Molucella

The genus Molucella includes 4 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants. Only those grown as annuals are described here. Molucella smooth (Molucella laevis) is an unstable species with a height of 45-60 cm, with round light green leaves. The flowers are small, white and fragrant, wrapped in a very eye-catching light green calyx. They bloom in June. Molucella spiny (M. spinosa) - an erect species up to 1 m high. Deeply divided or lobed dissected leaves from egg-shaped to heart-shaped, up to b cm in diameter, are rarely located on branches, in a spiral. At the base of the flowers - prickly bracts. The calyx is two-pronged, the upper lip is located at an angle of 90°, with one strong prickle, the lower one - with 7-10 prickles. The corolla is white velvety, up to 4 cm in diameter. The flowers bloom in late summer.

The genus Molucella includes 4 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants. Only those grown as annuals are described here.

Molucella smooth (Molucella laevis) is an unstable species with a height of 45-60 cm, with round light green leaves. The flowers are small, white and fragrant, wrapped in a very eye-catching light green calyx. They bloom in June.

Molucella spiny (M. spinosa) - an erect species up to 1 m high. Deeply divided or lobed dissected leaves from egg-shaped to heart-shaped, up to b cm in diameter, are rarely located on branches, in a spiral. At the base of the flowers - prickly bracts. The calyx is two-pronged, the upper lip is located at an angle of 90°, with one strong prickle, the lower one - with 7-10 prickles. The corolla is white velvety, up to 4 cm in diameter. The flowers bloom in late summer.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Molucella are grown in the open ground, mainly in borders and as flowers for cutting, which can be dried and used in winter bouquets. They are also cultivated in pots on balconies and terraces. Plant at the final planting site in May. In the open ground, the soil should be fertile, with the addition of peat (170 l /m2) and complex fertilizer (30 g/m2). Plants are planted at a distance of 25 cm from each other. When growing in pots, use a soil mixture consisting of 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. In both cases, in spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-20 g per bucket.

Plants of the genus Molucella are grown in the open ground, mainly in borders and as flowers for cutting, which can be dried and used in winter bouquets. They are also cultivated in pots on balconies and terraces. Plant at the final planting site in May.

In the open ground, the soil should be fertile, with the addition of peat (170 l /m2) and complex fertilizer (30 g/m2). Plants are planted at a distance of 25 cm from each other. When growing in pots, use a soil mixture consisting of 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. In both cases, in spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-20 g per bucket.

Location

To get strong plants, you need an open sunny place.

Temperature

Plants of the genus Molucella are resistant to high air temperature.

Watering

Water regularly, especially if there is insufficient precipitation.

Care

Remove withered flowers and yellowed damaged leaves.

Reproduction

Sowing of seeds is carried out immediately to a permanent place, in the spring, then the shoots are thinned out. If you want the plants to develop earlier, sow the seeds in boxes at the very beginning of spring, keep them in a cool room at a temperature of 15-18 °C. As soon as the seedlings get stronger, they are thinned out, transplanted into a mixture of peat (70%) and sand (30%), add 20 g of complex fertilizer to a bucket of soil and leave alone until finally planted in the ground, in May.

Diseases

Various types of fungi of the genus Myrothecium cause wilting of the base of the stems, and in the most serious cases - the death of the plant. Treatment with copper-and zinc-containing drugs is performed to prevent the spread of the disease, since treatment is difficult at a late stage. To avoid infection, change the planting site every year.

Acquisition

Molucella in containers can be found in nurseries and gardening centers. Choose compact seedlings without signs of rotting of the root neck.