Lupine: landing and care

Lupine is a plant from the legume family. It has another name derived from Latin - wolf (Lupinus). The genus includes about a hundred species, most of which grow in the Mediterranean-African and American regions. It was used in agriculture and medicine in antiquity.

Lupine Features

The root is formed in the form of a rod, which goes to a depth of 1-2 meters. A structural feature is also small compaction tubers with colonies of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. They process nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil.

The stems are grassy, ​​can also become stiff. Most often erect, but creeping or branching shrubs and shrubs are sometimes found. The leaves are palmate-complex, double and triple. They are located on long, smooth petioles of 5-6 pieces. They are similar in shape to palm branches.

Inflorescences are brushes about 0.5-1 m high, with a large number of buds arranged in dense rows of 50-80 pcs. Peduncles are strong and strong, withstand rains well and do not fly around in windy weather.

The most common color is blue. However, there are other options: one-color (cream, red, purple) and variegated.

The average flowering time is 20 days.

The seed has a smooth surface, similar to beans or peas. The color and shape depend on what kind of lupine they belong to.

The plant is poisonous: the content of hazardous substances in beans is the highest - 4%, in the roots less than about 1%. However, harmless varieties have been bred for agriculture, they feed livestock or rabbits.

The flower is considered a honey plant and attracts bees with a large amount of pollen, however, it does not produce nectar.

Types and varieties of lupins

The genus is represented by one or two year olds and widely used perennials. To date, both giants growing up to 200 cm and miniature representatives whose stem does not exceed 20 cm have been bred.

The most common are:

Lupine varieties are distinguished by a variety of shades and colors, for example: Abendglut, Rubinkenig. Many were bred by an English breeder and named after him - Russell hybrids. They are very popular and are planted in groups in gardens and parks, for example: Burg Froilin, Castellan. The diameter of the flower in some reaches 2 cm.

Widely known varieties of annuals:

• Torch;
• Crystal;
• Reliable;
• Siderat 38.

Classical lupins: blue, blue and white, they germinate better and are less whimsical to care than varieties with spectacular colors.

Due to the fact that the plant gets along well with other flowers, it is possible to embody various ideas of landscape design. Lupine is good for gardens made in a romantic or English style. It looks beautiful as borders or planted along walls and fences. As a background for lower peonies, chrysanthemums or asters. Harmonious with cosmea, delphinium or bells, and iris, geranium or poppy are also suitable.

Lupine planting dates

The timing depends on the method chosen, if you plan to grow seedlings, then it is better to do this early - in March.

When sowing seeds in open ground, do not rush, it is necessary that the snow comes off and the earth warms up well.

The optimal time is mid-spring - April or May.

Another option to do this in the winter, they usually try to choose the end of October, it is important not to forget to add peat to the soil.

Growing lupine from seeds

This method of cultivation is suitable for regions with cold winters and spring. Seeds are sown in boxes with loose soil made up of two parts of sod land, peat and one sand. The mixture is made for better drainage. Planting material must be deepened by 2 cm into the ground.

To form nitrogen-containing bacteria, the seeds are pre-mixed with powder from the crushed roots of old lupins. And to accelerate germination, you can violate the integrity of the shells a little rubbing with sandpaper.

Often an adult lupine dissipates on its own. After the beans have ripened, their leaves open and the light seeds fly apart.

For more shoots to appear, the container is placed in a warm place and covered with a damp cloth. Shoots appear after 18-20 days, the optimum temperature for germination is +20 ° C.

Material for planting has a long shelf life of 5 years. Most of the flowers grown from purchased seeds in the next season acquire purple or blue shades. Therefore, some varieties need updating.

Care for lupine seedlings and planting them in the ground

A month later, when the first true leaves appear, it is necessary to plant seedlings in the ground. If you do not do it on time, there is a risk of damaging the roots and seedlings may not take root and begin to wither. For the same reason, transplantation of more adult lupins is not recommended.

You need to place the sprouts at a distance of 30-50 cm so that they can grow in width and not interfere with each other. A spacious plot is good.

Unpretentious to the substrate. The soil is slightly acidic, but due to soil transformation, it can grow in almost any, because independently increase the pH level. In a year or two it becomes neutral. On acidic soils, lime must be added before planting, 5 liters per 1 m², this will reduce calcium levels. Peat can be added to an alkaline environment, per 1 m² of land 5 kg.

Sowing Lupine in the open ground

First you need to prepare the soil, this is best done in the fall. Dig a shovel on one bayonet, the planned area and fertilize with superphosphate and ash.

It is possible to sow in soil in the spring in April or May, in previously loosened earth. From 5 to 7 seeds are placed in one hole, the distance between the holes is 6-7 cm. Shoots appear after 8-14 days. The site is better to choose a well-lit, the plant likes sunlight. Seedlings can be discharged, but their height should not exceed 15 cm. There should be no more than 2 real leaves, otherwise they will not take root in a new place. When transferring, it is necessary to shade pots with holes for ventilation.

The disadvantage of planting seeds is that the flowers of a grown plant can have a completely different shade. It often turns purple, the rarest is white.

The sowing deadline is June; the plant will bloom only in the next season.

Lupine Care

Caring for a long-term lupine is quite simple:

• Weeding and loosening the soil.
• In spring, watering is active, later moderate.
• If the basal part is exposed, hilling will help.
• To increase the flowering time, it is necessary to remove the blooming brushes.
• Tall plants sometimes break from strong winds, they need to be tied to supports.
• It is optimal to plant Lupine for 4-6 years, after replacing with young specimens.
• Fertilizer should be applied the next year after planting. Any complex, nitrogen free will do. On 1 m² you need 20 gr.

Inspection for the presence of parasites is mandatory: tuberous weevil, aphids or larvae of the sprout fly. Prevention and treatment of insecticides from diseases: root and gray rot, anthracnose, rust.

Vegetative propagation of lupine

If lupine is for decoration, then in order to preserve the color of the mother plant, a vegetative method of reproduction is used. However, only young bushes need to be divided; adults take root much worse.

When grafting in spring, it is better to use basal rosettes located at the base of the stem. The first inflorescences of a grown plant will form in the fall.

Cuttings are cut in the summer when flowering ends. Rooted in sandy soil, with diffused light or partial shade. Transplanted to the flowerbed after 20 days, when the roots are formed.

Mr. Summer resident recommends: lupine - siderat

This wonderful green manure is green manure. Conducted studies have revealed its superiority over manure in terms of phosphorus and potassium. The plant can accumulate in the soil up to 200 kg of nitrogen. Perfectly restores clay, loamy and sandy types of soils.

For agriculture, perennials are more often used. They are unpretentious and resistant to frost. Annual plants also have a plus, their growth is easier to control.

Two months after planting, during the appearance of the buds, the lupins are mowed and embedded in the soil. To accelerate decay, they shed with bacterial fertilizer: Baikal, Bokashi. Usually the process takes 2 weeks, after which you can plant other crops.

There is another way, it is used if a subsequent landing is not planned. The green mass is left on the surface, periodically watered with water and drugs with effective microorganisms (EM).

Autumn is usually sown in September-October, choosing frost-resistant varieties. It can be planted in August and the lupine manages to grow to cold weather, then it is mowed and left to rot in the snow. In spring, the fertilizer is ready.

Here are the crops that grow comfortably in the neighborhood of lupine:

• pumpkin;
• cucumber;
• a tomato;
• raspberries;
• zucchini;
• potatoes.

As siderat, it is better not to plant next to the onion, which will be poorly formed and stored. Because of the danger of infection with similar diseases, it is also not recommended to make beds next to peas and beans.

Lupine, which is initially perceived by many as a weed, can also bring tangible benefits. Enrich the earth with useful substances as fertilizer, be food for animals and fish or will become a bright decoration of the flower bed. And planting and grooming according to the rules will help to get a healthy and strong plant.

Watch the video: Lupin flower and bumblebee - pollination in action! (May 2024).