Peruvian Dziwaczekgrows without problems, tolerates drought and has beautiful, fragrant flowers. This one-year-old species is indispensable for those who do not have much time to garden. We suggest whatgrowing a weirdo in the garden looks likeand what requirements must be met for the Peruvian weirdo to bloom beautifully and grow he althily. We also suggest proven ways toreproduce the Peruvian weirdo
Peruvian Dziwaczek - Mirabilis jalapa
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What does a Peruvian weirdo look like?
Peruvian Dziwaczek(Mirabilis japlapa) belongs to the bizarre family (Nyctaginaceae) and is the only one out of about 50 species belonging to this family, it is cultivated in gardens. The homeland of the freak is the dry and hot areas of Peru. In nature, it is a short-lived perennial, which, due to its low frost tolerance, is grown here as an annual plant.
The Peruvian weirdie grows up to 50-60 cm in heightand has a shrubby habit. Raised, highly branched shoots are pale red in color, and their lower part becomes woody over time. The large, full-edge, ovoid leaves of the Peruvian weird take a bright green shade.
Fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers of weirdoare gathered in loose, top-like inflorescences and appear in July. Depending on the variety, they can be crimson, orange purple, white, purple, yellow or deep red. There can be flowers of different colors on the same plant.Dziwaczek blooms until October.
The flowers of the Peruvian weirdoare pollinated by moths, so they open after 4 p.m. and close at dawn. This plant is known for its flowers opening at night. However, if the weather is cloudy, the flowers stay open all day. Large, single-seeded fruit - the peanut is dark brown in color and retains its ability to germinate for three years.
Peruvian Dziwaczek - cultivation
Dziwaczek is best when planted in the group . It looks good against the background of dark green coniferous bushes. Often the plant is used to create a hedge that is not too high. It can also be grown in large containers.
The Peruvian geek needs a sunny position , warm and sheltered from the wind. Although it can cope with almost any soil, it will quickly grow and bloom profusely only in fertile and adequately moist soil.During humid summers, the weirdos can do without watering, but in dry weather the plants should be watered abundantly every 2-3 days. We water the quirks in pots every day.
Peruvian Dziwaczek - Mirabilis jalapa
Fig. depositphotos.com
Large green mass and abundance of flowers mean thatweirdos require fertilization during the growing seasonIt responds well to organic fertilizers and multi-component mineral fertilizers. We fertilize plants for the first time at the beginning of the growing season, the second in mid-summer, and the third in the last days of summer. Note that for the second and third fertilization, fertilizers with a reduced nitrogen content, such as Target flowering plant fertilizer, should be used. A large dose of phosphorus and potassium contained in this fertilizer will give the bastard large and numerous flowers. At the same time, a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen will not stimulate excessive foliage growth, which is usually at the expense of flowers.
Peruvian Dziwaczek - reproduction
The geek is easy to propagate by seedsBefore sowing, soak them in water for 24 hours. We can buy ready-made soil for sowing seeds or mix humus, peat, turf soil and sand (1: 2: 2: 0.5) by yourself, and then add wood ash (half a glass of ash for 5 liters of mixture) or flour to the prepared soil mixture. dolomite (2 large tablespoons of flour for 5 liters of mixture). In April, sow the seeds in individual pots and gently cover them. Place the pots in a well-lit place.
Before planting in a permanent place (in the second half of May), the plants should be hardened. The seedling hardening period is about 2 weeks. To harden the cuttings, you should expose them to fresh air every day (on the balcony or in the garden), and the time spent outside should be gradually extended until finally the plants can stay there all day.
Freak seeds can also be sown directly into the ground They should be prepared for sowing in the same way as for the production of seedlings. We sow them in the last days of April or the first days of May, every 7-8 cm, and then cover them with white agrotextile. When the first seedlings appear, remove the cover. Ultimately, the plants should grow every 30 cm.
When propagating the weirdo vegetatively , dig up the thick storage root of the plant in autumn and store it, just like the dahlias. After digging, the roots are cleaned and placed in boxes filled with peat. We store them in a dry, cool room with a temperature above 5 ° C. If necessary, sprinkle the peat, while taking care that the roots do not start to rot. In spring, cut the roots into several parts, each with 2-3 buds, and plant them into the ground when the risk of spring frosts is over.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
