Catnip planting and care in the open field in the Urals

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb of the Lamb family (Lipocytes), growing in the form of a bush. This aromatic herb has a place of honor in horticulture. Originally from the Mediterranean, from where it has spread throughout the world, and is not afraid of either heat or cold. In addition to the official name, it has many folk: catnip, lemon catnip, kitty cat, cat drink, forest nettle. As a medicinal plant, it is called a sorokaneduzhnik, as a culinary plant, it is called a shandra.

Why catnip?

Catnip catnip why is it called

The cattleman exudes a pleasant lemon scent, adored by absolutely all felines: from domestic cats to tigers, lions. Since ancient times, hunters have put catnip into traps to lure large felines. During the trip, put a sprig of catnip in the cage with your mustachioed traveler - the animal will be calm and will tolerate the trip better. What is the reason for such a craving of cats for this plant remains a mystery, because if you give a sniff of an ordinary lemon, the animal will not react in any way, and the scent of lemon mint beckons them.

The ancient Egyptians revered cats as sacred animals. They laid the catnip at the foot of the statue of the goddess Bastet, who was always depicted as a girl with a cat's head.

What are the similarities and differences between catnip and lemon balm

Melissa in the photo

In structure, the catnip is similar to lemon balm, so they are often confused. The color of the leaves of catnip is rich green, in lemon balm - gray-silver, dusty. They also differ in the intensity of the aroma. To feel the lemon scent of the catnip, you should rub its leaves in your hands, while it is enough to touch the lemon balm leaves on the bush, and it will tell about its origin. Melissa smells more intense.

In addition, a young catnip bush has a rose-tinged geranium aroma, and during flowering, it always exudes a lemon scent. This is due to the presence of essential oils, the composition of which changes.

Catnip pink cat Nepeta Pink Cat photo

The height of the plant depends on the degree of illumination of the area. In the shade, the catnip stretches up to 1 m in height, and under the sun it grows more in breadth, limiting itself to a height of 40 cm. The leaves are medium-sized, with jagged edges.

During flowering, small flowers bloom, a characteristic shape for the Lipoids. Their color is not catchy: from whitish to pale lilac.

The seeds are very small, 0.5 g weight contains more than 100 seeds.

Growing catnip from seeds

How to collect seeds

To collect the seeds, carefully cut off the inflorescences when 1/3 of the panicle is dry. Spread out on newspaper, cloth, or wrap to dry. It is better to choose a light surface so that you can see the seeds falling out. For the complete extraction of seeds, dried inflorescences must be kneaded and sifted: the seeds must wake up through the mesh of the sieve, and parts of the inflorescence must remain in it.

When and how to sow catnip in the ground

Catnip seeds photo

In the southern regions, sowing seeds in open ground is carried out before winter, in the northern regions - in early spring.

• Since the seeds are very small and will lay down thickly, mix them with crushed chalk or sand.
• Moisten the soil, scatter the seeds over the surface and cover with a layer of earth no more than 1 cm.
• Further moisten the soil by spraying from a fine spray so as not to wash off the seeds.
• When sowing in rows, keep a distance of about 30 cm between rows.
• Thin the seedlings, leaving a gap of about 3 cm between the plants.
• The grown seedlings are additionally thinned out and planted at a distance of 20-25 cm.

Feature: germinated seeds will not die even under unfavorable conditions (low temperature, lack of moisture), they will stop in one phase, and under comfortable conditions they will continue to grow.

Young plants can damage the bear, slugs. Use traps to collect them. The aroma of technical oil and diesel fuel drives away slugs.

Growing seedlings When to plant

Catnip from seeds photo shoots

For more viable plants, it is best to grow seedlings. Sow in early spring - early March.

• Sow in boxes with loose soil, seeding depth - 0, -1 cm.
• Cover crops with foil or glass.
• Ventilate the greenhouse, moisten the crops from the spray gun. With the appearance of 2 real leaves, dive into separate pots.

Catnip seedlings are ready for planting photo

A catnip grown from seeds has a less intense aroma, but does not lose its medicinal properties.

Reproduction of catnip by dividing the bush

Bush division is used more often. It is carried out during the transplant. Dig out a bush, divide it into parts, each division should contain a healthy root. Plant, water in a timely manner - survival is guaranteed.

Caring for a catnip in the garden

Catnip blue carpet growing from seeds Planting and care photo

In care, the plant is unpretentious and can grow for a long time on the site on its own, but some efforts should be made to preserve the decorative effect.

Priming

Moderately fertile, loose soil is required. Fertilized loam is ideal. In heavy soil, add sand and humus for digging. If the groundwater is close to the ground, make a raised bed.

Seat selection

Can grow in the shade, but will stretch and look frail. On the south side, slightly shading is allowed. Grows best in sunny areas. The alpine slide is the perfect place.

Watering and weeding

It will tolerate temporary drought normally, and constant waterlogging of the soil can destroy the plant. Water in moderation.

Weed the spicy weed.

Transfer

It can grow in one place for a long time, but it is better to transplant every 4 years.

Flowering and pruning

Blooms in June-July. During flowering, prune along with the peduncles - dry the branches for later use. Cut, leaving a height of about 10 cm: the shoots will grow back and the bush will again delight in appearance.

Top dressing and wintering

• After pruning, feed with organic matter. Enough 1 matchbox of chicken manure in a bucket of water, just let it ferment for a couple of days. Adding fresh solution may cause burns.
• If the soil is depleted, feed with mineral fertilizers in the spring.

The cattle is winter-hardy, but in the northern regions it is better to cover for the winter with leaves, spruce branches.

Useful properties of catnip

The catnip is an excellent honey plant. This herb is used in official and folk medicine, cooking, and perfumery. Doctors prescribe a plant intake in the absence of appetite, bronchitis, bradycardia, cardioneurosis.

In folk medicine

Traditional medicine catnip decoction is used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, choleretic, tonic, diaphoretic, hemostatic, anthelmintic, antipyretic, anesthetic.

The infusion is prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs, pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover, wrap up, after a couple of hours you can use it. Traditionally, it is taken in 50 ml about 5 times a day. Not recommended for use during pregnancy.

In perfumery and cooking

In the perfumery industry, catnip essential oils are used as a fragrance, giving a lemon scent.

In cooking, catnip is used as a universal spice: for fish and meat dishes, side dishes, salads, soups, soft drinks, flavoring cheeses, pickling cucumbers and even adding to desserts. It is enough to dry and grind the herb into powder.

Signs and superstitions

The catnip is also credited with magical properties. The dried leaves were used as bookmarks in witchcraft books. It was also used for love purposes: to attract a person, before going on a date, you should drink tea from the catnip with the addition of honey.

How to prepare catnip grass

• Cut the grass in the first half of flowering.
• Choose a clear morning, wait for the dew to melt and cut the stems, leaving the plant about 10 cm tall.
• Spread in a thin layer over a surface in a shady, well-ventilated area. Store in paper bags.

The healing properties last for about 2 years. Store powdered herb in glass jars with a lid.

Types and varieties of catnip with photos and names

The article describes the type of catnip. Let's consider the rest of the types.

Catnip Nepeta cataria

Catnip Nepeta cataria var. citriodora photo

Nepeta cataria var. citriodora is a type of catnip with a more intense lemon scent.

Catnip large-flowered Nepeta grandiflora

Catnip large-flowered Nepeta grandiflora photo

Herbaceous plant 0.5-1.5 m high. Branched stem, oblong leaves, pubescent. Flowering lasts from mid-June to August. Loose racemose inflorescence consists of violet-blue flowers.

Catnip, semi-seated Nepeta subsessilis

Catnip semi-seated Nepeta subsessilis ‘Sweet Dreams’ photo

Popular as a cutting plant. Blooms in July. Cornflower-blue flowers are collected in 60-70 pieces in a spike-shaped inflorescence. There are varieties with lavender-blue, salmon-pink, lavender-pink colors of flowers.

Siberian catnip Nepeta sibirica

Siberian catnip Nepeta sibirica photo

The plant is no more than 1 m high. It blooms all summer. Blue-blue flowers gather in paniculate inflorescences.

Fassen's catnip aka Musin's catnip Nepeta faassenii syn. N. mussinii

Fassen's catnip variety Nepeta x faassenii Six Hills Giant photo

A popular ornamental plant in European countries. Plant height is 30-60 cm. Flowering lasts from June to September. Small lavender flowers densely cover the tops of the stems.

Varieties:

• Walker’s Low - has blue-purple flowers.
• Six Hills Giant is a 1m tall catnip with lavender blue flowers.

Catnip Nepeta mussinii has heart-shaped leaves with jagged edges. Lilac-blue flowers have a dark purple spot on the throat.

Vein catnip nepeta nervosa

Catnip venous nepeta nervosa

The leaves of this species have pronounced veins, which is why the name is obtained.

Catnip in landscape design

Catnip in garden design photo of flowers

Photophilous catnip is good for planting on alpine slides. Decorate curbs, flower beds, plant in containers. Low-growing varieties are excellent ground covers.

Catnip catnip in landscape design photo

Catnip looks very beautiful with decorative leafy heycherella with leaves of a yellow-crimson shade.

Catnip and geyherella photo of flowers in a flower bed

Catnip is a beautiful, neat plant that practically does not need care, which perfectly coexists with other crops in the garden. Just the dream of every gardener. That is why catnip is so popular among lovers of ornamental plants and flowers. And today you will learn all the intricacies of planting and caring for a catnip in the garden: when and how to sow, how it hibernates, is it afraid of pests. Photo and care instructions are attached.

About the features of the catnip

Catnip belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants and is a perennial crop. Among the widely represented species diversity of catnip, gardeners warmly note the catnip (popularly known as "catnip").

Since the catnip is quite unpretentious, it can be found in different territories: in garden plots, as well as in forests and small meadows.

Outwardly, catnip is very similar to ordinary mint, but it is tall and more powerful in structure - it can reach 1 m in height. The plant is densely covered with medium-sized, heavily pubescent leaves of a slightly elongated shape. They usually have a grayish green tint.

Catnip bush

The culture blooms very profusely with small spike-shaped inflorescences of various shades: from pale white to purple and deep blue. The first flowers appear with the arrival of warm spring days and delight with their bright appearance until the onset of a cold autumn.

Advice. The catnip is considered not only an excellent honey plant, but also a favorite cat treat. The plant is also actively used in folk medicine, since it has a pronounced analgesic effect, weakens asthma attacks, and stabilizes the nervous system.

Growing a catnip in the garden

The catnip does not need special care and grows quite quickly, but, nevertheless, it requires compliance with certain measures for the cultivation of perennial crops. Further details on this.

Landing in open ground

In order for a catnip to grow into a full-fledged healthy plant, it is necessary to carefully choose a place for planting it: it must necessarily be flat, dry, well-lit by the sun and with excellent aerated soil.

Attention! Unlike other plants, catnip is indifferent to fertile soil: loose sandstone, and always dry, is considered an ideal option for it.

In the fall, the site for planting catnip should be carefully dug up, having previously eliminated all weeds, and a nutrient mixture should be added to the soil (both organic and mineral complexes are suitable).

Catnip can be grown both by seed and seedlings. The second option is simpler in practice, while the first is not only more complicated, but also specific. The fact is that when grown by seeds, it will be possible to achieve the first flowering only in the second year of the plant's life.

Flowering catnip

Consider the characteristic features of growing catnip from seeds, as well as through seedlings. In the first case, it is necessary to carefully select the best seed specimens. Landing is carried out with the onset of stable warm spring weather. Try not to deepen the seeds too much - maximum 1 cm. The soil should be moist at the time of planting. After sowing, you no longer need to water it.

Since the catnip loves free space, try to leave a decent distance between individual seedlings - about 0.3 m. As young seedlings grow, be sure to thin out them, leaving only the strongest and tallest ones.

When grown for seedlings, pretreated seeds are immersed in small containers with a prepared substrate. Sowing is carried out to a depth of about 5 mm. After sowing, the seedlings are carefully moistened with a spray bottle and covered with a film.

After 10-14 days, you can remove the shelter, and put the pots in a sunny place. Remember to water the soil periodically.Landing on a permanent place in the garden is carried out only towards the end of spring. When planting seedlings in the garden, try to maintain a certain distance between young plants - about 30 cm.

Plant care

The cattleman is not picky about care: the main thing is to timely carry out a number of certain measures that will help the plant grow as quickly as possible and bloom luxuriantly. The following actions are implied:

Cattle needs periodic pruning

1. Watering. The cattleman does not need a lot of moisture: he tolerates its absence very well. But an excess of moisture in the soil can lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, watering should be moderate and rare. In dry weather, it is enough to water the catnip a couple of times a month.
2. Top dressing. The cattleman is fed a couple of times a year, preferably in the spring-autumn period. Mineral supplements are added in the spring, organic in the fall.
3. Loosening the soil. Be sure to fluff the soil around the plants a couple of times per season. If desired, you can mulch it with peat.
4. Pruning. At the height of summer (by mid-July), the catnip is pruned: it is imperative to remove all dying inflorescences in order to stimulate the growth of new ones.
5. Protection from disease. The cattleman is practically immune to the action of most diseases, therefore, if all the rules for his care are followed, problems should not arise. Also, the plant is not afraid of pests. Unless aphids can fly to the subtle lemon scent of catnip. As a preventive measure, you can use only preparations of natural origin, since the chemistry will scare off the pollinating bees of the plant.
6. Wintering. The catnip is resistant to cold, therefore, even in winter, it does not need insulation. In regions with rather severe winters, it is better to cover it with a film. And with the arrival of spring, it is imperative to feed with a mineral complex with a high nitrogen content.

Advice. Not many people know that catnip can be safely used in cooking (as a fragrant seasoning). To do this, you just need to cut off fresh herbs and dry them properly. To preserve its delicate delicate aroma, the herb should be stored in small portions in paper bags.

As you can see, growing a catnip in the garden is a simple, enjoyable activity and, if all the rules of care are followed, it also pleases with an excellent result. Good luck!

Planting a catnip: video

The catnip belongs to the Yasnotkov family and is a perennial herb with erect stems. The leaves are egg-shaped and have denticles at the end. The racemose inflorescences consist of a large number of flowers of various shades: blue, pink, purple, white and lilac. In nature, catnip grows in European, Asian and African countries, and is also found in America.

Types of catnip with photos

Catnip (catnip) is one of the most popular varieties. Reaches one meter in height, in Russia it blooms in early or mid-summer. The variety "Citriodora" is used to obtain a high cost essential oil.

Successful gardeners enjoy:

• Fassen's Catman - a species that is a hybrid and is used to create landscape design compositions. It reaches a height of forty centimeters. There are known varieties with flowers of different colors. They are available in white, cream and purple.
• Catman Mussini grows on the Caucasian rocky slopes. It is a plant with the finest root, grayish stems, thin wrinkled leaves and lilac petals.
• Cattleman Iezk - an endangered species, which is a perennial with a pleasant aroma. It reaches a meter in height and is characterized by straight and thick stems.
• Multi-cut catnip grows in nature in Siberia, the Far East and Altai. The grass reaches a height of fifteen to fifty centimeters.It is a bush with stems on which leaves with jagged edges and inflorescences in the form of ears grow.
• Semi-seated catnip distinguished by especially large flowers, reaching a diameter of three to four centimeters. Inflorescences ten centimeters long are formed from seventy flowers.
• Large-flowered catnip (Siberian) grows up to one and a half meters in height and has thick branched stems, on which are large leaves and racemose inflorescences. The petals are colored violet-blue or lilac.
• Veined catnip refers to undersized varieties (about twenty-five centimeters). It blooms with bluish or blue inflorescences. The small size allows the species to be used as a ground cover plant.
• Kokand cattle grows in Central Asia on the shores of streams and rivers. It is a stunted variety, therefore it is often used in landscaping. In August, blooms purple flowers.

Catnip

Features of growing plants in the open field

Outdoor planting and care require certain conditions to be met. The catnip is planted in a well-lit area with light and fertile soil. A place with a little darkening will do. The root system of the catnip does not tolerate excessive soil moisture, therefore it is recommended to select a site on a hill where moisture will not stagnate.

Soil preparation begins in the autumn.

The earth is dug deep into the bayonet of a shovel and mixed with three kilograms of compost, twenty grams of ammonium nitrate, thirty grams of superphosphate and ten grams of potassium sulfate. In the spring, after the snow melts, the soil is thoroughly loosened, and then the catnip seedlings are planted. After planting, young plants are watered, and a day later they gently loosen the soil.

When grown in southern regions, grass seeds can be sown in autumn or early spring directly into open ground. A perennial herb can grow in one place for a long time. If the task is to create a continuous carpet from a catnip, holes for each bush are dug at a distance of thirty centimeters. After abundant growth of plants, they combine and form a single carpet.

The cattleman loves well-lit places and fertile soils.

Reproduction methods

Catnip propagates by seeds, bush division and cuttings. The easiest way is to divide the bush. The mother plant is cut into pieces in early May using sterile instruments. Delenki are placed in the ground and watered.

If the catnip is planned to be propagated by seeds, you need to grow seedlings

To propagate grass in this way, you need to have mature plants in the garden with a powerful root system. Cuttings are cut in mid-May using young shoots. They are planted in a greenhouse, which is covered with foil to create a greenhouse effect. Cuttings quickly acquire their own root system, after which they are planted in a permanent place of growth.

If the catnip is propagated by seed growing, seedlings are grown first. In March or April, the planting material is sown in containers with nutrient soil. The seeds are planted in rows five centimeters apart. They are not buried, but sprinkled on top with moistened soil. After the appearance of the first three pairs of true leaves, the grass is planted in open ground. Plants grown in this way begin to bloom in the first year of planting.

Necessary plant care

The plant can tolerate a dry period, but it has a negative attitude towards excessive soil moisture: the root system rots. For this reason, the catnip is watered sparingly, about twice a month, provided there is no rain.

After the end of flowering, it is necessary to trim the shoots, cutting off exactly half of the entire length.

The procedure should be approached with caution, because the grass is very sensitive to pruning. Shoots must not be shortened beyond the recommended length. If you leave stems ten to fifteen centimeters long, the chance of survival during the winter will be only forty percent.

If you leave shoots forty to fifty centimeters long above the ground, then the chance will increase to eighty percent. Thirty days later, the catnip will noticeably grow up and in September will begin to bloom again. In the spring, the grass is fed with nitrogen fertilizers, and in the fall, organic fertilizing is introduced into the soil.

After the end of flowering, the catnip must be cut off.

Periodically planting catnip is freed from weeds by weeding and loosened. Loosening contributes to the splendor of the shrubs and the active formation of green mass. If the winter is predicted to be warm and snowy, the plant need not be covered. However, in order to survive the harsh winter period, the catnip needs mulching with coniferous spruce branches.

Pests and diseases

The herbaceous plant has a remarkable immunity that protects it from attack by pests and diseases. Some insects are scared away by the catnip flower, for example, bugs and aphids are afraid of it. With the help of grass, nearby crops can also be protected from pests.

However, butterflies love the scent of grass and lay eggs, from which caterpillars then appear, damaging the plant. It is recommended to fight parasites with the help of natural remedies that will not harm the bees pollinating the catnip. The plant is practically immune to disease. Experienced gardeners say that with proper care and compliance with the conditions of detention, the catnip is not affected by any diseases.

Use in landscaping and in combination with other plants

Despite the rather simple appearance of the plant, consisting of small inflorescences and fluffy leaves, with the correct location, the catnip looks very impressive. The variety of varieties allows you to make different compositions. Cattlemen are used to create alpine slides, rockeries and mixborders.

Catnip goes well with many plants

It is placed in the center of the flower bed as the dominant shrub. Plants that are not too tall are used to create ridges and decorate borders. In the neighborhood, low varieties of flowers are planted in purple and blue colors, as well as red and yellow shades. Catnip looks great in compositions with phlox, meadow geranium, anaphalis, santolina.

The use of catnip in medicine, perfumery and cooking

Catnip is widely used in folk medicine. It is known that it relieves inflammation, soothes, relieves heat and pain, fights microbes, removes worms, and also has a diaphoretic, choleretic and antispasmodic effect. The herb induces appetite, normalizes the digestive process, helps with coughs, migraines, shortness of breath and other diseases. The plant is used externally and taken internally.

To get rid of depression, crushed dry grass is added to boiling water and infused for an hour (a tablespoon per 300 ml of water). The infusion is taken three times a day, drinking half a glass. The infusion is effective for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and headache. A small spoonful of the herb is added to 200 ml of boiling water, the liquid is taken three times a day for a tablespoon.

The catnip is used for veterinary purposes if it is necessary to calm the cat. The plant acts in a magical way on representatives of the cat family: animals become kind, friendly and calm. Fragrance companies use herbal essential oil as a substitute for lemon balm.

Catnip is used in veterinary medicine: it soothes cats well

In European countries, catnip is actively used for culinary purposes. As a spice, the plant is added to conservation and marinades.Herb is flavored with fish and meat dishes, sauces and even drinks. In Europe, you can taste tea brewed from catnip and a dessert masterpiece with the addition of essential oil of catnip.

With proper care, the catnip will delight the gardener for a long time. In addition to the role of decorative decoration, he will play the role of a garden orderly, scaring away pests from other crops.

Catnip is often confused with lemon balm - the plants are quite similar. You can get acquainted with the differences between these aromatic herbs from the video clip. Happy viewing!

Catnip is a genus of herbaceous plants from the Yasnotkovye family, has about 250 species, of which more than 80 are found in the Russian Federation - mostly in the mountainous areas of Transcaucasia and Central Asia. This shrub is famous for its special aroma that attracts representatives of the feline family, as well as for its healing properties.

Catnip varieties and types

Catnip popularly nicknamed "catnip". Its shoots can stretch 40-100 cm in height, have a grayish pubescence. Ovate foliage pointed upwards is also pubescent. The flowers of the inflorescences in the form of dull white tassels are dotted with small purple specks. They give off a pungent pleasant smell, similar to that of lemon balm, which cats like no less than in the case of valerian.

In the State Register there are 2 varieties of this type of catnip. One of them - Basilio's catnip, which is characterized by a ribbed, branched shoot, triangular-ovate foliage with large serrate edges and a rich aroma.

Lemon catnip differs from others in terms of a pronounced spicy lemon scent with mint-geranium admixture and a “scalding” taste. Usually, its height is 40-60 cm, but some specimens can reach 150 cm. Both velvety matte foliage and shoots are also pubescent, the latter resemble nettle in their shape.

The range of application of this plant is very wide - it is used for the manufacture of high quality vermouths and soft drinks, as a flavoring and spice, in perfumery and medicine. The high antimicrobial efficacy of Lemon Catnip essential oil in the fight against mold and fungi has been proven.

Catman Mussini has a short stature (no more than 20 cm) in comparison with other species, but he is lush. The fragrant leaves are also different - they are wide and heart-shaped-oval. Lavender-blue color is characteristic of the lip-shaped inflorescences collected in branches.

His hybrid is Fassen's catnip (or catnip hybrid) blooms for a long time and profusely in lavender color, however, this can only be said about growing in the middle and southern bands. The height of an adult Fassena can exceed 50 cm.

The catnip variety Fassena Walkers Low foliage is small, narrow, serrated, and small lilac flowers form spike-shaped inflorescences.

Siberian catnip (he is - catnip large-flowered), named after its native habitat, has straight shoots 60-100 cm tall with pubescence of small glandular hairs. The foliage of this species is oblong-lanceolate, toothed or serrate at the edges. Loose tassels of inflorescences are colored purple.

Vegetable catnip

It is a representative of spicy-aromatic plants. Its 40-centimeter bushes seem to be soaked through with vitamin C, carotene, mineral salts and other useful substances (found in leaves and young stems). The aerial part is very fragrant, and a persistent lemon scent remains during drying. Young foliage is widely used in the preparation of salads, fish and meat, compotes, for flavoring tea, vinegar and more.

The State Register contains a variety catnip vegetable centaur with white flowers forming a false whorl in the upper part of the stem, triangular-ovoid thick, slightly wrinkled, juicy pubescent foliage of a bluish-green color.

Hungarian catman 50-120 cm in height with multiple strong shoots, pubescent on top and bilaterally pubescent leaves, has a rather complex color of inflorescences, composed of a green or purple hairy calyx and a pale purple or pinkish or white hairy corolla outside. It is found in the wild in Russia (European part, west and east of Siberia), the Ukrainian Carpathians, Crimea in meadows, forest edges and open slopes.

Veined catnip in stores is represented by a variety catnip blue carpet... This variety is characterized by abundant and prolonged flowering (all summer), during which the garden is covered with dense tassels of blue inflorescences and a grayish-green deciduous carpet. The low growth (25 cm) of this variety allows it to be successfully used as a ground cover plant.

Cattleman Transcaucasian 60-65 cm high blooms in purple and blue colors in May-August. It is a natural hybrid of large-flowered catnip and mussini, rich in essential oils. Its leaves are used in the preparation of tonic teas.

Catnip are racemoseth 15-40 cm high blooms with pink, white, blue flowers. in June-September. It is especially decorative in terms of a variety of colors, which, in combination with a short stature and a cushion in a figurative shape, make it a favorite of compositions of alpine slides.

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Catnip planting and care in the open field

The requirements for caring for a catnip are reduced to providing it with warmth and moisture. This perennial is able to live on one site for many years, but the highest yields can boast only 2-3 years after planting. For placement, both beds and a flower garden are suitable.

A long interruption in moisture intake is not a problem for a catnip, as, indeed, abrupt temperature changes. But he treats waterlogging of the soil very badly, therefore, under no circumstances should emphasis be placed on frequent and abundant watering - so the root system will simply rot. Watering can be done no more than 2 times every 30 days in the absence of natural precipitation.

It is preferable to plant the catnip on light, fertile soils. The site must be weeded well and loosened 2-3 times a season. It is also recommended to mulch it with peat.

Two periods a year are allotted for feeding the plant: spring with the introduction of nitrogen mineral fertilizers and autumn with organic fertilizing.

Melissa is a medicinal plant, which is also a member of the Lamiaceae family, is easily grown for planting and care in the open field and is used in folk medicine. You will find recommendations for growing and caring for this plant in this article.

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Pruning catnip

Before the arrival of July, during active growth, it is recommended to prune the catnip. It consists in removing wilted inflorescences, which will stimulate the growth of new ones by the end of summer. In this case, one should take into account the high sensitivity of this plant to this procedure.

A catnip cut at the root will not be able to survive in the winter, cutting it 10-15 cm above the root gives it a 40% chance of overwintering, while cutting it to a height of 40-50 cm it noticeably increases - 80%. Catnip nets that have not been pruned or subjected to other mechanical influences winter well without shelter.

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Catnip growing from seeds

It is better to sow seeds densely, in a nursery. When the seedlings have 3-4 leaves, they can be planted in a permanent place, observing an interval of 30x30 cm. Stratification is not required, seed germination occurs after 6-20 days. Plants sown before winter are characterized by earlier shoots and the presence of flowering in the first year, while their seeds have not yet ripened.

In the case of spring sowing, catnip will not bloom immediately, reaching only 25-35 cm in height. Starting from 2 years, all plants have a period of regular flowering and fruiting.If you follow the rules of care described above, each 2 and perennial catnip will give 7-15 shoots up to 140 cm high.

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Catnip reproduction by dividing the bush

Reproduction by dividing the bush is carried out at the age of 2-3 years in early spring or autumn. Each part to be separated should have roots and no more than 5 buds.

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Diseases and pests

Catnip has excellent immunity and high resistance to pest attacks. It even scares some (for example, aphids and bedbugs), but butterflies appreciate the subtlety of the lemon scent of catnip, at the same time harming the plant by laying eggs.

Natural remedies work best against them, as the chemicals scare off pollinating bees. With proper care, catnip is not susceptible to any disease.

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Catnip medicinal properties and contraindications

The plant base of catnip contains up to 0.2-0.4% of essential oil, consisting of citral (13%), geraniol (12%), citranellol, limonene, dipentene, tannins and other substances.

Traditional medicine recommends using an aqueous infusion to increase appetite, treat anemia, shortness of breath, jaundice, headaches and problems with worms. External use is indicated for various skin diseases.

For harvesting the grass, the flowering period is optimal from June to July - you need to cut off the tops without lignified shoots, then feed the plant with an ordinary garden mixture. In addition, catnip is an excellent honey plant.

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