Sanvitalia is a creeping grassy plant strewn with sunny flowers resembling miniature sunflowers. Its homeland is Central America, but it also takes root well in our temperate climate.
Description
Among a wide variety of varieties of sanvitalia, annual and perennial specimens are found. The plant has highly branched shoots that creep on the ground. In height, it reaches only 15-25 cm, but the bush width will easily exceed 45 cm. Lateral processes are actively formed from leaf sockets independently without pinching.
The leaf plates are smooth, dark. The leaf shape is ovoid or elongated elliptical with a pointed end and smooth edges. The average size of the leaves is 6 cm. The color of greenery and shoots is uniform, dark green.
During flowering (from July to October), the entire crown of sanvitalia is abundantly covered with single flowers in the form of baskets. The color of the petals ranges from whitish and light yellow to saturated terracotta. Varieties with simple flowers (where the petals are located in one row) and complex (multi-row) inflorescences are found. The core may be bright orange or dark brown. The flower is small, in diameter is 15-25 mm. After sowing on a young plant, the first buds appear after 2-2.5 months. Flowering continuously, in place of wilted immediately new buds appear.
Varieties of Sanvitalia
Although sanvitalia is quite diverse in the wild, less than two dozen varieties are used in culture. Among them, the following are especially distinguished:
- Outstretched. At a low height, the side shoots sprawl at 45-55 cm. The plant is densely covered with orange flowers with brown eyes.
- Orange Sprite It stands out with semi-double orange flower baskets and a darker shade of green.
- Million suns. A low plant covered with yellow flowers in the shape of daisies. The core is lush, black. Suitable for growing in hanging pots, from which hangs in twisted shoots.
- Aztek Gold. Flowers of this variety have a yellow core and petals that cover the green crown with gold stars.
- Bright eyes. The variety was named for the expressive coloring of the buds. The black eye of the core is framed by orange petals.
- Ampelic. It features beautiful lateral shoots that look spectacular in hanging flowerpots and balcony compositions.
- Honey saved. Creeping bushes have a large number of flowers that are constantly updated. The plant forms a continuous cover on the lawn. The petals are honey yellow, and the cores are dark brown.
Breeding
Sanvitalia is propagated by seed. This thermophilic plant requires a special temperature regime. Seeds are sown at the beginning of March in pots and boxes. They are immediately placed in a greenhouse or other place where the temperature does not drop below 18-20 degrees of heat.
For planting, choose loose fertile garden soil, which is mixed with coarse sand. Sand is pre-washed. Seeds are deepened by 5-10 mm and sprinkled with earth. Watering is preferable ascending, for which they build a high pan. To reduce evaporation, the surface is covered with polyethylene or glass until seedlings form. In favorable conditions, they will appear together 10-12 days after planting.
The greenhouse is periodically ventilated. This helps to remove excess moisture and harden seedlings. After the appearance of two real leaves, the seedlings dive and plant in the open ground. To do this, choose sunny places in the garden with well-drained soil.
Shallow pits (up to 10 cm) are dug at the landing site, on the bottom of which brick chips, expanded clay or other small stones are poured. They will provide air access to the roots. The fact is that the root system is very sensitive to dampness and easily rots. A distance of about 25 cm is left between the bushes.
In the south of the country, you can sow seeds immediately in the garden in late May or early June. After the appearance of sprouts from 10 cm in height, too thick places are thinned out.
Growing and caring for adult plants
In the garden for sanvitalia, open sunny places with moderately fertile land are suitable. Be sure to take care of good drainage. It is important to periodically weed to aerate the roots and remove weeds.
Watering is necessary moderate, in damp summer there is enough rain moisture for normal growth. Lack of water does not affect the abundance of flowers. The bushes are also resistant to wind, although strong gusts can disturb their shape. To avoid this, use frame supports.
The root system tolerates transplantation well, it can be carried out even in the presence of flowers. If the bush needs to be moved to a new place in the garden or to pick up a more spacious flower pot, this will not lead to a decrease in flowering or plant disease.
For good growth during the period of transplantation and the formation of buds, fertilizers must be applied. Usually, liquid complex mineral supplements are used. Fertilize sanvitalia twice a month.
The plant is thermophilic and hardly tolerates extreme temperature changes. It can survive in short-term frosts down to -3 ° С. To prolong the existence of flowers, they are transplanted into flowerpots and brought into the room. The optimum temperature is not lower than + 5 ° C.
Possible problems
This disease-resistant plant rarely causes trouble. Nevertheless, it is important to periodically inspect the shoots in order to prevent serious problems.
If the base of the stems begin to darken, this indicates a violation in the root system. Perhaps due to stagnation of moisture, rot appeared. It is necessary to allow the substrate to dry and thoroughly loosen the soil. Thinning thickets carry out thinning. If no action is taken, the plant can die quickly.
The appearance of light twisted leaves indicates a lack of moisture. In too dry weather this is possible. It is enough to increase watering so that sanvitalia returns to life again. Small flowerpots with drainage holes can be completely placed in a tub of water for 1-1.5 hours. After this, the containers are removed and allowed to drain water.
Using
Sanvitalia will decorate open flowerbeds, balconies and a veranda. In independent plantings, it creates the effect of flickering sunlight on a site or in a flowerpot. It can be used in compositions with other plants of contrast flowering. It goes well with sweet peas, nasturtium, salvia, cinquefoil, forget-me-not and other flyers.
