Summer lionis one of the most beautiful annual plants. The lush inflorescence, variety of varieties and versatile use make the lily of the valley very desirable among owners of gardens and balconies. We suggest whichvarieties of levkoniato cultivate in the garden, and which are suitable for pots. Learn the secrets ofgrowing and reproducing summer lionfish !
Summer lion - Matthiola incana
Photo. depositphotos.com
What does a summer lion look like?
Lewkonia(Matthiola) is a genus of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family.It includes over 50 species, 2 of which are grown as ornamental plants.Long-lobed lionfish , also known as maciejka (Matthiola longipetala) smells beautiful, but is not particularly decorative.
What elsesummer lion(Matthiola incana), which due to its decorative inflorescences is one of the most popular annual species. Depending on the variety, the left-legs can reach 30 to 100 cm, and the raised shoots are covered with lanceolate leaves. Collected in clusters , the flowers of the summer suckerappear in June and last until the first frost. Lewkonia creates single and full flowers. The latter do not produce seeds. We obtain seeds of Lily of the Valley only from single flowers.
Summer lion - use
Due to their decorative flowerslionesses look good in single-species bedsThey can also contrast beautifully with dark green shrubs and perennials. Along with popular bedding plants such as heliotrope, daylilies, marigold and phlox, the left-handed leaves are suitable for rustic country gardens.Due to the beautiful smellit is worth planting levkonia near windows, benches or gazebos
Dwarf varieties of levkoniiwill work in pot as an ornament on balconies and terraces. Levkonia flowers are also suitable for cut flowers and can be used to create wonderful bouquets. To extend their freshness, we pull out the entire plant, including the roots. Then the whole plants are immersed in water for a few hours. Only after such soaking we remove the roots and put the flowers in the vase. This treatment will allow the plants to stay fresh for 7-10 days.
Summer lion - Matthiola incana
Photo. depositphotos.com
Summer lionfish - varieties
The basiccriterion for the division of the varieties of lionfishis the number of shoots produced. Hence the division into single and multi-shoot varieties. We also distinguish varieties of lily of the valley with single and full flowers. The latter are the most desirable.
If you want to plant containers or pots with levkonia, pay attention todwarf varieties of levkoniigrowing up to 30 cm. The cultivars from the Cinderella and Elegance groups and the cultivar 'Hot Cakes' will work well here.Both single-shoot and multi-shoot varieties of Levkonia can be found in the most popular groups, such as: Drezdeńska, Bronowicka and Annua.
The most interesting varieties of full-flowered levice are those in colors:
- white:Opal, Mera, Maribell White, Regal White, Noble White,
- cream:Centum Cream, Mid Cheerful Yellow, Noble Cream
- pink:Hasz, Jaga, Maribell Rose, Maribell Dark Rose,
- violet:Kanu, Mawa, Hala, Opera Debora, Jordyn Lavender, Aida Blue,
- purple:Kama, Maribell Red, Opera Francesca, Jordyn Red
Summer lion - Matthiola incana
Photo. depositphotos.com
Summer lion - cultivation
Lewkonia has big requirementsthat must be met in order to see the lush and colorful inflorescences. It prefers sunny and warm positions, and fertile, humus, slightly moist and alkaline soils.
Summer lionfish careis limited to regular watering and feeding with multi-component fertilizers for flowering plants. Lewkonia reacts well to organic fertilization, so when preparing a place for it, it is worth feeding the soil with compost. It is also used in the second year after the manure.
It is better not to allocate the places previously occupied by other cabbage plants for the cultivation of lionfish . There is a considerable risk of the lion's being infected by diseases and pests common to this family of plants wintering in the ground.
Summer lion - breeding
Lion cubs are reproduced by sowing seeds.Sow the seeds from March to Aprilin the boxes filled with the substrate intended for the production of seedlings and lightly cover with soil. The seeds need a temperature of about 18 ° C to germinate. Emergence appears after 10-14 days. After emergence, we lower the temperature to 6-8 ° C, trying to provide the seedlings with 7-9 hours of daylight. Then we put them in a dark room. At this stage, we can make a selection of plants.
Full-flowered lionesses can be recognized by the seedlings distinguished by their cotyledons in shades of light green. Full-flowered plants have dark green cotyledons. When the seedlings produce 2 proper leaves, we quilt them into single pots. At this stage, it is best to keep the temperature at 4-8 ° C, which will allow you to get profusely flowering plants.
About a week before planting in the beds, temper the seedlings by maintaining a temperature of 12-15 ° C in the room. Lionfish seeds can be planted30x30 cm in the case of multi-shoot varieties or in 15x15 cm in the case of single-stem plants.
Lion's seeds can also be sown directly into the ground when the risk of frost is over, that is after May 15. The resulting plants will bloom in late August, and therefore later than those grown from seedlings. Their flowering will also be less abundant.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
