Nasturtium is terry, semi-double and simple: features of cultivation and reproduction.

Nasturtium (krasulki, Indian cress, poverten, capuchin) is a well-known to many fast-growing ornamental plant with beautiful foliage and bright 5 petals, mostly yellow, red and orange hues.

This plant was brought to Europe in the 16th century from South America, and first of all attracted attention to its medicinal and nutritional value, and not beauty. Indian cress was used as an antiscorbutic (the content of vitamin C is 2 times more than in parsley) and a disinfectant, decoctions, tinctures and rubbing of fresh parts of the plant used to improve mood, to treat purulent wounds, flu and many other diseases. To date, nasturtium is grown exclusively for decorating garden areas and gardening of balconies, and its medicinal properties in most countries have been forgotten. Most nasturtium is widespread on the territory of Russia, although there are many other species, including small, foreign, short-zodiac, tuberous, curly, thin-leafed, etc.

Application

What can be attractive for a horticultural gardener? First of all, of course, its unpretentiousness combined with brightness and elegance. The plant was formed in severe natural conditions and does not need serious care, which is why nasturtium should be paid attention to beginner growers. Caring for her, you can get the maximum decorative effect with a minimum of effort. Especially attractive nasturtium is terry with large flowers of several shades (there is still a simple and semi-double).

Besides flowers, the picturesque and abundant foliage of the plant pleases the eye. Rounded large leaves are located on long petioles and have a two-sided coloring: on the outside - matte dark green with a wax coating, with inner - light green. Turning under favorable conditions quickly increases the green mass, which allows you to decorate with sticky varieties unattractive or vacant places on the site. Curly varieties (whips up to 2.5 meters) will also help decorate fences and pergolas. Compact forms (lengths of 30-40 cm long, marked on the package with seeds as "nanum") are very convenient for planting small areas or for ampel cultivation. Nasturtium terry differs from simple enhanced decorative, but does not have agrotechnical features, which allows you to give preference when choosing a variety for it.

Reproduction

The nasturtium, which is so beloved by everyone, is a perennial plant, but because of our harsh winters it is cultivated as an annual, although in the southern regions it is quite possible to grow and bloom all winter in greenhouses. Seeds are sown in the middle of May to a permanent growth site, 2-3 seeds at a distance of about 30 centimeters, shoots appear after two weeks. Usually nasturtium gives a self-sowing, for the next year under good conditions the seeds can sprout unanimously. For an early flowering, you can grow seedlings (sowing seeds in late April - early May), but when transplanting into the flower garden try to keep an earthen lump. Nasturtium terry, as a particularly interesting and new species for gardeners, is most often propagated by cuttings. Since autumn, the favorite flower needs to be rooted in moist sand and kept on a window sill in a cool place until spring cuttings and planting in the open soil.

Cultivation

Nasturtium terry and simple love well-lit and warm areas. In conditions of partial shade, the plant loses its attractiveness: the stems are stretched, the leaves are small. Also, capuchin does not like fertile soils, with an excess of nutrients the plant goes into greenery and blooms very little. Dangers are frosts, at their threat the plant is covered. The best soils for nasturtium are light, well drained, with a high content of phosphorus. Water the plant should be before the flowering, and then the soil is moistened only with complete drying.

If you decide to do this flower, experiment with different varieties, buy seeds "Nasturtium terry, mix", and then the plant that you like most, grow further with the help of cuttings. Also try new varieties of unpretentious watershed, aquileia terry will please you with its unusually beautiful flowers.