How to grow beautiful nemophila flowers indoors
(see photo) Despite the overseas origin of this flower, it is so unpretentious to habitat conditions that cultivation from seeds in our latitudes can be successful. Rarely is this "American forget-me-not" found here because plant lovers are not very familiar with it. The material in this article is intended to correct an annoying misunderstanding.
Nemophila varieties
- nemophila spotted.
- nemophil Menzis.
- nemofila excellent.
The spotted variety of nemophila can reach a height of 20 centimeters. Its flowers are painted white with small purple spots scattered against the background. Among the varieties of this variety, the most popular among flower growers is "Barbara", which is popularly called "Ladybug". Flowers of this variety resemble a bell, which can reach 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter.
The Menzis variety differs from the spotted form not only in flowers, but also in leaves. The most common variety of this variety is "Black Penny" or "Shepherdess". Although her flowers are not as large as those of the "Ladybug", they are more beautiful, since each petal, painted in bright purple, has a white edging.
Of the excellent variety Nemofila, the most popular are flowers painted in a bright blue color, which resembles the color of children's eyes. That is why this variety is called "baby blue eyes". How do you grow and care for these plants?
Growing from seeds
You can plant the plant at different times of the year (starting in March, since these flowers are not afraid of frost, and ending in July). Seeds that fall into the ground in early spring will ensure you bloom in early summer, and those that were planted in summer will bloom only in autumn.
When placing seeds in the ground to a depth of 5 mm, maintain a distance of 10 to 20 cm between them, which will allow you to create a continuous “carpet” of plants during the flowering period - in the video there are luxurious nemophiles in a flower bed.
Nemophila care
If the weather during the growing period is sultry, then care must be taken to ensure that the roots of the plant do not lack moisture. To do this, mulch the soil and water it regularly.
Weeds that have grown in the flower bed with flowers must be removed so that they not only do not spoil the appearance of your flower garden, but also do not interfere with the normal development of flowers.
Several recommendations for creating a flower garden
Clubs covered with a solid carpet of:
- nemophil;
- bells;
- phlox;
- large daisies;
- calendula.
The seeds must be harvested as they ripen. They are not very small, so they must be collected by shaking them out of the testicles into a plastic cup. The plant reproduces well by self-sowing. If the boxes with seeds are not removed, then in the spring sprouted bushes will appear on their own, which will quickly bloom. The plant is frost-resistant and is not afraid of either spring or autumn frosts.
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Nemophila: landing and care rules
It is very easy to place a nemophila in the garden - it will gladly take those shaded places that more capricious plants do not agree with, while the abundance of its flowering will not suffer at all. The lighting in the area where the nemophila will be located can be diffused, but even if you bring it out into direct sunlight, it will not interfere with the flower. For this reason, gardeners often prefer this plant if they need to beautifully fill certain areas: both in the garden and in other areas of the landscape. But even if you want to get a dense carpet of nemophiles, between them you need to leave 10-15 cm of free space: this flower grows very well.
Nemophila is not too pretentious about the chemical composition of the soil: if only good drainage was introduced into it (from pebbles with sand to special mixtures), and also occasionally fed the soil with mineral fertilizers. Which, however, can be avoided if humus or compost is added to the ground before sowing nemophila. As for the looseness and acidity, then, as the comments of gardeners show, these factors have almost no effect on the plant: it takes root equally well on limestone areas and on loam.
The most important thing in caring for a nemophila is frequent watering. The ground around the bushes should be constantly moist, so during dry periods it may be necessary to water the flowers up to 2 times a day, which is especially important when the nemophila has not yet reached the age of 2 months. Additionally, at the same stage, it is worth organizing timely weeding, since low bushes will easily shade and overwhelm fast-growing weeds, and instead of a beautiful carpet, a forest of unattractive grasses will appear. After the seedlings get stronger, they will independently tighten the required area, preventing the appearance of weeds.
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Diseases and pests, rules for the use of disinfectants
For nemophila, parasites such as aphids, whiteflies and spider mites are dangerous.
Nemophila can get significant harm from aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. In these cases, the plant is sprayed with Actellik. Application: a 2 ml ampoule is diluted in 2 liters of water. Consumption rate 2 liters per 10 sq. m. of vegetation. Sometimes, after spraying, parasites remain in some quantities. In this case, the drug should be changed. Use drugs "Iskra" or "Inta-Vir". Re-processing is carried out no earlier than after 8-10 days.
You should know that Actellik's fumes are toxic. It should not be used in gardens with bees. In addition, the drug is not used at high air temperatures.
Slugs can be attributed to pests of nemophila. They appear where there is moisture. In our case, these are the root parts of the plant. If any are found, then the flower must be shed with an ash solution, a glass of ash is insisted on a bucket of water.
Nemophila can get sick with gray rot. At the first signs of infection, the plant is treated with any potent fungicide, it can be the preparations "Hom", "Skor", "Topaz". This disease can only be cured early.
Weeds can interfere with the growth and flowering of nemophila. They should be weeded regularly. It should be borne in mind that mulch makes it much easier to care for the plant.
Growing nemesia from seeds
Sowing seedlings
Nemesia can be propagated by the seed method, as well as vegetatively: dividing the bush and grafting... When dividing a bush, its long roots are often severely injured, as a result, the divisions do not take root well. Experienced gardeners recommend propagating such a plant by seeds, or rather, growing it through seedlings.
The seeds can be purchased at the store or collected by yourself. They are sown for seedlings in the last days of March. To do this, use containers for seedlings, which are filled with a moisture-absorbing loose soil mixture intended for flower crops, you can also use sand mixed with peat. A snow layer is laid on top of the substrate, on which the seeds will need to be sown. The fact is that they are very small and have a dark color, so it is much easier to distribute them evenly on a white background. The container must be covered with a film or glass and removed to a well-lit, warm (about 20 degrees) place. Remember to ventilate your crops every day. The first seedlings can be seen after 1.5–2 weeks.
Growing seedlings
When the seedlings begin to appear in large quantities, the shelter is removed, and the container will need to be rearranged to a place with bright, but diffused lighting, at this stage the plants need a coolness of 8 to 10 degrees. If everything is done correctly, it will be possible to avoid pulling out the seedlings.After 7 days from the moment the seedlings appear, they need to be fed by watering with a weak solution of complex fertilizer. Water the plant regularly and remember to gently loosen the surface of the substrate from time to time. After 20-30 days from the moment of sowing, when the plants begin to form 2 or 3 real leaves, it will be necessary to pick them in individual pots or cups, while the seedlings are rearranged to a place with an air temperature of 13 degrees. The soil mixture in the cups should not dry out. Hardening of seedlings begins half a month before transplanting it into open ground.
Growing nemesia at home
As a rule, only nemesia seedlings are grown in room conditions. Then they plant it in open soil, and if desired, you can move the containers with flowers to the balcony or veranda. How can you decorate a veranda, balcony or terrace with nemesia? In the event that you do not plan to plant such a plant in open ground, then you can sow seeds already in February. Sowing seeds and caring for plants should be exactly the same as when growing seedlings. However, during a pick, flower pots or containers are used instead of cups. When it gets warm outside, nemesia is transferred to the veranda, balcony or terrace.
NEMESIA. GARDEN ORCHID. OVERVIEW OF INPUTS.
Description.
Nemophila is most common in its homeland - in the vastness of North America. But, this flower is also fond of in many Asian countries. For example, in Japan every year a festival is held in honor of the Nemophila bloom, which takes place on the territory of the famous Hitachi Park. By the beginning of the festival, more than 5 million different specimens of Nemophila are in bloom.
Nemophila is a genus of wild and cultivated plants. Popmyo the official name of the flower, there are also several options - "blue-eyed", "American forget-me-not." Nemophila belongs to the Burachnikov family. In floriculture, the most popular are several varieties - spotted, Peni Black and Menzisa.
Nemophila is a herbaceous plant with a creeping, branched stem. Not only Nemophila's flowers are decorative, but also its openwork leaves, which have an unusual shape and are painted in a light green color. But, the main feature of Nemophila is her flowers.
During the flowering period, flowers with wide petals, round, cup-shaped, open on the peduncles. The color is different, depending on the variety. Spotted (white with purple blotches), blue, and purple with a white border are popular. In addition, there are several hybrid varieties with different colors. Breeders are still working on the development of new, more decorative varieties of Nemophila.
Nemofila: the best varieties
There are many species of this plant, there are about 100 of them. Outwardly, nemophila is very similar to a simple and familiar forget-me-not or pansies. Reproduction of this plant occurs in the same way as with forget-me-nots. Proceeding from this, flower growers often call this flower the American forget-me-not. But they have differences, the main difference is the color of the petals.
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So, nemophila "Ladybug", despite the fact that the color of this plant is not quite similar to this insect, but very similar to its shell: the same specks of various sizes, they are mostly purple or blue. The petals of this variety are completely white, wide, collected in a bell with a diameter of five centimeters. Leaves with 5-7 toothed lobes, the upper ones are sessile, spoon-shaped. Blooms from June to September. Afraid of drought, so in hot weather in the evening it is necessary to add. Reacts well to feeding, organic fertilizers are applied before planting.
This variety of nemophila is most often found in our gardens, along with the nemophila Menzisa, which has blue petals with a pale, almost white, edge. The diameter of this plant is slightly smaller - it does not exceed 3 centimeters. But they look very advantageous - purple, almost black inflorescences with a white edging. Large tracts of this plant can simulate water, because the stems of the plant creep along the ground, raising above them myriads of single cupped five-membered flowers. The bright green leaves create a luscious backdrop for the flowers. Blooms from June to autumn.
And the most spectacular, undoubtedly, is Nemophila "Black Shepherdess", whose petals are painted in deep black color, which, in combination with their non-glossy surface covered with short hairs, gives the flowers a velvety look. And the white edging around the edge looks like a satin ribbon.
The variety of nemophila species does not include any perennial cultivar; this is the main disadvantage in choosing it as an ornamental plant on the lawns.
In flower beds, nemophiles happily both grow independently and coexist with other flowers. The most harmonious combination is obtained with specimens similar to it externally or only in color: bells, daisies, forget-me-nots. Due to the fact that nemophila itself is a simple, but beautiful flower in this rural charm, it is better to place it with the same unassuming, outwardly not too spectacular, but delicate flowers.
4 unusual views
Varieties and types of Nemophila:
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Spotted
Description:
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Menzis
Description:
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Discodalis ‘)); Description:
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Snow White
Description:
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The use of nemophila in landscape design
This plant is often used to decorate flower beds in summer cottages. Nemophila has earned great popularity due to its unpretentiousness, and, of course, its appearance - the bright blue flowers of Nemophila will refresh any landscape, because they are like small pieces of bright blue, sparkling ice that have fallen on a flower bed. Today we will talk about how to care for this wonderful flower.
Another excellent quality of nemophila is that they are excellent companions in flower beds among other annuals, with its help it is easy to create various combinations and colors, for example, with petunia, lobelia, scented tobacco, verbena.
It should be noted that there are two surefire ways to prolong the flowering of this North American beauty. First, you can sow additional seeds in June, then the peak of flowering will be in the fall. And secondly, having done pruning towards the end of summer, there is a great chance to provoke flowering again with renewed vigor.
In addition to garden plantings, nemophila is grown as a potted plant, both alone and in combination with other plants of contrasting color. Increasingly, this plant decorates our homes and land. If you live in an apartment building, then nemophiles planted in special hanging containers will make your balcony unusually beautiful! Unusual nemophila flowers will make a small summer bouquet original, especially since you will be provided with a cut until the fall.
Nemophila in landscape design
From several varieties, nemophila create ridges in combination with other low-growing plants. A special effect is achieved over a large area by planting nemophila in the form of waves with alternating plants of different colors.When this splendor blooms, gardeners get an original "sea" corner in their garden.
This plant can be used to decorate the garden well. Gardeners plant various nemophiles in the form of waves, thanks to this method, you can create a "marine" design in your garden. Also, this plant is used as edging for flower beds and garden paths. They can also be planted in the form of lawns near water bodies. This plant is excellent for use as an additional element on an alpine slide. Nemophiles can also be grown in pots, this plant looks very good in hanging pots. Nemophila is combined with bells, phlox, daisies, creating different color schemes. Looks fun and colorful together with medicinal calendula and nasturtium. Nemophila's desired guest is on the alpine slides, where she successfully fills in the spaces between stones and coniferous plantings.
nemophila growing from seeds
A nemophila flower for our gardens is quite rare, but at the same time a very beautiful plant. But it is rare not because of its cultivation characteristics, but only because only a few people know about it. Although, this annual flower is quite worthy to be given a place in the flower bed. After all, American forget-me-not, as the nemophila is called in her homeland, is very unpretentious and bright.
Popular varieties of nemophil
Nemophiles are divided into three types:
"Nemophila spotted" is a plant that grows up to 20 cm in height. The flowers are usually white with small bright purple spots. The most famous variety of this nemophila species is the "ladybug", sometimes called "Barbara". The size of the flowers of the "ladybug" usually does not exceed 3-5 cm in diameter and have the shape of a wide bell. "Nemophila Mencisa" - differs from the previous species in the shape of the leaves and the color of the flowers. The most famous variety of nemophila Menzisa is "Penny Black", also called "Black Penny" or "Shepherdess". The flowers are slightly smaller than those of the spotted nemophila, only 2-3 cm. But they look very advantageous - purple, almost black inflorescences with a white edging. "Nemofila excellent" begins to bloom 8-10 weeks after planting. The colors are quite varied, although most often there is a blue tint - a variety of "baby blue eyes".
Planting and caring for nemophila
Like all other annual flowers, Nemophila is grown from seed. When choosing a place for her, know that she tolerates both sun and shade well. Although, flower growers noticed that in sunny areas the nemophila has a stronger flowering. Nemophila prefers loose, fertile soil with good water permeability.
Now let's talk about the landing time. The season is selected based on when they want to see flowering. If you want to see blooming flower beds already in June, then feel free to plant nemophila in the ground in April-March. Its big plus is frost resistance. If autumn bloom is your thing, then sow the seeds in July.
In order to get a solid bright carpet on the flowerbed, plant the seeds at a distance of 10-20 cm from each other. Make sure that the seeds are not covered with soil more than 0.5 cm.
After the seeds are in the soil, it is necessary to provide them with regular and adequate watering. Nemophila is a very moisture-loving plant. If the summer is hot enough in your area, then provide coolness to the roots of the nemophila. To do this, you can use a thick layer of mulch. And of course, do not forget about constant watering.
When you notice buds that have set on the shoots, carry out top dressing. Nemophila is fed with complex mineral fertilizers. Well, and of course, do not forget about the weeds, which not only spoil the appearance of the flower bed, but also prevent your beauty from growing. But pests are not afraid of nemophile, the only disease that can adversely affect its health is dryness.
Some interesting and useful things
Nemophila is not at all critical of the choice of neighbors.Thanks to this property, from nemophila and other annual flowers, you can create a variety of bright floral masterpieces that will amaze everyone with a riot of colors and shapes. Nemophila looks very beautiful if you plant it next to bells, phlox or ordinary large daisies. The combination of nemophila and calendula adds variety and fun to the flower bed.
Also nemophila can be used as a potted plant. But, unfortunately, it will not work to grow it at home. But in the summer, planted in hanging containers, pots and baskets, nemophila will decorate the airspace of your site.
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Combination with other plants
Nemophiles go well with simple flowers of small stature. They look very harmonious with plants of similar colors or similar in appearance. Of course, against the background of roses or asters, they will get lost and will not be noticeable, but among gentle and unassuming companions, they will stand out favorably.
Nemophila in a common flower bed
The most successful compositions can be composed of nemofilla in combination with:
- gatsania;
- ursinia;
- Chinese cloves;
- iberis;
- bells;
- forget-me-nots.
American forget-me-not looks great on its own. Also, short bouquets of wildflowers with the addition of nemophila look very harmonious, it gives them tenderness and at the same time adds brightness to the colors.
Useful tips for growing
Nemophila is grown from seed and blooms best on the sunny side of the flower bed. Make sure the soil is nutritious and well-drained before planting. Each bed with a future inflorescence should be covered with a small layer of earth, half a centimeter.
It is advisable to sow this plant in the same place and in open soil. Low probability of getting the first seedlings when growing nemophila in a greenhouse. Do not forget that the plant is not considered indoor, but it can be grown in such conditions. It would be more correct to start sowing in March or April. The plant can give 2-3 self-seeding, provided early planting. You can make the plant bloom twice, but for this it is worth pruning closer to autumn. It opens in June and will decorate the garden throughout the summer season.
Glade with nemophiles.
Nemophila is best taken in loose, fertile soil. To get a gorgeous plant, you need to water it in a timely manner, this flower does not like drought. During the formation of buds, the plant is fed with a special fertilizer. Such feeding can be arranged 2 times per season. It is a fairly sturdy plant that is resistant to pests. In the fall, it is necessary to collect seeds for future planting, dry and store in a dry place.
Requirements for sowing nemophil
- Place the seeds in the ground no deeper than 1 cm.
- The spacing between colors should be 5 cm.
- Possibility to exclude picks
- Correct seed placement, sufficient distance for future roots.
- Good lighting
American forget-me-not in landscape design
Nemophila planting and care in the open field
The unpretentiousness and long flowering time make it possible to use nemophila to decorate the edges of alleys, paths or flower beds with larger flowers. In parks, you can use different colors of buds as the design of certain zones, white color is the direction to the recreation area, red - to the rose garden, multi-colored - the gambling area.
- In the design of lawns, nemophila is used to frame large or small flower beds. White buds planted along the edges only emphasize the beauty or majesty of the main plantings, attracting the eyes with an unusual combination of palette.
- Usually nemophila blooms in natural conditions, of course, it can also be planted in rose gardens, but only for decorative decoration of flower beds and space that is not occupied by the main plantings.
- Forget-me-not variety Blue baby eyes, planted in the form of sea waves, will remind you of sea travel or vacation.To enhance the effect of this style, the decoration of the curb and the alley itself can be made in the form of coastal sea pebbles, and the benches resemble ship cans. This design can become one of the favorite places for children to play, walks for relaxation.
- Carpeting a lawn similar in design to natural alpine meadows can serve as an excellent decoration for a pond, stream or well with drinking water.
- These scenery looks good on alpine slides, planted between stones or as islands of individual plants, defining the landscape of the mountain landscape.
In addition to decorating lawns, American forget-me-not is used for growing in a variety of hanging, balcony, floor and even wall vases. Its unpretentiousness, tendency to minimal care allows you to grow a beauty in any containers that can be filled with earth. At this time, American forget-me-not is not widespread, which is a pity. Its beautiful appearance and unpretentiousness in growing allow it to be used in a variety of design solutions for decorating lawns, making the area where these flowers grow truly unique.
The use of nemophila in landscape design
Nemophila is a versatile plant. It is easily combined with other annual flowers such as verbena, petunia, lobelia, bells, forget-me-nots. In the vicinity of tall, rich flowers, it will be lost.
Nemophila goes well with many low-growing annuals.
It is decorated with gardens, reservoirs, alpine slides. Nemophila is used not only by creating compositions with other colors, but also independently. Using its rich color palette, the plant is made into gorgeous carpets strewn with delicate flowers.
Nemophila can be grown in hanging garden vases or containers. At the same time, it forms a blooming ball, which can be easily combined with tall plants, in this case the nemophila is brought to the fore.
Nemophila is a godsend for flower growers. With their fresh bright colors, they will liven up any piece of land. In our area, this flower does not yet have such popularity as in its homeland. This is explained by the fact that many other similar flowers grow in our country.
In their homeland, nemophiles grow in a large blue carpet over huge areas. In Japan, an annual festival of Nemophil is held, which is called "Harmony Nemophil". This is a bright holiday of colors, where a rich palette of colors of these colors is presented. The beauty and unpretentiousness of the nemophila made her a favorite flower all over the world.
