Mallow

The mallow plant (Malva) is a member of the Malvov family. Other names for this flower include mallow (the ovary of the plant resembles a round church loaf - prosphora) and kalachik. In common parlance, mallows are also referred to as stockrose species, although these plants are a different genus belonging to the same family.

Mallows can have a different development cycle - one-, two- or perennial. This genus includes about 25 different species. Most of them live in temperate climatic zones of different continents, sometimes turning into a weed.

Mallow began to be grown in ancient times: in Egypt and Greece. In those days, the medicinal properties of this plant were especially appreciated. It is interesting that in Japanese Kyoto since ancient times, a "mallow festival" - "Aoi-matsuri" has been held every spring. This flower is considered a symbol of the Kamo shrine, which becomes the center of the fancy dress festival. According to legend, people brought heart-shaped leaves of mallow as a gift to the gods because they heeded their prayers and stopped the destructive May showers. At that time, magical properties were attributed to the beautiful leaves of this plant - it was believed that they were able to prevent natural disasters.

In the 20th century, various types of wild mallow also began to be widely used as a forage plant. But for gardeners, the greatest value is represented by large mallow flowers, which more than once became a source of inspiration for artists and poets. Mallow attracts with its unpretentiousness, resistance to heat and severe cold, as well as ease of care.

Mallow description

Mallows are herbaceous plants, the height of which can range from miniature 30 cm to an impressive 1.2 m. The roots of the flower branch and can go to great depths. The stems can be recumbent, ascending, or straight. They are pubescent in the lower part, but glabrous in the upper part. The rounded foliage is heart-shaped and divided into several lobes. The leaves are also pubescent. Flowers are located in the leaf axils, one or several pieces, or form racemose inflorescences. The color of the forest mallow petals is pink with dark veins. Flowers of other species are most often pink or white. Flowering lasts almost all summer. Many species are considered to be honey plants and attract many insects. After flowering, seeds are tied on the bush, which remain viable for up to 3 years. The plant can reproduce by self-seeding.

Due to the high size of most mallow species, they are usually placed in the background of flower beds in group plantings or in combination with other tall flowering plants. Without this plant, it is difficult to imagine a rustic landscape. The flowers can also be used for cutting.

Brief rules for growing mallow

The table shows brief rules for growing mallow in the open field.

Growing mallow from seeds

Sowing dates

The beginning of the flowering period depends on the time of planting mallow seeds. It can be sown directly in open ground, but also for seedlings. In the first method, the seeds are sown in the second half of May. During the summer period, the seedlings will get stronger, form a rosette of leaves, but they will not have time to bloom. Mallow will delight with its bright flowers - bells only in the next season.

The seedling method will be able to give the first flowering in the coming summer months. The seeds must be sown in January or February. The second method is more reliable and effective for different types of mallow - annual, biennial and perennial. It is recommended to sow annual seeds in January, and transplantation to a permanent place is carried out at the end of May. In this case, the mallow will bloom around mid-July. It is more favorable to sow the rest of the species only in late spring, and replant - in late summer or early autumn.

Seed preparation

Seed material can be purchased at a specialized store or used self-collected. The seeds should not be more than two years old. In the third year after harvest, the seeds show their highest germination. Before planting, soaking is carried out - the seeds are immersed in warm water and kept in it for 8-12 hours. This procedure will help soften the seed shell and accelerate their germination.

Mallow seedlings

Mallow seedlings are best grown in peat pots. This is necessary to preserve the integrity of the small roots of the plant during future transplantation.

Favorable temperature conditions for seed germination are 18-22 degrees. With this content, the mass appearance of seedlings will occur in 10-15 days. When growing mallow seeds in a common planting box, young plants will need to dive when the third full-fledged leaf appears. After thinning, a distance of at least 2 cm should remain between plantings.

Mallow seedlings need hardening. Before being transplanted to the street, she is kept in the fresh air for several hours, accustoming her to new conditions. Such flowers can be planted on the beds in late spring or at the very beginning of summer.

In addition to the seed method, some perennial species can reproduce by cuttings. They are cut in spring or summer, but this method is considered less reliable: rooting does not always occur.

Planting mallow in open ground

Landing place

Malwa needs a sunny spot. The flower is considered unpretentious and can endure partial shade, but the color of the flowers in such conditions will be less saturated, and the growth of the bushes will slow down. Areas shaded only in the hours of the greatest sun are ideal.

For planting mallow, nutritious loamy soil with a good drainage layer is suitable. Stagnant moisture can lead to decay of plant roots, so mallows should not be placed in lowlands or in areas with high groundwater levels. Flowers are planted in an elevated place, sheltered from the wind. High growth of stems often leads to their lodging from strong impulses. For the same reason, it is convenient to plant mallow along the fence. In this case, the shoots can be tied to it, as to a support.

Insufficiently nutritious soils should be pre-fertilized by mulching the future bed with humus.

Landing rules

Seedlings of annual mallow are planted towards the end of May. Two- and perennial species sown in winter are planted at the same time, but plants sown for seedlings only in May must be moved to the beds only at the end of summer.

In some cases, the sowing of mallow is carried out directly into the ground. It is carried out in the spring, in April-May, after the frosts have passed. Shallow (up to 3 cm) pits are made in the ground and 1-3 seeds are placed in them. The distance between plantings should be from 25 to 50 cm, depending on the size of the future bushes. The pits are sprinkled with earth, slightly compacted and watered. If the risk of recurrent frost still persists, cover the seedlings with foil. In warm weather, the sprouts will appear in a couple of weeks. After the formation of 3-4 leaves, the entrances are thinned out, leaving only the strongest plants.

Mallow care

Watering

Mallow does not require special care measures. The flower does not need frequent watering. Developed shrub roots can collect moisture not only within the planting area. If the summer is dry and hot for a long time, plantings should be watered more often. At the same time, the amount of watering should be moderate. To do this, use warm, sun-heated water. In normal weather, you can water the mallow about once a week. The holes in which the bushes grow are then loosened, and also systematically cleaned of weeds. Wilted flowers are also subject to removal - only those from which seeds will be collected are left.

Top dressing

Mallow does not require mandatory feeding, but responds well to all types of fertilizers. Before the buds begin to form, you can feed the bushes with a composition containing nitrogen. If the mallow grows on fertile soil, there is no need to feed the flower. On poor soils, a little compost or a low dosage of mineral fertilizers can be applied to the beds at intervals of several weeks.

Support

A garter is necessary for tall species and varieties that can be easily damaged under sharp and strong gusts of wind. A fence along which the plant is planted can act as a reliable support, or you can drive in high wooden pegs.

Pruning

Pruning of wilted flowers should be carried out in a timely manner and regularly, since the abundance of flowering and the further development of the herbaceous culture depend on this. Pruning of peduncles after flowering is carried out so that the plants do not have time to form seeds. In this way, the annual crop will become perennial. If the mallow does not have time to set the seeds, the bushes will remain until the next season.

Transfer

The bushes do not need transplants, this procedure can significantly injure the bush, but if it needs to be moved, the plant should be dug out along with the soil clod.

Mallow after flowering

In autumn, after the perennial mallow has faded, seeds can be collected from it. To do this, choose the already slightly opened boxes. Before wintering, all the stems of the bush are cut to ground level. In the southern regions, the shoots of branched mallow can be cut at a height of up to 35 cm. This will facilitate the faster development of new shoots next spring.

In early September, when the flowering period for mallow is over, the herb is completely cut to the ground level, and a mulch layer is applied on top. Humus or compost is not only a mulch, but also an excellent complementary food. Each square meter of land requires 3-4 kg of such organic fertilizer. Most mallow can easily tolerate severe frosts, but if there is a risk of freezing, the plants can be covered with foliage, straw or spruce branches.

Pests and diseases

Mallows can be affected by slugs. Traps will help get rid of such pests. Several bowls of beer are placed next to the beds. After a day, the traps are checked and all the slugs that get close to them are collected.

Mallow practically does not get sick, but sometimes rust can appear on the plant. In this case, the seamy side of the leaves is covered with dark reddish spots. This disease does not lead to the death of the plant, but it shortens the growth period and affects its decorative effect. The affected plates should be destroyed. In this case, other plantings are treated with fungicides. If the bushes regularly suffer from rust, you should choose a different area of ​​the garden for planting. For the next 2 years, it is not worth planting mallow in this place.

Sometimes the bushes are affected by powdery mildew. Fungicidal preparations or a solution of colloidal sulfur help from it. As a prevention of the development of diseases, the rules of planting care should be observed. This will eliminate the appearance of diseases associated with cultivation errors - chlorosis, falling buds or foliage. In this case, it will be enough to restore the conditions necessary for the plant: moderate watering, good lighting, periodic feeding, regular weeding and sanitary inspections. In addition, before planting, it is advisable to sterilize the soil by spilling it with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate.

Types and varieties of mallow with photos and names

Malvas are popularly called not only representatives of the mallow genus, but also some other plants from the same family (for example, hibiscus and common stockrose). These flowers have external differences, but have a similar flower shape. In addition, the rules for caring for most of them are exactly the same.

Annual species of mallow

Forest mallow (Malva sylvestris)

The most common representative of the genus. Although Malva sylvestris is a biennial plant, it is grown as an annual. It is this flower that is called "kalachik". It forms bushes up to 1.2 m tall. The stems of the forest mallow can be pointed upward or spread along the ground. Foliage has a different shape: resembling a rounded heart, lobed or finger-like. On its surface there is a small soft pubescence. Graceful flowers are collected in medium-sized inflorescences and have spectacular streaks of a darker color. Their diameter is about 5 cm. Known varieties:

• Zebrina - with large flowers of pale pink color, complemented by red veins.
• Black Mother of Pearl - flowers up to 7 cm in diameter have a purple color and almost black veins.

Perennial mallow species

Musk mallow (Malva moschata)

The height of the bushes of this species reaches 1 m. They have straight branched stems with slight pubescence. The foliage on the inside is also covered with a light fluff. Malva moschata forms fragrant flowers with a diameter of about 5 cm. Their color can be pink, pale lilac or white. Flowering lasts until autumn frosts. Popular varieties:

• White Tower - with snow-white flowers.
• White perfection - early flowering variety up to 70 cm tall. Abundant flowering.
• Pink tower - with deep pink flowers.

Sudanese mallow (Malva sabdariffa)

Or the hibiscus of Sabdariff. A biennial Indian species with beautiful large flowers, also called the Sudanese rose or rosella. Belongs to the genus Hibiscus. In addition to external decorativeness, parts of Malva sabdariffa flowers are used in cooking: it is from them that the famous hibiscus tea is prepared, and also added to various desserts. The green parts of the plant can also be eaten, which is why the flower is sometimes called "red sorrel". This species is also used in medicine. The plant can be bush-shaped or tree-like. It is noteworthy that its seeds can be found not only in a specialized store, but also in a pack of tea.

This mallow is considered the most thermophilic of these. It can be grown outdoors only in the southern regions. Most often, hibiscus is grown at home. In nature, the size of its bush can reach a height of more than 3 m, but at home they are about 1.5 m. But the flowers of the plant are short-lived and remain open all day. The decorativeness of the bushes is achieved due to their large number.

Mallow wrinkled

This genus includes two species common in culture - wrinkled mallow and common stockrose (or pink).

The height of wrinkled mallow can reach 120 cm. Alcea rugosa is still not found in horticulture as often as its relative. Its flowering lasts a little over 2 months, and the flowers are yellow in color.

Common stockrose (pink) can reach 2.5 m in height. Alcea rosea has particularly strong stems and large foliage. The green parts of the plant are pubescent. Flowers can be single or double. Their diameter can be up to 12 cm, and the color includes a variety of colors. Inflorescences-brushes with many flowers appear in the second year of the life of the bush. In culture, this plant has been used since the 15th century. Popular varieties and variety groups:

• Chater's Double Strein - bushes up to 2 m high, flowers resemble peonies.
• Majorette mixed - more miniature bushes up to 75 cm in size. Semi-double flowers.
• Powder Puffs Mixed - tall bushes with double flowers of various colors.
• Single Mixed - bushes up to 1.5 m tall with simple flowers, distinguished by shiny petals.
• Summer carnival - plant height up to 1.8 m. When sowing under winter, it blooms next summer. The structure of the flowers is terry.

Malva hybrid (Malva hybrida)

Most often, under the name Malva hybrida, you can find varieties of stockrose obtained by breeders. Such plants have a height of about 2 m and large, showy flowers of various colors. Flowering continues throughout the summer, but usually occurs only in the second year of cultivation.

Mallow properties

Since ancient times, wild mallow has been used as a medicinal plant. It is able to have a softening and enveloping, expectorant and restorative effect, fight inflammation and contribute to the overall strengthening of the body.

An infusion of foliage and flowers can help with inflammatory processes and upset stomach and intestines. Mallow flowers and leaves are added to hot baths to speed up the treatment of spleen tumors. The herb of this plant is also included in the breast collection. Flowers become the basis for a decoction that helps with skin diseases - it is used in the form of compresses. Thanks to them, itching is relieved, and wounds are also healed. Flower-based products are also common in cosmetology: they help to restore the layer of the epidermis and prevent purulent rashes. It is mallow flowers that are most often included in the composition of medicines. They contain more valuable substances (vitamin C, keratin and sugars) than leaf blades. In some countries, mallow foliage is used in cooking in the same way as grape.

The collection of mallow rhizomes is usually carried out in the spring, before the bushes bloom. Foliage and flowers are harvested throughout the summer, choosing the morning hours for this. The collected material is dried in a ventilated place, periodically turning over, or using dryers. After drying, parts of the bush should retain their color, as well as a pleasant smell. Store raw materials in fabric bags in a dry and dark place. Mallow-based medicines have no contraindications. The exception is hypersensitivity or individual intolerance.

For cough treatment, you can pour 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh flowers or leaves into a glass, and then pour boiling water over them. After 10 minutes of infusion, the broth is filtered. It is necessary to take 2-3 such glasses per day. You can add honey to the medicine, but for this the water must cool down to at least 40 degrees.