Nasturtium, planting and caring in the open field for which is not particularly difficult, is a beautiful garden plant, a native of South and Central America, firmly and reliably settled in our latitudes due to its bright decorative appearance, medicinal properties and unpretentiousness in growing.
Description of Nasturtium
Belonging to the Nasturtian family, a modest garden culture is characterized by a wide variety of red and yellow shades. Bright green leaves are arranged alternately, have a rounded, thyroid shape and a shiny surface covered with a waxy coating.
Simple, semi-double and double flowers are quite large (about 5 cm in diameter), they consist of 5 or more petals and a funnel-shaped tube with nectar. Most often, nasturtium in the garden is presented in the form of vines, although there are also semi-shrub species.
Nasturtium as an original element of garden decor
Thanks to long flowering, beautiful nasturtium (otherwise, capuchin) is able to decorate any corner of the garden, forming chic floral carpets and hanging waterfalls. Creating flower beds, decorating borders, arbors, arches, masking uneven vertical surfaces - there are a huge number of options for using such an attractive culture as nasturtium in home floriculture. Planting and care in the open ground, on a trellis will be justified for foreign nasturtium, capable of growing up to 3.5-4 meters. This type of flower with beautiful corrugated leaves and small canary yellow flowers will easily and quickly decorate a given area and will delight flowering before the first frost. In plantings with morning glory and blue petunias, curly nasturtium will look very chic .
Planting and care in the open ground (see photo in the article) in the conditions of cultural floriculture last only one season due to the low resistance to cold. In vivo, nasturtium grows as a perennial plant.
Soil and lighting requirements
Nasturtium, planting and outdoor care for which even a novice can do, is unpretentious in growing and positively perceives any changes aimed at improving growth and splendor of flowering. An important factor in the qualitative development of the flower is a moderately fertile soil with a slightly acidic environment and good drainage qualities. Poor lands will negatively affect the flowering of the plant and its decorativeness, soil with an excess of organic matter will cause an active growth of green mass: nasturtium will refuse to bloom in such conditions.
An important factor in the qualitative growth of nasturtium is lighting. For a flower culture, you need to choose places that are well lit by the sun and protected from drafts; in partial shade, abundant flowering will not be observed.
Seed propagation method
Almost all types of nasturtium are propagated by seeds, characterized by a very high germination and preservation of properties for 4 years. Sowing in open ground is carried out at the end of May, at the end of spring frosts; for regions with a cool climate - in the early days of summer. Compliance with the timing of sowing will positively affect a modest and beautiful plant like nasturtium. Planting and care in the open ground in the spring are recommended with the use of covering material, since the culture is heat-loving and is quite susceptible to cold weather. Watering is desirable to produce warm water.
Seed collection can be carried out independently: for this it is important to control the condition of the fruits formed on the flowers, which become whitish as they ripen. It is important to be in time with the collection until the moment when they are thrown to the ground by nasturtium.
Planting and care in open ground with seeds consists in pre-immersing the latter in hot water for a quarter of an hour and then soaking for a day in water at room temperature. The depth of seed placement is 2 cm, the interval between the holes is 25-30 cm; the number in the hole is 3-4 seedlings. Shoots will appear in a fortnight. This option is most practiced in home floriculture, as the output gives plants adapted to natural conditions and resistant to various kinds of diseases. True, nasturtiums planted by seed method will bloom an order of magnitude later than those grown from seedlings.
Nasturtium cultivation by seedling method
With the seedling method, which provides the early flowering of nasturtium, seedlings are planted at the end of April – May in peat cups of 2-3 pieces and kept at home at a temperature of +20 ... + 22 ° C. Young plants appear after 2 weeks. Due to the weak root system, in order to avoid injury, nasturtium seedlings should not be dived; young plants are recommended to be immediately planted at a constant place of growth together with an earthen lump or peat cups. Pre-young plants are recommended to be hardened: with the onset of warm weather, it is recommended to take them out for several hours into the air. Nasturtium will begin to bloom in 4-6 weeks.
New or terry varieties of nasturtium can be propagated by cuttings, which should be rooted in wet sand or water. This method allows you to accurately preserve the species features of the variety.
Nasturtium: planting and care in the open ground
The temperature for the active development of nasturtium should not fall below 16 ° C. The care of the garden beauty consists in stable irrigation and periodic weeding, required to ensure air access to the roots of the plant and preserve moisture in the soil. If unwillingness or impossibility of holding weeds can be applied, mulching the soil.
During the period of active growth of nasturtium, abundant watering should be provided, which must be reduced as soon as the plant enters the flowering phase. Moisture should be applied only as the soil dries; with constantly wet soil, the plant will only grow green mass.
To stimulate flowering and give the plant a neat, well-groomed appearance, it is recommended to remove wilted flowers in a timely manner.
Feeding activities
Before flowering, nasturtium should be fed potassium-phosphorus fertilizers every week. It is not recommended to use preparations containing nitrogen for such an ornamental plant as nasturtium. Planting and care in the open ground in autumn is a deep digging of the soil and burning the tops of the plant.
Diseases and pests of nasturtium
Nasturtium is an amazing plant that is not interested in omnivorous pests such as Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, aphids, and cabbage. Therefore, it is recommended to plant such a useful crop between beds with potatoes, cabbage, eggplant, pepper. This will significantly reduce the number of summer pests and preserve the crop of vegetables.
Of the diseases, the plant can be affected by bacterial wilting, characterized by weakening of the lower leaves and the gradual death of the entire plant. Brown dry spots on the leaf plates of the flower show gray rot, and black stains - rust. Plants affected by such diseases are recommended to be removed and burned, and healthy specimens treated with insecticides.
Medicinal properties of the plant
Nasturtium, planting and caring in the open ground for which true gardeners bring real pleasure, has long been valued as a medicinal plant and is used to stimulate hair growth, in the treatment of skin rashes, kidney stones, anemia, vitamin deficiency.
Helps to cope with depression, irritability and stress. The high content of vitamin C allows the successful use of nasturtium in the fight against scurvy, and the volatile and provitamin A present in the composition help with atherosclerosis and restore metabolism. Plant essential oil is effective for vascular diseases.
Cooking Application
Nasturtium, planting and care in the open ground for which are weeding and regular watering, is successfully used in cooking: for decorating dishes, as a component for salads and soups. Dried and crushed seeds can successfully replace black ground pepper. The fruits of nasturtium in a marinated form taste very similar to capers. Moreover, they are prepared quite simply: it is required to cut off the immature buds from the plant, wash, dry, arrange them in sterilized glass jars, pour hot marinade (the same as for cucumbers). Close tight. Use as seasoning for fish and meat dishes, add to soups and hodgepodge.
To prepare the original light salad, you need to wash the young leaves of nasturtium well, chop, combine with greens, lemon juice. Salt, season with berry vinegar or sour cream.