Nasturtium (kerulka, Native American cress, werewolf, capuchin) is a fast-growing ornamental plant known to many with beautiful foliage and bright 5-petal flowers, mostly yellow, red and orange.
This plant was introduced to Europe in the 16th century from South America, and primarily attracted attention with its medicinal and nutritional value, and not beauty. Indian cress was used as an anti-zingotic (vitamin C content is 2 times higher than in parsley) and a disinfectant, decoctions, tinctures and grinding of fresh parts of the plant were used to increase mood, to treat purulent wounds, flu and many other diseases. To date, nasturtium is grown exclusively for decorating garden plots and landscaping balconies, and its healing properties in most countries have been forgotten. On the territory of Russia, large nasturtium is prevalent, although there are many other species, including small, foreign, short-umbrella, tuberous, curly, thin-leaved, etc.
Application
What can be a turning stick for an amateur gardener? First of all, of course, by its unpretentiousness combined with brightness and elegance. The plant has formed in harsh environmental conditions and does not need serious care, which is why nasturtium should pay attention to beginner growers. Caring for her, you can get the maximum decorative effect with a minimum of effort. Terry nasturtium with large flowers of several shades is especially attractive (there is still a simple and semi-double).
In addition to flowers, the picturesque and plentiful foliage of the plant pleases the eye. Rounded large leaves are located on long petioles and have two-sided coloring: on the outside - matte dark green with a wax coating, on the inside - light green. Under favorable conditions, the scaffold quickly builds up green mass, which makes it possible to decorate unattractive or empty places on the site with the help of climbing varieties. Curly varieties (lashes up to 2.5 meters) will also decorate fences and pergolas. Compact forms (whips 30-40 cm long, on the packaging with seeds designated as "nanum") are very convenient for landscaping small areas or for ampel growing. Terry nasturtium differs from simple increased decorativeness, but does not have agrotechnical features, which allows it to be preferred when choosing a variety.
Breeding
So much beloved by all, the large nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus) is a perennial plant, but because of our harsh winters it is cultivated as an annual, although it can well be grown and bloom in the greenhouses in the southern regions. Seeds are sown in mid-May at a constant place of growth, 2-3 seeds at a distance of about 30 centimeters, seedlings appear after two weeks. Usually, nasturtium gives self-seeding; next year, under good conditions, the seeds can sprout together. For earlier flowering, you can grow seedlings (sowing seeds in late April - early May), but when transplanting into the flower garden, try to save an earthen lump. Terry nasturtium, as a particularly interesting and new species for gardeners, is most often propagated by cuttings. In the fall, your favorite flower needs to be rooted in wet sand and kept on a windowsill in a cool place until spring cuttings and planting in open soil.
Cultivation
Terry and simple nasturtium loves well-lit and warm areas. In partial shade conditions, the plant loses its attractiveness: the stems are stretched, the leaves are smaller. Also, capucin does not like fertile soils, with an excess of nutrients, the plant leaves in greenery and very little blooms. Frost is a danger, when they are threatened, the plant is sheltered. The best soils for nasturtium are light, well-drained, with a high phosphorus content. Water the plant should be before flowering, and then the soil is moistened only when fully dried.
If you decide to tackle this flower, experiment with different varieties, get the seeds “Terry Nasturtium, mix”, and grow the plant that you like best, grow further with the help of cuttings. Also try new varieties of unpretentious catchment, terry aquilegia will delight you with its unusually beautiful flowers.