Ampelia lobelia is widely used for landscaping balconies and verandas; it is placed in hanging baskets and flowerpots. These plants attract abundant and long flowering, as well as a variety of flower colors.
Lobelia of ampel varieties have shoots up to 40-50 cm in length. They branch heavily, forming a lush bush. The stems, having reached a height of 20-25 cm, begin to bend and lower. The result is a real cascade of flowers. The leaves are small oval in shape. Flowers ranging in size from 1 to 2 cm. Varieties with white, blue, blue, violet, purple and pink flowers are bred. The flowering period lasts from May to the first frost.
White lobelia
For your information! Despite the fact that some varieties are called red, breeders have not yet received a true red color for corollas. The maximum may be dark pink or purple.
Habitat habitat
The genus Lobelia has over 300 species. This cosmopolitan plant, that is, spread over most of the globe. The most populated by them are the subtropics. Therefore, lobelia in a temperate climate is mainly grown as an annual. In Russia, representatives of this genus are also found in natural habitats. For example, lobelia Dortman (Lobelia Dortmanna L.), lobelia squamous (Lobelia Sessilifolia). For decorative purposes, mainly 20 species are grown.
Ampel lobelia differ in the length of the shoots, the size of the leaves and flowers, as well as in the color of the buds. Early flowering varieties were developed.
White:
- Regatta Blue Splash blooms with white and blue flowers. It differs in early flowering (almost a month earlier than other varieties). The plant branches strongly, because of this the bush looks voluminous;
- The White Cascade blooms in June and blooms until September. It is cold resistant. This cascading white lobelia, care and cultivation of which consists in abundant watering and timely top dressing;
- Regatta White is characterized by lush flowering, rapid growth.
Lobelia Variety Regatta Marine Blue
Blue:
- The blue cascade grows 25 cm high, the flowers are small (1 cm), but there are many of them. Flowering since mid-June. Withstands shade and cool summers;
- The Regatta Marine Blue has an intense bright blue color. Spring flowering variety.
Blue:
- ampel lobelia Regatta Sapphire. The color of the petals has a deep shade of blue, resembling a gem of the same name. Early flowering plant;
- Sapphire blooms later than Regatta Sapphire, but differs in endurance to cold. Photophilous variety;
- Lobelia Niagara ampelous - dense bush. Shoots up to 40 cm in length. Flowering begins in June and ends in autumn. Leaves and flowers are small.
Red:
- ampel lobelia The red cascade in warm areas is grown as a perennial. Corollas are painted pink with purple;
- The marquise has a cascading shape with red flowers. Abundantly flowering;
- Serpentine lives up to its name. It differs in multi-colored coloring of flowers, which can be violet, blue, blue, lilac, white.
Lobelia is not demanding in care. For their successful cultivation and abundant flowering, you need:
- sun or partial shade;
- loamy or sandy loamy soil types with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. If the earth is heavy, then stagnation of water is possible, as a result of which the fungus develops a black leg;
- moderate watering without prolonged drying of the soil;
- fertilizer application. In the process of growth, they are fed with nitrogen fertilizer, with budding - with potassium phosphorus.
The seeds are very small, so when planted they are mixed with dry sand in a ratio of 1:50.
Note! You can sow them on a thin layer of snow in the tank, at the same time the seeds will be stratified - a little cooling, then they will sprout faster and more friendly.
Lobelia seeds
Sowing is carried out during an intensive increase in a sunny day in February-March. Then the seedlings will not stretch due to lack of light. They do not need to be sprinkled with earth, it is enough to maintain soil moisture, sometimes ventilating the tank.
Note! To save moisture, cover the container with glass or plastic wrap. Watering is done from the spray gun.
After a couple of weeks, the seedlings sprout. The airing time is gradually increased, and then the coating is completely removed. When the first true leaves grow in seedlings and shoots reach 3-4 cm in height, they are dived. Upon reaching a growth of 6-7 cm, it is recommended to pinch the plants to increase their branching.
This is a more effective way to preserve the varietal qualities of the parent plant. For this, a healthy, strong instance is selected. Cuttings should be without flowers, otherwise they will spend on flowering strength. The length of the segments should be 8-10 cm. For better rooting, you can use the root-forming agent: root, heteroauxin, epin. Then the cuttings are placed in water or pre-prepared soil.
When the spring frosts pass, seedlings can be planted on the street. Lobelia can withstand slight cooling with a decrease in temperature to 0 ° C. At this time, you can insulate it with covering material. Typically, average daily weather should reach 15 ° C.
The distance between plants should be 10-15 cm. Seedlings are planted in well-spilled holes, and after planting, the land is shed again.
Note! If the acidity of the soil is increased, then chalk, slaked lime or dolomite flour is added to it. You can use beaten eggshells. Indicators of acidic soil are conifers growing in this area.
Lobelia is quite resistant to disease. Basically, during the growth of seedlings, a flower can hit a black leg. In this case, the damaged plants are removed, the earth is slightly dried, ventilated. You can gently loosen the soil with a toothpick. If the plants are very long, a layer of loose soil or vermiculite is carefully sprinkled.
When aphids or spider mites appear, the plant is treated with an insecticide. After 10-14 days, repeated disinfection is carried out.
The ampel lobelia looks great in a single landing. You can plant 2-3 different varieties in one basket. In addition, it goes well with petunia, geraniums and violets.
If you carefully pay attention to ampel lobelia (watering it on time, pruning elongated shoots, and preventing pests), it will thank the lush bloom that will last all summer. Her bright, airy cascades will create a festive, solemn mood.
