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Planting and caring for nemesia is quite simple, so even a novice gardener can handle the cultivation of this beautiful flower. In Russia, the culture is bred as an annual. Since nemesia is thermophilic, they take it home for the winter and grow it under normal room conditions before transplanting it into the ground the next year (in May or even June).
Description of nemesia
Nemesia is a perennial flowering shrub from the Scrophulariaceae family. This is not a very tall plant - on average from 30 to 60 cm. Branched shoots, sometimes with pubescence. The leaves of nemesia are lanceolate, opposite, have serrated edges. The color is bright green.
The flowers are small, up to 2 cm in diameter, of an interesting shape: some of the petals are fused, others are isolated. Painted in different colors:
- white;
- yellow;
- Orange;
- pink;
- crimson;
- blue.
Flowers are interesting not only in shape, but also in color: they can be two-color or three-color. The main advantage of nemesia is the creation of a lush floral carpet effect. Flowering begins in July and ends in mid-September, before the first frost. The bushes completely cover the ground, so they can decorate even inconspicuous corners of the garden, create a beautiful backdrop for other plants.
Nemesia is represented by both erect and ampelous shrubs. They can be grown not only outdoors, but also in boxes, pots and pots. In summer, containers are placed on the terrace, in the garden, next to the gazebo, and in winter they are taken to a heated room. Nemesia is native to South Africa, so it prefers warmth and good hydration.
Types and varieties of nemesia
This flower has about 50 species, which differ in winter hardiness, color of flowers, height, shape of leaves and other indicators. Popular varieties of nemesia with photos and names are described below.
Nemesia multicolored
This type of nemesia (Nemesia Versicolor) is characterized by a small height (up to 25 cm) and large flowers of a rich blue color. The culture is represented by two varieties:
- Blue Bird (Blue Bird) - blue flowers, interspersed with yellow or white.
- Edelblau - inflorescences of a rich blue color (reminiscent of forget-me-not).
Hybrid nemesia
This group includes all hybrid varieties of nemesia. These are shrubs with a height of 15 to 60 cm. The leaves are elongated, with jagged edges, flowers up to 2 cm in diameter. Hybrid nemesia (Nemesia Hybrida) is presented in several varieties:
- Triumph (triumph) - a dwarf hybrid with an average height of 15 cm, flowers have a variety of colors: white, yellow, pink, red, purple.
- Carnival (Nemesia strumosa Carnival mixed) - the height is also small, up to 20 cm. It is a mixture of orange, yellow, pink, red or motley colors.
- The mantle of the king is a nemesia with a two-tone color (blue and white).
- Thumbelina is a recently bred species. The height of nemesia reaches 20 cm, the color is bluish, similar to lavender. Flowers grow up to 3 cm in diameter.
Lush nemesia
This type of nemesia (Nemesia floribunda) is represented by medium-sized shrubs up to 40 cm high. The flowers are pale blue and white. So far, it is not very widespread, but recently it has been found in flower beds more and more often.
The flowers of the lush variety are white in color and have a yellow spot in the center.
Goiter nemesia
This nemesia (Nemesia strumosa) is of medium height (about 35-45 cm). Moreover, its upper leaves are linear petiolate, and the lower ones are oval, sessile. Flowers of irregular shape, resembling a goiter, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Painted in different colors - white, yellow, red, pink, orange, sometimes with a variegated pattern.
It has been known in culture since 1892, represented by several varieties, the most popular of which are:
- Aurora (Aurora) - a small bush up to 30 cm, flowers are white and crimson-red (scarlet).
- Fanfair (Funfair) - nemesia has yellow and cream flowers.
- Fair King - bright red, fiery.
- Nashinal Ensign (National Ensign) - white and red flowers.
Bushy nemesia
This flower is also called azure (Nemesia Fructicans or Nemesia Foetebs). In height it reaches from 20 to 40 cm, begins to bloom in June, ends in August. Inflorescences are white, blue and purple.
The bush is quite tall, with erect shoots
Application in landscape design
This flower is one of the best ground covers.
Nemesia is used to create a flower carpet and decorate remote places in the garden.
Also, the culture looks great in various compositions: alpine slides, curbs, rockeries, mixborders, planting along the paths.
With the help of various varieties of nemesia, you can create interesting flower beds
The plant is combined with low-growing seedlings:
- pansies;
- petunias;
- marigold;
- ageratum;
- lobelia and others.
The crop can be grown in a hanging pot on the veranda
Breeding features
The reproduction features of this flower depend on the type of nemesia and the period of its cultivation:
- Annuals and hybrids are bred by rooted cuttings or by dividing the bush.
- For perennial nemesia, seed sowing can be used.
Since nemesia is thermophilic, seedlings are grown in the house. To do this, it is necessary to create several conditions: temperature, illumination, greenhouse and humidification. It is not difficult to get seedlings, but you need to work with the seeds carefully: they are very small, so they are mixed with sand when planting.
All hybrid varieties are bred by cuttings. To do this, in August, they take the apical shoots of an adult bush (3-4 years) 20-25 cm long, make an oblique cut and plant in a container that can be kept in a greenhouse. Moisturize abundantly and grow until September. Then they are transferred to a heated room, periodically watered. In May of the following year, sprouted cuttings of nemesia are planted in open ground.
Another way of reproduction is by dividing an adult bush (at the beginning of summer). They cut the ground with a sharp shovel, dig up the plant and cut the rhizome into several divisions so that each of them has several healthy shoots. Then they are planted in a permanent place and watered abundantly. For the winter they are taken to the room.
Growing nemesia seedlings from seeds
You can sow nemesia seeds at home. They are grown at room temperature. If it's cloudy outside, you need to arrange additional lighting.
When to sow nemesia
The seeds are harvested on their own or purchased from a store. The soil and containers need to be prepared in March, since the seeds are usually sown at the end of this month.In the southern regions, the procedure can be carried out a little earlier, and in Siberia and the Urals - at the beginning of April. Nemesia seedlings are transferred to open ground only in mid-May or even early June, when the soil has time to warm up well enough.
You can grow nemesia seedlings in shallow containers.
Preparation of containers and soil
Seeds are initially planted in wooden boxes or plastic containers. Before planting, it is advisable to hold them for 1-2 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide (1-3%), then rinse with water.
Soil for growing a flower can be purchased in the store (universal for seedlings) or you can make it yourself from peat and sand (2: 1). You can also make another mixture of garden soil and peat (1: 1) with the addition of a few pinches of sand and wood ash. The soil for nemesia is also pre-disinfected or frozen for a week.
How to plant nemesia seeds
Sequence of actions for landing:
- The soil layer is crushed and placed in containers.
- Thoroughly leveled, but not tamped.
- Seeds are distributed over the surface (they can be taken with a moistened toothpick).
- You do not need to sprinkle anything on top - it is enough to moisten the soil well from a spray bottle.
- Cover with a foil with holes and put away in a relatively warm place (20-22 ° C).
Seedling care
The first shoots of nemesia appear 10-15 days after planting. At this time, it is better to remove the containers in a cool place, then grow them at a temperature of 8-10 degrees so that the seedlings do not stretch out. It is necessary to adhere to a few simple rules for care:
- A greenhouse for growing flowers is regularly ventilated by removing the film for 30 minutes.
- Provides bright but diffused light. With a lack of sun, phytolamps are used, a screen is installed (to scatter the rays).
- After 7-10 days after the first shoots, a complex mineral fertilizer (in liquid form) is applied to the soil.
- A month after planting the seeds (when 2-3 leaves appear), the shoots are transplanted into individual containers: pots, cups.
- At the same time, the temperature can be slightly increased - up to 13-15 ° C.
- In the future, care is reduced only to regular watering. Two weeks before the nemesia transplant, the temperature can again be lowered to 8-10 ° C.
Before transplanting nemesia seedlings into the ground, they must be hardened for 10-15 days
You can learn about practical tips for growing nemesia flower seedlings from the video.
Planting nemesia in the ground
Planting and caring for nemesia outdoors is not very difficult. It is necessary to choose a place, observe the regime of watering and feeding.
Recommended timing
The nemesia flower is transplanted after the threat of recurrent frosts has completely disappeared. Depending on the region, the terms will be as follows:
- in the south - early May;
- in the middle lane - mid-May;
- in the Urals and Siberia - the first days of June.
Site selection and soil preparation
The soil for nemesia should be loose, with small lumps. A neutral or slightly acidic reaction is allowed. The optimal planting site is completely open or with light partial shade from shrubs and trees. If possible, this should be a hill, and not a low place where moisture accumulates. It is not necessary to protect the place from the wind - the low bushes of nemesia will not suffer even from a hurricane.
Special preparation of soil for the flower is not required - the site needs to be cleaned, dug up to half the bayonet of a shovel. If the soil is depleted, a complex mineral fertilizer is introduced into it (60 g per 1 m2) or humus (2 kg per 1 m2).
Landing algorithm
The sequence of actions for planting a flower is standard:
- First, on the site, you need to outline several holes of small depth (the roots should completely fit).
- The neighboring holes are dug at a distance of 20-30 cm. A less dense planting of nemesia is also allowed (in alternation with other plants).
- Seedlings are embedded in the soil, covered with soil and tamped a little.
- Watered with settled water.
- Mulch with peat, straw, sawdust or other materials.
A layer of mulch will not only allow the soil to retain moisture longer, but also protect against active weed growth.
How to grow nemesia outdoors
Any gardener can handle the cultivation of nemesia (pictured). In order for the flowers to luxuriantly cover the bush, it is enough to water the plant in a timely manner and pinch the tops of the stems.
Regular pinching of the shoots gives the bush a beautiful shape.
Watering and feeding schedule
Water the nemesia regularly, preventing the soil from drying out and cracking. If it rains periodically, additional moisture will not be needed; if there are few of them, it is watered weekly, and in case of drought, after 2-3 days. It is better to do this in the evening so that the leaves and flowers of nemesia do not burn the sun's rays.
Feeding nemesia is done 2 or 3 times per season, for example, in April, June and at the end of July. For flowers, you can use a complex mineral fertilizer or liquid organic matter: slurry, chicken manure solution, humus infusion.
Weeding and loosening
Proper planting and care allows you to achieve a lush and long-lasting flowering of ampelous nemesia (pictured). To do this, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil around the plants. This is especially important after watering or heavy rain (after 2-3 days). Then moisture will quickly get to the roots and to all plant tissues.
Weeding the flower is carried out as needed. It is important to make sure that the weeds do not have time to grow. This not only spoils the appearance of the flower bed, but also interferes with the normal development of the main culture.
If you regularly water the flower and loosen the soil, the flowering will be lush and long (1.5-2 months)
Pinching and trimming
Starting in July, when the nemesia will give the first flowers, the apical shoots must be periodically pinched with your fingers, removing all strongly protruding branches. This gives the bush the correct shape and stimulates the growth of additional shoots. The bush does not require special pruning - you only need to periodically remove broken and dry branches, especially in spring.
Post-flowering care
Prolonging the flowering of nemesia is very simple. To do this, you should regularly remove faded shoots. Then the bush will give new shoots, including peduncles, which will give the effect of a lush carpet.
Wintering
For the winter, nemesia must be dug out of the ground and transplanted into pots or other containers. Then they are grown at normal room temperature (20-22 ° C). Top dressing is not required, but you need to periodically loosen the soil and water. The soil must remain moist.
Pests and diseases
The humid environment preferred by nemesia often provokes the development of root rot and other fungal diseases. As a rule, such diseases are difficult to treat, so it is easier to dig up the bush and remove it so that neighboring plants do not become infected.
As a preventive measure, in April or May, it is necessary to treat the bushes with fungicides:
- "Tattu";
- "Profit";
- "Ordan";
- Fundazol;
- bordeaux liquid.
Sometimes flowers infect spider mites and other pests. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically inspect the plants and carry out treatments with insecticides or folk remedies (infusion of mustard powder, chili peppers, onion husks, chopped garlic and others).
Conclusion
Planting and caring for nemesia is not very difficult. The main requirements are regular loosening and watering. Thanks to this, you can get beautiful thickets, reminiscent of a variegated carpet, which will decorate both central and remote areas of the garden.
