Elegant silhouette and unusual inflorescences of verbena can be found in flowerbeds and novice gardeners, and experienced gardeners. Verbena officinalis is a unique and healing subspecies of this plant.
She braves the first frost, does not require special care and easily propagates through the seeds. And useful and healing properties only increase its popularity.
Verbena officinalis - what is it?
Of the total variety of species (more than 200), only this one is actively used in the medical and cosmetic field. The flowers are monotonous or interspersed with white or cream color. Due to the unpretentious conditions of detention, verbena can be found in glades and along the roads. Another name for the variety is pharmacy verbena, “gruel”, “porielishnik”.
This herbaceous perennial plant, which is characterized by the following indicators:
- yellowish shade of roots;
- fibrous branched root system;
- stem height not more than 70 cm;
- flowers are small, gathered in inflorescences and umbrellas;
- flowering period - August, fruiting occurs in September.
Features, therapeutic properties and use of this herb
Due to the climatic features of our country, the subspecies is usually cultivated as an annual. Medicinal vervain can be grown both in open ground and in small pots in an apartment. Ever since the days of ancient Greece, this subspecies is considered to be grass that carries health.
In some European countries, tea from verbena medicinal completely replaces black tea.
A photo
Here are photos of this plant.:
Wildlife Conservation Conditions
Cultivation and cultivation of a wild-growing plant of medicinal verbena does not require deep knowledge, but some important nuances should be taken into account. For seedlings should be sown in the first decade of February. The requirement for a subsequent seedling site is constant sunlight and no drafts.
IMPORTANT: For flower beds or decorating rocky paths, it is better to take a hybrid variety of vervain. For group plantings and mixed flower beds (mixborders), the Buenos Aires subtype is optimally suited.
To plant gave new flowers, it is important to regularly remove withered inflorescences. If the subspecies is perennial, bring it into heat before the onset of frost. Verbena should be stored in a dry room with constant illumination at a temperature not lower than 10 degrees.
Lighting
If the sowing of seeds was carried out in early May, you need to take care of the backlight. The best option is a special fitolamp, an alternative is diode lights..
It is necessary to remove artificial lighting gradually (it is necessary to remove completely before the development of 2 full-fledged leaves). A place for growing verbena medicinal should have good natural lighting.
Air and temperature
In the first 2-3 days after the emergence of sprouts, you need to slightly reduce the temperature. The optimum degree is 18-21 ° С (necessary for primary hardening). Seeds "hatch" at a constant temperature of 23-25 degrees. The plant tolerates frost calmly down to -3.
Soil requirements
Suitable option - loamy, with humus in the composition. At increased soil density white sand is applied. Seeds can not be pushed into the soil mixture, they must be evenly distributed over the surface.
TIP: To ensure the ventilation of the rhizome, drainage should be made of rubble, broken bricks or expanded clay.
Correct watering
Tender shoots of verbena officinalis do not tolerate abundant watering and waterlogging (in excessively wet soil, seedlings begin to rot). If the boxes with seedlings are covered, you need to air them regularly.
It is also important not to allow the soil to dry out, as the growth in it dies. Seedlings must be watered through a spray or a drip tray. After rooting seedlings in open ground moisture increases. The interval between irrigation - 5-7 days.
Excessive watering leads to the onset of fungal diseases., and poor moisture reduces the flowering period of verbena.
Top dressing
The basic rule of application is not to overdo it (especially for nitrogenous fertilizers). Nitrogen contributes to the growth of bulk green mass, but inhibits the development of peduncles. Optimally 2-4 times per season to make complex fertilizer based on potassium and phosphorus in the soil.
The group of organic fertilizers (manure) should be used no more than 1 time during the period of growth and flowering.
Transplanting and planting medicinal vervain
The optimal period for planting seeds in the soil mixture is February-the first decade of March. Formed bushes (seedlings) should be planted in the ground immediately after the establishment of warm weather.
Before sowing the seeds need to be treated with cold - harden. As the seedlings grow, they become cramped in a single box, a pick is required. For the correct procedure, the seedling must have at least 4 leaves.
The container for transplanting is filled with the same soil substrate.. Water containers for seedlings need with a small spatula or teaspoon. The shoots should be moved to the "new house", deepened to the seedbed growth zone, watered a little. The first 2 days to protect from direct sunlight, reduce the temperature by 1-2 degrees (roots take root faster).
Transplantation in open ground should be carried out in cloudy weather. The depth of the hole should be slightly greater than the depth of the picking container. At the bottom it is necessary to fill the drainage, moisten it with water.
Remove the bush from the box with a lump of earth. Place it in the hole, add additional soil.
How does reproduction occur?
The most optimal and simple option is reproduction through seedlings. Thorough preplant preparation is not required. If you do not have time to collect the seeds, the cutting method is used. Begin the procedure in March. What other rules are there for?
Verbena should cut the top, which should be at least 4 pairs of leaves.- Process cut with crushed coal.
- Leave only the top pair of leaves (remove the rest).
- The optimal soil variant is perlite sand, a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1).
- Make a shallow hole in the soil, immerse the cutting in it to the lower node.
Verbena should cut the top, which should be at least 4 pairs of leaves.To avoid abundant fumes, the cutting should be covered with foil. The root system develops in 3-4 weeks.
Diseases and other growing problems
Verbena drug resistant to various diseases and the effects of parasites. Infection is possible with improper care or with temperature drops. When a sore bush is found, it is necessary to remove the affected areas, treat the plant with preparations with copper in the composition (the Bordeaux liquid solution is optimal).
If the area of infection is extensive - urgently remove a copy from the flower bed.
- Tospoviruses. Signs - growth retardation, deformation of the aerial parts. Brown spots appear on the crown, the stem also turns brown. Treatment is not subject. Bush removal and soil disinfection required.
- Phytophthora (rot). The leaves lose their brightness, the stem turns black. The reason - abundant watering. Sick bushes need to be removed. The rest for the prevention process Fosetilom (analogues).
- Mealy dew. Leaves form characteristic spots. With a large lesion area, the leaves turn purple. As a result, they die out. The reason - sudden changes in temperature. Effectively spray bushes with Bitertanol, Propiconazole and analogues.
- Different types of aphids. Pests accumulate on the leaves, shoots, inflorescences. Infection leads to deformation of the stem and shoots. The problem is caused by improper watering, poor-quality fertilizers. For short-term struggle are suitable chemicals in the composition.
Conclusion
Growing and caring for vervain medicinal, herbaceous plants for open ground is a simple but responsible task. It is important to take into account the parameters of the environment and the advice of experienced gardeners in the first planting of seeds. Adhering to the basic rules, you can get a strong, healthy, disease and pest-resistant plant.
