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appeared in the gardens and the gardens almost simultaneously with potatoes, sunflower and corn. Like these cultures, it comes from the South American jungle.
Features of the numerous genus Tropaeolum
In nature, there are about nine dozen types of nasturtiums. And with all the diversity, whether it is multimeter creeping or climbing vines, shrubs or modest plants with a height of no more than 30 cm, all nasturtiums have common features, thanks to which they received their generic name Tropaeolum.
When describing plants, it was noted that the dense leaves on long petioles resemble shields, and the shape of the rims resembles fancy helmets. Since the flowers were foreign, their comparison with “trophae”, a small trophy, appeared. You can hear what nasturtium is called capuchin, painfully bright, decorated with spurs cups of flowers look like deep monastic hoods.
In all species, whether curly nasturtium or erect:
- very juicy, fleshy stems;
- single flowers on long peduncles emanating from the sinuses;
- alternately located thyroid or rounded fleshy leaves;
- long elastic petioles, like leaves, often covered with a waxy coating;
- combined fruits, dividing after ripening into three round, wrinkled semen.
In the countries of South and Central America, where the climate allows, the nasturtium is a perennial plant. In the middle lane it is impossible to achieve this, but it is quite easy to get a plant that blooms effectively throughout the summer with the help of seeds. The two-week old nasturtium fruits that mature for a season and remain viable for up to five years produce powerful shoots from which not only decorative types of nasturtium are obtained, but also nasturtiums that produce edible leaves, fruits, flowers and even tubers.
Therefore, when planting and caring for nasturtium, it is important to consider the purpose and characteristics of the cultivated species and variety.
Curling Foreign Nasturtium( T. peregrinum)
Foreign Nasturtium, in comparison with other species, has probably the most original and memorable appearance.
The foreign nasturtium has medium-sized, divided into seven parts leaves of a light green color and yellow, with petals cut along the edge. Flowering of winding nasturtium in the open field begins in mid-summer and ends only with the arrival of frost. Under favorable conditions, over the summer, the vine will have time to give climbing stems up to 3.5 meters high.
Such a volume of green mass can not do without reliable support, enough sun and plenty of watering. The best place for planting is a wall, a terrace, a garden fence or a sturdy trellis fence protecting from nasturtium. In order to bring flowering closer and improve the quality of seeds, foreign nasturtium is better planted seedlings in the ground.
Nasturtium Small( T. minus)
The stalks at the most miniature type of nasturtium are thin, strongly branching and reaching a length of 25–35 cm. On the lashes there are a lot of medium-sized round leaves on elegant long petioles. Similar to yellow flowers with small spots on the petals of small nasturtium, with a diameter of only 3 cm. The spurs of this species are short and slightly curved.
This is one of the most unpretentious nasturtiums, planting and caring for which will not be difficult even for a gardener with little experience. The plant is successfully grown in containers and in open ground. Flowering begins in June, and the seeds ripen well in the middle band.
Perennial thyroid nasturtium( T. peltophorum)
In Ecuador and Colombia, where the plant was first discovered, this type of nasturtium is known as unpretentious perennial. Even in the conditions of a mild European winter, for example, in the UK, four-meter thick nesturtium thickets does not freeze, but only stops flowering.
In Russia, the fleshy rhizome of this photophilous culture does not withstand soil freezing, therefore, like other nasturtiums, it is planted in spring with seeds or seedlings. For planting of a thyroid nasturtium, sites protected from drafts are selected:
- with loose fertile soil with a weak alkaline reaction;
- illuminated in the upper tier and shaded at the root level.
A plant with creeping four-meter-tall stems can be used as a ground cover or grown on poles, creating, thanks to dark green leaves and large, 6-centimeter flowers, magnificent living decorations for the garden.
Nasturtium large( T. majus)
The large nasturtium exists in bush form up to 60 cm in height, and also as an ampelous plant with a length of stems up to 2.5 meters. Succulent stems have strong branching and are quite fragile. Rounded, thyroid, leaves in diameter reach 8 cm and are covered with a noticeable bluish bloom on the underside.
Today, gardeners are well known for both simple and terry nasturtiums of this species with spectacular fragrant flowers of yellow, cream, orange and red colors. There are varieties with variegated flowers in red-orange or yellow colors. A characteristic feature of the species is early and long flowering, as well as abundant self-seeding at the end of the season. At the same time, the plant is harmed by abundant nutrition. Nasturtium zhiruet, creating thick greens, but reducing flowering.
Simple and terry cultural nasturtium( T. cultorum)
On the basis of a large and thyroid nasturtium, many original hybrids are nowadays combined under the common name Tropaeolum cultorum. Plants with a height of 40 cm to 3 m in Russia are grown as annuals. Thyroid leaves of this species can have not only the usual green color, but also be a thick purple hue. The flowers in the characteristic for the nasturtium range come from the sinuses of the leaves, have a diameter of up to 5 cm, and are simple and terry.
Mass flowering and tiny forms no higher than 30 cm, and huge curly nasturtiums run from June until late autumn. During this time, the seeds ripen well and can be used when sowing next spring.
Planting and caring for nodurtium tuberiferous( T. tuberosum)
Herbaceous, climbing plant with shoots of three or four meters in length is covered with five-toed small leaves. Funnel-shaped flowers with orange-red or pink sepals open in July, and their number does not decrease until October.
Tuberous nasturtium or Mashua for thousands of years included in the diet of the local population of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. However, in Europe for a long time was known only as an ornamental plant with powerful stems, capable of climbing to a great height, being fixed on the walls with leaf stalks and side shoots.
This type of nasturtium, like in its homeland, in the mountainous regions of the Andes, prefers coolness and abundance of moisture. The glossy, waxy skin of tubers forming in the soil reaches a length of 20 cm. Moreover, except for white, some varieties of nasturtiums give a pink, yellow and purple crop up to 1.5 kg per bush.
All parts of the plant are edible. Tubers are boiled, frozen, baked or eaten raw. And the leaves and flowers go to salads and marinades. Planting and caring for the nasturtium of this type differ little from growing potatoes. Seeding is possible, but spring planting of seed tubers gives the best result.
Five-Leaf Nasturtium( T. pentaphyllum)
Perennial herbaceous curly nasturtium forms creepers about 6 meters in length, seated with pale green palmate, like clover, leaves. Shoots easily climb hillsides, rocky fences and even walls of buildings.
For an amazing shape, as in the photo, nasturtium flowers in English-speaking countries, the plant has received the name "lady's shoe" or "lady's foot."Indeed, pinkish-red single flowers, a little more than a centimeter in size, are strikingly elegant. When the flowering is completed, bright blue rounded seeds appear on the spot of tiny corollas.
Multiple-leaved nasturtium( T. polyphyllum)
A liana of up to 3 meters covered in small silver-colored leaves is capable of forming large underground tubers, which in favorable areas successfully winter in soil.
New shoots and bright yellow flowers nasturtium gives throughout the season, and with the onset of cold weather, the entire aboveground part dies. After a mild winter, the tubers remaining underground give birth to a new plant. In Russia, it is easier to propagate and grow this species through seeds.
Nasturtium fine( T. speciosum)
Perennial nasturtium with three-meter long vines. The leaves are bright green with five lobes and clearly visible longitudinal veins. When the openwork flowers, which have a rich red color, fade away, blue fruits containing small seeds appear in their place.
Nasturtium prefers a sour loose soil where it forms succulent fleshy tubers. When the soil dries out, the plant quickly loses its decorative effect; therefore, the soil is mulched and provides shading to the roots and the lower part of the stems.
Nasturtium tricolor( T. tricolorum)
Perennial South American liana with shoots not less than 2 meters long and covered with small five- or seven-fingered leaves. Flowering lasts about three months and is accompanied by a massive appearance of orange-scarlet with black border and bright yellow heart of flowers on long thin burgundy peduncles. This type of climbing nasturtium, unfortunately, does not tolerate frosts extremely well, therefore, in the middle zone it is grown only in closed ground or with the help of seedlings.
Nasturtium Azure( T. azureum)
This perennial Nasturtium from Chile is distinguished not only by the unusual blue color of the flowers, but also by their surprisingly elegant shape. The appearance of small flowers with five rounded petals, short spurs and a white and yellow middle begins in May and lasts for a month. The height of the plant, which represents a shrub in the homeland, is from 60 to 100 cm. At the same time, the stems are covered with 2-centimeter palmar leaves of pale green color.
Short-sprat nasturtium( T. brachyceras)
Bright yellow flowers with short, wide spurs of pinkish color appear on thin peduncles and densely strew curly stems of this type of nasturtium. The leaves are tiny, five-fingered, very tender.
In order to speed up germination and bring flowering closer, they use the rassatny method of planting nasturtiums, which will take care of them at home for up to 2 months. Seeds to a depth of a centimeter are sown in fine sand mixed with compost and kept at a temperature of 15 to 20 degrees. Shoots appear only after 4-6 weeks or later. Emerging seedlings are distributed into individual peat pots, and when the plants are strengthened, they are planted in a sunny place with well-drained soil.
