Content
Lobelia purple or cardinal is a flowering plant that takes root well in Russian latitudes. The culture is responsive to regular watering and fertilization, tolerates frost well enough. In its natural environment, it is found in the central and eastern states of America.
Description of perennial purple lobelia
Purple lobelia (lobelia cardinalis) is a perennial plant that lives in natural conditions both on the coast and on the water. Therefore, it is successfully grown in gardens, flower beds, and also bred in aquariums. A bush with bright green rounded leaves up to 5 cm wide can reach a height of 50-70 cm, some specimens of fire lobelia stretch up to 1 meter.
The stem is erect, no more than 0.3 cm in diameter. May be red or dark green in color.
The inflorescences are racemose, the peduncles are quite tall - up to 50 cm
If the plant is rooted under water, the peduncles always rise above the surface and give first flowers, and then fruits with seeds. A distinctive feature of purple lobelia is its attractive bright red shades.
Lobelia has other names that emphasize its color and "status":
- cardinal;
- blood red;
- fiery;
- shiny;
- lobelia purple-red cascading.
Under natural conditions, the green part of the lobelia can be at the bottom, and the peduncles rise above the surface.
Growing conditions for purple perennial lobelia
Growing purple lobelia is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Since this is a semi-aquatic plant that can easily grow in an aquarium, it requires certain conditions:
- The site should be completely open, although light shading is also allowed.
- The seedling needs strong soil moisture. It is better to plant a culture on the coast of a reservoir, for example, a summer cottage pond.
- The plant prefers a warm climate. Transplanting seedlings into open ground is possible only in the second half of May or at the beginning of June.
- The composition of the soil must include a significant part of river sand. Thanks to this, it will be possible to create a mixture that, in structure and composition, resembles a muddy bottom.
Application in design
Cardinal lobelia (pictured) can become a real center of attraction in the garden. Thanks to its bright color, it can be used in almost any variant:
- single landings;
- multi-tiered flower beds;
- in outdoor pots.
Aquarium purple lobelia does not bloom. However, it brightens up the space with its vibrant greenery. The seedlings are placed on the bottom. It is best to root them with decorative small stones of the same color (brown, gray).
Aquarium lamps are directed so that the rays hit the foliage
In aquarium design, Cardinal Lobelia looks good with other plants.
Lobelia cardinal can be planted in the center or in the foreground, and algae in other shades can be placed on the sides and back.
How cardinal lobelia reproduces
Lobelia can be propagated by cuttings and seeds. In the latter case, it is necessary to grow seedlings.It is possible to do this at home, but special attention should be paid to the soil - it should resemble a muddy bottom.
An easier way of propagation is by cuttings. The stems have many side shoots that can be easily detached. They are characterized by fast growth, so a new seedling will be obtained in 2-3 months. They start grafting in the fall. Sequencing:
- Lobelia purple is dug up and stored at home at a temperature of 13-15 ° C, but no more.
- In February, the pot is transferred to normal room conditions.
- At the same moment, the side shoots are removed so that the size of the cuttings is 10-12 cm.
- A lower oblique cut is made and the purple lobelia stalk is immersed in a growth-stimulating solution.
- Prepare the pots with the substrate. Peat, sand and humus are mixed in equal amounts, the soil is moistened.
- Cuttings are rooted at a slight angle.
- Cover with foil or glass to create greenhouse conditions. Periodically open it so that the seedlings do not rot.
- Constantly illuminate (the length of daylight hours is at least 12 hours).
Cuttings grow in 2-3 months, after which (at the end of May) they are transferred to open ground.
It is preliminarily recommended to treat the seedlings with any fungicide, for example, Fundazol or Fitosporin.
Landing rules
Lobelia purpurea refers to heat-loving plants. The culture needs a special type of soil. When growing, it should be borne in mind that under normal conditions the bush grows on the coast or practically in the water.
Recommended timing
The seedlings obtained from seeds or cuttings are transferred to open ground only at the end of May or even at the beginning of June, when the soil warms up well, and night temperatures will not be lower than 10-12 ° C. In the South of Russia, it is allowed to transfer seedlings in mid-May, but not earlier. Temperature (especially at night) is of great importance.
Location selection, lighting
When choosing a landing area, you should pay attention to several features:
- Garden design - how well the lobelia will fit into the landscape.
- Openness - the site should be well lit by the sun throughout the day.
- Good moisture - it is optimal to plant purple lobelia on the coast of a reservoir (for example, near a summer pond) or in the lowlands. At the same time, the bush does not tolerate stagnant moisture, therefore it is necessary to prevent waterlogging.
For planting purple lobelia, choose the most prominent place in the garden
Soil preparation
Although purple lobelia prefers a special soil, it is easy to make at home. The following components are required:
- clean river sand;
- peat;
- humus.
The optimal ratio is 1: 1: 2. For planting lobelia, drainage is prepared in advance - broken brick, small pebbles, expanded clay.
How to properly plant purple lobelia
In order for the plant not only to take root, but also to bloom, you need to know the planting rules. Experienced gardeners recommend following this algorithm:
- The site is thoroughly cleaned and dug up.
- Several pits are formed with a shallow depth of 25-30 cm.
- Fill with a 5-7 cm drainage layer.
- 4-5 seedlings are planted in one hole at once.
- They moisturize well.
- Cover with a jar or foil to ensure greenhouse conditions. The shelter can be held for several days, periodically removed for ventilation.
- The soil must be mulched. A layer of spruce branches, peat or hay will keep moisture in the soil, and will also prevent the rapid development of weeds.Advice! The purple lobelia bush is quite compact, so the seedlings can be placed at intervals of 25 cm.However, if you want the plantings to look more free, it is advisable to increase the distance to 35 cm.
Features of seedling care
Because lobelia purpurea is a complete species and not a hybrid, it can be grown from seed. They are collected at the end of August. To do this, cut the seed pods and grind the shell. The seeds are placed in natural fabric bags and stored in the refrigerator until the next season (maximum 4 years).Sowing seedlings is carried out in late February or early March.
The rules for planting and caring for seedlings are generally simple, but there are also some peculiarities:
- A mixture of sand, peat and humus is taken as a soil (ratio 1: 1: 2).
- The soil is poured into containers and well moistened from a spray bottle.
- Seeds of purple lobelia are distributed on the surface - they should not be buried.
- Grown first under film or glass, at a temperature of 22-24 ° C.
- Constantly supplemented with phytolamp. The duration of daylight hours must be at least 10 hours.
- The greenhouse is periodically ventilated. The glass is removed 2 weeks after planting.
- They continue to grow at room temperature (20-22 ° C).
- A month after planting, the seedlings dive, i.e. seated. The containers are chosen 1.5-2 times larger in diameter.
- Then, 2 weeks before planting, the seedlings are hardened at a temperature of 14-15 ° C.
You can use peat pots or other small containers to plant purple lobelia seeds.
Rules for caring for cardinal lobelia
The rules for caring for lobelia purpurea differ significantly depending on the environment. If it grows in the open field, the agricultural technique will be more difficult than in the case of an aquarium. The bushes must be provided with regular watering, feeding and abundant light.
In the open field
Lobelia purpurea is very sensitive to even the slightest lack of moisture. Do not allow drying out, especially the cracking of the soil. Watering is always plentiful - a bucket per 1 m2. In drought, it is necessary to organize drip irrigation.
Top dressing is applied several times per season:
- nitrogen supplements - in April or immediately after transplanting seedlings into open ground;
- as soon as the buds have formed, superphosphates and potassium salt are added, a similar composition is added at the stage of flowering of purple lobelia (with an interval of 15 days);
- the last time feeding is given in mid-August.
The purple lobelia bush needs shaping. Therefore, during the period of active growth, the upper shoots should be pinched so that the plant also gives side branches.
Preparing for winter
Lobelia purpurea is characterized by an average degree of winter hardiness. In almost all areas (except for the southern ones), the plant should be prepared for the winter period:
- If the region has severe winters up to -25 ° C and below, the bush must be dug up and sent to winter in pots at home (no higher than + 10 ° C). The best storage place is the basement.
- If the winters are not too frosty, you can leave the seedlings in the open field. In this case, the branches are cut almost under the hemp (no more than 3-4 cm in height). Then the lobelia is covered with a layer of dry leaves (20 cm).
In water
It is much easier to care for lobelia purple in water. Usually it is planted along the side walls, rooted in rocky ground. Conditions of detention are standard:
- temperature 22-25 ° C;
- the reaction of the environment is neutral;
- water hardness in the range of 5-15;
- the lighting is bright and long-lasting (from 10 hours a day).
Under these conditions, lobelia develops very quickly and soon produces flower stalks that can form purple flowers above the surface of the water. To prevent this from happening, the tops must be pinched even before they reach the surface.
With stable backlighting, purple lobelia grows very quickly
Pests and diseases
Purple lobelia is resistant to many diseases, including root rot, as it can grow confidently even in water. However, its foliage and stems are often affected by a fungal infection - powdery mildew. Slugs can also actively feed on greens.
You can find out about the first signs of powdery mildew on the leaves of purple lobelia by the characteristic whitish bloom. In the early stages, it is possible to save the culture. To do this, it is enough to spray the cardinal lobelia with any fungicide:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- Tattu;
- Speed;
- Topaz and others.
Slugs are easier to kill by hand. Any insecticides or other drugs are unlikely to help. However, it is still possible to overcome the invasion of these small mollusks. To do this, stone chips, small eggshells are poured around the purple lobelia bushes, and the side of a broken ceramic pot is placed.
Eggshells, needles, as well as a ready-made Predator bait will help get rid of slugs in the area
A rough surface will interfere with the movement of the slugs, making them unable to access the plant itself.
Conclusion
Lobelia purpurea is one of the brightest and most attractive flowers in the garden. Both experienced and novice gardeners will be able to grow a cardinal bush. If there is a pond on the site, the seedlings will decorate not only its banks, but also the water surface.
