Nigella is an ornamental herb that belongs to the Buttercup family of about 20 species. The people often call the flower nigella. The place of its growth is the European western countries, Asia, Africa. Translated from Latin Nigella means "black", which characterizes its appearance. The seeds of the plant are distinguished by a bright coal-black color. Initially, the flower began to grow in Turkey and the Caucasus, gradually it migrated to India, and then spread to Europe. In England, black cumin, sesame, nutmeg, coriander are called nigella, but nigella does not apply to them at all.
Description of nigella flower
Nigella looks like an ordinary herbaceous annual, the stems of which reach a height of 30-60 cm. The leaves at the edges have a dissected outline and represent an openwork lace. The flower cups are large enough and can grow up to 4 cm in diameter. They grow singly, each flower contains 5 sepals. There are white, blue or yellow varieties. Terry nigella have thicker sepals arranged in several rows. After the nigella fades, a flattened seed capsule is formed, which consists of 6 leaflets. They contain small oval seeds with a matte black surface.
Nigella flowers are often found in landscaping. They are placed near fences, sidewalks, or grown on clubs, alpine slides. Due to its attractiveness, the plant is used to create any floral arrangements.
Growing nigella from seed
Sowing nigella
Sowing is carried out exclusively with the help of seeds, which are planted in the soil in early May or late autumn to a depth of no more than 2 cm. Shoots are resistant to freezing, but at the initial stage of growth they must be protected with any covering material. The plant is sensitive to transplanting. For this reason, it is worthwhile to determine in advance the future location of the nigella.
Seedling nigella
Seedlings sown in early spring in a greenhouse can be seen within a few weeks. As soon as a pair of healthy strong leaves is formed, the seedlings are dived in a container with a prepared soil mixture consisting of peat and humus. Then the seedlings are transplanted into open ground.
Planting nigella in open ground
When to plant a nigella
Nigella's crops are growing rapidly, so very soon you can transplant seedlings from flowerpots. The growing area should be well lit. In the shade, the flower will quickly wither. Nigella refuses to coexist with representatives of ground cover plants, so take this fact into account when choosing a place for planting. It is better to use light fertile soil with a neutral or calcareous environment as a soil.High acidity negatively affects the development of the bushes.
How to plant a nigella
Transplanting seedlings is carried out in pots. Moreover, the distance between individual seedlings should be about 15 cm, and between rows - 45 cm. If you do this too often, then thinning cannot be avoided in the future. The sown area must be thoroughly watered. It is not recommended to mulch the soil, the plant does not tolerate mulch. Flowering occurs after 40 days and lasts for several months.
Caring for nigella in the garden
Nigella is a rather capricious plant that requires constant weeding and loosening of the soil. Excessive waterlogging can lead to root rot, so special attention should be paid to the watering regime. This condition also applies to feeding. Inexperienced gardeners can easily overfeed the flower. For this reason, it is best to plant seedlings in areas containing organic fertilizers left over from other plants. Then you can forget about feeding for a while. During the flowering period, the soil is enriched with potassium-phosphate additives.
Nigella after flowering
After most of the seed pods have ripened, you can start collecting planting material, which will be useful for sowing next year. This process usually occurs in late summer or early autumn. The dried stems, on which the seeds are located, are cut and dried in bunches in a well-ventilated area. Seeds from the capsules are quickly removed if they are properly dried, and the germination property can persist for several years. Sowing in a flower bed can be done in spring or late autumn.
Breeding nigella
There is only one way to propagate nigella - with the help of seeds, which can be planted directly in the ground or used seedlings. However, the plant is capable of sowing on its own after flowering. It will not work to plant the flower in any other way.
Diseases and pests
If wet, cool weather is observed for a long time, there is a danger of infection of the flower with powdery mildew. As means of control, fungicidal solutions are used, with which the bushes are treated 2-3 times a week. In the summer drought, in the absence of watering, the plant is occupied by spider mites, which suck the juices from the stems and leaves. To get rid of ticks, Nigella is sprayed with chemicals such as Agravertin, Actellic or Acarin. As a rule, gardeners do not have other difficulties in growing it. The strong smell of seeds repels pests well.
Types and varieties of nigella
Nigella Damascus - one of the most common varieties, which is characterized by unpretentious care and attractive appearance. The habitat of this plant is the Caucasus, the coast of Crimea and Asia Minor. The stems are about 30-50 cm long. The leaves are dissected, and the flowers are white, light blue or blue and are surrounded by an openwork green carpet. There is a huge variety of prototypes of Nigella Damascus. However, not all of them will appeal to gardeners, since some varieties have small, unsightly flowers and fruits. If, nevertheless, the choice fell on this variety of nigella, then give preference to the following names:
- Cambridge Blue - has long, thin, graceful stems and attractive blue flowers.
- Persian Jewels - combines the characteristics of several varieties at the same time.
- Miss Jekyll Rose - is distinguished by rich bright pink flowers and slender green shoots, which reach a height of about half a meter. Fresh or dried flowers are added to many bouquet arrangements.
- Dwarf Moody Blue - a low-growing plant with blue flowers.
Nigella sowing - herbaceous annual with medicinal properties. The length of the stems can reach 30-70 cm. The flowers are white, blue or light green. The shape of the leaves resembles fennel.Nigella sowing seeds are coal-black, characterized by a bright dizzying aroma. They are added to various dishes as a condiment. For medical purposes, they are used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Popularly, this plant is called black cumin, sesame or flowering fennel. The mention of him is found even in the scriptures.
Nigella spanish Is a less common, tall-stemmed annual, native to the southern coast of Spain and northern Africa. The leaves are rich green, the flowers are blue, have stamens. The smell of flowers is weak. The flowering period begins in June and lasts until mid-autumn.
Nigella eastern Is a dwarf decorative annual with tiny flowers and seed bolls. Often used in bouquets.
Useful properties of nigella
Nigella spp. Is not only grown as a flower bed decoration, it has medicinal properties and is used as food. The seeds have a pronounced strawberry taste and smell. They are added as food additives in bakery and culinary production, and are used for canning vegetables. Nigella leaves are also edible, tonic and improve overall well-being.
Nigella seeds contain a large amount of nutrients: vitamin E, ascorbic acid and essential oils. They have a comprehensive restorative effect on the body. As folk remedies, they are used for diseases such as dysbiosis, cystitis, pyelonephritis. It is recommended to add seeds to food during the period of drug treatment for epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, cancer and drug addiction. The infusion, prepared on the basis of the seeds of the plant, improves the course of metabolic processes in the body, promotes the management of toxic substances, helps with weight loss, slows down aging and strengthens memory.
To prepare a tincture of nigella, it is necessary to insist the seeds on vodka in a 1: 5 ratio for about 7 days. After that, the liquid is filtered, then it is stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to take 10-15 drops of this tincture for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
To make tea, the seeds are poured with boiling water and infused for 20 minutes. Take it for several days as a diuretic and choleretic agent. This tea has anthelmintic properties and does not irritate the stomach lining.
Nigella perfectly helps to fight room moths, mosquitoes. The specific smell of seeds scares away insects.
The seeds are not recommended for pregnant women, people with coronary heart disease, gastritis, cholelithiasis, or patients who have recently undergone organ transplants.
