Biological description
Zinnia is an ornamental plant that can be used for various solutions in gardens, parks and lawns. These beautiful flowers look very similar to asters, however, they have one indisputable advantage: the flowering time of a single zinnia flower can be from 35 to 40 days, which can be called an absolute record even among annual plants.
Dahlia zinnia
Planting zinnia in our climate can be carried out both in open ground and with the help of seedlings; the plant needs minimal care and, we can say that it grows practically without human intervention. Currently, zinnias are gaining more and more popularity, since relatively recently they were appreciated by flower growers and right now their new varieties are being formed.
Despite the fact that this plant arrived in Europe more than three hundred years ago, it did not gain much popularity. This was most likely due to the difficulty of breeding new varieties or hybrids. Gardeners were unable to carry out even the most elementary artificial selection, so they were satisfied with the relatively small variety of existing wild and domesticated species.
No more than 100 years ago, ways were found to produce new hybrids of zinnia, and the market began to gradually saturate with these beautiful flowers. An absolutely easy-to-care annual with an excellent appearance and almost complete lack of care and requirements for growing conditions immediately won the hearts of many representatives of the floristry world.
Various types of zinnia
Zinnia is a plant that provides the grower with a fairly wide choice in height, density and spreading of the bushes. The shades of its flowers are represented by almost all colors, except, perhaps, black.
The size of a plant, depending on the species and variety, can reach from 20 to 150 cm.The diameter of its flowers can also vary greatly: from tiny flowers with six petals, 2 cm in diameter, to spherical giants measuring 18 by 16 cm, with more than 200 petals in one inflorescence.
The stem of the plant is straight, practically not branching. Leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem at equal intervals. Their surface is covered with barely noticeable hairs. The root system is quite developed and penetrates deeply into the soil.
The plant is thermophilic, loves sunny places protected from the wind. It tolerates drought and low air humidity well. The only factor holding back the spread of this plant in our climate is temperature. Even at temperatures below + 10 ° C, the life cycle of a plant slows down significantly, and a further decrease, even for a short time, leads to the death of the plant.
Zinnia at home
Plant propagation in our climate is carried out exclusively by seed. Even home-grown plants, like perennials, are much easier to propagate by seeds. For several years, the seeds are able to remain viable, in addition, more than a hundred of them are formed from each flower, which is guaranteed to ensure the receipt of new plant material.
Some varieties of zinnia are capable of self-propagation. Sometimes this is a rather serious problem for the grower, since plants can appear in the most unexpected places in the garden or flower garden. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plants and collect ripe fruits, preventing them from spreading seeds.
Despite the plant's vulnerability to low temperatures, the number of seeds from one bush can "populate" about one and a half hundred square meters of the area of the site, and it will be quite problematic to remove zinnia from there.
Escholzia: description, types, growing from seeds, planting in open ground, care (80 + Photos & Videos) + Reviews
1 Types and varieties of violets
The genus viola is quite numerous, according to rough estimates, it includes up to 500 annual, biennial and perennial species
To determine the choice, you should pay attention to the popular garden varieties:
- Violet tricolor. Herbaceous wild plant, often found in summer cottages. The bushes of the tricolor variety do not exceed 15 cm in height; small flowers up to 1.5 cm in diameter bloom at the ends of the peduncles. The characteristic color of the petals includes white, yellow and blue-violet hues. The plant has medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine. In addition, it is better than others adapted to grow on marginal soils, without losing its decorative effect. Bloom lasts from April to autumn.
- Viola is horned. A perennial garden form capable of growing in one place for several years in a row and retaining an attractive flowering appearance. The petals of species violets are colored in different shades of blue, lilac and violet, in hybrid varieties the color palette is much wider - they can be white, yellow, red, orange, pale blue or cream. The flowers of viola horned are characterized by a light pleasant aroma. The plant is grown in pots, balcony boxes, flower beds and border plantings. Popular varieties: Alba (snow-white), Columbine (white-purple with a yellow eye).
- Viola Wittrock. The most popular species, including many hybrid varieties. Used in summer beds and for growing in a pot culture. Erect bushes grow up to 20-30 cm in height, and the flowers are the largest of all types - 6-11 cm in diameter. The variety of shades is amazing, and the petals are often decorated with colored strokes, spots or veins. A special place among the new varieties is occupied by ampelous forms, in which the stems reach 30-40 cm. They are grown in hanging pots and baskets or planted as a ground cover crop. Thanks to the efforts of flower growers, whole varietal series have been bred: Rococo - with unusual corrugated petals, Bambini - with abundant flowering, Super Majestic Jants - with a flower diameter of 9-11 cm.
- Viola Williams. A biennial hybrid plant with stems up to 30 cm and medium-sized flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. Among the violets of this species, there are also spray (Amber kiss, Frose chocolate), and ampelous forms (Bengal fire, Pearl Falls).
Despite the species diversity, all varieties of viols are grown according to the same scheme.
Viola Pearl Falls
Seedling care
In order for the viola bushes to be lush and healthy, it is very important to take care of the seedlings, since it is during this period that they need the most attention. You should not lock the seedlings in four walls, on a sunny day it will be useful to expose them to fresh air, this will not only have a beneficial effect on its growth, but also prepare for further transplantation into the soil
After germination, it will be useful to cover the sprouts with a film to protect them from sunlight. It is not worth removing them in a dark corner, since a lack of light will negatively affect their growth.
Moreover, viola sprouts need at least 14 hours of daylight for stable growth. In Russia, such days are not always issued even in summer, let alone winter and early spring. Therefore, many gardeners recommend artificially lengthening daylight hours for seedlings using lamps that simulate sunlight.
When your seedlings have the first pair of leaves, they can be dived into separate cups.Viola tolerates transplantation well, even if in its process you accidentally damage the roots, there is nothing to worry about, this will only slightly slow down the growth of the flower, but it will not affect health. The diving of the sprouts will have a positive effect on their further growth.
When the sprouts have two more pairs of leaves, they can be pinned and dived into a larger container. This will increase their tillering. Be sure to monitor the water level in the plant's soil. Viola loves moisture very much, however, with its excess, its roots begin to rot, which can lead to the death of the plant. Be careful in this matter. Drying out will also not have the best effect on the sprouts. Frequent, but not abundant watering would be ideal.
Care after planting and throughout the season
Knowledge about the preferences of the viola flower: what kind of soil she loves, moisture, illumination, you can avoid diseases as much as possible and significantly extend the flowering period. Viola garden looks very different from wild-growing "great-grandmothers". Planting and leaving, however, is exactly the same for her.
Regular (shallow) loosening will provide air access to the roots. This procedure is especially relevant after rain and watering. Mulching is recommended in hard-to-reach planting areas.
Watering and feeding
The soil around the bushes should always be moderately moist. With regular drying, flowering times are significantly reduced. When waterlogged, the roots rot, diseases develop. This is an important point in how to properly care for a viola in the garden!
- When preparing a site for planting, humus is introduced (you can additionally superphosphate, making sure that the roots do not come into contact with it).
- The next feeding for viola is late April - early May (budding period). Complex mineral fertilizer for flowering.
- Further - once every 2-3 weeks with fertilizer for flowering.
How to feed viola in a pot for abundant flowering. Any mineral fertilizers "For blooming". This should be done regularly - once every 7 days.
How to fertilize viola in the soil for abundant flowering. Fertilizers for flowering every 2-3 weeks.
Trimming and pinching tips
Do I need to pinch the viola for better tillering? Many plants recommend pinching over 3-4 or 5-6 real leaves to improve habit. Modern hybrids do not need to be pinched. The correct shape of the bush was laid in them from the very beginning.
In order to prolong the flowering of the viola as much as possible, the boxes in which the seeds are tied must be removed in a timely manner. This is especially true for specimens planted in pots, hanging pots, garden vases, containers.
After flowering, you can trim the bushes. It is possible that after a few weeks, they will bloom again.
Regular boll removal stimulates the appearance of new flowers. The aging of the bush is delayed Photo by Amanda Kae's Photoz
Diseases and pests
In theory, the plant is susceptible to many diseases:
- powdery (and downy) mildew,
- spotting,
- rust,
- smut,
- blackleg,
- gray and root rot,
- various viruses.
Viola diseases are best prevented by observing cultivation techniques. Dealing with them can be difficult and not always successful.
But there is good news too! Modern, hybridized forms have good immunity and are resistant to most of the listed diseases.
Pests:
- The most dangerous pests are root parasites (nematodes, pratilenchs, paralongidorus). As a control, only the removal of plants (followed by burning) and disinfection of the soil.
- Clover scoop, violet mother-of-pearl, aphids on viola are less dangerous, as they are external parasites. You can fight it with insecticides or folk remedies.
Why do the leaves turn yellow?
If yellowing and curling of the leaf edges is observed, this may be a sign of spider mite infestation. This occurs most often during the dry season.Severely damaged specimens are removed. The rest are sprayed with bladan (5-8 grams per 10 liters of water), or lime-sulfuric broth.
Viola varieties
The variety of varieties of this flower can surprise even professional flower growers: about 500 species are a decent amount. The most famous are:
Viola Wittrock. It is very popular among flower growers. It is a perennial or biennial variety. The height of the shrub is 20 cm. The leaves are oval and have a regular arrangement. Small denticles are located along the edges of the leaf. The flowers are single, large, up to 10 cm in diameter. There are two groups of Viola wittrockiana: multiflorous - multiflora and large-flowered - grandiflora. Flowers can be monochromatic, multicolored or spotted.
Viola White. The bush has a spreading shape. The leaf plates are light green. The flowers are formed on a long peduncle, are painted in white or delicate cream color.
Blue Boy. The plant is up to 30 cm high. The leaves are bluish-green. Flowers with wavy edges, rather large, bluish tint. The outer petals are slightly bent back. Differs in abundant flowering. Up to 20 flowers can bloom on one plant at the same time.
Jupiter. It is a two-tone viola variety. The bush is small, its height does not exceed 15 cm. The leaves are dark green. The flowers are purple-white. The petals are round, velvety to the touch, slightly bent back. The lower part of the flower is colored deep purple. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance.
Lord Beaconsfield. Leaf plates are greenish-gray in color. The flowers are medium in size, up to 4 cm in diameter. The edges of the petals are wavy, can have a purple or bluish-white color. There is a lilac border along the edge of the petal. Some varieties may have small blotches of black near the base. During the flowering period, up to 30 flowers can bloom on one bush.
Shalom Purim. It is a spotted variety with double flowers. Corrugated petals. Large flowers, slightly exceeding standard sizes.
Eyes of the Tiger
The flowers are small and attract attention with their unusual color. The surface of each petal is covered with short strokes of brown
This variety is grown in the garden and at home. Differs in early and abundant flowering.
Viola is horned or ampelous. It is a rare plant species that is grown as a perennial. The height of the shrub is 25 cm. The root system grows very quickly and forms a carpet. The leaves have serrated edges. Abundant flowering. The flowers are purple or lilac. A yellow eye is located on the surface of the central petal. The plant has spurs that resemble small horns.
Indoor flower drymiopsis: home care
