Mexican Żeniszek(Ageratum houstonianum, syn. A. mexicana) is a short plant native to Mexico and South America. In our climate, it is grown as an annual plant, obtained from sowing seeds during the winter. See what the requirements of the marriage are and what it looks likecultivating a zeniszka from seedsHere are the secrets of beautifully blooming marinades that will decorate your garden beds or boxes on the balcony!
Mexican Żeniszek - Ageratum houstonianum
Żeniszek - description and varieties
Mexican żeniszekhas a nice, bushy habit. Its leaves are heart-shaped, rough, toothed, up to 9 cm long, green. The greatest decoration of this plant, however, is the flowers gathered on the tops of the shoots in loose panicles or corymbose, blue, purple, purple or white in color.
There are also interestingvarieties of zeniszkówwith bicolor flowers, such as 'Bavaria', where the flower baskets are blue with white centers. We can admire the flowers for a long time - from May until the first autumn frosts, so it is not surprising that zeniszki are so popular.
The varieties of zeniszkóware divided into:
- tall (up to 60 cm tall),
- medium-high (height 20 - 30 cm)
- low (height 10 - 20 cm).
Mexican Żeniszekis an excellent plant for bedding, for containers and balcony boxes, and for cemeteries.It is willingly used in urban greenery to create flower carpets, also in combination with other annual flowers in contrasting colors, e.g. yellow and red.
Żeniszek - requirements
Żeniszka's requirementsis primarily a warm and sunny growing position. In a semi-shaded place, the flowers will grow less and flower less. The soil forcultivation of żeniszkashould be well-drained, sandy loam and fertile. Plants should be fed with multi-component fertilizers. Moderate but regular irrigation should also be ensured, as marinas do not tolerate even a short-term drought. The flowering of the zenith can be extended by removing the faded inflorescences.
Żeniszek - growing from seeds
Żeniszki have a long growing season, so you should start preparing seedlings as soon as possible.Sowing seeds of Żeniszkacan be carried out in January or February, remembering, however, that early sowing may require additional lighting of the plants.The sowing date can be delayed even until April, but then the marigolds will start flowering only in the second half of summer. At home, choose a warm and bright southern window sill. In order for the seeds to germinate, they should be provided with a temperature of about 20 ° C.Zeniszka seedssow them on the surface and then cover them with a thin layer of sand. After moistening the soil, cover the box or pots with sown seeds with foil or glass.
When the first proper leaves appear, the plants need to be quilted, i.e. planted into separate pots. During this procedure, the root tip is pinched, thanks to which the plant root system will grow more nicely and will be stronger. Behind the third pair of leaves, it is also worth pinching the top of the main shoot and side shoots, which will result in better branching of the plants. The seedlings are transplanted into the ground or balcony boxes in the second half of May, when the risk of frost is over. Recommended spacing: 15 x 20 cm.Remember that before plantingthe cultivation of the zeniszkahas been hardened (plants should be gradually accustomed to the conditions outside, e.g. by ventilating the room with seedlings).
