When refining a garden plot, a summer residence, city balconies and window openings, the choice of many gardeners falls on ampelous plants, that is, plants grown in hanging pots and vertical flowerbeds. Lobelia Ampelnaya is one of the worthy and most frequently encountered representatives of this family. And not in vain - it looks equally good in flower compositions and as an independent plant. In addition to its decorative function, lobelia ampelnaya is easy to grow and handle. Even a beginner can handle this task.
- Ampel form
- Popular varieties
- Where is the best to grow lobelia?
- Landing methods
- Rassadny
- Direct seeding
- Proper care of amber lobelia
- Topping
- Watering
- Top dressing
- Pruning
- Seed collection
Ampel form
Due to its small size, compact form and lush blooming, amber amphibian lobelia is increasingly interested in gardeners.
The characteristic of lobelia is simple:
- perennial species;
- the department is flowered;
- class-double;
- order-astro;
- -collee family;
- kind of - love;
- type of flowering
- growing area - subtropical temperate climate.
- developed roots, form a dense clod with the ground;
- stems - leafy, long (up to 40 cm) and branched; thin and drooping, with close internodes; covered with light nap;
- leaves - small and frequent, lanceolate forms (length 3-6 cm, width up to 1.5 cm); dark green, also covered with a light nap;
- flowers are bisexual; small in diameter up to 2 cm, dissected, pyatilepestny, irregular shape (two upper petals smaller than the three lower); when flowering densely cover the stems along the entire length, some varieties form inflorescences; stamens short with large anthers;
- seeds - small, dusty, dark brown; the ability to germinate retain up to 3 years.
- roundish bushes of spherical shape, reaching a height of 20 cm;
- upright, up to 30 cm;
- climbing, cascading, in length up to 50 cm.
The plant tolerates the neighborhood with other flowers.
Popular varieties
Ampel lobelia refers to the species of annual plants. Stems are long, in the process of growth can reach 35-40 centimeters. The leaves are light green in color, but in their development may acquire a purple hue. The variety has abundant flowering: single flowers, located on the tops of shoots, frequent. The color gamut of lobelia ampelous is varied and highlighted by these varieties:
- [li] Reggata Blue Splash (blue splash regatta) - petals of white and blue color;
- Reggata marine blue (marina blue regatta) - petals of saturated blue color;
- Reggata lilac (lilac regatta) - lilac petals;
- Reggata lilac splash (lilac splash regatta) - petals of lilac-white color;
- Reggata mix (regatta mix) - different colors of flowers;
- Reggata rose (regatta rose) - rose petals with cream eye;
- Reggata sky blue (Sky Blue Regatta) - petals of one-color blue color;
- Reggata midnight blue (midnight blue regatta) - petals of violet color with a blue tint;
- Reggata white (white regatta) - petals of white color;
- Reggata Blue White Eye (Blue White Regatta) - blue coloring of petals with a small white eye;
- Sapphire (sapphire) - petals of bright blue color with a white eye.
As you can see, the flowers are quite a wide palette of colors and their characteristics are able to satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding growers.
Where is the best to grow lobelia?
Lobelia ampelnaya will feel great anywhere in the field, whether it is a flowerpots, vertical flower beds, pots or a direct landing in the ground. It is important to provide her with the main conditions for life:
- warm climate;
- Fresh air;
- well clarified (sunny) terrain;
- moderate watering at the root.
Landing methods
There are two ways of planting lobelia - seedlings and direct sowing on the ground, and each of them requires a certain care. 
Due to the fact that quite a long time (3-4 months) passes from the moment of planting to the immediate flowering, mostly gardeners use seedlings.
Rassadny
The seedling method allows you to grow a strong plant and provide abundant flowering for the entire summer season. If you sow seedlings in January - February, then by the end of May, the first buds will be formed.
The only condition for early disembarkation is to provide a sufficient amount of light: with its lack of seedlings will develop slowly. 
The seeds of lobelia are dust-like, so for ease of sowing they are mixed with a small amount of sand. This will make them visible on a light sandy background and will allow you to evenly distribute to the ground. You can also sow the seeds on a layer of snow laid out over the prepared soil. This method as the snow melts will help their natural stratification (long exposure to accelerate germination).
A mixture of ordinary garden soil mixed with vermiculite (a mica-based layered mineral) will suit the soil for seedlings. It is not necessary to dig the seeds into the ground, it is enough to press them down a little.
To complete the process, it is necessary to moisten with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (several crystals per 1 liter of water). 
Seeds sown in a container must be covered with a film and put on a well-lit place at a temperature not lower than 18 ° C.
Seedling care
A container with sown seeds must be ventilated every day by removing the film for a short time and shaking off the condensate.
The first shoots will appear after 10-15 days. From this point on, the cover from the container can be removed, but without fail it is necessary to ensure that the soil is sufficiently wetted.
Picking
Picks produced when the shoots reach a height of 3-4 centimeters. Sampling is done in separate prepared small containers with soil (cups): the number of plants in one container should not exceed 4 pieces. The seedlings feel comfortable in wide and shallow containers. 
Seating is done with a teaspoon. Shoots dig and together with the soil transplanted into a separate container.Around the transplant site the soil is slightly tamped. When transplanting the distance between plants should not be less than 2-3 centimeters.
When the seedling reaches a height of 7 centimeters, it is necessary to pinch the top shoots. This will ensure widespread branching of the plant in the future.
The obtained seedlings can be planted in the open ground at the end of May, when the daily temperature of the air does not fall below 15 ° C, and unexpected cold snaps are not expected.
Planting is best done in a sunny open area in moderately fertile soil. 
The soil should be loosened and light, and for this purpose it is prepared in advance. To do this, for 2 weeks before planting, the soil is loosened, poured with sand and make a small amount of fertilizer (for example, calcium nitrate). The planting is carried out in a weakly acidic soil, therefore it is necessary to pour the acidic soil in advance with dolomite flour, chalk, or hydrated lime.
Under the seedlings dig small holes at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. This distance will provide enough free space in the future for lush development.
Planting for decorative purposes to decorate windows and balconies is made in prepared pots with purchased universal primer. After planting, the soil is abundantly moistened.
A week after the picking, the seedlings can again be fertilized with a weak solution of complex fertilizer. 
Direct seeding
Direct sowing - it is often called "lazy" - involves sowing seeds directly on the ground.
Two weeks before sowing, the soil must be loosened and poured with a small amount of sand. Before sowing the soil must be moistened (shed).
Sow seeds mixed with sand at the end of May, trying to sow them on the ground as evenly as possible. Distributed seeds from above should be moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and treated with any growth stimulant ("Appin", "Gibbersib").
Landing top tightened film. You can remove the cover and ventilate only when shoots appear.
Aftercare
When strong shoots appear, it is necessary to air the seedlings daily with the obligatory subsequent and careful moistening of them, avoiding direct watering.
When the seedlings reach 4 centimeters, thinning should be carried out, leaving room for the future development between the bushes of at least 10 centimeters.
After thinning, laying shelter on seedlings is no longer required. It is important to avoid drying the soil for the plant and in time to produce its moisture. 
Proper care of amber lobelia
Ampillary lobelia cannot be called a very demanding plant in its care. But it still delivers certain troubles.
Topping
After the first flowering, prophylactic pinching of lobelia is performed. This will contribute to a “respite” for the young plant and the growth of new side shoots, thus increasing the pomp and future flowering.
Pinching is done after the first flowering, cutting off all the stems almost at the base.
Watering
The greatest trouble in the care of the plant delivers watering. It is produced 1-2 times a week and only at the root.
Plants growing in small containers (pots or planters) should preferably be watered daily. This will prevent drying out of the soil and wilting of the plants.
During periods of intense heat, the plants, regardless of the area of their growth, must be provided with an additional amount of moisture. Watering during the heat should be carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening, before and after sunset.
Top dressing
Timely dressing will give an extra supply of energy for lush flowering. Fertilizing is done twice a month with the help of mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. You can buy these fertilizers in any garden shop, and their cost is low.
Do not apply too much fertilizer. Moreover, a large amount of nitrogen fertilizers will lead to the fact that the pomp and growth activity will reduce flowering plants.
Pruning
After flowering shoots must be cut, leaving a length of at least 5 cm from the soil. Thanks to such timely pruning, the flowering of the plant is ensured for the entire spring-autumn period.
Seed collection
For the subsequent collection of seeds at the beginning of the autumn season, it is not necessary to prune the branches of the plant, otherwise the seeds will not have time to mature.
The plant must be given time to bloom independently. After flowering, a seed box is formed. During this period, it is important to monitor their condition.
When the seed pods are dry, the stems need to be cut off and shake strongly over a clean sheet of paper. Fallen small seeds must be carefully placed in a prepared paper envelope (capacity) and stored in a dark cool place.
Lobelia Ampel is an incredibly beautiful plant that will improve any terrain with its lush flowering. The color range of varieties will not leave anyone indifferent and will satisfy even the most demanding. And the simplicity of the plant in the care is especially attractive - moreover, even a novice gardener will be able to grow lobelia from seeds at home.
