Metiola - flowers that are so beloved in our country by every owner of a country or homestead farm that no one realizes that this sort of night violet was bred by a doctor, as well as P. Mattioli, a great admirer of flowers and a botanist from Italy, back in the sixteenth century. Therefore, the common name adopted by us is not entirely correct. In catalogs, the plant is listed as matthiola.
In the past, methiol flowers grew mainly in Greek elite yards and in the gardens of Asia Minor. In our country, this plant, which is not demanding for care, was brought by the nobles in order to grow it from arbors exclusively for the sake of a fragrant aroma. Over time, the methiol flower became truly folk. What are there arbors, gardens and summer cottages! Today, night violet exudes its aroma in cities, decorating the loggias and balconies of apartments in high-rise buildings.
By their nature, methiola are flowers that tolerate spring cold well. They are absolutely undemanding to environmental conditions, grow on any soil, although they develop much better on light and fertile soil and bloom more magnificent. It is noted that if unripened organic components were used as fertilizer in the area where methiola was sown, the flowers will certainly become ill with a black leg. Also, do not fill the plant. The swamp at the root leads to its decay. Moderate watering is the condition that will enable it to withstand diseases and pests.
As for the aroma, it is the thinnest and most plentiful when the plant is planted in a sunny place. Metiola also develops well in the penumbra area, its flowers are lush and fragrant in the evenings, spreading wonderful smells around itself. Only in densely shaded places does it lie on the ground, its aroma is almost not felt.
The most common way to propagate this crop is by seed. They can be sown before winter, but better in early spring. Close up should be shallow, not more than half a centimeter. In a week, the first shoots will appear. As soon as the third leaf begins to develop, Mattiola needs to be planted, thinning the seedlings so that between them there is a distance of centimeters at fifteen, or even twenty. It should be borne in mind that flowers will appear only after two months. If you want to speed up this time, then you can grow seedlings in a greenhouse.
In the afternoon, the flowers are closed, the night beauty is resting. In the evening, purple little stars blossom in small inflorescences. And then they begin to exude a divine aroma of nectar. Enterprising Italians sow matthiola in three steps. First time in early spring. The second time - after half a month, and the third - after a month and a half. Thus, the fragrance of matthiola never ceases in the garden. But in order to extend the flowering period, it is necessary to pinch off the blooming inflorescences, while capturing part of the stem. Such a simple technique will extend the flowering season, which (with the agricultural technology described above) can last from June, or even from the end of May to October.
As growing experience shows, matthiola can winter well without shelter right on the flowerbed. This plant is a relative of cabbage, therefore it is afraid of the same pests.