Campanula: care for graceful bells at home

The popularity of Campanula among indoor flower lovers is growing rapidly. This is facilitated by its unpretentiousness, duration and abundance of flowering. In order for Campanula to feel good at home, the owner will need to give her a minimum of time. There are few rules for plant care, but they are. You should familiarize yourself with them and follow the recommendations, then the plant will "thank" you with bright bells.

What does Campanula look like

Campanula (Campánula) is a genus of herbaceous perennials belonging to the Campanulaceae family. At the moment, there are about three hundred of its representatives. Its name is translated from Latin as "bell" and because of the characteristic shape of the flowers in vernacular, campanules are often called bells. There is a more poetic nickname - "shooting stars."

In nature, graceful bells often grow on seemingly bare rocks

However, there is another version, according to which, the bell is obliged to form a campanule, and not vice versa. This church utensil was first made in the Italian province of Campagna after Bishop Paulin noticed cute flowers swaying in the wind and seemingly ringing quietly. By his order, "flowers" of copper, reproducing their form, were cast. At the place of origin, the bells began to be called "Campanul", that is, "Campanul". Then this name was transferred to the plant.

Campanula flowers are modest, but very elegant and elegant.

Campanula is distributed mainly in Europe and Asia, some species are found in North America. Its habitat is the Mediterranean coast, the Caucasus, the foothills of the Alps, Central Asia, Siberia. Regarding the climate, Campanula has no particular preferences - it feels pretty good in meadows, and forests, in the steppes, and on rocky plateaus.

Campanula as if by nature itself is intended for cultivation by ampel method. Only a stem with a height of up to 15 cm can stand directly. But the shoots of the plant are long (about 0.5 m), thin, so they wilt under the weight of the flowers. The latter resemble miniature (up to 5 cm long and 2-4 cm in diameter) five-petalled bells, painted in different shades of blue, blue, purple or white.

A cascade of star flowers looks very impressive, but even in a pot, the campanula bushes look very elegant

But you should not turn a campanula into a liana, trying to let it go up the support. The plant is completely unsuitable for this, and most likely will simply die.

Very popular with lovers of indoor plants is a couple of selection hybrids, nicknamed the "bride and groom." Alba has white flowers, Mayi has lilac-blue flowers. They are usually given for weddings. It is believed that these plants will provide newlyweds with family happiness, prosperity and comfort in the home. And according to an old omen, a girl growing a campanula will certainly find true love, and older people will have a quiet, serene old age.

Experienced flower growers note that when planting in a single pot, the "bride" over time noticeably crowds the "groom", so it is advisable to install a partition in the pot in advance

The flower is also appreciated by adherents of the Feng Shui teachings. According to this philosophy, the plant creates a warm and cozy atmosphere in the house, improves the moral climate, promotes the development of the creative potential of the owner and literally “attracts” money and material goods to it.

Campanula pleases the eye not only with flowers, but also with bright greens of a salad color. The leaves of her are heart-shaped, 3-7 cm long, on long petioles, arranged alternately on the stems. In some species, the edge is carved with small cloves. The buds are collected in loose corymbose inflorescences. Flowering lasts for almost six months - from mid-spring to late autumn.

Campanula greens also look very pretty, but still this is not the main advantage of the plant

The undoubted plus of the campanula is the almost complete lack of attention from pets. The plant is not poisonous, they probably just do not like the taste. Campanulu does not need to be cleaned away, fearing that the bushes will be eaten by cats.

Campanula is a European plant, which means it has a good frost resistance, therefore it is widely used in landscape design, including in Russia

Video: the appearance of the plant

Home-grown plant species

Of the three hundred species of campanula at home, no more than a dozen are grown. More often, amateur gardeners acquire one of the selection hybrids, terry or large-flowered. The most popular varieties:

• Campanula Equivalent (isophylla). The length of the shoots is up to 30 cm. The leaves are round in shape with a serrated edge. The diameter of the flowers is about 4 cm. On the basis of the Campanula of the same-leafed hybrids, Alba and Mayi are bred - the same “bride” and “groom”.
• Campanula Carpathian (carpática). The height and diameter of the bush is about 30 cm. The leaves are egg-shaped in a basal rosette. Flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm purple-blue. The flowering period is quite short - three summer months.
• Campanula Blauranke It grows up to 20 cm in height. The flowers are pastel blue, with a diameter of 5-6 cm.
• Campanula Pozharsky (poscharskyana). Leaves in the shape of an almost regular circle. The shoots are long, creeping. The flowers are small, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, bright purple. It tolerates cold and shadow.
• Campanula Portenschlag (portenschlagiana). Height is about 15 cm. Leaves are heart-shaped, lilac flowers. It blooms from May to September. It does not lose its decorative effect even during the dormant period - old shoots dry only in spring, when a new shoot already appears.
• Campanula Gargan (garganica). Plant height - about 15 cm. Creeping stems. The flowers are sky blue, with a diameter of about 5 cm. Blooms all summer, even in partial shade.
• Campanula alpine (alpestris). A miniature plant with a height of not more than 5-10 cm. The flowers are bright blue. The flowering is plentiful, long.
• Campanula pemphigus (cochleariifolia). Height - 15-20 cm. Leaves are small (3-5 cm in length). The shade of the petals varies from snow-white to bright blue.
• Terry Campanula (gemina). Popular breeding hybrid. "Parents" - Campanula Carpathian and Squamous. Terry flowers of various shades bloom on one plant - from snow-white to ink-violet. Carved leaves are located very densely, literally sticking to the stems. The plant is quite picky in care, reacts to any mistakes of the grower by the absence of flowering. There is also a series of miniature hybrids - Blue Bali, White Bali, Blue Wonder, White Wonder.

Varieties of Campanula grown at home - photo

In addition to terry campanula, other breeding hybrids are grown at home.

Photo Gallery: Breeders' Achievements

How to create a flower optimal microclimate

Campanula is a European plant, so there is nothing complicated in creating an optimal microclimate for it. Most of all, it is demanding on lighting.

Table: optimal conditions for the cultivation of campanula

Campanula needs bright but diffused light

Campanula has the ability to turn to a light source. Therefore, the bush turns out to be sloppy, folded. And there is a loss of shape very quickly. To avoid this, weekly turn the pot in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). A sharp 180º turn will cause the plant to drop flowers and leaves. It is best to choose a place for the pot so that the light more or less evenly hits it from two sides.

Campanula reaches for a light source, so the bushes noticeably tilt to one side

Transplant procedure and preparation for it

Campanula transplantation at home is rare. The fact is that the decorative plant retains a maximum of 2-3 years, then flowering becomes much less plentiful, the shoots are exposed. Therefore, it is much easier to root cuttings or grow new specimens from seeds.

Nevertheless, a transplant may still be required, although its flower does not tolerate very well. For example, it is needed if the roots appeared from the pot or the plant became ill. The best time for the procedure is early spring or mid-autumn (the period when flowering has not yet begun or has already ended). Campanula purchased at the store needs to be transplanted as quickly as possible, a maximum of 2-3 days after the acquisition. The hydroponic fiber blend in which it is sold is not at all suitable for growing crops at home. In the process, shorten the shoots by about a third, tear off all the flowers and buds.

The pot is chosen wide and shallow, increasing its diameter by 5-8 cm. The roots of the campanula quickly develop a new space. Too large and voluminous flowerpot is undesirable - the plant blooms profusely only if the roots are tightly braided by an earthen lump.

Soil flower prefers light and loose, but at the same time nutritious. Such soil passes air and water well. A universal substrate for flowering indoor plants is quite suitable, but there are other options:

• sheet land and peat chips (1: 1);
• universal soil for indoor plants, peat, humus or rotted compost, coarse river sand (equally).

Campanula does not have any special requirements for the soil - it will be completely satisfied with the standard soil for flowering indoor plants

There is nothing complicated in the transplant itself:

1. Fill a quarter of the volume of the new pot with drainage. If the plant is very large - then a third. Cover the drain with a fresh substrate, pouring it into the tank to about half.
2. Water the plant liberally, remove it from the old container. If possible, try to keep the earthen com intact.
3. Use a clean, clean knife to cut 3-5 mm of the roots that have fallen at the bottom into a continuous pile. On the sides, make several longitudinal cuts of the same depth.
4. Place the campanula in a new pot, add some substrate. Lightly compact the soil. Water the plant gently.
5. Remove transplanted specimens in partial shade, provide coolness (18-20ºС). When the campanula starts to grow, return it to its original place.

Campanulu is transplanted by transshipment

Proper plant care

Campanula is a fairly unpretentious plant. Most of the demands made by her concern watering, although she can do without water for 12-14 days without much harm to herself.

Watering

The soil in the pot is moistened as soon as the topsoil dries. In extreme heat, you may need to water it daily or twice a day. About half an hour after the procedure, be sure to drain excess fluid from the pan.

Water is used only soft, room temperature. Rigid can cause wilting of the plant. Therefore, if it is not possible to water the campanula with melt, rain or bottled water, filter, boil or defend the tap.

Fertilizer application

During the active growing season, the campanula needs to be fed every 10-12 days, since it spends a lot of energy on flowering. Any fertilizer is suitable for flowering indoor plants (Ideal, Rainbow, Pokon, Bona Forte, Agricola, Kemira-Lux). Prepared according to the instructions, the flower is watered.

Campanula needs regular top dressing - any remedy for flowering indoor plants is suitable

Video: Important Nuances of Campanul Care

Bush formation

To keep the plant decorative and neat, faded buds and dry leaves should be removed regularly. The same applies to the "bald" shoots below. Pinch will help to stimulate flowering - removal of the top 2-3 leaves from shoots in early spring. After 3-4 weeks, they also do the same with the emergent lateral shoots.

Pinching the tops of the shoots stimulates the branching and formation of a larger number of flower buds

Video: proper crop pruning

Rest period

During the winter, the campanulu is kept in a cool, bright room, minimizing watering (up to 2-3 times a month) and stopping feeding. This is a necessary condition for abundant flowering next year.

At the end of flowering, all shoots of the campanula are shortened

In preparation for the "rest", all shoots are cut to a length of 10-12 cm. In the spring it will be necessary to remove all twigs dried up during the winter.

Before the start of the active vegetation period, the campanula looks something like this

Common mistakes of an amateur gardener

Campanula for several years loses its decorativeness - this is a natural process. But sometimes the appearance worsens in young plants. Often the florist himself is to blame for this, forgetting about caring for her or making unintentional mistakes.

Table: how the Campanula responds to florist errors

Campanula leaves dry in case of insufficient humidity or poor watering

Sometimes the owner who is trying to turn it into a liana is to blame for the campanula not blooming and withering. To stretch up the support for this plant is completely unnatural, which it clearly signals.

Can also be useful material on growing browllia: //diz-cafe.com/rastenija/brovalliya-kak-vyrastit-nezhnoe-rastenie-cvetushhee-ves-god.html

Common diseases and pests: what to do to save a flower

Campanula, despite its general unpretentiousness, is quite often affected by pests that do not mind eating delicate leaves. Also, it does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the pot at all - rot quickly develops. Proper prevention will help minimize the risk of disease and the appearance of insects:

• the content of all newly acquired plants in quarantine for a month;
• regular inspection of flowers and immediate isolation of all specimens with manifested suspicious symptoms;
• placing indoor plants and bouquets (especially from roses and chrysanthemums) as far as possible from each other, ideally in different rooms;
• daily airing of the room, spraying the leaves, erasing dust from them;
• implementation of recommendations for plant care, especially regarding irrigation;
• use only clean pots, sanitized soil and tools;
• periodic (every 10-12 days) replacement of water for irrigation with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Table: Campanul diseases and pests

Photo gallery: diseases and pests that will have to be fought while growing the campanula

Campanula propagation at home

At home, the campanula often reproduces vegetatively - by cuttings or dividing the bush. But no one forbids the germination of seeds. Problems with planting material, as a rule, do not arise.

Cuttings

The best time for grafting is mid-autumn. Planting material is obtained in the process of the next pruning. The lower part of the shoot with the root buds (the so-called heel) is rooted best and fastest. It is enough to have 3-4 leaves on it.

Campanula Shank - Bottom of a Plant Escape

1. Place the base of the cuttings for 25-30 minutes in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin (5-7 ml per liter of water).
2. Wait for the roots to appear by placing the planting material in the water. In each container, dissolve a tablet of activated carbon and succinic acid (per 200 ml).
3. Fill the plastic cups with a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1). Seed the cuttings with roots, deepening by 2.5-3 cm.
4. Create a greenhouse effect. Spray plantings abundantly, preventing the soil from drying out, and ventilate them daily. Maintain a constant temperature of 25-27ºС, provide bright diffused light.
5. After 3-4 weeks, transplant the young campanules into the soil for adult plants. When they add about 10 cm in length, pinch the tops of the shoots for greater “bushiness”.

Campanula cuttings take root quickly and easily.

Bush division

The division of the bush is carried out in the process of transplantation. Most often, it is not possible to untangle the roots, so an earthen lump is cut with a sharpened, sanitized knife into several approximately equal parts. "Wounds" sprinkled with crushed chalk, colloidal sulfur, cinnamon. Then new plants are planted in separate pots and looked after, as usual. They need to be immediately watered abundantly, and not later than after a week - to fertilize. The first month, especially carefully protect the plant from direct sunlight.

Campanula bush division is performed simultaneously with transplantation

Seed germination

Seeds are sown in early spring. They retain germination for a long time, at least for a year. You need to handle them carefully - they are very small.

Campanula seeds can be purchased without problems in any specialized store or grown independently

1. Fill the flat containers with a mixture of sheet soil or peat chips with sand (1: 1), moisten and level the substrate.
2. If possible, evenly distribute the seeds on the surface of the soil. Sprinkle a little with fine sand (2-3 mm thick layer) and moisten again from the spray bottle.
3. Cover the containers with glass or film. As it dries, spray the soil with a weak solution of the root stimulant - potassium humate, Epin, Zircon (2-3 ml per liter of water).
4. Open the greenhouse for ventilation daily, wash the condensation formed. Maintain a temperature of about 23-25ºС, provide lower heating and bright diffused light.
5. Shoots appear after 5-7 days. When three true leaves are formed, plant the campanules in small pots or plastic cups. In the process, be careful, seedlings are very fragile. Further care is normal.

Under proper conditions, Campanula seeds germinate very quickly.

Video: How Campanula propagates

Florist reviews

Age does not matter for the Campanul, they bloom on young shoots, so they need to be trimmed or updated every year. At work, the sprout from this bush (six months to a plant) is already blooming magnificently.

Cymes//forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kampanula.1289/page-30

Campanula is very fond of coolness and fresh air, frequent watering, and preferably the morning sun. Can be planted in finished soil "Senpolia". Cut the flowers, as they will dry out, and in general, in the fall, you can trim all the branches, the campaign after this procedure will grow better. Water with Zircon, HB-101 or other biostimulants.

Natalichka 4477//forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kampanula.1289/page-30

Campanulu is kept in the winter in a cool room, at a temperature of 10-12ºС. It requires bright lighting (in summer it needs shading on the southern and eastern windows). It is often watered in summer, rarely in winter, since a dormant period is necessary. In spring, the upper dried-up parts of the shoots are cut off, leaving the lower ones on which new shoots are formed from sleeping buds. Propagated by seeds and cuttings (in February-March). Cuttings are rooted in a mixture of peat and sand. To avoid decay of the cuttings, they are only slightly sprayed. Use as an ampel plant.

Morela//forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kampanula.1289/

Drying leaves is the first sign of a lack of light. Campanula needs a well-lit place. She also needs moist air, and must be watered with water a little warmer than room temperature. It is autumn, reduce watering, you need to water only as the soil dries, but continue to regularly moisten the air. Drafts, stale dry air are very harmful to her. Be sure to remove the yellowed leaves and wilted flowers. If the main stem dies, then the dying parts must also be cut off, but look, if you have young shoots there, in no case damage them. And further. Campanula hates when they shoot up her shoots, giving her the appearance of a vine. This should not be done.

Marka//forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kampanula.1289/

Many are familiar with the indoor flower, which is called the "bride and groom", and officially - Campanula. Ampel plant with small leaves and white or blue bells. Previously, these flowers were presented for a wedding. But there is such a feature that when you put them in one flowerpot, the "bride" (white bell) clearly inhibits the growth of the "groom" (blue bell). And you need to know this feature and plant flowers in different containers or use a partition in a flowerpot. At first glance, the plant can be called unpretentious, but if conditions of detention are not suitable for it, it can die. In summer, it is difficult for a plant to tolerate dry air and high temperature. It must be constantly sprayed, abundantly watered, but not poured, and put in partial shade. If you plan to go on vacation, then you should not hope that the campaign will wait for you and be in good condition. A flower requires constant removal of dried flowers and leaves, periodic pruning.

VikTan77//otzovik.com/review_804674.html

Campanula is my favorite indoor plant. Caring for her is not very difficult. He likes warmth, fresh air and spraying (but we do not spray flowers, otherwise they will turn black). He does not like overflow and drafts. It blooms mainly in summer and is very plentiful (with proper care). In autumn, she has a period of rest, she needs to be cut and put in a cool place, but she still needs watering (very rare). And most importantly - the earth should be loose with good drainage (I lay or expanded clay, or polystyrene). It is very good to put moss-sphagnum in the bottom of the pot, it does not allow the roots to rot and has antibacterial properties. You can plant it in the garden, it feels very good there, it also blooms all summer.

Chanterelle 1982//otzovik.com/review_3579836.html

Campanula is a modest, but original and refined plant that will decorate any interior. It is difficult to find a culture that blooms at home so long and plentiful. Provide the plant with the right temperature, abundant watering and bright light - and you will have in your house not only beauty, but also family happiness and prosperity.