Cataractic ampel: growing from seeds. Cataract: photo

The catarrh (Latin Catharanthus) is a genus of ornamental plants, represented as herbaceous annuals and evergreen perennials, and semi-shrubs. Only eight of its species are known. Seven grows on the island of Madagascar, and one - in India.

Abroad and in our country, the cataract is grown as a garden and indoor plant. However, it is quite rare to see it in country cottages and in the florists' apartments. Most likely, the fact is that all parts of this plant are poisonous. Therefore, in a house in which there are small children or pets, it is not recommended to grow cataracts.

Description of the plant

The catarrhtas (the photo of which you see on this page) is a spectacular plant 30-60 cm high with an erect branching stalk. Its flowers resemble the flowers of phloxes, but unlike the latter they are not collected in the inflorescence. Also, the catarrhtas are very similar to balsam.

Pretty big flowers (3 cm in diameter) do not smell absolutely. They can be pink, tender-violet or white. In the middle there is always a beautiful yellow or crimson peephole. The plant is attractive not only because of the colors that cover each bush with a ball-shaped hat, but also with bright leaves with spectacular white streaks in the middle. Every year grown in an indoor environment, the cataract is becoming more magnificent and beautiful.
Flowering lasts from May to November.

There is also such a form as cataractic ampel. Cultivation from the seeds of this species practically does not differ from the cultivation of any other, but it has some peculiarities. Ampel forms differ with a long stem. Such varieties are planted in pots and suspended in pots at a height. Hanging stems with bright colors look very impressive.

Where to buy seeds?

On private plots and in flats only one species of this plant is grown - cataract pink. Outwardly, it strongly resembles a periwinkle - a flower that feels good in the middle zone of Russia. Although this is not entirely correct, but in our country these two plants are sometimes identified. Therefore, seeds, including a form such as cataracts ampel, can often be seen on sale under the name "Pink Garlic." Buy them is not difficult either online or in specialized stores. Usually imported seed is sold. But if you want, you can find a Russian one.

On the household plots, this tropical plant is grown as an annual. You can not collect the seeds yourself. In our climate, they just do not mature.

Seed preparation

Any plant, whether it is an ornamental flower or a garden crop, develops faster and less sick in case of careful preparation of planting material. The catarrhtum is ampel, growing from seeds of which differs little from the care of any other indoor plant, an exception in this respect is not. Planting material should be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (2 g per liter). To carry out disinfection, the seeds are wrapped in gauze and lowered into a prepared pinkish liquid for half an hour.
You can sow them on seedlings as early as the end of February.

What should be the ground?

Of course, like any other plant, a special composition of the soil requires cataract. Cultivation from the seeds (the photo can be seen at the top) implies observance of approximately the same rules as the cultivation of garden crops for seedlings. This plant likes the soil to be loose and saturated with nutrients. For transplanting in the open ground seedlings are best sown in separate cups. If the flower is an ornament of an apartment, it is necessary to take a pot right away. Transplant this plant does not tolerate too well. In the cups put one seed in the middle. In the pot you can put 3 pcs. Immediately three plants in one container, hanging down, will look like one magnificent. The seeds of the catarrhatus are emerging very harmoniously and quite fast.

It is important to correctly choose the composition of the soil itself. It is best to mix leaf and sod land, sand, peat and humus in equal parts. When growing in a pot, you should arrange drainage. To do this, pour pebbles on the bottom and cover it with a piece of dornite (moisture permeable) or not too dense tissue. Above lay the soil.

Where does the plant feel best?

A pot or cups should be placed on the window sill facing east or west. The catarrhtas are ampel, growing from seeds requires some effort, loves an abundance of light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight on the leaves. Therefore, on clear days, the uplifted plants will need to be slightly shaded. Very nice looks ampel shape, hanging from the balcony. Therefore, if desired, the seeds can be planted in a long box and carried in the spring to the loggia.

The same rules apply when planting seedlings in open ground. It is best to make a high flowerbed from the east or west side of the house or gazebo. You can also plant ampel catarrhtas in large tubs. Transfer seedlings to the street is allowed immediately after the morning frost stops.

Watering of young plants

Most tropical plants love abundant watering. It is not an exception in this respect, and the cataract is ampel. Cultivation from seeds, just like propagation by cuttings, involves periodic and fairly frequent moistening of the soil. It is very good, if at watering water will fall and on stalks with leaves. In no case should you allow the stagnation of moisture. Otherwise, the plant can simply get sick and begin to rot.

Soil fertilization

Without periodic recharge can not do any decorative flower, and especially grown in a pot. Of course, this applies to such as the cataract. Cultivation from seeds (photo of the standard pack on the left), as well as dilution by propagation by cuttings, involves the introduction of fertilizers in spring and summer at least twice a month. And young bushes, and adult katratus also need to be watered from time to time, with fertilizers dissolved in it. It is best to purchase a composition intended for indoor flowers in a specialized store. With a shortage of nutrients, the plant develops poorly and does not bloom.

Pruning plants

Conventional catarrhtals are severed very severely. In spring, leave only a small cutting, about 15 cm high. There is no cathartic ampel of this kind of trimming. The braided forms with long stems only slightly form. This means that only those twigs that spoil the appearance of the plant are needed to be removed. You can also slightly pinch the tips of the side shoots. You should definitely use special tools. Just hands to pick off the plants can not, because, as already mentioned, they are poisonous.

Diseases and pests

The catarrhtal ampel ill (the photo of which can be seen from the right) is quite rare. Sometimes aphids may appear on leaves. The most unpleasant disease affecting the cataract is the stool (the leaves are covered with pale yellow-green spots). Unfortunately, the methods of its treatment have not been developed. Also, sometimes a plant can get infected with a mite or a shield.

Another disease that affects the flower is the disfiguring leaves (pustules on the underside) brown rust. Cataritus can be cured from this scourge by using fungicides based on dithiocarbamates.

What methods of reproduction exist yet?

Propagation of cataracts with seeds, as well as propagation by cuttings.
In the latter case usually take not lignified (or not too lignified) stem buds. When cutting, you need to make sure that there is at least one knot on the cut. As for the first method, it is considered in detail in the article above.

You can find and on the Internet a lot of information on how to grow cataracts from seeds (forum, blog - they are quite a lot). Experienced growers usually speak of this plant as not requiring special care, but not carrying insufficient watering. Therefore, if there is no shortage of water on the site, it is necessary to use this wonderful flower for its decoration.

Winter care when growing in a room

The plant is not very whimsical and very grateful. With proper care, it will surely please you with abundant flowering throughout the warm season. In winter, the cataracts are kept in a cool - at a temperature of about 14-15 degrees. However, it must be ensured that the soil is not supercooled. In addition, you should slightly reduce watering. With excess moisture in the cold season, the plant can corrupt the base of the stem.

So, we hope, now you understand how to grow catarrhatus from seeds. The plant is unusually spectacular, not too demanding and perfectly suited for planting both on the street, and on the balcony or in the room. Indian medicine men often use it as a medicinal medicine. It is even believed that it can cure cancer and diabetes. However, of course, to try to make of it medicinal compounds at home is not worth it. Taking it inside and even just touching the skin can lead to poisoning.