The variegated and velvet flowers-bells of this plant make an indelible impression. These bushes will decorate any flower bed and become its "highlight". Meet this - salpiglossis. Learn more about planting and caring for plants in the open field.
- Description
- Popular species and varieties
- Sulpiglossis is low
- Large-flowered
- Superbissimy
- Outdoor cultivation
- Soil preparation
- Sowing seeds
- Care
- Watering
- Top dressing
- Topping
- Weed removal
- Diseases and pests
- Application in landscape design
Description
Sulpiglossis belongs to the family Solanaceae; about twenty species of it are known in total. This is a herb with straight, thin and often branched stems from 15 to 80 cm in height. Their surface is covered with sticky fibers. The root system of the plant is mixed: there is a main root and adventitious roots.
Varieties differ in the type of leaves: they can be pinnate, dentate and whole. 
Around the root leaves grow on petioles, and from above - straight from the stem.The flowers are five-petalled, have a funnel-shaped form up to 6 cm in diameter, with a velvety coating.
Different types of petals have a different pattern and color. They can be white, cherry, brown, purple, red, and contrasting streaks create an intricate pattern on the surface. Flowering occurs from June to October.
The plant can be annual, biennial and perennial. Its homeland is South America. 
Popular species and varieties
In nature, there are about twenty species of this flower, but mainly salpiglossis sinuata (Salpiglossis sinuata) is grown in our region, which includes three popular varieties.
Sulpiglossis is low
Spreading plants in the form of a bush up to 40 cm in height. It blooms very lush. The most common varieties of this type: "Flamenco", "Q", "Carnival", "Nanum".
Large-flowered
These varieties include the highest varieties with branching peduncles and many large flowers.
Superbissimy
The superpissimus salpiglossis is distinguished by corrugated edges of flowers, straight peduncle, about 60 cm high. 
Outdoor cultivation
The flower is propagated mainly by seeds, especially its annual forms.
Soil preparation
About a week before sowing, dig up soil with the addition of ash, sand and peat. These flowers prefer slightly acidic or neutral soil. The plot is chosen sunny, protected from the wind and well drained.
Sowing seeds
Seeds are sown in mid-May, when frost is no longer foreseen. Seeds are placed at a distance of about 25 cm apart. This flower does not like transplanting, so it is necessary to plant it immediately to a permanent place, so the cultivation of salpiglossis from seeds is preferable.
Care
Compared to many other plants, salpiglossis is rather unpretentious. The main difficulty is that it does not tolerate both drought and waterlogging. In need of watering keep balance. 
Watering
Summer must be watered everydayIn the evening, it is desirable to spray. Dry soil threatens the rapid drying and death of the plant. Watering is better with distilled warm water. In spring and autumn, watering is performed less frequently, on average twice a week.During watering the soil in the flower bed must be carefully loosened.
Top dressing
Top dressing is carried out with organic or mineral fertilizers twice a month. It is most important to fertilize the plant during the flowering period.
Topping
The procedure of pinching the central shoots for the formation of a large number of buds is obligatory. Simultaneously with pinching, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences. This allows you to achieve lush long flowering.
Weed removal
Freedom from weeds will allow salpiglossis bushes to develop in full force. As a rule, this is done by loosening the soil during irrigation. 
Diseases and pests
Diseases of salpiglossis can occur in rainy or, on the contrary, dry periods. His main enemies - fungal diseases (late blight, fusarium, powdery mildew), as well as such pests as spider mites, aphids and thrips.
With the defeat of fungi, the plant changes its color and then rots. The treatment is not amenable, the affected plant must be destroyed.
For pest control, in addition to chemical insecticides, folk methods are also used. Spraying tinctures of garlic, wormwood, celandine and a solution of laundry soap has a good effect. 
Application in landscape design
Salpiglossis is widely used in landscape design. Often they are filled with empty spaces between perennials. It is appropriate to plant it among the deciduous crops, especially with a silvery shade of leaves, to shade all the beauty of the flowers. Low-growing varieties can be planted in pots and decorated with them balconies and verandas.
Growing and caring for salpiglossies is quite simple, but they will long please the eye with their beautiful flowering.
