Ampel lobelia is an unpretentious blooming one-year-old of the Bell-bell family. Its name came from the name of the Dutch botanist Matthias de L'Aubel. The plant will be very adorned with a balcony, a terrace , a flower bed, a vase or a basket in the gazebo. It is grown as a hanging or ground cover plant. At the same time the process of caring for her is quite simple.
Growing ampel lobelia
The variety of ampel lobelia in agrotechnics is very similar to other varieties of the family. Propagation of the plant can be cuttings, as well as many types of hybrids. Speaking of hybrids, it should be mentioned that ampel lobelia appeared precisely due to the crossing of several species in order to give the flower a suitable shape for decorating hanging baskets.
Lobelia ampel, grown from seeds, develops rather slowly, therefore it is necessary to sow it in February or early March. In this case, seedlings require lightening, if you do not want to get weak and sick seedlings.
The seeds themselves are very small in lobelia, and to evenly distribute them on the surface of the box with the soil, you can mix them with wet sand or pour over a small layer of snow laid on the surface of the plate and distribute the toothpick.
Between seeds, ideally, there should be a distance of 2 cm, so that all plants receive the same amount of light and that they do not have to be thinned in the future.
No matter how you plant the seeds of ampel lobelia, you do not need to sprinkle them with soil. This will greatly complicate germination or completely destroy sprouts.
Sprinkle the seeds with a spraying method from the spray gun, so as not to wash the soil. You can add several crystals of manganese to the water. After watering, the container with earth and seeds is covered with glass or film. Make sure that the top layer of the soil is always moistened.
It is necessary several times a day to take shelter and air a landing. The first shoots will appear on the 10-12 day. And when there are 2 real leaves on the plants, the time of their picking on individual cups comes.
Piquation of lobelia
Do this very carefully, so as not to damage the roots. If there are tightly fused bundles, do not separate them - transplant as is.
First time after picking do not put pots under direct sunlight, wait until the seedling gets stronger. When this happens, move it to a warm and bright room, for example - on a balcony or a loggia . When the seedling reaches 3-5 cm in height, pinch off the tops of it to make the bushes more lush and compact.
The landing of ampel lobelia in the open ground
This heat-loving plant can be planted in the garden from late May to mid-June. Choose sunny, open areas with well drained and sufficiently moist soil.
If the lobelia is planted in pots, vases and containers, you can place them in any corner of the garden or terrace. It is important not to forget to water the plants in time, so that they will delight your eye with magnificent flowering throughout the summer season.
Care for ampel lobelia
A real cascade of flowers, hanging from baskets and flowerpots, will decorate any site, garden, balcony or terrace. But that the flowering did not stop, you need to ensure the plant proper care. And most importantly - to keep the soil moist. Lobelia does not tolerate a drought at all. From this it stops flowering.
Especially important is watering for plants growing in dark containers. They are very hot in the sun and the soil in them is quickly dried. Make sure that the land where lobelia grows is always moistened.
The best flower grows in nutrient soil without manure and compost, which contribute only to build up the green mass, but reduce the number of flowers.