Physalis ordinary has a rich orange color and resembles paper Chinese lanterns, inside of which is a round fruit. This unusual shape and color makes this plant interesting from a decorative point of view. Physalis vulgaris has several varieties, which differ in height and size of lanterns. Physalis is not difficult to grow from seeds and in our conditions.
Physalis - planting and care
Physalis vulgaris - the plant is undemanding. It is able to tolerate frosts to -30 ° C, withstand the sun and normally grows in the shade, so it is allowed to grow it under bushes or trees. But if you want to get a harvest of bright and colorful lanterns of physalis, then you will have to plant it only under the sun.
To prepare the soil for physalis, you need to add humus, compost , stale stale, and ash to it. If desired, you can replace natural fertilizers with complex mineral fertilizers.
For physalis, moist soil is important. Plots with stagnation of water for the plant are absolutely not suitable. Care for physalis is the timely weeding, loosening and watering once a week. If the weather is dry enough, then watering is needed every other day.
Top dressing of physalis with complex fertilizers begins during the flowering of the plant, then during the formation of fruits and the last feeding is carried out 2-3 weeks after the previous one. For 10 liters of water take 10-15 g of potassium salt, 10-20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of ammonium nitrate. The consumption of this fertilizer is 10 liters per 1 sq. Km. m. Also used for feeding are bird droppings. It is bred in water 1 to 20. One plant needs half a liter of this fertilizer. It must not be forgotten that fertilizer overabundance is bad for plants.
Cultivation of the physalis well takes place in the area where legumes, cabbage, cucumbers, and root crops used to grow. It is not recommended to plant after the nightshade crops.
Physalis does not require formation, only for tall varieties of this plant, it is necessary to tie up to maintain the harmony of the branches, which will then be used for decoration. If you pinch the tops of the physalis in late August, the lanterns will have time to ripen to the cold.
Transplant and Reproduction
To prevent degeneration of the physalis, the rhizome is subject to division and transplantation. This event should be held once in 6-7 years. Planted physalis according to this pattern:
- short stature -40 to 50 cm;
- medium-sized - 40 by 70 cm;
- tall 60 by 80 cm.
Another physalis multiplies fine, if it is planted in seedlings . To do this, in spring, sow the seeds of this plant in a moistened and compacted environment, cover with glass and put in a warm place. The glass is removed when the seeds germinate and then grow in the light. During this period, the Physalis requires moderate watering. The ideal air temperature for growing physalis is + 20-22 ° C.
To spend physalis in peat or plastic cups it is necessary then, when several leaves have already formed. Deepen them to the leaves. For tall and medium-sized plant varieties, additional transplantation is required in a larger container before planting into the ground.
Prior to disembarkation, seedlings are periodically exposed to the street so that they can get used to the natural temperatures. When there are 6-8 leaves, you can transplant into the ground. The period from the appearance of the first shoots to the aging of lanterns occurs in 90-150 days.