Damascus nigella (Albina) - a flower of white, blue and blue
Content:
Damascus nigella is a herbaceous annual plant that also has another name - nigella. This article provides a description of nigella, a list of the most popular varieties, and also tells about growing conditions.
What does it look like
Nigella is a flower that has very sinuous shoots. They reach a height of 0.3-0.6 m.
Nigella or damask nigella belongs to the Buttercup. The flowers reach 4 cm, they have 5 sepals. The color can be nigella white or nigella blue. Petals are never variegated.
Damascus nigella
Under natural conditions, the plant grows in Asia, Europe and North Africa. The name is translated from Latin as "black".
Popular varieties of nigella
In Russian regions, only a few varieties and varieties of nigella are grown.
- The Nigella Albina variety has a height of up to 45 cm. Flowers can be yellow, white, blue. Leaves are filiform or feathery. The flowers are simple and double. The stems are straight or branched.
- Persian Jewels. The variety has large flowers. Their petals can be red, pink and white, and there are long stamens inside. The stem reaches a length of up to 45 cm.
- Cabridge Blue. Shoots grow up to 90 cm in length. The flowers are blue semi-double. The leaves are sharp.
- Miss Jekkill Rose. Has straight stems. The height can be up to half a meter. The flowers are dark pink in color.
- Dwarf moody blue. This is a dwarf species of Damascus nigella. The flowers are bright blue.
- Purple Splendour. This variety has bright purple petals. Height up to half a meter.
Persian Jewels
Plant propagation
Nigella is propagated with seeds. To obtain them, they wait until the seed pods ripen. Then the capsules are dried and the seed is obtained from them.
Nigella seeds need to be planted either in seedling boxes or directly into the ground.
Seed planting by seedling method
In this case, seedlings are grown first, and then they are planted in the ground. Seeds for seedlings must be sown in late March and early April.
For growing seedlings, boxes or a greenhouse are used. The seeds are deepened by 2-3 cm. Seedlings emerge in 15-20 days. The newly emerged seedlings are placed in glasses with soil.
Planting nigella seedlings
Preparation of soil and seed
Before planting seeds, it is required to deacidify the soil. To do this, put lime or dolomite flour into it. After cutting off the nigella bolls, it is placed in a dry and well-lit place.
Seedling care
Seeds must be kept under transparent glass. Water with a sprayer as the soil dries. The temperature should be + 15-25 degrees.
Dive
When a pair of leaves appears, a pick is made. It is advisable to use peat pots, then it will be possible to plant nigella in the ground directly in them. If you dive into ordinary cups, then the transplant will need to be carried out with an earthen lump.
Seedlings are planted in open ground in May, choosing a clear sunny day.
Nigella - planting and care in the open field
Seeds are planted directly in the open ground in April.If weather conditions are favorable, seedlings will appear in 2-3 weeks. It is very easy to take care of nigella.
The flower prefers loose soil and plenty of light. Before planting, the soil must be loosened.
Outdoor care for nigella
Is it possible to plant a plant in a pot
Sowing Nigella is an annual plant, therefore it is not recommended to grow it in a pot.
Features of care in the garden
In order for Nigella to please with a beautiful flowering, you need to know all the intricacies of caring for her in the garden.
The site for planting should be well lit, since the nigella does not develop well in a shaded area. In the vicinity of nigella, it is better to cultivate ground cover plants. The soil should be dry, nutritious and neutral. Sour earth is not suitable for nigella.
Frequent and infrequent watering will harm the herb, so it should be watered sparingly.
The main rule for nigella is that the plant negatively tolerates mulching.
The plant requires systematic loosening, while it is important to remove weeds.
It is very easy to oversaturate the plant with fertilizers, so moderation is required. Until the period of active growth, these flowers do not need to be fed. During flowering, fertilizing is done with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Nigella is not a perennial plant, so there is no talk of any preparation for winter.
When and how it blooms
Flowering begins 45 days after the seedlings are planted. Duration of flowering is 8 weeks.
The type of flower depends on the specific variety of nigella.
Possible growing problems
Nigella has pests, and various diseases are also possible. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures so that the plant does not die.
Among the pests of nigella, it is worth highlighting the spider mite. They suck out the juice of the leaves. In this case, the plant should be treated with insectoacaricides.
Nigella's pests
If the weather is damp, the flower can become infected with powdery mildew. In this case, the plant is treated with a fungicide 2-3 times.
If the plant is watered abundantly, it will start to rot. When choosing the wrong place, the plant does not develop well.
Flower properties
Nigella is used in medicine and cooking. The seeds are used as spices.
The seeds of the plant are often used in medicine and cooking.
A beautiful annual plant is easy to plant using seeds. Soon after the appearance on the site, the nigella will bloom and will delight the owners for a long time with its delicate flowers. It is easy to care for all varieties; even a novice flower lover can cope with this task.
