Beautiful large and vibrant flowers adorning household plots and gardens near houses in the countryside. The name of these flowers is mallow. It is about them that will be discussed in our article.
What is mallow
This plant belongs to the family of malvaceae. Mallows are divided according to the method of planting on annual plants and biennials. The stem height can reach two meters, the diameter of the flowers is about 12 cm. The flowers have the shape of bells, and their petals are similar to hearts. This flower seems to be created for growing along fences, fences or near the walls of houses. In addition, he is unpretentious, beautiful and has a number of healing properties.
Species and varieties
More than sixty varieties and varieties of mallow have been grown from an annual forest plant called mallow forest. It would seem a lot. True, an unequivocal answer to the question of what is mallow, is not so simple to give, since some types of these flowers, according to some gardeners, cannot be assigned to this family. Nevertheless, their distinguishing features are so insignificant that it would be more expedient to combine all these varieties into one family. Consider some varieties:
Annual or forest. What is forest mallow? This plant is also popularly called fist. Actually, this flower is two-year-old, but it is grown here as an annual. The stem height of the forest mallow reaches 1–1.2 meters, the flowers are of a purple hue with darker veins, with a diameter of 5-7 cm.
Perennial mallow, or musky. This plant has low, up to one meter long stems. Musk mallow flowers are light pink and white, about five centimeters in size. This malva blooms until the frost.
Sudanese mallow, aka Sudanese rose, or scientifically - Sabdariff's hibiscus. This plant can have both a tree-like and bushy form. Flowers are white with a dark red core. The fruits of this plant are used in the manufacture of fruit drinks and have medicinal properties.
The mallow is wrinkled. In the wild, it can reach two meters in height. In a cultivated form, it grows up to 90 cm, and some dwarf species only up to 70 cm. It blooms in simple white or semi-double and double peony-like flowers.
Hybrid mallow - a perennial plant with several stems, grows up to two meters in height. Blooms in very large colors of white and pink shades.
Of course, in order to describe all varieties of mallow, it will take much more time, therefore only the most common and popular varieties of this flower are mentioned.
Methods for growing mallow
As for the methods of growing flowers, there are two. The first is shown in the photo of planting mallow below in the article.
The second is growing a two-year-old plant. The first method is practiced if the grower needs a plant to bloom in the same year that it was planted. To do this, at the end of winter, seeds are sown for seedlings, and seedlings themselves are planted in open ground in late spring - early summer. In all other cases, the second method of planting is used, in which at the beginning of July or in September seeds are sown in open ground, or seedlings are planted in autumn. Mallow will bloom the very next year after planting.
Soil preparation
Before planting flowers, the soil must first be prepared. It is thoroughly loosened and fertilized. Optimal will be mulching with its humus. For this, 25% of sand, 25% of humus and 50% of the soil from the site are taken. All mix and moisturize. And you can sow seeds or plant seedlings.
How and when to sow mallow
And now about the most important thing. I must say that in the sun the flowers of the mallow will be much brighter, and the length of the plant itself will be longer. Also, mallow does not like excess moisture, so it will be better to grow on an elevation. The annual mallow is planted in late May. Two years - in late August, early September.
Planting mallow with seeds is carried out either in late spring or early autumn. The distance between the holes should be approximately 40 centimeters. Planting is sprinkled with peat. For the winter it is warmed with straw or fallen leaves. Spring early shoots will also need to be insulated from frost. For seedlings, seeds are best sown in peat pots. It is also necessary to use peat soil. Sprouts will need additional illumination, they will have to be sprayed periodically. The optimum temperature regime is 18-20 degrees. Periodically, the sprouts need to be tempered, taking them out for 30-40 minutes in a cooler place. Here, perhaps, are all the basic nuances regarding the proper planting of these plants.
Care
As already mentioned, the plant is unpretentious. Therefore, the mallow flower and care does not require very complicated. Periodically, it requires watering, the abundance of which directly depends on how dry the weather is. We must not forget to weed and loosen the soil. Before buds begin to form, plants need to be fed with mineral fertilizers. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are optimal. As the stem grows, it is necessary to tie it up - that’s all the care. As for diseases and pests, slugs are one of the main enemies of mallow. They need to be assembled by hand. A very good way to deal with slugs is to have a few cups with a little beer. A day after installing the plates under the flowers, all the slugs will crawl to them, and all that remains is to take and throw out the pests. Sometimes mallow can be affected by powdery mildew. It is treated with specialized fungicide. If flowers grow near metal fences, their leaves may become rusty. Such leaves must be burned.
The healing properties of mallow
Mallow has long been known for its healing properties. For example, tincture from its leaves and flowers helps treat gastrointestinal upsets. A decoction of mallow flowers relieves skin irritation and has an antiseptic effect on wounds. The grass of forest mallow is included in numerous breast collections. Also, the flower is used in medical cosmetology.
Definitely in response to the question "What is mallow?" we can say with confidence - this is a universal flower, the contemplation of which pleases the eye, calms the nerves, and also helps to cure various ailments!