The flowering plant Lavatera trimestris (Lavatera trimestris) is one of the species of the Malvaceae family. She appeared in the gardens of Europe and Asia in ancient times. Over the past 300 years, as a result of selection, many varieties of this flower have appeared. The strong, erect stems of the plant with long lateral branches are covered with bright green leaves and many funnel-shaped flowers. Lavatera fell in love with many due to its beauty, unpretentiousness and became a true decoration of gardens and personal plots.
When to plant Lavatera seeds: general timing
Lavatera seeds are not too small and have a high germination rate. Amicable shoots appear within a week. Sowing seeds in the ground should be done when the ground warms up to a temperature of 15 ° C and there is no longer any threat of frost.
Flower, boll and seeds of annual lavater
Flowers on plants bloom two months after germination. Taking into account climatic features, the recommendations are as follows:
- In southern regions with a warm climate, it is necessary to sow seeds in the ground in early April. Growing lavater from seeds is the best way for these places.
- In the middle lane, sowing seeds in the ground is possible in early May, in this case flowers will appear in July. To bring flowering closer, the seedling method is used with planting seeds for seedlings in March.
In some cases, growing with the help of seedlings is preferable on the basis of such considerations: while the seedlings are growing at home, you can carefully prepare a place for planting it.
The best days to plant in 2019 according to the lunar calendar: table
The theory of the influence of the Moon on the rhythms of plant development claims that all activities related to the cultures in which we want to develop the above-ground part should be carried out with the growing moon, that is, during the periods when the moon is in the first two quarters of the lunar cycle. At the moment the moon passes through certain zodiacal constellations, its influence either increases or decreases.
Based on the lunar calendar, you can find out when is the best time to plant lavender when grown from seed.
What varieties to choose for your garden
When deciding which seed variety to buy, you need to plan exactly how these flowers will look in the garden. Whether it will be a tall trellis strewn with large single-color flowers, or a separate group of exotic colored plants, or a multi-colored flower bed with medium-sized flowers.
When purchasing seeds, you should familiarize yourself with the description of the variety and pay attention to the height of the stem and color of flowers. The rest of the varieties of Lavater are similar to each other. Plants bloom throughout the summer. Despite the fact that each flower lives only a few days, more and more new buds bloom to replace it.
Silver bowl
This variety grows up to 90 cm, flowers of bright pink color with a silvery bloom and bright stripes reach a diameter of 10 cm.
Melange
Melange is a cold-resistant and unpretentious variety. The height of the plant can reach 1 m, and flowers up to 10 cm in size can have a color from snow-white and light pink to scarlet.
Mont Blanc
The name of the Mont Blanc variety is associated with a snowy peak. Plants are up to 90 cm high and have large snow-white flowers.
Silk and cashmere
The 80 cm high variety has very large salmon and bright pink flowers, collected in racemose inflorescences. The very long sturdy stems of the flowers make them suitable for cutting.
Tanagra
The variety has a height of up to 50 cm and is suitable for creating borders.
Novella
In the Novella lavater, the first graceful openwork flowers bloom early, when it is still low, only 20 cm.Further, it continues to grow up to 60 cm.
Malvina
The Altai variety is distinguished by its hardiness to unfavorable conditions. It grows up to a height of 60 cm, has bright flowers up to 9 cm.
Beauty
The variety seduces with the delicate color of its inflorescences.
Ruby
Plants of the Rubin variety with its low, strong stems 50 cm high and large up to 10 cm bright red flowers, planted in a compact group, form a spectacular bright bush.
Thuringian (Thuringian)
Thuringian Lavatera (Lavátera thuringíaca) is another species of the mallow family that can decorate the garden and thrive in any climate. This perennial lavatera has several decorative, showy varieties, for example, Barnsley Baby, which grows up to 2 m and is famous for its delicate pink flowers.
How to sow seeds and care for seedlings
When preparing seeds, you should pay attention to their age. Good germination is guaranteed for two years, in the third year the germination ability is lost by more than 50%. Seed stratification is optional.
The soil for planting lavatera seeds is prepared by mixing equal parts of garden soil and humus.
When planting seedlings, it is advisable to make it in such a way as to exclude the picking stage in the future.
- Prepare containers with drainage holes at least 10 cm deep, cover the bottom with a drainage layer (expanded clay, pebbles).
- Fill the container with prepared soil and pour water over it.
- Plant the seeds no deeper than 1 cm at intervals of 5 cm, then cover with transparent material.
- Remove condensation periodically and moisten the ground as necessary.
- Provide good lighting when seedlings emerge.
- After a week, remove the shelter, lower the temperature to avoid excessive stretching of the seedlings.
When planting in the ground:
- Pour the prepared soil with warm water, plant the seeds in holes 1 cm deep, sprinkle with earth and cover with foil.
- When the seedlings rise to a height of 5 cm, remove the shelter, water as needed.
- Weed and loosen the soil in a timely manner.
During the entire period before planting in a permanent place, carefully monitor the condition of the seedlings: moisten the soil and loosen it in time, ensure uniform illumination. At the stage of 4-6 leaves, the seedlings are ready for planting in a permanent place. By the time of planting in the ground, the seedlings will be strong enough, but not overgrown.
How to maintain the beauty of a Lavatera all summer long
Finished seedlings should be planted in a permanent place after the last frost.
Lavatera is unpretentious, but on well-fertilized, compost-containing and humus soil, it will reach its maximum height and abundant flowering.
In the final determination of the permanent location, it is advisable to consider the following:
- tall plants will soon need support, since even strong stems cannot withstand strong gusts of wind and squall rain;
- high varieties can eventually lose leaves and flowers at the bottom of the stem, so it is recommended to place lower plants in front of them;
- when planting a perennial variety, remember that in this place the plant will grow for several years, form a voluminous tall bush and will also need support.
Seedlings should be planted at a distance of 15-25 cm, depending on the variety, in circular groups or three-four-row trellis.
The use of lavater in landscape design with flowerpots is not limited
Further care is as follows:
- with a prolonged absence of precipitation, the plants must be watered abundantly;
- exclude deep loosening;
- a month after planting, fertilize with complex fertilizers;
- tie up too spreading plants to a support so that they do not look sloppy;
- for more abundant flowering, remove faded flowers, preventing seeds from forming;
- withering flowers after rain or watering not only lose their attractiveness, but also damage the leaves, they must be removed in time.
Disadvantages of caring for tall lavater – falling bushes and careless appearance of the entire composition
Care errors:
- the lack of support for tall varieties leads to the collapse of plants;
- unremoved fruit pods inhibit the appearance of new flower buds;
- fading flowers completely lose their beauty after a shower.
Due to the fact that Lavatera is a fast-growing, very bright plant with many shades, an experimental gardener can transform his garden every year, coloring it in different ways, like an artist painting with large strokes. To do this, he does not need much work or much time.
