be called nasturtium. The scientific Latin name "Tropaeolum" was given to the flower by Carl Linnaeus.

Nasturtium is a perennial or annual plant. Often it is a liana with succulent shoots, less shrubs are found. Often the leaf plates are alternately lobed, whole-edged, thyroid or palmate-divided. Fragrant flowers can be double, simple or semi-double. They are zygamorphic, irregular, axillary and bisexual. They include 5 petals (in some cases more), the same number of sepals, and a funnel-shaped tube with nectar inside. The flowers are most often colored yellow or red. The fruit consists of 3 kidney-shaped wrinkled lobes, and in each of them round-kidney-shaped seeds ripen.

The shoots and flowers of this plant are distinguished by medicinal properties, and they are also used in the preparation of various culinary dishes.

Sowing

For reproduction of nasturtium, the generative (seed) method is used. It is relatively easy to grow such a plant from seeds. The seeds of nasturtium are large enough. They are sown directly into open soil in the second half of May, while return frosts should be left behind. Make shallow (about 20 mm) holes, between which a distance of 0.25–0.3 m should be kept. Seeds are sown in a nesting way, with 3 or 4 seeds placed in 1 hole. If it is still cold at night, then the area with crops is covered with any covering material (for example, plastic wrap). Crops should be watered only with lukewarm water. The first seedlings will appear after 7-15 days.

Seedling care

You can also grow nasturtium through seedlings, in this case flowering will come earlier than when sowing seeds in open soil. For sowing, you need to use cups with a retractable bottom or peat. Seeds are sown in April or May, they are buried in the substrate by 20 mm, while 2 or 3 seeds are placed in 1 cup. Then the cups are rearranged in a cool (from 20 to 22 degrees) place. The first seedlings will appear after about 15 days. The emerging plants should be provided with good lighting so that they do not stretch out, otherwise, after transplanting into open ground, they will hurt for a long time and not bloom. Since the root system of nasturtium is rather fragile and weak, and the leaf surface is large, the seedlings are not dived, and the seedlings are planted in open soil directly in cups, without violating the integrity of the earthen coma.

What time to plant

Planting of nasturtium seedlings in open soil is carried out in the first decade of June. For planting, you need to choose a sunny area that has reliable protection from cold winds. If this flower crop is grown in a shaded place, then its flowering will not be so lush and spectacular. The soil needs a light, nutritious, slightly acidic, and well-drained. If there is too much organic matter in the soil, then the greens near the bushes will grow very intensively, but they will not bloom. When nasturtium is grown on overly depleted soil, its leaf plates become small, which makes the shoots look bare, and the flowering loses its high decorative effect. If you choose stagnant wet soil for planting, then the plant will rot.

Landing features

As mentioned above, seedlings are planted in open soil in the first days of June. The plants are planted together with peat cups or with a lump of earth, while you should be extremely careful, because the root system of the seedling can be easily injured. The distance between plants directly depends on their variety and type, and it can vary from 0.2 to 0.4 m. At first, the planted plants will need to be covered overnight. Flowering will begin after 4-6 weeks.

It is very easy to care for nasturtiums. They need to be watered and weeded in a timely manner. If, after the seedlings were planted on the site, you covered its surface with a layer of mulch, then this will avoid the exhausting fight against weeds. At the very beginning of active growth, special attention should be paid to systematic watering, which should be abundant. After flowering begins, watering should be arranged only when the soil dries up, but if it is constantly moistened, this will negatively affect the splendor of flowering, but the greens will grow violently. It is also very important to cut off flowers that have begun to fade in time. If you want to collect seeds, then leave only a few ovaries for this.

Before flowering, this plant is regularly fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, often once every 7 days. This crop is not fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

Reproduction of nasturtium

How to grow nasturtium from seeds is described above. Cuttings are also used for reproduction. For rooting cuttings, use well moistened sand or water. This method of propagation, as a rule, is used for terry varieties or for very rare ones, the seeds of which are difficult to buy. When propagated by cuttings, all varietal and specific characteristics of the mother plant are fully preserved.

This plant is very beautiful and incredibly useful. In addition, it repels whiteflies, cabbages, Colorado beetles, aphids and other pests.

However, nasturtium can still get sick. For example, it is affected by bacterial wilting. In the affected specimen, the lower leaf plates first weaken, and then the entire bush begins to fade. She can also get sick with gray rot, due to which dry specks of brown color form on the leaf plates. Also, on the surface of the foliage, you can sometimes see variegated mosaic stains or black or brown specks of rust. If symptoms of these diseases occur, the affected bushes must be dug up and destroyed. In this case, the remaining healthy flowers are sprayed with a special agent that can destroy the pathogens.

If you want to feel like a breeder, then you will need to collect nasturtium seeds from your site. Seed ripening occurs at the same time that the flower wilts. Only the seeds of foreign nasturtium do not have time to ripen before frost, and this must be taken into account. Ripe seeds change their green color to whitish, they are easily separated from the peduncle and fall to the surface of the site. In this regard, you should not delay the collection of seeds, because they may crumble. For storage, the seeds are placed in cardboard boxes. The collected unripe seeds of foreign nasturtium should be ripened in room conditions.

Nasturtium after flowering

When flowering is over, the bushes should be watered less and less each time until they stop completely. In middle latitudes, as a rule, this plant is cultivated as an annual, therefore in autumn it should be treated as an annual. Or rather, clear the area of \u200b\u200bplant residues that must be destroyed. The site itself should be dug up. Don't forget to collect the seeds first if needed.

Types and varieties of nasturtium with photos and names

Naturally growing nasturtium is a perennial plant. However, in mid-latitude gardens, this flower can only be grown as an annual, because it cannot survive the winter outdoors. The most popular among gardeners are the cultivated types of nasturtium, which will be described below.

The homeland of this vine is South America. The length of greenish shoots can reach 3.5 m, while they braid trellises and arbors relatively quickly. Flowering begins in mid-summer and ends with the onset of frost. The small flowers are deep yellow in color with corrugated petals and green spurs. Small leaf plates can be five- or seven-part. In middle latitudes, the seeds do not have time to ripen.

Fragile bare shoots are strongly branched, they can have a length of about 2.5 m. There are not creeping, but erect varieties, in this case the height of the shoots can reach 0.7 m. Abundant flowering begins in June, and ends with the onset of frost in the fall. This species reproduces well by self-seeding. The seeds remain viable for 4 years. Large, asymmetrical leaf plates are rounded and thyroid. Their front surface is greenish, and the seamy side is gray. They have long petioles, and the leaves reach 80 mm in diameter. This species has many varieties, among which there are compact bush forms, for example:

• King Theodore - the color of the flowers is deep red;
• Peach Melba - there are red spots in the center of cream flowers;
• Salmon Baby - semi-double flowers have a salmon color;
• ladybug - there are burgundy specks in the middle of the apricot flower.

This species combined hybrids of nasturtium large and shield-bearing nasturtium. Densely leafy shoots. The thyroid leaf plates are purple or green in color. In this type, varieties differ in height and shape:

• compact varieties up to half a meter high;
• creeping varieties, the stems of which reach 4 meters in length;
• dwarf varieties, the height of which does not exceed 15–20 centimeters.

Varieties:

• Gleming Mahagani - the height of the bush is about 37 centimeters, red double flowers;
• Golden Globe - a spherical bush in height reaches 0.25 m, and in width - 0.4 m, leaf plates are round greenish, double large (about 65 mm in diameter) flowers are painted in yellow-golden color;
• Moonlight - the length of the shoots of this climbing plant is about 2 m, the color of the flowers is yellowish.

Thin branched grooved shoots are about 0.35 m high. Small thyroid leaf plates are rounded, petioles are thin and very long. Small yellow flowers reach 30 mm in diameter, there are dark spots on the surface, 3 upper petals are velvety and have a pointed edge, curved spurs have a cylindrical shape. Blooming is observed in June – October. Varieties:

This species is represented by creeping dwarf shrubs. Fragile juicy stems are colored dark green, they reach 4 meters in length. The thyroid leaf plates are dark green in color. The color of the flowers is intense dark red. Flowering is observed in June-October, the seeds have time to ripen. The most popular variety is Lucifer: the height of erect bushes is about 0.25 m, the color of the stems is greenish, the large leaf plates of a dark green color have a dark red tint. Simple orange-red flowers reach 60 mm in diameter.

Also, ornamental types of nasturtium are azure, ciliate, multi-leaved, beautiful, tricolor, but they are rarely grown in middle latitudes.

The very beautiful flower of nasturtium has medicinal properties and can also be eaten. Flowers and foliage of young plants are added to soups, salads and sandwiches, and they are also used to decorate various dishes. Pickled fruits of such a flower taste similar to expensive capers. If the seeds are well dried and ground, they will create a rich seasoning that can be used in place of black pepper. By the way, this seasoning was widely used during the Second World War. You can eat all parts of this culture, but not the roots.

The fact that nasturtium has healing properties has been known for a long time. It is used to stimulate hair growth, in the treatment of skin rashes, as well as vitamin deficiency, anemia and kidney stones. It is also recommended to use nasturtium for scurvy, because its vitamin C content is quite high (10 times more than in lettuce foliage).

In addition, this plant contains substances with antibacterial properties, namely: provitamin A and phytoncides. Dishes that are prepared using this plant are included in the therapeutic diet for atherosclerosis, as well as for metabolic disorders in people in old age. The rhizomes contain substances that can reduce the level of testosterone in the blood.

Scientists have proven that this plant has the following medicinal properties: laxative, diuretic, antibiotic, uroseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic, antiscorbutic and expectorant.

In case of an overdose of nasturtium, irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is observed.

Nasturtium is a flower that can be seen in most city beds, gardens and even balconies in summer. Such popularity is simply explained - the plant is unpretentious in care, grows well and is able to decorate any place of its growth. To achieve abundant flowering of nasturtium, you need to know some of the features of growing this crop.

When to plant nasturtium

Nasturtium is a welcome guest on a wide variety of flower beds and balconies. Rarely can anyone remain indifferent to the beauty of a capuchin - this is the second name of nasturtium, given in ancient times for the similarity of its flowers with the hoods of monks of the same name.

These flowers are perennials by nature, but due to the peculiarities of our climate, they are cultivated as annual crops. Most types of nasturtium are propagated by seed.

How to choose seeds and seedlings

Nasturtium seeds are eaten, but they do it when they are still fresh, green in color. Over time, the peas dry out, the skin becomes wrinkled and gradually turns into a crust, becomes light beige or brown. These are suitable for planting seedlings or directly into open ground.

When buying seedlings, prefer those plants that have a large number of buds and leaves in their compact size. It makes no sense to acquire a flowering plant. The same can be said for seedlings with few leaves.

Whether to collect seeds grown in your flower bed

This question is relevant for all lovers of growing nasturtium at home. And it's not a desire to save money on store seeds. An inquisitive gardener is always interested in the development cycle of a plant and the possibility of growing it in the next season.

The answer is simple: you can, but this applies only to varietal nasturtium, there are no talks about hybrids. Another thing: when should you collect the seeds? Here you should count forty days from the beginning of flowering and observe the final ripening of the fruit pods. It is not difficult to find out the right moment - the boxes will acquire a slightly brownish (or they also say - milky-coffee) shade and will be easily removed from the stalk. You can simplify the task and collect seeds that have already fallen to the ground. Your further concern will be to dry and preserve the seeds until next year. Capuchin seeds can be stored for up to 4 years.

Self-seeding reproduction

Nasturtium reproduces well by self-seeding. This is important for those who grow a flower at home, where it is always warm, since any frost, even the weakest, is destructive for young shoots. Therefore, in your apartment you can arrange a year-round nasturtium growing cycle. But remember that this is possible only if, in addition to heat, it is possible to provide the plant with sufficient light. Nasturtium is very fond of sunlight, which is so lacking in winter, and it is not so easy to replace it with artificial one.

Varieties for every taste: ampelous, long-leaved, undersized

There are so many varieties of nasturtium that everyone will find something to their liking. Usually, ampelous, terry, curly, bush and climbing varieties of this flower are distinguished. All of them can be successfully grown in the garden.

As for growing on the balcony, ampelous semi-leafy varieties, which are planted in pots and boxes, are best suited here.

Description of some varieties:

• Vesuvius is good not only for its compact size, but also for its amazing flowers, where the pale pink hue smoothly turns into orange, there are red spots on the petals;
• Day and night has flowers in two shades - cream and red. Thanks to this combination, the variety got its name. This nasturtium blooms especially well against the background of light green leaves;
• Cherry rose - and the name is beautiful, and the appearance corresponds to it. Anyone who loves unusual shades will love this pink (closer to raspberry) color. The variety is terry;
• Terry mix is \u200b\u200banother representative of the terry type, characterized by a wide range of colors. In addition, the plant tends to exude a pleasant aroma that attracts pollinating insects to the site;
• Alaska is the very case when, even in a non-flowering form, nasturtium looks spectacular, thanks to the marble color of the leaves;
• Yeti - for lovers of long-leaved varieties. Scourges grow up to two meters, and creamy white flowers with yellow spots towards the center bloom on the emerald carpet of foliage;
• Birdie (Canary) is a real exotic in your garden: its petals somehow resemble either wings or feathers of a bird, and the leaves do not at all look like traditional ones, but nevertheless it is nasturtium;
• Birds of Paradise is a variety that forms neat, small bushes with fragrant and bright flowers. Good not only for a loggia, but also for giving when grown in pots and pots;
• A diamond is especially good for planters. Some may be embarrassed that its lashes grow up to 3 m, so shorten them as necessary, at the same time causing more abundant branching and flowering. The flowers are dark red;
• The purple gloss has bright red double flowers up to 6 cm in diameter. Compact enough - the lashes do not exceed 1.2 m in length.

Photo gallery: varieties of nasturtium that decorate the home garden

The flowers of the Yeti variety have almost snow-white petals, which take a yellow tint closer to the center
A truly exotic variety Ptashechka (or Canary) is very fond of warmth, but is able to grow in mid-latitudes.
Nasturtium Cherry rose will appeal to lovers of extraordinary flowers
For the contrast of light and dark flowers, the variety was given the name Day and Night
Alaska is a familiar variety of traditional nasturtium
Nasturtium Terry Blend Unique Flower Shape
The Vesuvius variety is good for its pale pink, turning into an orange shade of flowers
Purple gloss - a variety with fairly short whips, appreciated by lovers of growing nasturtia at home
The Birds of Paradise variety will make any flowerpot or flowerpot the colorful center of the garden composition
Variety Brilliant bushes well and takes up little space, but at the same time blooms magnificently

Planting nasturtium

You can plant nasturtium both with seeds and seedlings. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses.

Seedling method

Planting nasturtium seedlings is a good option when you want to see flowering as soon as possible. In addition, this way it can be protected from low temperatures, which can take the plant by surprise when directly sowing it into the ground. You can start planting in mid-April. This period lasts until early May - it all depends on how quickly the warm period begins in your region.

Landing order:

1. Be sure to soak the seeds for at least a day in warm water, and then dip them 1 cm into the soil, having prepared small containers of peat in advance. Such a container will be optimal for planting in open ground, since nasturtium tolerates this process very painfully.
2. After placing the seeds on the bottom of the grooves, sprinkle them with soil and tamp them a little. Pour and cover with plastic. The room temperature should be no higher than 22 ° C.
3. In a couple of weeks, the first shoots will appear. Now the nasturtium needs to be provided with a slightly cooler atmosphere - up to 18 ° C. It is also recommended to highlight the seedlings so that they do not stretch out from lack of light.
4. A month later, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting to the site. The main thing is that the threat of return frosts has already passed on the street at this time. When transplanting, be sure to save the pot so as not to damage the earthen ball. If the forecast promises a drop in temperature for the coming days, cover the planting with film overnight.

Thanks to this approach, you can see blooming nasturtium in mid-June and admire it until the first frost.

Video: planting nasturtium seeds for seedlings

Seedless way

This approach avoids the problems associated with the survival rate of nasturtium in a new place. Plants sown directly in open ground will be stronger, will develop more actively, but will not begin to bloom until mid-July. Another hitch - they sow seeds in summer cottages, usually in mid-May, and the threat of frost when shoots appear is still relevant. However, it is the simplest and most reliable way to grow nasturtium.

Necessary actions:

1. To begin with, soak the prepared seeds in a damp cloth for up to 3 days (it is best to use a cotton cloth).
2. When the seeds are swollen, we prepare them for them in a section of a hole up to 2 cm deep with an interval of 25 to 50 cm (the distance depends on the type of nasturtium: for tillering varieties, the distance between holes is up to 30 cm, and for climbing varieties - up to 50 cm).

The same scheme applies when planting seeds in pots, flowerpots and boxes located on the balcony. The only difference is that in this case it will be much easier to create the necessary conditions for the seeds to hatch.

Video: planting in open ground and subsequent care

Possible problems during germination

Gardeners often complain that the planted nasturtium does not want to produce friendly shoots. This most often happens when planting seeds directly in open ground.

• First of all, this may be due to too much water for irrigation. And the owner of the site is not necessarily to blame for this, diligently trying to provide seeds and soil with water. Sometimes there is too much rain during the planting period, which, in combination with watering, is only harmful.
• Sometimes the seeds are buried too deeply, and they do not have sufficient oxygen access, and the sprout does not have enough strength to break through to the top.
• The previous problem can be exacerbated by clay soil, which is not as oxygenated as, for example, loam or sandy loam. Therefore, before planting, be sure to dilute it with peat and river sand, mixing them in equal proportions.
• Low temperatures have a negative effect on nasturtium even at the stage of hatching, therefore, if the soil has not warmed up enough before and after planting, then it is hardly worth counting on a good result.
• The simplest reason for the lack of seedlings, if all the previous conditions were met, is the poor quality of the seeds. Is it worth mentioning once again that you do not need to buy them from the hands of private traders. It is better to trust registered and verified manufacturers. If you collect and harvest seeds yourself, then remember that the planting material remains viable for 3-4 years.

Description of plant care

Watering

Water the nasturtium as needed - when the soil around it becomes dry. Moreover, this recommendation is effective in the first stages of growth, then watering should be reduced. Do not overdo it with the volume of water - it is enough to wet only the topsoil, and not spill the area for a week in advance. This is especially true for clay soil, which retains water for a long time.

Top dressing

Nasturtium is not one of those plants that love organic feeding, and nitrogen fertilization will not do it well. It is better to use potassium-phosphorus fertilizers like Nitrofoska (4 tablespoons per bucket of water followed by spraying the leaves) or Agricola (1 tablespoon is enough for 10 liters of water). Top dressing is done once - before the flowering of nasturtium. Thanks to her, there will be much more flowers.

Favorable conditions during flowering

In order for the plant to bloom profusely, the following conditions must be met:

1. Faded inflorescences must be cut off at the first signs of wilting - thereby the nasturtium is stimulated to further abundant flowering, because a new one will soon form in the place of the cut inflorescence.
2. In a similar way, you need to do with damaged parts of the plant in order to prevent the appearance of diseases or pests.
3. Loosen the soil as necessary so that water does not stagnate in it and there is always an oxygen flow to the roots.

Nasturtium planted in a greenhouse will save you from whitefly, placed next to cabbage will protect it from cabbage. Capuchin is often a true target for aphids, and distracts pests from other garden crops. Agree, it is much easier to destroy aphids that have accumulated on nasturtium plantings than those scattered throughout the site.

Diseases and pests of nasturtium

Nasturtium has a whole list of "ill-wishers" in the face of aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and other pests, and is also susceptible to various diseases.

Diseases and enemies of nasturtium, methods of dealing with them:

The so-called mosaic on nasturtium leaves is usually a sign of a lack of essential trace elements (if the plant is not fed), and does not pose a threat. Unless only the appearance of flowers is no longer so attractive.

Perennial varieties in winter: greenhouse or warm balcony

Perennial varieties of nasturtium in our area are grown as annuals, since no shelter will help them survive the winter. However, you can try to keep such a capuchin in your greenhouse or on your balcony, but only if you can provide enough warmth and light. If not, consider any nasturtium as an annual crop only.

Photo gallery: flowers for food

Lettuce, asparagus, nasturtium - the base of a salad a la Nice
Nasturtium leaves, which are wrapped in lamb, add a spicy taste to dolma
One variation of the famous Italian pesto sauce is made from nasturtium leaves
Nasturtium pizza also has a place
Pickled green nasturtium seeds will replace expensive capers
Spicy nasturtium complements the bland taste of the squash salad

Garden flowers appear on most home gardens. Knowing the main thing about planting and caring for nasturtiums outdoors, you can create beautiful compositions that will look very attractive in your garden design.

High-quality seed germination lasts up to 4 years. They should be stored in paper bags.

Seeds are planted in open ground in the last days of May. If the spring is warm, then the landing is shifted to an earlier date and is carried out in mid-May. In the southern regions, the culture is planted in the ground much earlier - in late March, early April.

Agrotechnical requirements for growing

Agrotechnics when growing nasturtium should be strictly observed, as this will allow you to get strong plants with abundant and vigorous flowering.

If grown improperly, nasturtium will stretch and waste energy on small, nondescript leaves, instead of picking up buds and blooming.

Growing nasturtium from seeds is not difficult, which even a novice florist can easily handle.

Planting in open ground with seeds

In order for the seeds to germinate well, they need to be slightly soaked. To do this, on the eve of planting, the seeds are soaked for a day. Do this by wrapping them in a highly damp cloth.

The seed holes should be spaced 30 cm apart, since when the crop begins to develop, it will need a lot of space. The seeding depth is 2 cm. 3-4 seeds should be placed in each hole. After planting the seeds, the soil is watered with warm water. When there is a risk of recurrent frost, the bed is covered with polyethylene. Seedlings appear in 10-14 days.

Growing seedlings

When nasturtium is grown through seedlings, the plant will bloom earlier. Sowing seeds is carried out in the same way as they are sown in the ground. For seedlings, it is better to use peat cups, then diving is not required. When planted in open ground, peat pots prevent root damage. The place where the seedlings are standing should be light.

Sowing seeds for seedlings should be a month earlier than in open ground. Early planting is not recommended because if the plants outgrow and stretch out, they will not be able to produce quality flowering.

Proper care of nasturtium

Proper care of the nasturtium flower will allow you to admire the rapid flowering before the onset of frost. Regardless of the selected variety, agricultural technology will be the same.

Soil and lighting requirements

Nasturtium is a light-loving crop, and the sunniest areas should be chosen for it. It is better to do this in the fall, even before the foliage falls. This will allow you to accurately assess the selected area. If the plant is planted in partial shade, it will not disappear, but you will not have to expect abundant flowering from it.

The soil for nasturtium requires slightly acidic and well-drained so that water stagnation and waterlogging do not occur. The soil must be light and fertile. An excess of organic matter should not be allowed, since in this case the bushes are very actively gaining green mass and do not bloom at all. If the soil is poor in nutrients, the stems will stretch, produce few leaves and look bare. Nasturtium will not produce flowers either.

The plant blooms well in the sun, forms rich foliage in the shade.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant needs regular watering. Nasturtium is afraid of waterlogging the soil, but its overdrying is destructive for the flower. During the peak flowering period, water the plant only at the moment when the soil dries up noticeably. The rest of the time, watering is carried out 1 time in 3 days, unless, of course, it rains. When the soil is too wet, watering is stopped and the soil is given time to dry out. This avoids root rot.

It is necessary to feed nasturtium 2 times during the whole season - before flowering and closer to its end - to stimulate a set of new buds. It is optimal to use the nitrophoska preparation for this. If the flowers are grown in an area with fertile soil and feel good, then fertilizers are not needed.

Post-flowering care

Usually nasturtium blooms well before frost. If the plant has stopped picking up new buds too early, then it is worth pushing it to this.

For these purposes, it is best to use the following methods:

• picking off faded and fading flowers;
• watering with special preparations with flowering stimulants;
• watering with hydrogen peroxide solution.

When all the measures do not bring results, it is worth digging up one of the bushes and looking at the roots. If they began to rot from dampness, then it is no longer possible to help nasturtium and you should not try to get new buds from the flower.

How to collect seeds?

To obtain seeds, leave 2-3 bushes and do not pluck the fading flowers from them. You can only harvest nasturtium seeds if the plant is varietal and not hybrid. The seeds ripen at the very end of the season. Only the variety retains its properties during seed propagation. In order to prevent self-seeding due to the falling of ripe seeds, it is important to constantly monitor their condition at the end of ripening. If the seeds fall from the touch, they must be collected. This is done by the piece. Usually mature capsules, the seeds from which can be stored, turn a dark brown color.

Store seeds in a paper bag in a cool dry place.

If self-sowing has occurred, this does not mean that the seeds have disappeared. They winter well in the soil and in the spring, if they are not eaten by rodents, give high-quality shoots.

Reproduction of nasturtium

If you wish, you can breed nasturtium not only with seeds, but also with cuttings. To do this, cut off middle-aged shoots from the plant and root them in wet sand under a plastic bag. As a result of such reproduction, a new plant is obtained that fully retains its parental properties. Unfortunately, rooting occurs only 60% of the time. Most often, rare varieties of nasturtium are propagated in this way, the seeds of which are quite difficult to find on the market.

Pest control

The unpretentious nasturtium is often attacked by pests. Cruciferous fleas are big fans of the fresh leaves of the plant. In order to prevent snails and slugs from eating it, which are the main enemies of the flower, it is required to process nasturtium with special preparations. They are sold in a wide variety of gardening stores. Such processing is carried out up to 3 times per season.

Nasturtium in landscape design

Nasturtium is a wonderful decoration of the garden, a bright ornamental plant, a guest from southern countries. In our gardens, mainly climbing nasturtium is grown. This plant variety is a kind of liana, which, under favorable circumstances, can reach a length of four meters.

Curly nasturtium can be used in landscape design very widely: in curbs, and in flower beds, and in hanging pots, and as a camouflage agent for unsightly household structures. In the article, we will consider the features of growing climbing nasturtium from seeds: we will find out how to plant and how to care for the plant.

Description

Climbing nasturtium is one of the most popular and favorite ornamental plants by gardeners. This is not surprising - for all its external showiness, the vine is completely unpretentious, does not require excessive worries and hassles.

In the photo - curly nasturtium:

Curly nasturtium

The plant comes from the regions of South and Central America, where it grows in natural conditions as a perennial. But in our climate, nasturtium is grown only as an annual plant, since the gentle southern beauty cannot survive the harsh frosty winter.

Curly nasturtium is a decorative liana, during flowering, decorated with many yellow, red or orange flowers. There are two-color and even three-color varieties, which are distinguished by increased decorativeness and picturesqueness. The leaves of the plant are also beautiful: bright green, shiny, dense.

Flowers, depending on the variety, can be simple, double and semi-double. In the last two cases, the flowering of nasturtium turns out to be especially lush and majestic due to the larger and more voluminous flowers.

The color of the petals is in a warm range: various varieties of nasturtium can offer almost the entire range of red, yellow shades, often orange, sometimes cherry, pink. The breeders also bred spotted specimens, in which the petals are speckled with many bizarre spots, dots, squiggles.

On the video - curly Nasturtium:

The flowering of the plant begins in June-July and lasts until frost in the fall. Therefore, for a rather long time there is an opportunity to admire decorative flowers and enjoy the pleasant aroma of a plant. Interestingly, nasturtium can be used as a medicinal plant, and even used in cooking, where it is quite capable of replacing capers.

Growing conditions and care

Let's find out what requirements curly nasturtium makes to the conditions of its keeping.

A place

The plant needs a sunny, well-lit area of \u200b\u200bthe garden. She does not like shadows: in this case, the flowering of the plant may not be seen. Nasturtium can withstand even direct midday sun rays, so you can venture into even the most open area.

Soil, top dressing

The plant needs a fertile soil with good drainage. At the same time, it is advisable to avoid an excess of fertilizers, otherwise nasturtium will begin to build up a green deciduous mass, forgetting about flowering.

It is forbidden to fertilize nasturtium with fresh manure: this can rot its roots. But compost is quite possible. Of the mineral fertilizers, the plant needs potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, but nitrogen fertilizers are not required.

The plant needs light, loose soil: it is better not to plant nasturtium in heavy, clay soil. The best for nasturtium is soil with a slightly acidic reaction, not too scarce, but not overly stuffed with organic and mineral fertilizers.

Watering

Liana needs watering, but moderate: the plant roots cannot stand moisture stagnation and waterlogging, they can rot. It is especially important to regularly water the nasturtium during the period of its active growth. But after the beginning of flowering, it is worth reducing moisture to a minimum, and watering only when the earthen lump is already completely dry. How to use it in this case, you can find out by reading the contents of this article.

Transfer

Having planted nasturtium in a certain place, it is no longer recommended to touch it. The plant does not tolerate a transplant due to its delicate root system.

Seedlings are best grown in plastic cups with a retractable bottom - in this case, transplanting a plant into open ground will be the most painless. Peat cups for sprouting nasturtium seedlings are also fine: they can be placed in the soil without having to take out the plant. And here's how it happens, the video from the article will help you understand.

Diseases and pests

The plant, due to its aroma, can serve as protection of neighboring flowers from insects such as aphids, whiteflies, Colorado potato beetle, cabbage caterpillar. For this invaluable virtue, nasturtium is especially loved by gardeners. However, the plant itself is also susceptible to some diseases. Let's list the most common ones.

Withering of a bacterial nature is manifested in nasturtium in the gradual drying of leaves. This process begins from below, and if it is not stopped, it will gradually destroy the entire plant.

A disease such as spotting is also common in nasturtium. The disease manifests itself in the form of small brownish-red dots, which grow and increase in diameter, gradually capturing the entire leaf.

Gray rot also affects climbing nasturtium, and manifests itself as a characteristic white-gray bloom on the leaves.

All these diseases must be dealt with as soon as they are detected. It is imperative to remove the affected leaves, and spray the plant itself with suitable fungicides. If the nasturtium is significantly affected, then it is better to dig up the plant and burn it.

How to grow nasturtium from seeds

Let's find out what wisdom you need to keep in mind when growing a plant from seeds.

First, you should know that the seeds of climbing nasturtium can be planted either directly in the ground, or at first to germinate seedlings at home, and only after that they can be placed under the open sky. The first method is more suitable for the southern regions: in the northern latitudes and even in the middle lane, in any case, you will have to grow liana using seedlings. Let's consider both methods.

The video shows how to grow Nasturtium from seeds:

Seedling method

This method is more troublesome, however, it gives an almost guaranteed positive result. And at the same time, the liana blooms earlier. In order for the seedlings to become sufficiently strong by the time they are planted in the ground, it is recommended to plant seeds for seedlings in April-early May.

In order to grow strong and healthy "young growth" of nasturtium, it is recommended to prepare special cups: peat or with a retractable bottom. Conventional disposable cups are also suitable, however, later difficulties may arise when transplanting seedlings into open ground. Several seeds are placed in one glass at once, and after a couple of weeks to 10 days, you can already see the first shoots.

After the seedlings appear, the boxes with the seedlings must be rearranged to a cooler place (+18 degrees), while the place must be well lit. If there is not enough light, the shoots will be very long, but at the same time they will be weak, frail. It will also be helpful to understand how

Before planting seedlings in open ground, two weeks before this event, the sprouts must be hardened. To do this, you need to take out boxes with seedlings outside in the sun for several hours every day. Thus, by the time of transplantation, the plant will already get used to external conditions.

When replanting seedlings in the ground, do it carefully so as not to damage the delicate roots of the plant. Seedlings are planted in the ground when it is already warm outside: in most regions this is the end of May-June.

Seedless way

If you are fortunate enough to live in warm climates, you can plant nasturtium seeds directly in open ground. It is better to do this in late May-early June, when the time of nighttime cold snaps is already guaranteed. Before planting, the seeds must be soaked in water for a day so that they swell.

Two or three seeds must be immediately placed in each hole so that at least one of them will definitely sprout. Leave a distance of about 20 cm between the holes so that each plant has its own "personal space". After two weeks, on average, the first shoots appear. Curly nasturtium begins to bloom 45 days after the first shoots appear.

You should know that the sprouts of nasturtium will not withstand frosts, and will die when the temperature even drops to zero. To protect delicate sprouts, it is recommended to cover the bed with foil or non-woven material for some time after sowing.

Features of seed growing

Some points that are characteristic of both seedling and non-seedling way of growing vines.

You should know that nasturtium seeds have a shelf life of 3-4 years. After this period, it is better to get rid of the seed, since its germination becomes minimal.

If you want to collect seed material in your garden, then know that nasturtium seeds change color from green to white when ripe - and only then is it recommended to collect them. If you collect green seeds, then they may not sprout in the future, since they are not fully ripe.

Before sowing, nasturtium seeds must be soaked in water for a day to facilitate the emergence of sprouts from the dense shell. And beforehand, before daily soaking, it is recommended to place the seeds for a short time in water heated to 40 degrees.

Application in landscape design

Curly nasturtium is a real find for those who want to decorate and refine the look of their garden plot. In addition, a variety of plant varieties, its various colors make it possible to grow nasturtium, which is most suitable for single and group plantings in each individual case. You can fantasize a little and plant the plant in hanging ones.

This plant can be used to decorate the terrace: in this case, it is better to plant nasturtium in hanging pots around the perimeter.

We examined the peculiarities of growing climbing nasturtium from seeds. As you can see, it is not so difficult to grow this exotic vine in our conditions - the main thing is to follow the recommendations of experienced specialists, and everything will be fine. With the help of the tips from the article, you can independently, even without experience, grow a beautiful nasturtium on your personal plot, decorate it with decorative flowering for most of your summer and even autumn.