Nemesia (Nemesia) is a flowering herb that belongs to the Norichnikov family and unites in its genus about 50 different species (annuals and perennials).
The average plant height is 30-60 cm.The culture consists of branched slightly pubescent stems, linear or lanceolate leaves with a toothed border, apical inflorescences of various shades and fruits - capsules with elongated black seeds that retain high germination only in the first two years after collection. In temperate climates, outdoor nemesia is grown as an annual plant. At home, it can grow as an indoor perennial flower. Nemesia reproduces with the help of seeds, cuttings and root division.
Growing nemesia from seeds
Sowing nemesia for seedlings
A favorable time for planting seeds for seedlings is the last week in March. Seedling containers are filled with a soil mixture for flowering plants (moisture-absorbing and loose, peat-sandy), a layer of snow is applied on top, if possible, and seeds are distributed over it. The containers are covered with glass and left in a bright room with a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. The main care of crops is regular soil moisture and daily ventilation. The first shoots will appear in about 10-14 days.
Nemesia seedling care
After the massive appearance of seedlings, the cover is removed, the containers are rearranged to brighter lighting and a temperature of 8-10 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, young plants will not be drawn to the light, development will occur evenly.
Complex mineral dressings are applied for the first time a week after germination. Low concentration fertilizers are added to the soil together with irrigation water. Watering should be done moderately. It is recommended to constantly loosen the soil. It is necessary to dive the plants in about a month, when 3-4 true leaves will appear on each young plant. Seedlings are transplanted into individual cups or pots and kept at a temperature of about 13 degrees Celsius. It is very important that the soil in the seedling containers is always slightly damp. Drought for such plants will be disastrous. Fifteen days before transplanting seedlings to open beds, hardening procedures begin.
If nemesia seedlings are grown for landscaping a veranda or balcony, then the seeds can be sown in mid-February, and the pick is immediately carried out in ordinary flower pots and, with the arrival of spring heat, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Planting nemesia in open ground
When to plant nemesia
Before planting seedlings, the soil on the site should warm up enough, and there will be no night frosts. Warm spring weather should be established by this time. Such conditions are possible around the last week of May or the first week of June.
Site and soil selection
Nemesia prefers to grow in well-drained areas with fertile soil, neutral in reaction, with adequate sunlight and ventilation. If there is no such place, then penumbra growing conditions on slightly acidic soil with an average availability of nutrients are also suitable.
Seedling planting scheme
The depth and diameter of the planting hole should correspond to the size of the root part of the seedling together with the earthy clod. The interval between plantings is 20-30 cm. The seedlings are placed in a hole, sprinkled with earth, watered abundantly, and after absorbing moisture, a mulching layer is applied to the soil. With proper care, the flowering period will begin early in the second summer month.
Nemesia care
Watering
Watering is carried out regularly in moderate amounts with plain water at least twice a week. On especially hot days and in the absence of rainfall for a long time, you need to water the flowers more often and more abundantly.
The soil
Soil maintenance on flower beds consists of weeding and loosening. It is necessary to rid the site of weeds in a timely manner and most carefully around the nemesia bushes.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Organic or mineral dressings are applied to the soil on flower beds 2-3 times per summer. The mineral complex "Kemira Lux" or various herbal infusions are perfect for this.
Topping
Pinching the nemesia tops promotes more lush branching and flowering. This procedure must be performed regularly.
Post-flowering nemesia
After the end of the first flowering period, gardeners recommend removing all wilted and faded inflorescences along with shoots. With proper further care, new shoots will form and a new flowering period will begin.
Diseases and pests
Moisture-loving nemesia is often subject to fungal diseases. They occur in most cases due to excessive and abundant watering, which causes stagnant water and rotting of the root part. It is recommended to moisturize the soil regularly, but in moderation. The next watering is best done only after the top layer of the soil has dried. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to treat the plants with special fungicidal preparations.
The main possible pest of nemesia is the spider mite. Signs of its appearance on flowers are a thin cobweb sticking to the hands, drying and falling leaf plates. In such cases, urgent measures must be taken to save flower crops. It is recommended to treat the soil on the site and all flower plantations with one of the effective solutions - Karate, Actellik or Akarin.
Popular species and varieties
Among several dozen varieties of nemesia, there are specimens for decorating a garden or personal plot, as well as for landscaping and creating comfort in open spaces (for example, on a terrace, on a balcony or loggia). Some of them are the most popular among gardeners and florists.
Lush nemesia (Nemesia floribunda) - a species of interest to many professionals and amateurs in floriculture, but not yet very common in culture. It is a flowering shrub with a height of 30-40 cm with strong bright green shoots and delicate blue flowers of a very small size.
Struma nemesia (Nemesia strumosa) - an annual species, known in culture since the end of the nineteenth century. The bush consists of highly branched shoots, with bright green oval leaves, irregular flowers about 30 mm in diameter, yellow, orange, red and pink. The average height of the culture is 30-40 cm.
The plant is known for several varieties that are in demand in culture, which differ in shades of flowers. Sparklers has bicolor and tri-color flowers, Nashinal Ensyn blooms in white and reds, and Fanfair in yellow and cream. The bushes of Aurora and Fire King reach a height of 30 cm and attract the eye with large white and bright red flowers.
Nemesia multi-colored (Nemesia versicolor) - a type of flowers - annuals, which is of South African origin.The plant is distinguished by the presence of several hybrids with original colors. This type of nemesia consists of highly branched shoots, thin in diameter and medium in height. The average length of each shoot is from 15 to 25 cm. The bush blooms with small pink flowers.
Popular varieties are Blue Bird and Edelbdau. Each of them has unusual flowers. Blue Bird attracts the eye with bright blue flowers with small specks of white or yellow, and Edelblau is one-color (all shades of blue and blue), two-color and even tricolor specimens. One flower combines blue and white, pink and orange, white, yellow and lilac, and a few more different options.
Nemesia hybrid (Nemesia hybrida) - an annual species with large flowers of irregular shape, collected in inflorescences - brushes. The average height of the bush is 30-60 cm. The best varieties: Triumph and Carnival, popular because of the many colors and shades during flowering; Tumbelina and Mantle of the King, distinguished by abundant blooms of blue, turquoise, lavender and blues.
Nemesia ampelous - a hybrid consisting of eight varieties, the names of which come from the color of the exotic fruit and the corresponding shade of the nemesia flower - these are Peach, Lemon, Cranberry, Blackberry, Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Coconut.
