Lupinus

The genus Lupine (Lupinus) consists of approximately 200 species of annuals, such as white lupine (Lupinus albus), grown as a forage crop, or perennial herbaceous semi-shrubby or shrubby rather unpretentious plants that prefer acidic soils. Decorative species include: lupine polyphyllus, originating from North America, is a perennial plant with lanceolate leaves and large racemes (40-60 cm long); with red or blue flowers. Roussel's lupines were obtained by breeding the offspring of hybrids bred by crossing tree lupine (L. arboreus), which reaches a height of 3 m, and multi-leaved lupine (L. polyphyllus) and then crossing them with the latter species. This work was carried out by a number of breeders and, in particular, by Georges Roussel himself, who brought out the group of plants bearing his name; it also includes many cultivars. They are often two - or three-color, with a boat (two petals take the form of a ship's keel) and a flag (the upper petal is turned up), various colors, and sometimes with a border, spots or by switching to a different color. Other interesting species: thick-flowered lupine (L. densiflorus), native to California, 60 cm high, with yellow fragrant inflorescences; Hartwegii lupine (L. hartwegii), native to Mexico, 90 cm high, with white, blue, pink and red flowers; pubescent lupine (L. pubescens), an annual plant, comes from Mexico, 60 cm to 1 m high, with white, purple and blue flowers, from of which many varieties have been obtained.

The genus Lupine (Lupinus) consists of approximately 200 species of annuals, such as white lupine (Lupinus albus), grown as a forage crop, or perennial herbaceous semi-shrubby or shrubby rather unpretentious plants that prefer acidic soils.

Decorative species include: lupine polyphyllus, originating from North America, is a perennial plant with lanceolate leaves and large racemes (40-60 cm long); with red or blue flowers.

Roussel's lupines were obtained by breeding the offspring of hybrids bred by crossing tree lupine (L. arboreus), which reaches a height of 3 m, and multi-leaved lupine (L. polyphyllus) and then crossing them with the latter species. This work was carried out by a number of breeders and, in particular, by Georges Roussel himself, who brought out the group of plants bearing his name; it also includes many cultivars. They are often two - or three-color, with a boat (two petals take the form of a ship's keel) and a flag (the upper petal is turned up), various colors, and sometimes with a border, spots or by switching to a different color.

Other interesting species: thick-flowered lupine (L. densiflorus), native to California, 60 cm high, with yellow fragrant inflorescences; Hartwegii lupine (L. hartwegii), native to Mexico, 90 cm high, with white, blue, pink and red flowers; pubescent lupine (L. pubescens), an annual plant, comes from Mexico, 60 cm to 1 m high, with white, purple and blue flowers, from of which many varieties have been obtained.

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in group plantings in the garden, in flower beds or in borders on loose acidic soil. It is important that the soil is fertilized before the summer blooms (but do not apply a lot of nitrogen fertilizers). Inflorescences are partially removed to prolong flowering, and at the end of the season, the lupine is cut off at the root. Perennial species live only a few years.

Location

Lupins are planted in the open sun or in a semi-shaded place.

Temperature

Perennial lupins tolerate relatively harsh winter conditions well.

Watering

In the spring and summer period, watering should be regular.

Reproduction

You can sow seeds directly (without preliminary preparation) in a flower bed or transplant plants obtained during spring cuttings (the only way to propagate bred varieties that allows you to preserve the properties of "the parents"). In the first case, the operation is performed in late summer or early spring, in the second case, the transplant is performed in October.

Diseases

Lupins are susceptible to viral diseases that cause yellowing and browning of the leaves, and in addition, their twisting and the appearance of specks. In this case, the affected plants should be rejected. Oidium provokes the formation of white mold on the surface of green lupine organs. Treatment is carried out with appropriate antifungal (anti-oidium) preparations or sulfur.

Lupins are susceptible to viral diseases that cause yellowing and browning of the leaves, and in addition, their twisting and the appearance of specks.

In this case, the affected plants should be rejected. Oidium provokes the formation of white mold on the surface of green lupine organs. Treatment is carried out with appropriate antifungal (anti-oidium) preparations or sulfur.

Acquisition

You can buy seeds and seedlings of Roussel lupines obtained by cuttings. Remember that such seeds will "give" you flowers that are different from the original plant.