Tropaeolum

The genus of Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) has about 80 species - herbaceous annual or perennial, often climbing plants of different sizes: from 20 cm to several meters. Many types of nasturtiums do not tolerate even the lightest frosts; they are used for various purposes. Perennials are often grown as annuals. Flowers are large with a spur, yellow, orange, red, single axillary with a spicy aroma. Large nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a perennial plant that is always grown as an annual. This is a compact shrub up to 30 cm high or creeping and branching (up to 3 m). The leaves are long-stemmed, rounded, uneven, green or purple-tinged. Flowers are simple or double, single, fragrant yellow, bright orange, red, salmon-pink. Many varieties have been obtained from this species. There are varieties of nasturtiums of bushy and climbing forms with simple, semi-double and double flowers. Foreign nasturtium (T. peregrinum, or T. canadensis) is a perennial species. If the winter is warm, it is grown in the open ground. In cold climates, it is usually cultivated as an annualist; it is a climbing plant with shield-shaped leaves. In summer and autumn, yellow flowers with a fringed edge and a yellow - green spur bloom. Multi-leaved nasturtium (T. polyphyllum) is a plant with a fleshy creeping stem covered with thyroid-shaped, dark green leaves divided into lobes. In June, yellow or orange flowers appear, smaller than those of the large nasturtium. Nasturtium tuberous (t. tuberosum) is a tuberous climbing plant with bluish-green five-lobed leaves. Yellow-orange flowers 3-5 cm long with a reddish spur appear rather late compared to other species. The Early Flowering variety is characterized by a long and early flowering period: from early summer to October.

The genus of Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) has about 80 species - herbaceous annual or perennial, often climbing plants of different sizes: from 20 cm to several meters. Many types of nasturtiums do not tolerate even the lightest frosts; they are used for various purposes. Perennials are often grown as annuals. Flowers are large with a spur, yellow, orange, red, single axillary with a spicy aroma.

Large nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a perennial plant that is always grown as an annual. This is a compact shrub up to 30 cm high or creeping and branching (up to 3 m). The leaves are long-stemmed, rounded, uneven, green or purple-tinged. Flowers are simple or double, single, fragrant yellow, bright orange, red, salmon-pink. Many varieties have been obtained from this species. There are varieties of nasturtiums of bushy and climbing forms with simple, semi-double and double flowers.

Foreign nasturtium (T. peregrinum, or T. canadensis) is a perennial species. If the winter is warm, it is grown in the open ground. In cold climates, it is usually cultivated as an annualist; it is a climbing plant with shield-shaped leaves. In summer and autumn, yellow flowers with a fringed edge and a yellow - green spur bloom.

Multi-leaved nasturtium (T. polyphyllum) is a plant with a fleshy creeping stem covered with thyroid-shaped, dark green leaves divided into lobes. In June, yellow or orange flowers appear, smaller than those of the large nasturtium.

Nasturtium tuberous (t. tuberosum) is a tuberous climbing plant with bluish-green five-lobed leaves. Yellow-orange flowers 3-5 cm long with a reddish spur appear rather late compared to other species. The Early Flowering variety is characterized by a long and early flowering period: from early summer to October.

Cultivation

Nasturtiums are grown outdoors in the garden and in flower beds or in pots and flower boxes, and climbing and creeping species in hanging containers are widely used for decorating various flower beds. Nasturtiums like sunny or slightly shaded areas. During flowering, regular watering and fertilizing with a moderate amount of complex mineral fertilizers (once every 3 weeks) is mandatory. If the plants are medium and small, then leave a distance of 30-40 cm between them, and 1 m between tall species. Plant nasturtiums in fertile, well-loosened and moistened soil. Fertilizers are applied during planting prolonged action; it is not recommended to apply fresh manure. In cold climates, nasturtium tubers are removed from the ground in the fall and stored in a protected place in a box with dry peat. In autumn, perennial species are pruned to the base. Nasturtium blooms in 1.5-2 months after sowing, and flowering continues until frost.

Location

Annual species and varieties are usually grown in the sun. Both sun and partial shade are suitable for perennial species, while foreign nasturtium prefers a semi-shaded area.

Temperature

They are not resistant to low air temperatures, and many of the described species do not tolerate even light frosts.

Watering

Water regularly, constantly keeping the soil in a moderately moist state, avoiding excessive humidity.

Transplant

It is produced in late winter or early spring in a similar soil as recommended for cultivation. They must be transplanted with a lump.

Care

Remove withered flowers and damaged or diseased plants.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds that are sown either directly in the open ground to a permanent place in the spring, when frosts have passed, or in April in greenhouses and greenhouses in pots or cups of 1-2 seeds. Later, the seedlings obtained in this way are planted in flower beds. Perennial species can be propagated by dividing in the spring and the resulting parts are immediately planted in the ground or pots.

Diseases

Leaf beetles and green aphids are eliminated by treating plants with insecticides, such as pirimor.

Acquisition

Seeds of numerous varieties of nasturtium majus can be found without difficulty. When buying seedlings, check that it is healthy and there are no pests on it. Choose compact plants with closely spaced internodes.