Among the huge number of annuals, the gentle aerial beauty of lobelia occupies a special place. This blue-eyed plant will decorate any garden, gazebo or balcony.
It is famous for its unusual color and abundant long flowering. Many small
flowers of blue shades - lilac,
blue, dark blue, blue, purple - form whole air caps. There are even red and white varieties of lobelia. Her flowers are somewhat reminiscent of geranium flowers in miniature - the same gamut of colors.
Withstands lobelia ampelous growing in any conditions. Cascades of flowering plants look good both in hanging baskets and in flowerpots. They are ideal for decorating balconies outside if planted in long pots. Lobelia is ideal as a groundcover on an alpine hill. Its magnificent flowering looks excellent on flower beds, rabatka, along the curbs.
But in order for this beautiful tender plant to decorate everything around, you need to work hard, because it is not very easy to grow seedlings. And although today ampel lobelia is always sold on the market or in a flower shop, growing it with your own hands is much more interesting.
Lobelia breeding begins with the harvesting of seeds. Here it is better to trust professionals and buy them in company stores of trusted gardening organizations. The whole problem is that the lobelia seeds are very, very small, and collecting them is quite difficult. And when planting, you need some knowledge to get strong and high-quality seedlings.
In order to ensure that ampel lobelia blooms already in June, its cultivation should begin in late January - early February. Seeds should be sown on moist disinfected soil as little as possible and not sprinkled with earth, since they germinate only in sunlight. It is better to cover the container with seeds scattered on top with a film or glass and put in a warm, well-lit place. At the same time, do not forget to regularly ventilate so that mold does not form.
It is not recommended to remove the film from the container immediately after emergence, it is necessary to do this gradually. By the way, weak and tender sprouts that appeared after 10-15 days develop very slowly.
Patient loves lobelia growing. Ampel lobelia, as well as its other species, is prone to many diseases at an early age. Therefore, young seedlings should be watered with a light pink, weak solution of potassium permanganate and constantly monitor so that the earthen lump does not dry out.
In order to get sturdy bushes, you need to dive the plant. The most suitable time for this is the formation of the first pair of true leaves. Alternatively, ready-made peat tablets can be used to grow lobelia . Then the plant will not need to dive, and the whole bunch can be immediately planted in the ground. The best conditions for the further development of seedlings are light, cool windowsill. If there is not enough light (this often happens in winter, if the plant stands on the north window, then lighting is necessary. With a lack of lighting, the lobelia shoots immediately stretch out.
Water regime is another problem. With an excess of moisture, weak sprouts are covered with mold, when the earthen coma is overdried, the leaves instantly curl into a tube.
If you are not inclined to mess with the plant, and ampel lobelia takes too much time, growing from seeds with your own hands can be replaced by buying ready-made seedlings. Then it will be enough just to plant flowers in a container and water. And, of course, admire the inflorescences until late autumn.