Mirabilis - planting and care in the open field, the secrets of growing. Planting and caring for mirabilis in the open field: when to sow seeds and plant tubers Mirabilis night beauty planting and care

Mirabilis does not require much effort when planting and caring in the open field. He can rightfully be given the status of a flower, which is ideal for lazy gardeners. The main thing is to choose the right place and do not forget to water the unpretentious plant. Everything else you don't have to worry about.

The name of the flower is translated from Latin as "amazing". Indeed, a gentle garden pet never ceases to amaze owners with a variety of colors and unpretentiousness in growing. Often even a combination of shades of buds is striking. If you plant 2 bushes of different colors side by side, then next year you will find an unimaginable range of colors resulting from pollination. On one mirabilis, white and purple, red and yellow buds can easily coexist. This harmony looks amazing.

Another amazing quality of a green pet is night flowering. For this unusual property, he even received a second name - "night beauty". The plant also has another, more romantic name: "a thousand and one nights." Beautiful buds bloom in the second half for, delight with a beautiful view and sweet aroma until the morning. Within a day, the inflorescences fade, new ones appear in their place. And such a bright cycle continues until the first frost.

The marvelous plant has an overseas origin and a rather exotic look. Despite this, it perfectly took root in conditions of moderate latitude. More precisely, only one species is adapted to our climate - mirabilis yalapa. It includes a huge number of varieties that amaze with a variety of shades and sizes.

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Appearance of plants

Outwardly, garden beauties are small bushes, the height of which does not exceed 1 m. The roots of plants are similar to turnip or carrot tubers. The stems are densely branched and fairly straight. Their distinctive feature is a red tint. As the plant matures, the lower part of the branches becomes stiff. The leaves are ovoid and deep green in color. They sit directly on the stems or are attached to short petioles.

The cups of flowers are funnel-shaped and have wide limbs, the diameter of which often reaches 2.5 cm. The buds can grow singly, or they can be collected in lush inflorescences. In nature, mirabilis flowers of various shades are found: pink, white, yellow, red, orange. They can be single color or two color. Often there are original specimens, for example, spotted or striped.

Reproduction by seeds

There are several ways to propagate beautiful "night beauty" flowers. However, the most simple, convenient and common method for mirabilis is growing from seeds. To use it, it is necessary to begin preparation in early spring. In March, the seeds are soaked for 24 hours in warm water, after which they are planted in a greenhouse. Even if you did not take care of pre-soaking, you should not worry: even without this, the seeds germinate.

The temperature in the greenhouse should not be very high. The best option is 18-20 ° C. Under such conditions, you can expect good germination and violent growth. After about 7 days, the first shoots will appear from the ground. They must be carefully planted in different containers. It is advisable to choose deep cups, since the flower has a tap root system.

It is necessary to transplant young plants into open ground after the threat of night frosts has disappeared. In central Russia, the best time is the beginning of May. When you plant mirabilis, make sure that the distance between neighboring bushes is at least 40 cm. The plants grow quite quickly, they will soon become crowded in a smaller area. Then lush flowering can not be expected.

After the planting of flowers in fresh air is completed, it is recommended to cover them with polyethylene at night until the weather becomes consistently warm. This will avoid the death of young seedlings from unforeseen frosts. For the same reason, it is not recommended to plant plants immediately in open soil with seeds.

Cuttings of bushes

Cuttings are a method of propagation that is rarely used. It is much easier to propagate a beautiful plant with the help of seeds. However, this method has the right to life. If you decide to resort to it, get ready for the fact that the procedure can take a lot of time.

1 It is necessary to cut off the cuttings from the mother plant, which are a little stiff. The optimal size of the segments is about 10 cm.
2 The cut should be slightly dried. After that, it is recommended to dip it in a growth stimulator, for example, in Kornevin. This will help speed up root formation.
3 For rooting, cuttings are best placed in water. Planting them in the ground is not recommended. Containers with plants should be placed in a warm room. The optimum temperature is 20-22 °C. If it is colder, there is a high risk that the cuttings will not give roots.
4 After about 2-3 weeks, the first roots appear on the cuttings. If this does not happen and there is no sign of growth on the stem, most likely it will have to be thrown away. This rarely happens, in most cases, mirabillis cuttings germinate.

Experienced gardeners use a little trick to speed up germination. The lower part of the pot, in which the cuttings take root, is gently heated to 20-22 ° C. Of course, you can only resort to this method if the containers are made of materials that cannot be melted. As a rule, shortly after heating, the plants give roots.

After the roots have become a little stronger, the seedlings must be transplanted. It is better if mirabilis is planted immediately on the street, and not in a pot. The flower does not like to be disturbed often.

Suitable piece of land

Mirabilis is a night beauty who moved to us from hot tropical countries. Therefore, it is not surprising that she is a big fan of warmth and light. When choosing a place to plant a plant in the garden, it is better to give preference to the warmest and brightest area, which is well lit by the sun's rays. If you plant a plant in partial shade or under a tree, it will feel uncomfortable. This will immediately affect the appearance: growth will be slow, and the buds will be small. But the mirabilis flower tolerates drafts and gusts of wind, oddly enough, well. Of course, if a hurricane is planned on the street, it is better not to experiment, but to cover the bush with a thick film.

When looking for the most suitable place for growing a "night beauty", one must also take into account the fact that an exotic plant is very demanding on soil moisture. It absolutely does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so it is better not to plant it in lowlands or in swampy areas. If this factor is not taken into account, mirabilis may die from rotting of the root system.

The ideal land for a flower is fertile loamy or clayey. It is desirable that there is lime in the soil. But it is better to abandon the idea of \u200b\u200bgrowing shrubs on acidic soil. Under such conditions, the plant will feel bad.

When choosing a suitable place, be sure to keep in mind that the bush grows quite quickly. Soon he will occupy most of the flower garden or flower bed. Another important point: if there are people in your family who are prone to allergies or do not tolerate strong aromas, it is better to plant a flower away from the living quarters.

What care does the plant need?

"Night Beauty", which is grown according to all the rules, will delight you with lush flowering throughout the season. The main thing is to follow a few simple recommendations for caring for the plant.

1 Despite the fact that the flower is a resident of hot countries and is quite resistant to drought, you should not forget about regular watering. If the flower experiences a lack of moisture, it will stop budding. Then you can not hope for lush flowering. It is necessary to moisten the soil as it dries. If you follow this rule, a luxurious bush will delight the eye with fragrant large flowers.
2 Those who are just starting to care for a bush need to know that it needs regular loosening of the soil and removal of weeds. When the soil is loose and light, it is easier for oxygen to penetrate into it. As a result, mirabilis grows faster and blooms more abundantly. Shrubs that grow quickly should be repotted.
3 If you want the plant to develop faster and bring lush flowers, loosening alone is not enough. Periodically, the bush needs to be pampered with fertilizers. For the whole season it is necessary to carry out 3-4 dressings. It is better to use mineral fertilizers, which can be purchased at any specialized store. But it is better to refuse organic matter: it makes the soil more acidic, which Mirabilis does not like.
4 It is not necessary to trim or form a mirabilis bush, it does fine without these procedures. But in order to prevent self-seeding, it is necessary to remove the buds that have already faded in a timely manner. It is in them that the seed pods are formed.

Mirabilis, the cultivation of which follows all of the above recommendations, blooms around mid-June. If in the second half of the month the shrub is in no hurry to pamper you with beautiful flowers, although the buds have started, you need to take care of more abundant watering. Most likely, the plant does not have enough moisture.

winter period

The dormant period of a beautiful plant begins immediately after the last flowers fade. This usually happens at the end of November and continues until mid-March. Mirabilis is an annual plant, so some of its shoots may die off. You should not worry about this - the process is completely normal and does not lead to the death of the shrub.

If you leave the "night beauty" to winter in the open field, you can not wait for seedlings next year. Therefore, many flower growers who do not want to lose a beautiful flower take it home for the winter. Experts recommend carefully digging up the tubers, removing thin adventitious roots from them and placing the tubers in a substrate consisting of a mixture of peat and sawdust. Containers with rhizomes are stored in the refrigerator, and in the spring they are planted in fresh soil.

However, this method is not always safe. Not all tubers survive the winter in the refrigerator. Therefore, other experienced gardeners recommend leaving the tubers for the cold season in an ordinary pot. The ground part of the shrub is completely cut off, and the containers with the rhizomes remaining in them are placed in a dark, cool basement. In winter, it is necessary to water the flower no more than 2 times a month. This is quite enough to ensure that the tubers do not dry out and live safely until the onset of spring. Fertilizers do not need to be applied during the dormant period.

As soon as spring begins, the plant pots must be moved again to a warm place with good lighting. Care for the overwintered flower should be as before.

Diseases and pests

Mirabilis is an unpretentious green pet that has an increased resistance to diseases and pests. Very rarely, rust can attack the leafy part of the flower. The main symptoms of this disease are brown or red spots. To combat the disease, you need to remove the damaged leaves, and treat the bush itself with a fungicide.

Another possible problem is root rot. This usually happens when the soil is too wet. If the "night beauty" flower is damaged, it is necessary to carefully dig it out of the ground, remove the affected parts of the roots and plant again. The soil is treated with a fungicide, and the frequency of watering is reduced.

Mirabilis (Mirabilis) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant of the Nyctaginaceae or Nightflower family, most often cultivated as an annual. The genus includes more than 50 species. In the natural environment, they live in temperate and tropical regions, mainly in North and South America, one species is common in South Asia.

Amazing - this is the name of the plant in Latin. The Aztecs have a mention of the plant atsomiatl (atzoyatl): fragrant, spicy aroma, gives many flowers, its branches are disc-shaped, it has thick leaves and gives a lot of shade. Such a description by Bernardino de Sahagun (a Spanish missionary, monk, historian and linguist) indicated in the book “The General History of the Affairs of New Spain”, presumably we are talking about Mirabilis.

After the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, Mirabilis seeds came to Spain, then to England and spread across the European continent. Then mirabilis settled all over the world, and in warm countries it became native - in Egypt it is so loved that it was called the pearl of Egypt. It also gained popularity in Morocco - a variety with pink-yellow stripes and orange spots is called "Marrakech".

At first glance, the plant is simple, but has some mysterious appeal. Mirabilis is undemanding and unpretentious in cultivation and care.

Among gardeners, the most popular species is mirabilis jalapa (Mirabilis jalapa), it is also called the night beauty, laxative mirabilis. Homeland is Mexico (Jalapa or Jalapa is an inaccurate toponym for designating a place in Central and South America). The rhizome is tuberous, swollen, like a carrot. The stems are erect, covered with pale red skin, with time the lower part becomes woody.

The height of the bush is 30-80 cm, due to the strong branching of the stems, it acquires a rounded-elongated shape. Shoots are densely leafy. The leaf blades are ovate-elongated in shape, entire, glabrous, located oppositely, attached with short petioles, the color of the leaves is green.

When mirabilis blooms night beauty

Mirabilis in June, delighting with enchanting beauty until the frost.

Corymbose inflorescences appear at the tops of the shoots. Funnel corollas reach a diameter of 2.5 cm, the colors are raspberry, orange, snow-white, purple, yellow, rich red, there are two and three-color combinations. On one bush there may be flowers of different shades (from raspberry to salmon), often multi-colored uneven stripes flaunt on the petals. This coloration is a genetic feature of mirabilis. Contrary to expectations, when crossing red-flowered and white-flowered forms, pink-flowered (instead of red-flowered) forms are obtained. Fancy colors are obtained due to the fact that no one gene dominates, both are equivalent.

I remember that once my mother grew mirabilis in her garden, calling them simply “dawns”. Indeed, fragrant flowers open with the evening dawn and close with the dawn. In cloudy weather, the corollas remain open throughout the day.

The fruit is single-seeded, in the form of a dark brown oblong nut. Seed germination lasts for three years (dry storage in a dark place).

Mirabilis growing from seeds When to plant seedlings at home

Conducted from late March to mid-April. Without treatment, the seeds germinate for two weeks. In order for the seeds to germinate faster, they are recommended to be scarified (rub the dense shell with sandpaper or a needle file). Another treatment option is soaking for 12-20 hours in warm water (seeds should not be completely covered). For sowing, it is better to use small plastic cups.

As a substrate, use a universal potting mix for growing seedlings or a composition prepared by yourself (according to the reaction, the soil can be alkaline or neutral). Take 2 parts of peat and sod land, 1 part of compost (humus), 0.5 parts of washed sand, add ½ cup of wood ash or 2 tablespoons of dolomite flour to the finished mixture. Mix all the components well and spill with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

Mirabilis from seeds at home photo shoots

Fill the cups with soil mixture ¾ of the volume, press down a little. Sow 1-2 seeds in each cup, cover with a layer of soil 1-1.5 cm thick, then moisten with a fine spray. Cover crops with film or glass, provide diffused lighting and air temperature within 18-20 ° C. Sprouts will appear after 5-6 days. After that, do not forget to remove the shelter.

With the appearance of the first true leaf in the seedlings, thinning of the seedlings should be carried out: in each cup to the surface of the substrate, cut off the weaker sprout with scissors. After that, carry out top dressing (use, for example, Krepysh, Fertik or Mortar preparations).

Mirabilis extremely negatively perceives waterlogging of the substrate. Water after complete drying of the earthy coma. After the sprouts have reached a height of 10-15 cm, transplant them into larger containers by transshipment of an earthen clod. Feed a second time using complex mineral fertilizers.

Before planting in the ground, start hardening off the seedlings. The duration of the process should be 10-14 days. Every day, take containers with seedlings to fresh air (open balcony, garden), gradually increase the duration of such “walks”. At the end, the seedlings should spend the whole day outside.

Mirabilis from seeds for seedlings video:

Night beauty is very easy to grow from seeds, it is one of the most unpretentious plants.

What to do if mirabilis seedlings stretched out video:

Mirabilis planting site

Mirabilis is extremely thermophilic, so choose an open area for it, well lit and warmed by the sun. Tolerant of partial shade, but a floral outfit will be less chic. Requires protection from drafts and cold winds. The plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture at the roots - do not plant in the lowlands, with a close occurrence of groundwater, you will need to build a bed on a hill. Try to take a place away from other crops, since mirabilis is quite aggressive and can crowd out neighboring crops.

The soil requires moderately fertile, neutral or alkaline in reaction. It categorically does not tolerate acidic soils - the soil must be limed. Loams or clayey soils with good drainage are perfect.

The plant prefers moderately fertile, loamy soil. Good drainage is required. Mirabilis does not tolerate acidic soils and stagnant water.

When and how to plant Mirabilis seedlings in open ground

Mirabilis seedlings are planted in open ground when the soil warms up well and the threat of return frosts has completely passed. This time in the middle lane falls at the end of spring (approximately the 20th of May).

Planting mirabilis seedlings in the ground

Water the seedlings 1-2 hours before planting, after which it will be more convenient to remove the sprouts from the pots together with the earthy clod. Make landing holes of the appropriate size: the depth and width should be such that the earthen clod fits.

At what distance to plant mirabilis

Usually mirabilis is planted in rows, while for normal growth and development between individual plants, keep a distance of 40-50 cm. Transfer the seedling to the hole, add soil, lightly press the ground with your hands, the root neck should be flush with the soil surface. For successful rooting of seedlings, provide good watering.

Sowing mirabilis seeds in open ground

Seeds can be sown directly in open ground. Pre-seeds are prepared by analogy with sowing seedlings (scarification or soaking). Sowing is carried out in late April-early May. Make grooves about 3 cm deep, spread the seeds, keeping a gap of 7-8 cm between them (subsequently, the seedlings are thinned out, the extra shoots are simply thrown away or used as seedlings). Fill the grooves with soil, water with tepid water, cover the area with a film or non-woven material. Remove cover when seedlings emerge.

Mirabilis reproduces well by self-sowing. You will need to adjust the seedlings by thinning or transplanting the sprouts to the desired location.

Propagation of mirabilis by cuttings

Mirabilis reproduces so well by seed that vegetative propagation is rarely used.

Apical cuttings are rooted in peat soil with the addition of coarse sand.

If you have stored mirabilis tubers during the winter, plant them outdoors in the spring. Such plants develop faster, have an advantage in size, bloom a couple of weeks earlier. In addition, you are sure of the coloring of your Mirabilis.

Care for the night beauty in the open field

The night beauty will not cause much trouble for care, as it is undemanding. Periodic watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing will be required.

How to water

In order for the plant to please with lush flowering, during a prolonged drought, water abundantly (1-3 times a week). In rainy weather, mirabilis will not have to be watered at all. After watering or rain, gently loosen the soil around the plant, do not allow the formation of a crust on the soil surface, the root system needs oxygen access. Weed at the same time.

How to feed

During the growing season, it is enough to feed the beauty 2-3 times. Feed the first time at the beginning of the growing season, the second - in the middle of summer, the third - in the last summer days. It is preferable to feed with humus or compost; fresh organics should not be added at all. Complex mineral fertilizers can be used as top dressing, but keep in mind that the proportion of nitrogen during 2-3 top dressing should be minimal.

Diseases and pests

Mirabilis is highly resistant to diseases and pests.

With systematic stagnation of water at the roots of the plant, rotting of the root system is possible. In this case, the affected bush will have to be dug up and disposed of (burned), and the planting site should be shed with a fungicide solution (for example, Fundazol). In order to prevent, adhere to the correct watering regimen, immediately select the right place for planting.

In very rare cases, spotting or rust disease is noted. These are fungal diseases that can be eliminated by spraying with a fungicide solution. First remove the affected flowers and leaves, then treat the plant.

Mirabilis after flowering Tuber storage in winter

If you want to save mirabilis tubers for the winter, in the fall you will need to cut the stem at a height of 10 cm from ground level. Then dig out the tubers, they look like carrots in shape, dark brown in color. When the rest of the stem dries, it will fall off on its own.

Wrap the tubers in thick paper, but it is preferable to store in a container, sprinkled with sand. In any case, store in a dark, cool place (air temperature within 3-7 °C). The most suitable place for storage is the cellar. In the spring, plant tubers in well-warmed soil or germinate in flower pots, and with the onset of heat, transplant into open ground.

Mirabilis in landscape design

Group landings look the most impressive. Plant tall mirabilis bushes along fences and structures; use as a background plant in mixborders, divide the area into shares with the help of bushes. Mirabilis is most often planted in rows, which allows you to create a profusely flowering hedge.

Medium and low bushes are used in curb plantings, framing garden paths, but at the same time step back about 40 cm from the edge of the path so that the bushes do not interfere with patency.

Mirabilis is perfect for decorating bare lower branches of shrubs and unattractive beds.

In the flower garden, marigolds, chamomile, daisies, cleoma, gelenium, zinnia will be suitable parterres.

We remind you that mirabilis intensely exudes a sweetish aroma, so plant at a distance from resting places if the aroma seems intrusive.

Types and varieties of mirabilis with photos and names

Mirabilis Jalapa or Mirabilis laxative mirabilis jalapa

The most popular species in gardening is mirabilis jalapa or mirabilis laxative, which is described in detail at the beginning of the article. The night beauty has many varieties, consider the best of them:

Iolanta is a half-meter bush of a rounded shape. The stems are thick, powerful, knotty, well branched in the upper part. Corollas are funnel-shaped, medium in size, the surface is covered with multi-colored stripes-strokes;

Red candy - a tall bush stretches up to 0.9 m. The stems are thick, smooth, of a pale green hue. Leaf plates are oval-oblong in shape with slightly wavy edges. Funnel-shaped corollas of a rich red hue are about 6 cm in diameter;

Elvira - medium-sized bushes. Shoots are smooth and branched, very strong. Leaf plates are oblong in shape with pointed tops, dark green in color. The diameter of the corolla is about 3.5 cm;

Tea Time Red - compact bushes of medium height. Smooth knotted shoots are most branched at the top. Oblong-oval leaves of dark green color densely cover the shoots. Corollas of medium size of a bright pink hue;

Tea Time Fomyula Miksche - the height of the bush is 0.7-0.9 cm, it is spherical in shape. The leaves are simple, oblong, ending in pointed tips. In the lower part, the shoots are bare, branching at the top. This variety series is characterized by smooth flowers with wavy edges, variegated colors, the diameter of the corolla is 2.5 cm;

A series of varieties Marbles (Marble) has an interesting color: multi-colored splashes, strokes, stripes differ in size, as if hastily left by the artist's brush. Variety Marbles white-red - on a snow-white background, a pattern of carmine-red hue; Marbles yellow-red - variegated multicolor variation, corollas densely colored in yellow, orange, red, pink shades; Marble yellow-white - white-yellow variety.

Another 2 species are cultivated less frequently.

Mirabilis multiflora Mirabilis multiflora

Perennial herbaceous plant 0.8 m high. Upright shoots glabrous below, branching at the top. Leaf blades are smooth, ovoid. Flowering begins in May, axillary inflorescences, consist of 2-6 flowers. The diameter of the tubular corollas is 4-6 cm, the shade is dusty purple.

Mirabilis round-leaved Mirabilis rotundifolia

Bushes about 30 cm high. Oval-shaped leaf plates are 5-7 cm long, their surface is slightly sticky. Each apical inflorescence consists of 3 large corollas up to 10 cm in diameter, the color is purple.

Useful properties of the night beauty

Mirabilis leaves are edible. The flowers are used to make food coloring. The resulting raspberry color is used in the confectionery - coloring jelly, cakes.

The seeds are poisonous, but are sometimes used as a dye or cosmetic (after processing, the toxicity is lost).

Found mirabilis application in folk medicine. Means prepared from their tubers are used as a laxative, a decoction of the stems and leaves has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, the juice of the plant is used to heal wounds.

Mirabilis yalapa - their native from Mexico, successfully took root in our climatic conditions as an annual. One of the few plants that open multi-colored buds from evening to morning, emitting a unique smell. Who once planted it in his garden is unlikely to refuse its beauty. Moreover, it is not difficult to grow, and it can be propagated in several ways. In the article we will talk about growing mirabilis from seeds, give advice on when to plant, how to propagate.

Flowers of different colors grow on one Mirabilis bush.

Sowing mirabilis seeds in open ground

Like most annuals, mirabilis can be sown in warm greenhouses in the second decade of April or in open beds in early May. Seeding sequence:

For seed germination, a universal soil mixture, neutral reaction, is suitable.
Before planting, the seeds are soaked overnight. Unripe seeds float, they are immediately removed, they will not germinate. The rest are kept in water for 6-7 hours.
Placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for another 2 hours. Good results of germination and strengthening of plants are given by growth stimulants, for example, "Epin - extra".
Seeds are sown to a depth of 1.5 - 2 cm, at a distance of 5 - 8 cm. With this interval, seedlings are transplanted into flower beds from sowing without picking.

Planting material from greenhouses is transferred to flower beds:

in the Moscow region and in the Middle lane - in early June;
in the Urals - in the third decade of June;
in the southern regions - at the end of May.

Tip #1 Depending on the region, mirabilis is planted in a permanent place after return frosts. To bring flowering closer, the seeds are sown in advance for seedlings.

Mirabilis seeds have a hard shell that needs to be scratched (scarified) before sowing.

Preparation of seedlings in boxes, pots, cassettes, peat tablets

This propagation method ensures good rooting and brings the flowering period closer. You can grow seedlings in a greenhouse or at home, on a windowsill. For this purpose, planting boxes, seedling pots, cassettes and peat tablets are used. Read also the article: → "Review on the use of peat tablets for seedlings." Features of seed germination in boxes, pots, cassettes, peat tablets:

Capacity	Sequence of work
Planting box, height 10 – 12 cm	Fill with plant mixture for seedlings, which consists of soddy soil, sand, compost in a ratio of 2:1:1. Compact and moisten the soil. At a distance of 3 - 5 cm, push the grooves, 1.5 - 2 cm deep. Place the seeds at intervals of 3 - 5 cm. Sprinkle with substrate. Water from a watering can. Cover with a transparent lid or plastic lid.
Seedling pots or cassettes, 8 cm in diameter	A universal substrate is placed in each pot (or cell of the cassette) flush with the edges of the container. Compact so that the soil is 0.5 cm below the side. Watered. A 2 cm deepening is made in the center of the container. They drop the seed. (There is only one grain in each pot or cell). Press down. Watered. Cover to retain moisture.
Peat tablets	Place tightly in the landing box (or pallet). To fill with water. Wait for the tablet to increase five times. Make a 2 cm hole in the center. Place the grain in it. Squeeze with two fingers. Watering is not necessary. Cover with transparent film.

It is better to sow one grain in each pot or cell of the cassette.

For successful germination, the following conditions are provided:

The temperature is maintained in the range from +180 to +220.
Lighting - at least 14 hours. Illumination if necessary.
Watering as the soil dries out, once every 5 to 7 days.

Seedlings hatch in 15 days. Crops in boxes dive at the stage of two, three leaves. Plantings in pots, cassettes and peat tablets do not need thinning. This is their advantage over traditional seedling cultivation. In addition, planting material with a lump takes root in flower beds almost without loss, because the root system is not damaged. Read also the article: → "The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings."

Planting and care in flower beds

Mirabilis loves the sun and warmth, so a well-lit place is chosen for it, without drafts. Unlike most annuals, it prefers light to medium loamy soils. Does not tolerate acidic soils, prefers a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Responsive to fertility, grows thicker on rich mixtures, blooms more abundantly. The site for landing is dug up on a full bayonet of a shovel. On light soils, clay is applied at a rate of 18–20 kg/m2. From fertilizers add:

Calcium nitrate is a mineral fertilizer that does not cause soil acidification, unlike other nitrogen fertilizers;
potassium salt;
Superphosphate.
wood ash;
Humus.

Tip #2 When planting in a permanent place, they maintain a distance, depending on the variety. Between low varieties - 30 cm, large ones are placed at intervals of 50 - 60 cm.

Care during flowering and after it

Mirabilis is extremely unpretentious. It does not need to be watered often, but when irrigated, water should penetrate to a depth of 20 cm, that is, 20 liters of water are needed for every square meter. The plant can tolerate short-term drought, but does not tolerate flooding. A long root, similar to carrots, quickly rots and dies, and with it the ground part.

Growing flowers of the "night beauty"

You can prolong flowering, increase the size and color of flowers, by cutting off wilted petals. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the remaining buds. If seed collection is not planned, then remove all dried petals. As a rule, Mirabilis is not mulched so that excess moisture does not accumulate. But from time to time they loosen and remove weeds.

Fertilizers for mirabilis - 5 best brands

Mirabilis is responsive to feeding. In addition to the basic fertilizer before planting, three sessions of plant nutritional support are carried out during cultivation:

1st - before flowering,
2nd - in a month,
3rd - at the end of August.

The uniform frequency of top dressing ensures flowering until frost. For mirabilis, the same substances are used as for most garden, flowering crops, with the exception of those that acidify the soil.

Fertilizer name	Type of fertilizer	Characteristic	Timingand application features
"Calcium nitrate - Buy fertilizers"	Mineral	Alkalizes the soil, contains calcium in a form available to plants.	Before boarding
Powder Feeding Calcium	Mineral	Contains chelated calcium, easily absorbed by plants. Strengthens the root and ground systems, improves immunity.	Spring. Early summer before flowering.
Fertilizer kit BioThrive Grow+BioThrive Bloom	organic	Promotes good growth and abundant flowering	Applied throughout the flowering period.
Humistar	Biofertilizer	Based on vermicompost.	Apply only in the warm season.
Cytovit	Mineral with bioadditives	Complex of macro and micro elements	Designed to promote growth and flowering.

The first top dressing is carried out when planting in the ground

Mirabilis prevention from diseases and pests

The popularity of Mirabilis can be explained not only by its beauty, but also by its high resistance to pathogens. Despite this, the possibility of infection cannot be ruled out. To prevent this from happening, preventive measures are taken. A reliable way is to optimize the soil, through effective microorganisms. The introduction of biological products increases the content of humus in the soil and inhibits the pathogenic flora. Gardeners use the following drugs:

Emoticons;
Baikal - EM -1;
Agrozin;
Vermisol;
Gutamat.

Good preventive results are given by growth stimulants that strengthen plant immunity:

Epin - extra;
Emistim;
Agrostimulin;
Dominant.

These substances not only promote plant growth, but also encourage plants to produce substances that protect them from diseases and pests.

Advantages and disadvantages of varieties

Many flower growers, when growing mirabilis, prefer a mixture of seeds. These are the types of deals most often found on sale. But there are also monochromatic varieties. The peculiarity of hybrids is determined not only by color, but also by the size of the plant. The most popular are:

The advantage of hybrids in unpretentiousness. They are undemanding to the conditions of planting and care. From a botanical species and among themselves differ in size and color of flowering. Some are more resistant to adverse factors:

Series "Champagne" - all varieties:
From mixtures - Iolanta.

This unique plant on one bush combines flowers of different colors and shades, some have stripes and blotches.

The disadvantage is that when planting seeds, they may not repeat the properties of the variety next year, the height of the plants and the shades of the flowers change. The seeds of some hybrids do not germinate at all. But there is a way out. At the end of flowering, the mirabilis rhizome can be stored until next spring.

Vegetative propagation by tuber

Gardeners distinguish perennials that do not winter in open ground into a separate category. Heat-loving plants can be grown for decades, provided that the roots are preserved. Every autumn, they dig up and send for storage the rhizomes of the pompom dahlia, the Indian canna, and some types of lilies. Mirabilis can be attributed to this group.

Its large root, shaped like a carrot root, for which flower growers nicknamed it "carrot". In order to plant it again in the flower garden next spring, in autumn after flowering it must be freed from the ground, dried well and sent to a dry, dark place with a temperature of + 50. The containers for the rhizome are quite voluminous, the size of a ten-liter bucket for one piece. For successful savings, it is covered with dry sawdust (but not coniferous) or sand.

Before planting in open ground, Mirabilis is germinated, otherwise you can not wait for flowering. At the end of February, the root is taken out of storage, freed from sand.
Treated with a root stimulator.
Placed in a container, the size of which allows the roots to freely fit.
Cover with soil of the same composition as in the garden.
Watered.

The sprouted plant is transplanted into open ground when stable warm weather sets in, in late May, early June.

The root is guaranteed to retain the Mirabilis variety

Growing in winter in greenhouses, at home

In indoor and balcony floriculture, low-growing varieties are planted and placed on the south side. Despite the undemanding to moisture, at home, plantings will have to be watered more often, due to the smaller amount of soil. This is the main difference between indoor and garden cultivation of mirabilis.

When choosing fertilizers, you should not look for any special means; substances for feeding flowering houseplants are well suited. And for alkalizing the soil, the best remedy is crushed egg shells, 20 g per ten-liter pot.

Use in landscape design

Landscape designers appreciate mirabilis for its expressive shape, size, and of course for evening flowering. Its role is especially noticeable in evening landscapes. It successfully grows alone as a tapeworm, complements large-sized mixborders, and is adjacent to other annuals. Read also the article: → "Unpretentious annual flowers for summer cottages."

Tall varieties look good in separated compositions against the background of small trees and shrubs. Combines well with plants that need neutral loamy soils. An approximate range of woody and herbaceous plants combined with mirabilis:

Mirabilis flower border

Rubric: "Questions and answers"

Question #1. For the first time, she preserved the roots of mirabilis. When should they be planted in the garden?

It depends on the region. Definitely when the return frosts pass.

Question #2. I heard that mirabilis hibernates in warm regions. I live in the Krasnodar Territory, can it survive until winter?

This is a heat-loving plant, if it is not dug up for the winter, it is better to cover it with agrofiber and spruce branches.

Question #3. Can seeds be sown before winter?

Mirabilis self-sowing successfully winters in warm regions. In the Moscow region and the Middle lane, it is better not to take risks and plant the seeds collected in the summer in the spring of next year.

Mistakes when growing mirabilis

If you plant mirabilis in a shady place, due to lack of light, it will bloom much later than what grows in the sun. If it is too dark for him, then flowering will not come at all.
Often, gardeners plant mirabilis in the same slightly acidified soil as most annuals. On such soil, it either does not take root, or loses its decorative qualities.
When grown indoors, mirabilis is often planted in cramped dishes. There is not enough space for the roots, which the plants suffer from, this can be seen from the leaves that bend inward.

Mirabilis jalapa is an unusual profusely flowering plant, on which flowers of different shades grow simultaneously.

Mirabilis: growing from seeds

The only way to propagate such a plant is to use seeds. Before sowing, it is necessary to file their shell with a nail file, otherwise the seeds will germinate very poorly. Sowing is carried out in a peat-sand mixture, deepening by about half a millimeter. After sowing, the container is placed in a well-lit place with a temperature of about 18 degrees.

When shoots appear, they swoop down in separate pots. In this case, you can use the usual substrate for indoor plants.

Mirabilis: the nature of growth and flowering

Mirabilis is a fast growing shrub that reaches a height of up to 60 cm. Tubular flowers reach 4 cm in diameter. The main feature of such a plant is that the flowers can be of different shades. Each individual flower remains on the plant for a very short time, but a new one immediately appears in its place. In nature, such a plant is a perennial, but at home it is grown as an annual.

Mirabilis: features of care

Throughout the growth period, the plant should be provided with regular moderate watering, without flooding the ground too much. In order for flowering to last as long as possible, it is necessary to increase watering with the beginning of this process. Top dressings are made every three weeks.

In the home of Mirabilis, the Jalapa feels fine at room temperature and in a well-lit area.

Possible problems

If the leaves of the plant began to turn yellow for no reason, this may be due to rot at the base of the stem, which resulted in too much watering.

Among pests, mirabilis infects aphids, in the fight against which an insecticide will help.

Mirabilis is also called the beauty of the night. Its popularity is growing every year. He was loved for unpretentiousness in care and undemanding to soils. The flower is very beautiful, especially it shows all its beauty at night.

Mirabilis

Origin

In what is now Mexico, the Aztecs used to live. It was they who first drew attention to this plant and began to grow it. There were different types, differing in shape and color.

Homeland of the night beauty

After the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, the plant spread to Spain, England and many European countries. After some time, Mirabilis has already become known in Egypt and Morocco, where it has gained immense popularity.

In Egypt, the flowering bush was so loved that they even began to call it the "pearl of Egypt."

Name

More than 50 species of Mirabilis are found in warm countries. In our conditions, you can most often see a variety called Mirabilis Jalapa (Mirabilis jalapa). The plant blooms for a long time until frost. The remaining varieties, unfortunately, do not take root, as they are heat-loving plants. In the wild, you can also find perennial Mirabilis. Since it does not tolerate winter well, it has to be grown every year.

Mirabilis jalapa

Description

Flower of the Nyctagin family. Mirabilis is a bushy, compact plant. The most common bushes are about 70-80 cm high. Less often you can see the meter Mirabilis. The stems are quite thick and straight. The leaves are elongated, the root looks like a carrot. Flowers resemble funnels. They can be orange or yellow, and there are also crimson and lilac. You can see the variety of colors of Mirabilis in the photo of flowers. In addition, there are spotted, multi-colored and striped.

The plant transforms with the onset of night. When the flowers bloom, they begin to exude a pleasant aroma that attracts insects. Mirabilis can bloom until November. The aroma is light and unobtrusive, distinguishable at a close distance from the flowers. After flowering, dark brown seeds are formed. Their germination reaches 3 years.

mixed varieties

The peculiarity of Mirabilis is in its structure. The flower has no corolla. The flower itself is actually a cup. In other plants, it is green, while Mirabilis has a calyx instead of a corolla. Another interesting feature is that the leaf surface is sticky.

Location

The night beauty came to us from warm countries, so the plant loves heat and light. It is recommended to choose a place for landing illuminated and at the same time warm, without drafts. In the shade, it also grows, but flowering will not be as plentiful.

The soil

Mirabilis grows on any soil. If the soil is not fertile or not quite suitable, the flowering will not be as lush and bright as we would like. Basically, the flower prefers loamy soil. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water, acidic soils. In addition, drainage is required.

Care

In general, Mirabilis refers to unpretentious plants. They only need timely watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds.

Irrigation organization

Night beauty loves regular watering. Water cannot be poured directly on the flowers; it is imperative to direct the jet directly under the root. You need to water every day. If this is not possible, then you can organize an irrigation system. This requires the following steps:

Take a plastic bottle. The best option is a five-liter container.
Poke holes in the bottom for water to drain.
Dig a shallow hole next to the plant so that a 5-liter bottle of water will fit into it later.
Place a plastic container in the hole.

This will allow the water to gradually drain from the bottle straight to the roots. This method allows you to keep the soil moist for a long time.

Drip irrigation

Top dressing

As for dressings, they are not required. The plant blooms profusely without them. Do not add fresh organic matter to the soil! This can lead to the death of the entire bush. In order for the flowering to be more lush, and the leaves to become juicy, you can use mineral dressing. 2-3 times will be enough during the growing season.

Soil loosening

The night beauty loves loose soil very much. It is recommended to loosen the row-spacings, as well as to remove weeds in time. Loose earth helps saturate the roots with oxygen and retain the right amount of moisture in the soil.

Soil loosening

Pests, diseases

Night flowers do not suffer from pest attacks, they are not at all afraid of them. The plant is also disease resistant. There are times when Mirabilis is affected by rust. This disease is the appearance of brown spots on the leaves. In case of illness, do not hesitate. It is necessary to get rid of all infected foliage. The plant can be treated with a fungicide.

Another unpleasant disease is root rot. Mirabilis is usually affected by this ailment during periods of heavy rains due to high humidity. In this case, you need to remove the damaged plant. Treat the infected area with a fungicide.

reproduction

The most common method of growing Mirabilis through seedlings. In general, night flowers are propagated in three ways:

seedlings;
tubers;
cuttings.

In addition, seedlings are purchased in specialized stores. Pay special attention to the quality of the purchased material. The plant should not be lethargic and spotted. A bush damaged with shriveled buds is not recommended for purchase. Otherwise, he simply will not be able to take root.

seedling method

Garden flowers called Mirabilis are usually grown from seedlings. It is possible to plant seeds directly in open ground. Sowing begins in early May, when warm weather sets in. But with this method, there is a risk that germination may be delayed due to adverse weather conditions, and flowering will begin much later. That is why gardeners choose the seedling method of growing the Night Beauty.

Seedling

Seeds can be planted in a common container, and then dive into separate pots. Since the seed is large enough, it is recommended to sow it immediately in separate pots. The container must be necessarily with holes at the bottom. This will prevent the stagnation of excess moisture, and contribute to the saturation of the roots with oxygen.

In late March or early April, you can start sowing. The optimum temperature required for germination is +18 °C.

To accelerate germination, it is recommended to place the seed in a damp cloth. It is necessary to withstand for 6-7 hours. After that, the seeds are laid out in containers, 1-2 pieces in each. Embedding depth - up to 2 cm. The plant requires moderate watering.

When 14 days have passed, shoots will appear. Until the warm weather sets in, allowing the plant to be planted in open ground, the seedlings must be periodically hardened off. To do this, put it on the veranda or right on the street for a while. When the threat of frost has passed, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place of growth.

Reproduction by tubers

The tubers are dug up in autumn and stored until spring at a temperature of +5°C. You can also buy them in the store. In the spring, the tubers will begin to sprout. At this time, they are planted in the ground. The only downside to this growing method is that the tubers may die over the long winter period.

mirabilis tubers

cutting method

The cutting method does not apply to the popular methods of growing the Night Beauty. It is also not effective, it requires a lot of effort. To grow Mirabilis in this way, you must do the following:

On the plant you need to find a lignified twig.
Cut it off and dry it, but only slightly.
Immerse the cuttings in a container with a growth stimulator and leave for a while.
When 1-2 weeks have passed, you can transfer it to a moistened substrate.

It will take about two weeks for the plant to fully root, if everything is done according to the instructions.

Partners

Mirabilis decorates hedges, they also look beautiful in flower beds and individual flowerpots. You can plant petunias or marigolds next to the Night Beauty. In addition, daisies and daisies will become good neighbors.

landscape design

The plant is popular among gardeners, as it does not require special care and grows on any soil. Amazing Mirabilis decorates the site with its bright greenery during the day, and at night it blooms and spreads a pleasant aroma.

Mirabilis flower - description

Night beauty is a perennial plant, which is grown in the garden as an annual.

Rounded bushes grow in height from thirty to eighty centimeters. They have tuberous swollen roots, reddish, densely branched, erect stems, and green, entire, elongate-ovate, petiolate leaves.

Funnel-shaped flowers of purple, yellow, orange, purple, crimson, white or bright red in diameter reach twenty-five millimeters. But the flowers of the Night Beauty can be not only monophonic, there are varieties with two or even tricolor buds. On one bush, flowers of different colors can form and bloom. After flowering, dark brown one-seeded large fruits with sharp ribs ripen on the bushes. If they are collected and dried, the seeds will retain their germination for three years.

Species and varieties

About sixty species of mirabilis grow in nature. But in culture, mirabilis Yalapa is most often grown, on the basis of which many beautiful varieties were bred by breeders.

A plant with a height of thirty to eighty centimeters is distinguished by strongly branched erect shoots, which are covered with bright green large leaves. In early summer, corymbose inflorescences are formed on the stems, consisting of funnel-shaped flowers of red, yellow, white or pink. Popular varieties:

T Time Red- a variety with rich pink flowers, dark green oval-oblong leaves and very branched stems.
Elvira- a dense shrub of medium size with bright, rather large flowers, oblong, dark green leaves and branched smooth stems.
red lollipop- a plant up to eighty centimeters high is distinguished by light green stems branched in the upper part, oval leaves wavy along the edges and bright red funnel-shaped flowers.
Iolanta- a small bush up to fifty centimeters high from the end of June until the very frosts blooms with bright flowers, the corolla of which is decorated with stripes-strokes.

The night beauty can be grown in seedlings and seedlings, but in any case, it is first necessary to prepare planting material.

To do this, the hard shell of the seeds must be rubbed with sandpaper or a needle file, after which they should be kept in a thermos with warm water for a day.

Landing in open ground

In late April or early May, the seeds are sown in flower beds with fertile or loamy soil. If the soil is acidic, then it is limed before planting. It is not recommended to grow mirabilis on wet soils and in lowlands, as it does not like excess moisture.

Before sowing, grooves are made on a dug-up bed with a distance of seven to eight centimeters from each other. Seeds are planted to a depth of three centimeters, sprinkled with earth and watered with warm water from a watering can with a shower head. From above, crops are covered with a film or non-woven material. When shoots appear and the threat of frost has passed, the shelter is removed, and the shoots are thinned out.

Growing seedlings

To grow mirabilis from seeds at home, seeds are sown in early or mid-April. It is necessary to prepare a slightly alkaline or neutral light soil by mixing for this:

compost or humus - 1 part;
peat - 2 parts;
sod land - 2 parts;
washed sand - ½ part.

In every five liters of the resulting soil mixture, add two tablespoons of dolomite flour or half a glass of ash.

Cups prepared for planting seeds for ¾ of the volume are filled with a substrate that needs to be watered with a solution of any fungicidal preparation. Two seeds are placed in moist soil and sprinkled with soil mixture with a layer of one and a half centimeters. Landings from above are sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle and covered with a film or glass. Seedling containers are placed in a warm place with an air temperature of +18 to +20 degrees.

Care of crops is to moisten the soil if necessary. Every day for a few minutes you need to raise the glass to ventilate the ground.

After about five days, shoots will begin to appear. Shelter must be immediately removed and seedlings placed in a bright place where direct sunlight does not fall.

After the appearance of the first true leaf on young plants, the seedlings need to be thinned out. To do this, a weak seedling is removed. But in order not to damage the root system of the remaining plant, the seedling is not pulled out, but pinched off or cut off near the ground itself. After thinning, the seedlings are fed with Krepysh, Fertika, Mortar fertilizers. You can use any other fertilizer intended for seedlings.

In the future, caring for the plant at home consists only in moistening the soil. Since mirabilis does not tolerate waterlogging, the bushes should be watered only after the soil has completely dried out.

Plants that have grown up to ten to fifteen centimeters are transplanted into large pots. In order not to damage the delicate roots of the flower, transplantation is carried out by transshipment. In order for plants to survive stress more easily, they are immediately fed with complex mineral fertilizers.

When the seedlings recover from the transplant and grow again, they begin to harden it, gradually accustoming it to open air. To do this, during the day in warm weather, you need to take the plants out into the garden or onto the balcony. On the first day in the air, the flowers should be kept for about an hour, and then every day the time spent in the air increases. By planting in open ground, plants in the garden or on the balcony should be already within a day.

Planting seedlings in open ground

When the danger of frost has passed and the soil warms up, the Night beauty is planted in flower beds in the garden. The plant is thermophilic, so the soil should warm up well.

Since mirabilis grow rapidly, enough space must be prepared for them, otherwise they will “crush” growing crops nearby. Between the rows of plants should be from forty to fifty centimeters.

A few hours before planting, the soil in pots is well watered. The holes for mirabilis are made slightly larger than the roots of the plant along with the earthy clod. The bushes are carefully removed from the peas along with the soil and placed in the prepared holes. The roots are sprinkled with soil mixture and watered.

Plant care will not take much time, but some rules must be followed during the growing season:

Since mirabilis does not like waterlogging, when caring for it, watering is done only after the soil has dried. If it rains regularly in the summer, then the plants can not be watered. In dry and hot weather, plantings are watered from one to three times a week.
When growing a plant in open ground after watering, weeds should be removed and the soil should be carefully loosened.
At the beginning of the growing season, in the middle and at the end of summer, plants are fed with complex mineral fertilizers or compost and humus. Fresh organic matter is not recommended. The second and third feeding should contain as little nitrogen as possible, otherwise the plants will form leaves, not flowers.

Since mirabilis is grown in gardens as an annual, in the fall, after flowering, the ground part of the plant is cut off and burned. The bed where the flowers grew needs to be dug up. To save the bush until next spring, it is dug up and cut at a height of about ten centimeters. When the stems dry out, they will fall off and only black tubers will remain, which look like carrots. The tubers are wrapped in paper, placed in containers and sprinkled with sand. They should be stored at a temperature of +3 to +7 degrees. In the spring, the tubers can first germinate in a pot on the windowsill or immediately land on a bed in warm ground.

Mirabilis reproduction

You can propagate the Night Beauty not only by seeds, but also by cuttings, as well as by dividing the tubers.

Reproduction by cuttings

Cuttings are carried out in July or August, when the tops of shoots about ten centimeters long are cut off from the bushes. Inflorescences are removed from the stems and cuttings are treated with Kornevin or another root formation stimulator before planting. Cuttings are planted in containers filled with mixture of sand and peat(1:1). Until spring, they need to be kept in a bright, cool room where the temperature is above zero. At the end of May or June, when the soil in the garden warms up, rooted cuttings are planted in a flower bed. They need to be buried in the soil to the first two leaves.

Tuber division

This method of propagation is rarely used, since plants grown from parts of the tuber may lose their decorative effect. The tubers divide in April or May. Use a sterile sharp knife for this. Each division should have at least two to three kidneys. Before planting, the slices must be sprinkled with a mixture of sulfur and crushed coal (1: 1).

Tubers are planted in the prepared bed so that the root collar is buried three to five centimeters into the soil. Plantings should be watered only after the soil has dried out, otherwise the tubers will begin to rot in too wet soil.

The mirabilis flower or the Night Beauty, unpretentious in care, decorates the garden in the evening and at night with its bright, colorful, fragrant flowers, and during the day with bright green growth, which can be an excellent background in a flower bed for other flowering plants.

It is very easy to grow Mirabilis from seeds at home, as this plant is quite unpretentious: it tolerates heat, drought well, and is also undemanding to top dressing. The only significant drawback of these colors is low frost resistance.

Despite the fact that at home, in Mexico, Mirabilis is considered a two-year garden crop, in Russia the flower is grown as an annual plant - its root system is not able to withstand even a slight drop in temperature.

Botanical description

Mirabilis (also Dawn or Night Beauty) is a representative of a rare family of Nocturnal or Nyctagin plants that bloom in the afternoon, in cloudy weather, or even at night.

Mirabilis is presented in a wide variety of varieties and hybrids, so the growth of the plant varies from 50 to 100 cm, depending on the species and climatic conditions.

The root system of all varieties, as a rule, is powerful, highly branched and tuberous. Such powerful roots allow Mirabilis to endure long periods of drought without serious consequences.

The flowers look like bells, the color of the petals can be almost anything: white, pink, purple, yellow, orange, purple. There are also two-tone and striped varieties. The diameter of the inflorescences is 3-5 cm. The aroma of the flowers is rich, due to which the beds where Mirabilis is planted attract a large number of butterflies and night moths.

Mirabilis blooms from June. The flowering period ends with the onset of the first frost.

Mirabilis seeds are enclosed in fruits that look like wrinkled boxes. Each box contains one large seed.

Mirabilis can be propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings or seeds.

Choosing a species for landing

There are more than 60 types of Mirabilis, but in the climatic conditions of Russia only one takes root - Yalapa.

Mirabilisjalapa (Mirabilisjalapa) is an unpretentious branched shrub, the height of which is 80-100 cm. The leaves of the species are narrow, small. The color palette of Mirabilis Yalapa is very rich: there are subspecies with petals of white, pink, burgundy and yellow, and this is not counting the two-color and variegated varieties. This species blooms for a very long time.

The most popular varieties:

TeaTimeRed;
Elvira;
Iolanthe;

MirabilisTeaTimeRed is a spherical shrub with delicate greenish branches. The bush is strongly branched, the leaves are narrow, oblong.

The petals of the flowers of the variety are painted in a rich pink color. A distinctive feature of the subspecies is resistance to temperature extremes and fungal infections.

The variety blooms from mid-summer to the first autumn frosts.

Variety Elvira is a rounded shrub up to 90-100 cm high. The leaves are light, round, with pronounced ends.

Mirabilis Elvira flowers are large - up to 4 cm in diameter. Color: yellow, white, burgundy.

The Iolanta variety is represented by a compact bush in the shape of a ball. The height of the shrub is about 50 cm. The shoots of Mirabilis are branched, powerful.

The flowers of the Iolanta variety are bicolor, yellow-pink, the petals are covered with thin stripes. Mirabilis of this variety blooms from the last days of June until the first frosts.

Variety Salmon is a tall shrub with small flowers. The diameter of the flowers does not exceed 2.5 cm, the color of the petals is peach-pink with light stains.

Salmon blooms from mid-June to September.

How to Harvest Mirabilis Seeds

The most important thing when collecting Mirabilis seeds on your own is to avoid mutual pollination of different varieties. Seeds that were obtained as a result of hybridization are also not suitable for subsequent propagation.

Collecting Mirabilis seeds is very simple - just wrap the flowers with a layer of gauze, without squeezing them too much. The fabric will hold the seeds as they fall.

Next, the planting material must be properly dried and sorted. The fact is that some of the fruit boxes containing Mirabilis seeds may be empty. To determine the suitability of the material for sowing, prepare a sheet of paper. Fruit boxes are gradually poured onto it, directing a weak stream of air from under the hair dryer onto them. Empty boxes will be blown away. A suitable part of the seeds will remain on the leaf.

Store the collected material in any paper packaging. To do this, you can use a regular envelope. The storage place must be dry and cool.

Advice! It is not recommended to keep Mirabilis seeds in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, as well as on the balcony. In these places, frequent temperature changes can be observed, which are detrimental to seeds. No less harm to the seeds is the formation of condensate.

Growing Mirabilis from seeds

Annual crops in Russia are most conveniently propagated by seed. Of course, you can divide Mirabilis by roots or cut a cutting from it, however, in the conditions of harsh Russian winters, the plant will die one way or another.

Thus, the whole complexity of growing Mirabilis from seeds at home comes down to meeting the planting dates and proper processing of planting material.

Important! Only residents of the warm southern regions of the country can afford to plant Mirabilis directly in open ground, bypassing the seedling stage.

When to Sow Mirabilis Seeds

Sowing seeds of Mirabilis is usually carried out in the first decade of April. After 40-45 days, the seedlings are moved to open ground.

seed processing

Since Mirabilis seeds are quite large, for better germination, they are soaked in a damp cloth and wet disk for 15 hours. Otherwise, the planting material will germinate a few days later. Water will soften the dense shell of the fruit box, inside which the seeds are hidden.

However, before starting the germination of planting material, fruit boxes must be disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or manganese and rinsed thoroughly after soaking.

Without waiting for them to dry, the boxes are laid out on napkins or wet discs, and then covered. It is best to store germinated seeds in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer. Maintaining a moist environment is key to successful germination.

Important! The process of germinating fruit boxes can be replaced by scarification - cleaning seeds from the outer shell. To do this, the boxes are cut off with a regular nail file or a piece of emery.

Preparation of containers and soil

Yes, sowing Mirabilis seeds for seedlings is very simple, but ignoring some rules can delay the flowering of a shrub or lead to improper plant development.

The container for sowing should be deep. What exactly it will be: cups, tetra packs, pots, containers - it doesn’t matter. The roots of young seedlings need space.
Garden soil for Mirabilis seedlings is not suitable. To do this, buy industrial soil or prepare the soil mixture at home.
In the event that the soil is prepared independently, fine-grained sand, peat and grain soil are mixed in equal proportions.
Immediately before burying the seeds in each container, it is recommended to sprinkle a pinch of wood ash. You can replace the ash with dolomite flour.

Advice! For preventive purposes, you can spray the ground with any fungicide.

Seeding scheme

Since Mirabilis is a rather large plant, it is recommended to sow the seeds not in a common container, but in separate containers. For each pot or glass there are 2, at most 3 seeds. In the photo below, Mirabilis is grown from seeds in special plastic containers.

It is not necessary to deepen the seeds too much. It is enough to press them down to a depth of 1-2 cm and sprinkle a thin layer of dry earth on top.

Immediately after sowing, Mirabilis is watered with warm, settled water and the containers are covered with foil. Then the sheltered seedlings are moved to a warm place with a temperature not lower than +22°C.

After 10-15 days, the first shoots appear. Then the film is removed, and the seedlings are moved to the window on the sunny side.

seedling care

Growing Mirabilis from seeds at home does not require any significant time investment and special knowledge. The main requirements for the successful development of seedlings: warmth, timely watering, one-time top dressing.

Store Mirabilis seedlings in a warm, dry place with a sufficient level of illumination. Water it moderately - as soon as the topsoil is completely dry. An excess of moisture in the soil and stagnant water is fraught with rotting of the roots and the death of Mirabilis.

Feed the seedlings with any easily soluble mineral fertilizer. In the last days of May, Mirabilis seedlings must be moved to open ground, in pre-prepared planting pits.

Planting scheme: 30x50 cm. A layer of mineral fertilizers is laid on the bottom of the pits before planting seedlings.

Important! 10-15 days before planting Mirabilis seedlings in a permanent place, they begin to harden, accustoming them to fresh air. To do this, seedlings are taken out for 1-2 hours outside.

Conclusion

Mirabilis from seeds at home can be grown even by a beginner in gardening. The process of disinfecting planting material is very simple, and if necessary, the soil can be purchased at any gardening store instead of making up the soil mixture yourself. Mirabilis seedling care includes the most elementary procedures, understandable even to inexperienced flower growers.