Solanum

The genus Solanum, or Nightshade (Solanum), is numerous, includes more than 1000 species, including solanum or tuberous nightshade, simply potato (Solanum tuberosum) and eggplant (S. melongena). There are also various decorative types. In mild climates, curly nightshade (S. crispum) and jasmine nightshade (S. jasminoides) are suitable for growing in the open ground. There are also houseplants, such as pepper nightshade (S. capsicastrum) and false-feather nightshade (S. preudocapsicum), which are especially appreciated for the decorative nature of elegant berries. Pepper nightshade (S. capsicastrum), often also called "winter cherry", is a relatively stable shrub up to 40-50 cm high. It is often cultivated; there are several varieties. Elongated-lanceolate regular leaves are colored dark green. White star-shaped flowers are poorly decorative. But in their place appear green, glossy rounded berry-like fruits, which gradually during the winter acquire a bright orange or red color. These fruits are non-poisonous, but inedible and unpleasant to the taste, so keep them away from children. Curly nightshade (S. crispum) - a climbing evergreen or semi-evergreen (depending on climatic conditions in winter, the leaves may remain on the plant or fall off). The plant can grow up to 4-5 m in height. Ovate alternate leaves are dark green on the upper side, lighter on the reverse. Purple-blue star-shaped flowers are collected in corymbs. Nightshade jasminoides - another climbing semi-evergreen species. Compound leaves consist of 3-5 ovate or ovate-lanceolate glossy light green leaflets. Inflorescences - short brushes of white flowers with a transition to blue color.

The genus Solanum, or Nightshade (Solanum), is numerous, includes more than 1000 species, including solanum or tuberous nightshade, simply potato (Solanum tuberosum) and eggplant (S. melongena). There are also various decorative types. In mild climates, curly nightshade (S. crispum) and jasmine nightshade (S. jasminoides) are suitable for growing in the open ground. There are also houseplants, such as pepper nightshade (S. capsicastrum) and false-feather nightshade (S. preudocapsicum), which are especially appreciated for the decorative nature of elegant berries.

Pepper nightshade (S. capsicastrum), often also called "winter cherry", is a relatively stable shrub up to 40-50 cm high. It is often cultivated; there are several varieties. Elongated-lanceolate regular leaves are colored dark green. White star-shaped flowers are poorly decorative. But in their place appear green, glossy rounded berry-like fruits, which gradually during the winter acquire a bright orange or red color. These fruits are non-poisonous, but inedible and unpleasant to the taste, so keep them away from children.

Curly nightshade (S. crispum) - a climbing evergreen or semi-evergreen (depending on climatic conditions in winter, the leaves may remain on the plant or fall off). The plant can grow up to 4-5 m in height. Ovate alternate leaves are dark green on the upper side, lighter on the reverse. Purple-blue star-shaped flowers are collected in corymbs.

Nightshade jasminoides - another climbing semi-evergreen species. Compound leaves consist of 3-5 ovate or ovate-lanceolate glossy light green leaflets. Inflorescences - short brushes of white flowers with a transition to blue color.

Cultivation

Usually nightshade pepper is grown indoors, at home. Climbing plants, such as bittersweet nightshade (S. dulcamara), are planted in the spring under the open sky: on balconies or terraces, as well as in the garden, in a protected place. Potted specimens are grown in a mixture of turf, humus and sand (4: 4:1) with the addition of mineral fertilizers. Plants of the genus Nightshade of open ground are suitable for garden land of any type, as long as drainage is provided. When transplanting adult indoor species, all shoots are cut short. During the growing season, indoor plants are fed once every 20-30 days with irrigation water - a full mineral fertilizer is applied (10 ml per bucket). Flowering plants are often sprayed with water to encourage fruiting.

Usually nightshade pepper is grown indoors, at home. Climbing plants, such as bittersweet nightshade (S. dulcamara), are planted in the spring under the open sky: on balconies or terraces, as well as in the garden, in a protected place. Potted specimens are grown in a mixture of turf, humus and sand (4: 4:1) with the addition of mineral fertilizers.

Plants of the genus Nightshade of open ground are suitable for garden land of any type, as long as drainage is provided. When transplanting adult indoor species, all shoots are cut short. During the growing season, indoor plants are fed once every 20-30 days with irrigation water - a full mineral fertilizer is applied (10 ml per bucket). Flowering plants are often sprayed with water to encourage fruiting.

Location

Representatives of the genus Nightshade are light-loving, prefer a place in the open sun, even direct sunlight, except in the summer months, when the weather may be too hot for plants.

Temperature

In winter, after the fruit falls, it is useful to keep nightshade plants in a cool room at a temperature of 12-15 °C. The optimal summer air temperature is 18-20 °C.

Watering

In summer, water is plentiful and frequent, but water should not stagnate in the soil. In winter, they are rarely watered and only if the soil is almost completely dry. Throughout the growing season, it is extremely important to maintain a moderate humidity of the environment in which the plant exists by frequent spraying with water.

Transplant

Adult specimens are transplanted annually-in late winter and early spring.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds and cuttings. Seeds are placed on the surface of the soil, sprinkled with a thin layer of sand, pots or boxes are kept at a temperature of about 18 °C. The seedlings that appear are exposed to the sun for 2-3 hours every day. Young plants are rolled twice and pinched. Shrubby and climbing plants can be propagated in autumn by semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long. They are placed in cups filled with a mixture of sand and peat (1:1), the temperature is maintained in the range from 13 to 16 °C. Immediately after the formation of roots, cuttings are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 8-10 cm, using a suitable the soil. They are planted in a permanent place in the coming spring.

Diseases

Aphids mainly affect young shoots, treat the plants with anti-aphid drugs. The spider mite settles on the underside of the leaves-there are cobwebs and specks that grow and merge. It is recommended to maintain high humidity around the plants, you can treat it with acaricides. Leaves damaged by gray rot are usually removed, and the plants are treated with sulfur-containing fungicides.

Acquisition

Nightshade is easy to find in flower shops and gardening centers. The best time to buy is the beginning of winter, so that you can admire the fruits that remain on the plant for a long time.