Torenia

Of the genus Torenia, which includes about 50 herbaceous tropical annual and perennial species, only a few are used for decorative purposes due to the long abundant flowering (throughout the summer and until the first cold weather). They are usually grown as annuals. The species Torenia fournieri has long been cultivated - not very stable, 30-40 cm high, erect and very branched, with pointed toothed ovate light green leaves. The flowers are tubular, blue, with blue and yellow spots in the throat. From this species, many cultivars with white and pink flowers were obtained, among them: 'White' with white flowers, 'Large-flowered' with larger flowers than in the botanical species. Some other types: torenia is dark purple (T. atropurpurea) with purple-red flowers, torenia is yellow (T. flava) - the flowers have a yellow tube with a purple upper lip and yellow with red spots below, and torenia is stiff-haired (T. hirsuta) with purple-blue flowers with a pubescent calyx. There are several decorative species with drooping shoots and beautiful flowers, which are excellent ampel plants.

Of the genus Torenia, which includes about 50 herbaceous tropical annual and perennial species, only a few are used for decorative purposes due to the long abundant flowering (throughout the summer and until the first cold weather). They are usually grown as annuals.

The species Torenia fournieri has long been cultivated - not very stable, 30-40 cm high, erect and very branched, with pointed toothed ovate light green leaves. The flowers are tubular, blue, with blue and yellow spots in the throat. From this species, many cultivars with white and pink flowers were obtained, among them: 'White' with white flowers, 'Large-flowered' with larger flowers than in the botanical species.

Some other types: torenia is dark purple (T. atropurpurea) with purple-red flowers, torenia is yellow (T. flava) - the flowers have a yellow tube with a purple upper lip and yellow with red spots below, and torenia is stiff-haired (T. hirsuta) with purple-blue flowers with a pubescent calyx. There are several decorative species with drooping shoots and beautiful flowers, which are excellent ampel plants.

Cultivation

Plants belonging to the genus Thoria are grown in the open ground in flower beds or in pots on balconies and terraces, as well as at home. They are planted in the ground in early spring, in any moistened garden land. Plants are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. When growing in pots, the soil is made up of peat (50%), leaf humus (30%) and sand (20%) with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. Once every 2 weeks, a mineral complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Location

In the open air, they need partial shade, and at home - a bright place, protected from the bright midday rays of the sun.

Temperature

Room culture - room temperature is not lower than 16-18 °C.

Watering

It should be frequent and abundant when grown both in the open ground and in pots. The soil should always be moderately moist, but without excessive dampness.

Care

Remove withered flowers and damaged parts of the plant.

Reproduction

Very small seeds of torenia are sown in March, in boxes filled with seed soil (without embedding in the soil), and left at a temperature of at least 18-20 °C. As soon as the shoots grow up, they are dived 2-3 times in cups or multi-seat cassettes, pinched and put in a closed, unheated room. Then planted in the ground.

Diseases

If the soil is not wet enough, and the plants are standing in a very bright place, the shoots are very elongated and become poorly decorative. They can be treated with retardates to make them compact. Torenias are not often damaged by pests and diseases.

Acquisition

Torenia can be found in gardening centers and nurseries. It is better to buy different varieties of Torenia Fournier, which are characterized by long flowering.