Flower mimulus (lipstick) - features of the hybrid (tiger) species

The mimulus flower is a favorite of florists who decorate their flower beds with bright, non-standard flowers. Landscaping with a flower looks much more attractive. Flowers do not require much attention to themselves, they can be grown by full-fledged flower beds in large quantities.

Features of mimulus

Mimulus is a unique plant that blooms for a long period. Many varieties have their own characteristics, which are represented by interesting colors and shapes. The unique structure of the bud also distinguishes the plant from others.

Mimulus in the flowerbed

What family does it belong to

Mimulus belongs to the Norichnikov family. It is a ground-creeping plant that blooms for a long period. It is better to grow the culture in small flower beds or in hills on balconies and terraces.

Beautiful culture in nature

Briefly about the history of appearance

The homeland of a flourishing culture is South America. You can find the plant in Australia and New Zealand. The specimen grows mainly in swampy areas, where there is high humidity.

Plant characteristics

The plant has a non-standard appearance. This applies to both the buds and the aerial part. The description of colors is represented by the following characteristics:

• Varieties can be annual and perennial.
• The buds are brightly colored with characteristic spots along the petals.
• It is a herbaceous plant.
• The flowering period is divided into 2 phases - spring and autumn.
• Loves high humidity and good watering.
• Usually, the height of the aboveground part is 20-40 cm, but some species (shrub varieties) can reach 2 m in height.
• Leaves broadly lanceolate, opposite with sharp serrations.
• Inflorescences form clusters of several buds.

Mimulus flower in the flowering phase

Mimulus classification

Mimulus hybrid has about 150 varieties. In nature, another 120 varietal individuals are distinguished. Some varieties are especially popular, while others are grown by some growers.

Mimulus tiger (Mimulus tigrinus)

It is also called mimulus tigrinus, large-flowered mimulus, leopard mimulus, hybrid mimulus (Mimulus hybridus), mimulus maximus. It is the most popular variety, which is especially loved by flower growers in their gardens. An annual plant. The height of the bush is 20-25 cm. Inflorescences look like brushes. The buds have a varied color, but always variegated. Flowering lasts from May to July.

What does a tiger look like?

Orange Mimulus (Mimulus aurantiacus)

Aurantiacus is a bush 1.2-1.3 m high. The cultivar is very fond of warmth. The ability of the stems to bend beautifully during the flowering period adds additional decorativeness to the species. Each tubular flower has 5 petals. The color spectrum of the color ranges from white to red. Aurantiacus blooms from May to early September.

Pomegranate lip (Mimulus puniceus)

The height varies from 20 to 40 cm. The peculiarity of the species is the deep red color of the buds, which is as close as possible to the pomegranate.

Yellow lipstick (Mimulus luteus)

Mimulus luteus has a bush about half a meter high. The flowers are fiery yellow. Peduncles are slightly lowered, as the buds are large enough due to huge petals with wavy edges.

Mimulus speckled (Mimulus guttatus)

A miniature variety, the stem length of which reaches a maximum of 20 cm. It can be annual and perennial. The flowers are large, bright yellow in color, and brown spots are present on the lower petal.

Red lipstick (Mimulus cardinalis), or purple lipstick

A bush 30-40 cm high is usually topped with bright red flowers. The petals are oval and have no additional spots. It emits a pleasant aroma that is not typical of the culture.

Mimulus red has a unique aroma

Mimulus copper-red (Mimulus cupreus)

The plant has a small stem height equal to 15 cm. This is an annual variant of the crop. The name Mimulus cupreus is due to the copper-red color of the petals. For flowers, a different color is also characteristic, but close to the main shade.

Mimulus primuloides

Primrose lipstick is a perennial flower, but is often grown in gardens as an annual. On the grassy aerial part there are many small yellow flowers. Blooming new buds continues from May to September.

Mimulus primrose on the site

Mimulus musk (Mimulus moschatus)

It is a herbaceous type of mimulus that can produce mucus with a nutmeg scent. The entire surface of the leaves and stems is covered with small villi. Flowers are small in size 2.5 cm, and yellow in color. The height of the bush can be 30 cm.

Open Mimulus (Mimulus ringens), or open Mimulus

A feature of the variety is the bud. The color can be different, and the shape is unique. The buds are open as much as possible, which is why the flower is outwardly far from the standard representative of the mimulus.

Varieties that are in great demand among gardeners

Gardeners prefer to grow certain varieties that look spectacular in flower beds. An added bonus is their prevalence and availability.

Brass Monkeez

Variegated orange buds.

Twinkle mixed

Height 0.5 m maximum. The color of the buds is red, milky, beige without blotches and spots.

Magic Mix

A low bush with buds of pastel flowers. Several shades can be combined within one flower.

Magic Spots

A small herb with milky-beige buds. Red spots are located along the petals.

Viva

The height of the above-ground part is 30 cm. The buds are lemon-colored with red blotches along the entire perimeter of the petals.

Sun in the shade

Refers to the speckled look. The flowers are variegated, and the stems reach 25 cm in height.

Feuerking

Scarlet petals. Dark brown spots are located around the entire perimeter.

Auranticus

Flowers of scarlet or orange color without splashes.

Red Dragon

Scarlet rich color of large buds.

Cardinal

Scarlet petals dotted with orange dots.

Rose Queen

Rose petals with red oblong spots.

Red Imperer

Inflorescences are deep red.

Rother Kaiser

Scarlet inflorescences are large.

Andean Nymph

Pale yellow buds with pale purple specks along the petals.

Seed planting by seedling method

Mimulus, grown from seeds of which is also produced at home, can multiply with the help of seeds. This is an easy breeding method, but with some nuances.

Time to board

You can sow planting material in boxes already at the end of February. If planting is carried out in open ground, then the laying is carried out in early May.

Choice of capacity

The capacity should be low (2-5 cm). The entire surface must be completely covered with glass.

Seedling plants in indoor conditions

Soil and seed preparation

It is worth planting seeds only in soil with low acidity. Seeds are pre-sprayed with a solution to accelerate growth.

The seeds are often placed on top of the soil and lightly sprayed with water at room temperature. The container is covered with glass. The glass is lifted daily and the soil is aired. Every 3 days, the soil is sprayed with water from a spray bottle.

Seedling care

After about 4 days, the first shoots appear. It is necessary to remove the glass from the box and place the container in a well-lit place. The air temperature in the room should not exceed +10 ℃.

Seedling care

Dive

Seedlings dive after 3 leaves appear on each seedling. The specimens are planted in separate peat pots. Containers with seedlings are placed in a cool place and the soil is constantly moistened in them.

Features of planting in a seedless way in open ground

Florists are actively practicing the seedless method. Mimulus planting and care in the open field does not differ from growing in indoor conditions. Seeds are laid much later and develop more slowly than seedlings, but flowering occurs almost at the same time.

Plant in the open field

Features of care in the garden

The flower needs attention. They immediately choose the right place for planting and determine exactly what the plant does not like.

What conditions do Mimulus like

The landing site is the part of the flower bed that is in partial shade. The plant prefers loamy soil and good watering, as it grows in natural conditions in swampy areas.

What is the plant afraid of

The culture does not like winds, cold weather and direct sunlight. If one of the listed factors has its effect, then the plant stops blooming, and the aboveground part begins to lean towards the ground.

Preparing for planting on a flower bed

Watering

An important condition is constant watering. Culture loves moisture. In hot weather, you need to water every 2 days. But it is best to monitor the condition of the soil.

Mulching

This is not a prerequisite for growing lipsticks. But in especially hot periods, it is worth covering the places near the roots with fresh hay. Remove material if necessary.

Loosening

Loosening is performed after each watering. Do it carefully. The root system is shallow and often spiderweb-like. Has an extremely fragile structure.

Loosening the soil is an element of proper care

Top dressing

Already 2 weeks after planting, you can make the first top dressing. Complex fertilizers are ideal. Vitamin watering should be done every 3 weeks.

When and how it blooms

Mimulus flowers have different flowering periods, depending on the variety and cultivar. An additional difference is the shape and color of the buds themselves.

Blooming buds of mimulus

The types of flowers can be very diverse, because each variety is completely individual. And there are more than 15 of them. The shape can be spongy - 4 buds are up, and the fifth down. Sometimes the flowers are more like lilies. Here, the variety of forms is also great.

During the flowering period, you need to carefully monitor watering, since the active growing season requires additional irrigation. In the first and second periods of flowering, top dressing can be reduced to 1 per month. dry leaves, twigs and buds must be removed immediately.

Post-flowering care

After flowering, the plant must be carefully looked after. This is important for collecting seeds for next year's sowing.

Seed collection

You need to cut off the dry seed pods that appear in September. Store the material in glass containers with oxygen access.

Preparation for wintering

In the regions, the culture is grown as an annual. In September, the plant is dug up and destroyed. Often they resort to transplanting a specimen into a flowerpot and leave it for the winter in a cool room for wintering.

Possible growing problems

Mimulus is not difficult to grow, since the culture is generally resistant to most diseases, but problems still arise.

Pests

The most "popular" pests for lipsticks are:

• whitefly;
• aphid;
• slugs.

You can cope with them through the use of special tools.

Mimulus flower outdoors

Diseases

Sometimes it is difficult to grow a culture, as diseases manifest themselves:

• gray rot;
• blackleg;
• powdery mildew.

At the same time, the care is corrected, but if gray rot appears, the specimen is destroyed.

Signs of improper care

Signs of improper care are yellowing of the aerial part, lack of flowering and wilting of leaves. If something like this happened, then they revise the principle of caring for the plant.

It is not difficult to grow and breed lipsticks, if you take into account the basic rules of watering, feeding and care during the flowering period. The culture is diverse - a wide range of varieties of flowers, their colors and shapes.