Malopa

Malope is a herbaceous garden plant that makes an excellent decoration for the site. Also, the flower will organically fit into the interior of any home and complement it with fresh natural colors. This unusual herbaceous annual has not yet gained wide popularity in regions located in the middle climatic zones. Gardeners still know little about the existence of culture. Due to its unique and spectacular appearance, the malopa flower will add variety to the living area and will not leave guests indifferent.

Description and characteristics of malopa

Natural plantings of malopa are found in Mediterranean countries. The popular name is a hole. According to botanical literature, the culture belongs to the Malvaceae family. Long-term scientific research to date makes it possible to grow annual varieties both outdoors and indoors.

Flowering bushes have rare decorative appeal. During this period of time, funnel-shaped flowers bloom on the shoots, which stand out in bright colors. The inflorescences of mallow and malopa are very similar to each other, but malopa has more refined inflorescences, painted in rich colors.

In natural and garden conditions, only annual species of malopa grow. The varietal affiliation of the bushes affects their size. Most of the species are tall and can elongate by 40-100 cm. The stems are characterized by strong branching in the upper part. The leaves look heart-shaped, and the edge of the blade ends in jagged edges. During the flowering period, the bushes are decorated with colorful buds, scattered among the green foliage one by one. The structure of the corolla includes 5 multi-colored petals. At the end of pollination, when the bud dries up, about 50 fragile seeds are formed in the place of the calyx, which are collected after ripening and used for sowing purposes.

It is often customary to grow a malopu flower in an open area. In gardens located in temperate climatic zones, the plant develops quite steadily and blooms profusely. Some florists breed culture in apartments where malopa feels no less comfortable if all the necessary growing rules are followed.

The difference between malopa and lavatera

Gardeners who have only recently begun to master the basics of floristry sometimes call a completely different culture - lavatera - a little boy. However, the plants have nothing in common and belong to different representatives of the genus. Malopa and Lavatera differ primarily in size. The inflorescences of the lavatera are smaller in diameter, and the bushes look lower, since they are formed from short stems. The described differences help to determine which flower we are talking about - Malopa or Lavater.

Planting malopa in open ground

Growing from seeds

The hole is included in the group of annual plants.To see the culture every year on the site, the seeds of malopa will have to be planted again. Bushes are grown in seedlings. Sowing dates are mainly determined by the conditions inherent to the local climate. Sow hole seeds during spring. It is important that the air has already warmed up outside by that time, otherwise the seeds will not take root in the cold soil. Even minor frosts can harm the plant. If spring in the region does not replace winter for a long time, it is better to postpone sowing and postpone activities until the frost stops.

Before engaging in direct sowing work, prepare special containers - boxes, where the material will take root. The boxes are filled to the top with loose peat soil. Since the grains are fragile, they are lightly pressed into the soil. Having evenly distributed the seeds on the ground, they begin to moisten. It is not required to sprinkle the seed with the substrate additionally.

Containers with crops are moistened with a sprayer. Thanks to this method, the seeds will not be washed from the soil, and the soil will be saturated with water. Excess moisture negatively affects the condition of young and still weak seedlings. The seed boxes are covered with transparent film to create greenhouse conditions and avoid overdrying the earthen coma. The shelter helps to maintain the required level of moisture in the boxes.

The crops are sprayed daily and the film is removed for ventilation. When the first shoots appear above the surface of the soil, they get rid of the shelter. The seedlings will have grown enough by this time. They are transferred to a bright place that is away from direct sunlight. During the rooting process, young plants are watered moderately. After the formation of several strong leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into different cups.

Landing on the site

Starting to plant grown Malopa seedlings on the site, extreme care must be taken so as not to damage the stems and fragile young roots. If you plan to plant a flower in the garden, arrange a flower bed in advance for planting. Organic fertilizers are mixed into the soil and everything is dug up. Having leveled the soil surface, pits are made 50-100 cm deep, depending on the size of the seedling. The distance between adjacent rows and the distance from one bush to another is about 30 cm. The seedlings removed from the cups and preserved with an earthen clod are transferred to the dug holes and watered abundantly. If the holes are made too close, the flowers will not be able to receive adequate nutrition.

Caring for a boy in the garden

It is not very difficult to take care of the boy in the garden. Novice gardeners are quite able to cope with the cultivation of culture. It requires little attention and develops on its own in open field conditions. To improve the decorative effect of malopa bushes, accelerate the growth of shoots and get abundant flowering, you will have to make some effort and listen to the advice of experienced florists.

Watering mode

At an early age, the plant is regularly moistened. Timely watering increases the chances of quick adaptation in any environment. Not only the growing conditions, but the correct regime for introducing water into the soil affects the successful development of the plant. Getting the right amount of water, the root system grows much faster, and the seedlings gain strength.

When the bushes have already adapted to live in the garden, watering is repeated less often. If the region has a rainy summer, water can be completely abandoned. And, conversely, in case of prolonged hot weather, the seedlings need an additional source of moisture. Bushes experiencing a lack of moisture lose their decorative properties.

Nutritional requirements

When breeding holes in the garden area, you should take care of feeding. It is more expedient to choose a site with nutritious soil so as not to face the problem of growth in the future.In poor soil with a poor set of nutrients, the flower is often sick and develops slowly.

Even being in a fertile substrate, it is important to feed the crop during the growing season with complex mineral fertilizers. As a rule, mixes are suitable for home flowering plants, which are sold in many specialty stores.

Important! It is allowed to add organic fertilizing only before planting activities are carried out. When the seedlings are in the soil, it is prohibited to use organic matter. This can negatively affect the health of future bushes.

Pruning rules

Cultural species that are grown outdoors are comfortable with pruning. Shoots are shaped to maintain attractiveness. Withered flowers, damaged and diseased vegetative parts are cut off, otherwise the development of new shoots will not stop, and the culture will slow down its growth. Thanks to trimming, the hole will retain its decorative effect for a long time.

Breeding methods of malopa

Like most annuals, malopa reproduces using seeds. This generative method is considered the most effective. Plant owners can collect seed material annually for their own needs. In place of a wilted bud, seeds ripen. After collecting, they are thoroughly dried and poured into paper bags. Store seeds in a dark and dry place. The grains must be handled with care, since the shell deforms under mechanical pressure.

Seed material can be purchased at the store or ask around from friends if the plants have not yet been on the site. Experienced gardeners try to buy seeds from the store, because in practice, such grains have the best germination rates.

In regions located in the middle lane, it is not customary to send seeds to open ground immediately. The first step is to grow bushes from seedlings. Containers with seedlings are kept indoors, gradually hardened, and then they start planting in garden soil.

When choosing a location, you must be guided by the following factors:

• the site should be well lit by the sun;
• the substrate is rich in nutrients, mostly of mineral origin;
• deep bedding of groundwater, otherwise the root system of the flower risks dying.

Diseases and pests

Malopa is a disease and insect resistant annual. However, flower health problems begin when the owner made mistakes in the care or initially chose the wrong site for growing. Irrigation failure, inadequate nutrition, or adverse weather conditions are often the cause of pests.

Weakened Malopa bushes attract various insects. The most dangerous of them are the following insects:

1. Spider mite... For nutrition, it uses the juice of leaves and stems, gnawing barely noticeable holes in the skin. Subsequently, the leaves become yellow and deformed. As a preventive measure, the bushes are advised to examine them as often as possible for traces of a spider mite. As soon as the foci of infection appear, the vegetative parts that succumb to the infection are treated with special chemicals. The most effective solution is Actellik or Fitoverm.
2. Aphid - a sucking insect that feeds on plant sap. A bush infected with aphids has weakened foliage and shoots. It is possible to remove pests from the surface of decorative plantings using the same means that are used to combat spider mites.
3. Nematodes... Causes irreparable damage to the root system. Over time, the roots are destroyed and the flower dies. To cure a culture of nematodes, powerful pesticides allow. We are talking about Karbofos or Nemagon.

Improper care of the little boy in the garden causes a number of diseases. The cultivated types of the hole lie in wait for several common diseases:

1. Powdery mildew... The development of the disease is observed when an accumulation of water forms in the soil. Recovery is achieved through the use of folk remedies. Onion peels are perfect, from which an infusion or decoction is made. If the disease has completely affected the flower, you cannot do without fungicidal preparations - Topaz or Fundazol.
2. Rust looks like small dark spots on leaf blades. Treatment procedures begin with the treatment of diseased areas with a solution of copper oxychloride, Bordeaux mixture or Oxychoma. Before spraying, cut off the affected parts of the plant.

Types and varieties of malopa with a photo

Sources of modern breeding introduce three wild species. Malope anatolica, Malope trifida and Malope malacoides live in nature. Thanks to the efforts of scientists, these species gave birth to a large number of Malopa varieties, including hybrid representatives.

Diamond rose

A tall bush, reaching a height of about 90 cm. Large inflorescences look very impressive. They are painted in a rich burgundy or white tone.

Purpurea

The considered variety of malopa differs from other names in the unique color of flowers. In the open form, blue-red calyx, excised with veins, complement the dark greenish foliage.

Belyana

The variety got its name due to its delicate white color. The stems of adult bushes are capable of lengthening by more than 1 m.

Glaser

A hybrid representative with an original color of the corollas. The bud color palette combines different tones. There are bushes with pink, white, burgundy and black flowers.

Beautiful girl

Against the background of other varieties, the plant has large buds. The diameter of the open calyx sometimes reaches 10 cm.

Purple

Bushes of purple malopa are the highest. Under favorable conditions, the length of the stems is about 1.2 m. The petals are painted in a solid pink color.

Malopa in landscape design

Malopa is widely used as a landscape gardener. Many cultivars are planted in flower beds, rock gardens, mixborders or on slides.

Characterized by increased resistance to outdoor survival, the hole also grows well in indoor conditions. When it is sunny, calm weather outside the window, flowerpots with a flower can be taken out to a balcony or loggia. For apartment types of the described culture, it is necessary to purchase special pots or pots.

Malopa will not mind coexisting on the site next to marigolds, zinnias and daisies. To make the flower bed look harmonious, varieties for cultivation are carefully selected. It is important that they match in color and size with other plants growing nearby.

Often the hole is used to decorate the garden area in a "rustic" style. It is advisable to place the landings next to a picket fence, a wicker fence or a gazebo. Often, malopa bushes decorate pedestrian paths.