Matthiola

The genus Matthiola includes more than 50 species. These are herbaceous or less often semi-shrubby perennials, biannuals and annuals. Fragrant flowers are collected in loose very spectacular racemes. The most important species is the gray Matthiola (Matthiola incana), which is grown as a biennial in greenhouses for forcing and as an annual for forcing and open ground under the name summer Matthiola (the biennial is called winter Matthiola). Plants up to 100 cm tall, with loose or dense racemose inflorescences. Only double-flowered Matthiolas are decorative (the double flower is kept on the plant more than 2 weeks, idle time - several days). The flowers are fragrant, of various colors. Matthiola bicornis (M. bicornis) is an annual erect, densely branched plant up to 60 cm tall, with linear-lanceolate dark leaves and very fragrant small (1 cm) light lilac and purple flowers blooming in summer, collected in loose brushes more than 20 cm long. Currently, there are more than 100 varieties that are divided into garden groups based on various characteristics (plant shape and height, flowering time, etc.). For example, the Excelsior group combines the tallest (more than 70 cm) single-stemmed plants with dense long (40 cm) racemes of white, pink and purple large flowers on unbranched peduncles. The Brilliant group includes early Matthiola up to 40-50 cm high with dense inflorescences up to 25 cm long. Other groups include plants of various heights with simple or double flowers.

The genus Matthiola includes more than 50 species. These are herbaceous or less often semi-shrubby perennials, biannuals and annuals. Fragrant flowers are collected in loose very spectacular racemes. The most important species is the gray Matthiola (Matthiola incana), which is grown as a biennial in greenhouses for forcing and as an annual for forcing and open ground under the name summer Matthiola (the biennial is called winter Matthiola). Plants up to 100 cm tall, with loose or dense racemose inflorescences. Only double-flowered Matthiolas are decorative (the double flower is kept on the plant more than 2 weeks, idle time - several days). The flowers are fragrant, of various colors. Matthiola bicornis (M. bicornis) is an annual erect, densely branched plant up to 60 cm tall, with linear-lanceolate dark leaves and very fragrant small (1 cm) light lilac and purple flowers blooming in summer, collected in loose brushes more than 20 cm long.

Currently, there are more than 100 varieties that are divided into garden groups based on various characteristics (plant shape and height, flowering time, etc.).

For example, the Excelsior group combines the tallest (more than 70 cm) single-stemmed plants with dense long (40 cm) racemes of white, pink and purple large flowers on unbranched peduncles. The Brilliant group includes early Matthiola up to 40-50 cm high with dense inflorescences up to 25 cm long. Other groups include plants of various heights with simple or double flowers.

Cultivation

Matthiolas are grown in the open ground, in flower beds and borders, for cutting and in pots: on balconies and terraces. The soils are demanding, you need a fertile calcareous land, enriched with organic and mineral fertilizers. It is not recommended to apply fresh manure. The plant is light-loving, with different reactions to the length of the day. The main conditions for successful cultivation are light and low temperature. Once every 2 weeks, liquid fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 ml per bucket.

Location

They usually prefer a very well-lit place, but they can also grow in partial shade. In case of heavy shading, they grow poorly.

Temperature

Matthiolas are resistant to both high and low temperatures, with the exception of prolonged frosts. The optimal air temperature is in the range from 10-12 to 18 °C.

Watering

Plants in open ground should be watered regularly, avoiding stagnation of water. For potted crops, you should always keep the ground slightly moist.

Transplant

Transplanting into a new pot - each time a larger size - is performed in the spring, until the diameter of the next one reaches 15 cm. Use the same soil as when planting.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed; sow in several periods, starting from the end of winter in boxes for growing seedlings, filled with fine-grained soil, slightly deepening the seeds into it. Biennial and perennial species are sown in the summer in the open ground. Shoots appear quickly, in 5-7 days. Matthiolas do not withstand transplanting well, so they are unpicked into separate pots 2 weeks after the emergence of shoots. In May, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

Diseases

Some insects, such as aphids, are carriers of viral diseases that lead to dwarfism, plant deformity, mosaic stems and leaves, and mottled flowers. Insect vectors are eliminated with the help of special preparations. Fungi cause the appearance of inflows on the roots, gray rot develops on the leaves and shoots, white pustules are formed, leaves and peduncles are deformed, spots appear on the leaves, and their browning begins. When symptoms of fungal diseases appear, the plant is treated with fungicides.

Some insects, such as aphids, are carriers of viral diseases that lead to dwarfism, plant deformity, mosaic stems and leaves, and mottled flowers. Insect vectors are eliminated with the help of special preparations.

Fungi cause the appearance of inflows on the roots, gray rot develops on the leaves and shoots, white pustules are formed, leaves and peduncles are deformed, spots appear on the leaves, and their browning begins. When symptoms of fungal diseases appear, the plant is treated with fungicides.

Acquisition

Prepared seedlings can be purchased in flower nurseries, horticultural centers and other retail outlets, but remember that they are grown in limited quantities. And the seeds are easy enough to find.