Nightshade (Latin name "Solyanum") belongs to the nightshade family. In nature, there are more than 1,500 species of nightshade. This amazing family includes both wild and well-known cultivated plants. For example - potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant. Also, amateur gardeners plant on their plots ornamental variety of nightshade "Curly" or variety "Jasmine". The nightshade family also has representatives of indoor flowers (pepper nightshade and false pepper nightshade). These saltanums are distinguished by the brightness of the fruits and the spectacular green foliage.
Mostly plants from the nightshade family are evergreen shrubs that grow in the tropics and subtropics. But the largest concentration of species is in South America.
Most of the nightshade are perennials, but there are also annual species. The species of nightshade is so great that there are grasses, shrubs, climbing vines and even trees in this family. The fruit, as a rule, in the nightshade is a polyspermous berry.
Caring for nightshade at home
Lighting
Nightshade is a light-loving plant. Loves sunlight. Shading is required only on the hottest days.
Temperature
In spring and summer, the plant feels good at temperatures from + 20⁰ to + 25⁰С. And in winter and autumn, nightshade prefers cooler temperatures up to + 15⁰С. If these temperature conditions are observed, the plant will bear fruit longer. Nightshade does not tolerate drafts, although it needs fresh air.
Watering
From early spring, all summer until the end of September, the plant needs abundant watering. Indoor varieties of nightshade have a dormant period from October to February. In the months when the plant does not have enough light and low room humidity, it should be moved to a cool, bright place in the apartment and watering should be limited. During this period, the flower only needs spraying. You can start watering only when new shoots appear. Usually, this is mid-February.
Air humidity
For nightshade, the optimum air humidity is at least 60%. Daily spraying is recommended, or moistening with a water pan filled with expanded clay.
The soil
The most suitable soil composition for nightshade is a mixture of turf, leaf humus and peat. The ratio is 1: 1: 1.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the period of active growth and flowering, nightshade needs regular fertilization. It can be a special fertilizer for indoor plants. Fertilizers for tomatoes are also suitable.
Transfer
Only an adult plant needs to be transplanted. This should be done in early spring. During transplantation, the shoots are cut off to half the length of the plant.
Reproduction of indoor nightshade
Nightshade reproduces both by cuttings and seeds. Consider these 2 ways:
Seed propagation
We spread the seeds on the moistened soil, sprinkle on top with a thin layer of sand or humus and cover with plastic wrap or glass.The optimum temperature for germination is 20-22⁰С. The first shoots should appear in about two weeks. Next, the plant needs to be dived and transplanted into separate pots. When transplanting, pinch the young process. For further growth and development, nightshade requires repeated pruning. Thus, we form a more lush crown of the flower.
Propagation by cuttings
In the spring or during the summer, we add a thin layer of earth to the cutting. Nightshade takes root very well this way. Just like when germinating with seeds, the young shoot needs to be pinched, then we also form the plant by pruning several times.
Diseases and pests
Like other plants, nightshade is susceptible to disease and has its own pests. The most common pests are whitefly and orange aphids. If you notice green larvae on the opposite side of the leaf, and the leaves begin to turn yellow, curl and fall off, then the plant is inhabited by whitefly larvae. They suck all the juices out of the flower. At the slightest touch, a whole cloud of small midges appears above the flower.
How to deal with a whitefly. First you need to collect all the affected leaves. Next, we begin to spray with special chemicals that fight harmful insects (insecticides). Spraying should be carried out at least 3 times a day.
Orange aphid. Like whitefly larvae, aphids damage plant leaves. Usually, aphids settle on the underside of the leaf. They turn yellow, curl and fall off.
How to deal with aphids... If there are no special spray preparations on hand, you can use a steep soapy solution. The plant can be processed several times.
If the air in the apartment is very dry, then there is a risk of infection with red spider mite... If a cobweb appears on the plant, specks that grow and merge, then you need to take immediate measures. We increase the moisture around the plant. If this does not help, then you need to spray the nightshade with acaricides.
Popular types of nightshade
Solyanum jasmine - evergreen, curly bush. The height of the flower reaches 4 meters. Branches are bare, thin. The location of the leaves is closer to the top of the shoots. They have a simple ovoid shape, and the leaves located closer to the trunk are larger, shiny, up to 6 centimeters in length. The flowers are white and blue, about 2 centimeters in diameter. The fruits of the "Jasmine nightshade" are a bright scarlet berry. This species has a long and abundant flowering, about 8 months.
Solyanum Giant - evergreen shrub. Plant height reaches 6 meters. Branches are strong, densely branched. The shoots are covered with pubescent gray-white thorns. The elliptical shape of the leaves, reaching a length of 25 cm. Above, the leaf is bright green, and the lower part is white-gray pubescent. Hanging inflorescences with small flowers of dark purple color. Giant nightshade blooms from July to August.
Solyanum "Zeaforta" - climbing shrub, reaching 6 meters in height. The shape of the foliage is pinnate, that is, a group of leaf blades in which the last blade has no pair. The shape of the leaf is oblong with a pointed apex. Flowers consist of axillary panicles of light purple color. The fruits of "Zeafort" are red-orange in color, egg-shaped. Long bloom from autumn to early spring.
Solyanum Wendland - evergreen climbing shrub, reaching 6 meters in height, with highly branched branches covered with small thorns. The upper leaves are pinnately dissected, approximately 10 cm long. The lower leaves are three-lobed, no more than 25 cm long. The color of the foliage is dark green. Flowers of "Wendland nightshade" have the shape of bells, in the upper part they are collected in panicles. The color of the inflorescences is purple-lilac. The fruits are bright red. Blooms all summer from June to August.
Solyanum Curly - fast growing evergreen or semi-evergreen vine. He is also called Glasnevin. This is an unpretentious, easy-care plant.The flowers are star-shaped, very similar to a potato flower. The berries are pale yellow in color. Bloom from June to October. Gardeners use Glasnevin in vertical compositions and to decorate gazebos and walls. This species is the most cold-resistant among its family.
Solyanum False Pepper - a small, evergreen shrub, 50 centimeters high. Densely growing shoots are covered with rich green foliage. Leaves arranged in pairs have an elongated shape. During flowering, the plant is covered with small white flowers. It is a constantly flowering plant. Fruits, as they ripen, change color from green to bright red. The size and shape are reminiscent of cherries. The berries of "False Pepper" are poisonous. There is a dwarf form no more than 30 cm high. This type is very popular with indoor florists.
Solunum Pepper - undersized shrub with sparsely pubescent green-gray leaves. Height is not more than 50 cm. The shape of the leaves along the edge is wavy, oblong. The size is different from 2 to 7 cm. The flowers are small, white. Fruits up to one centimeter in diameter. The berries on the plant last 3-4 months. The juice of the berries is poisonous. Pepper nightshade has several varieties that differ in the color of the foliage and the color of the flowers.
In European countries it is called "Jerusalem cherry" in our country it is known under the name "Winter cherry".
Pepper solyanum is very similar to false pepper solyanum. In the pepper, the difference is only in miniature size, there is practically no stiffness of the stem and there is a bluish edge, the size of the fruits is smaller.
