Sanvitalia

The genus Sanvitalia contains 7 herbaceous annual and perennial species. As an ornamental plant, a single species is grown - Sanvitalia prostrate (Sanvitalia procumbens) - a stable annual plant with a height of 15 cm. Creeping shoots are covered with small egg-shaped leaves. The diameter of the baskets that open in summer is 2-3 cm; the marginal, lingual flowers are yellow, and the median, tubular, brown or dark purple. In the variety 'Terry', the flowers are respectively terry. In addition, groundcover varieties were developed.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Sanvitalia are grown in the open ground in curbs and rock gardens, they can also be cultivated in a pot or even in hanging baskets on balconies and terraces. They prefer light fertile soil, fertilized with organic substances in the amount of 5-7 kg /m2. For potted specimens, a substrate made up of fertile land and peat (1:1) is used, to which a complex long-acting fertilizer is added with a constant release of nutrients of 30 g per bucket. In spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation - 10-15 g per bucket.

Plants of the genus Sanvitalia are grown in the open ground in curbs and rock gardens, they can also be cultivated in a pot or even in hanging baskets on balconies and terraces. They prefer light fertile soil, fertilized with organic substances in the amount of 5-7 kg /m2.

For potted specimens, a substrate made up of fertile land and peat (1:1) is used, to which a complex long-acting fertilizer is added with a constant release of nutrients of 30 g per bucket. In spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation - 10-15 g per bucket.

Location

A place in the open sun promotes better plant growth and more lush flowering.

Temperature

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

Watering

During the spring and summer period, watering should be regular, but avoid stagnation of water.

Care

Remove withered flowers and dry leaves.

Reproduction

In april, when the winter frosts are left behind, the plants are planted in a permanent place in the ground. If you have a heated (15 °C) room at your disposal, you can propagate by sowing seeds in containers filled with seed soil. Then, by april-may, the seedlings have developed enough to be planted in the fresh air. With this method of reproduction, the sanvitalia blooms earlier. Seeds of plants intended for curbs are sown in the ground in the spring. Later, the shoots are thinned out, leaving a distance of 8-10 cm between them.

Diseases

In a dense and cold environment, the probability of damage to the sanvitalia by fungi of the genus Pythium increases, provoking damage to the roots and root neck. Treatment with fungicides and the use of suitable light soil in the future helps.

Acquisition

Seeds are sold in specialty stores. Check the expiration date on which their germination depends. Less commonly found on sale are plants in hanging pots. Make sure that they are compact and well-formed.