Nasturtium or, as it is also called, capuchin is a perennial plant with beautiful delicate flowers. Its homeland is Central and South America. In the conditions of central Russia, nasturtium is grown as an annual plant, because our harsh winter the plant cannot be tolerated.
Nasturtium is widely used in landscape design and landscaping of summer cottages. All thanks to its versatility: it can be laid as a solid carpet or used in braiding porches and arbors.
In Russia, 3 varieties of nasturtium are widely popular: foreign, cultural and large.
Depending on the variety, nasturtium petals can be semi-double, double and smooth. The color of the flowers of these plants is dominated by warm tones: from yellow to brown-red and from pink to deep scarlet. The size of nasturtiums can be different: there are small (no more than 20 cm) and giant (up to 250 cm) plants.
Nasturtium has many enemies: cruciferous flea, whitefish, spider mite, bear, cabbage moth, aphid.
Nasturtium leaves, as if covered with wax, outwardly resemble a small shield. Their normal color is green (sometimes they can have a slight reddish tinge).
Many gardeners worry when they notice that the leaves of nasturtium begin to turn yellow. If yellowness spreads exclusively on the lower leaves, most likely this is a normal physiological process of aging of old tops. If the upper leaves begin to turn yellow, then the plant is not all right.
Causes of yellowing leaves in nasturtium:
- Leaf yellowing may be the result of sunburn. Young nasturtiums in the heat must be sheltered from the sun.
- Nasturtium often turns yellow if the soil in which it grows is regularly waterlogged.
- The cause of yellowing can be an excessively dry summer.
- Sometimes the yellowness of nasturtium leaves may indicate a lack of essential minerals and trace elements in the soil. The introduction of Azofoska and Kemira-Lux will help.
- Excessive shading of nasturtiums and the consequent lack of light can also lead to yellowing of the leaves.
- The cause of yellowing can be a dangerous viral disease - a mosaic.
So that when growing nasturtium you have as few problems as possible, follow the following simple rules:
- Plant nasturtiums only in well-warmed soil when the threat of frost has passed. On a closed loggia, nasturtium is usually planted no earlier than April.
- Grow nasturtium seedlings only in peat cups, as the roots of this plant are extremely vulnerable and can be damaged during transplantation.
- Make sure that the nasturtium is constantly in a well-lit place. Without light, she quickly begins to wither and falls ill.
- Do not fertilize nasturtium with manure; use potassium-phosphorus fertilizers as top dressings.
- Watering nasturtiums should be timely and plentiful (but not excessive, avoid flooding).
- When the first flowers appear, the intensity of watering is sharply reduced.
Follow these simple tips and nasturtiums will surely delight you with abundant flowering.
Nasturtium affected by pests
Nasturtium pests - where do they come from?
It is very unpleasant for every summer resident when the fruit of his efforts and labor begins to hurt, turn yellow and drop leaves. But it is interesting that many diseases could be avoided if you simply follow the rules and recommendations for planting and caring for nasturtium. What do they include?
- Choosing the right location. The flower is very thermophilic, so planting it in dark areas or under trees will be a mistake. Choose an open area with direct access to ultraviolet rays.
- Regular hydration. Nasturtium reacts poorly to lack of moisture and drought, so watering should be established.
- No transplant. The root system of the plant does not withstand transplants. If you do not like the place where you planted the nasturtium, it is better to wait until autumn, and then transplant.
- The presence of fertile soil. In order for the plant to actively grow and bloom beautifully, it needs fertile soil. To do this, it is fashionable to mix the top layer of earth with humus and peat.
If you fulfill all these requirements, then you can eliminate most of the diseases and pests. But sometimes some still manage to get to the delicate leaves and stems of the flower.
The most dangerous pests of nasturtium:
- . Since the flower is a relative of the radish and cabbage, it is attacked by aphids, a small insect that is easy to spot on the plant. Aphids settle on the back side of the leaf and suck out all the juices from it. You may notice yellowing spots on the surface of the leaf, as well as a sluggish, dry stem. If nothing is done, then in a few days your nasturtiums will be completely eaten.
How to deal with aphids? Ash scattered on each flower helps a lot. Just before that, it is important to carefully sift it through a sieve, and then sprinkle nasturtium on top. The disadvantage of this method of struggle is only that it will have to be repeated every time after rain.
- . A pest that eats away the leaves of a plant and also lays larvae in its shoots. If you plant on cabbage, then keep a decent distance to the flower. Cabbage larvae attack shoots, completely destroying them.
How to deal with cabbage moth? All weeds should be destroyed without leaving their residues on the ground. Also carry out regular spraying with soapy water or special chemicals.
- . A small insect that is hard to spot on a nasturtium. The tick crawls out of the ground in early May, besieging young seedlings of many plants. The only thing that betrays the insect is its finely woven cobweb on the back of the leaf and black spots on the surface. The tick multiplies rapidly, so you need to immediately take measures to destroy it.
How to deal with spider mites? The pest cannot tolerate alcohol, so it is enough to spray the flower once with 96% alcohol. You can also use chemicals.
- Butterfly that many children chase after as children. She herself does not pose a threat to the plant, but her larvae are real pests of the flower. Being born, the caterpillars eat everything they see in their path.
How to deal with whitewash? Affected flowers can be sprayed with insecticides. Some begin to breed the enemy of the whitefish - the rider beetle. You can also water the nasturtium with settled water from the tops of tomatoes.
Nasturtium pests and fight them require decisive and urgent action. We hope that our tips will help you grow on your own. suburban area beautiful, bright and healthy nasturtiums.
Nasturtium - beautiful annual flower, which attracts gardeners not only with its appearance. Growing a plant is quite simple, which even a beginner grower can handle. Annual looks good in the flower bed and beds. Unusual leaves and bright flowers make nasturtium a welcome guest in every garden. There are compact forms of plants that are grown in balcony boxes.
Most often, gardeners grow varieties with bright colors of flowers: yellow, red, orange. Nasturtium leaves have an unusual shape in the form of a heart, and decorate the flower bed even before the flowers bloom. The sweet smell of the plant attracts pollinating insects to the garden.
Among flower growers, the following types of plants are especially popular:
Bush nasturtium;
Curly.
Bush varieties form compact low plants that reach a height of about 20 cm. By growing them in groups, you can get a flowering carpet that is covered with many bright flowers from June until frost. Plants are used to create a border, landscaping terraces, balconies, flower beds. It is necessary to plant bush forms of nasturtium in open sunny areas, protecting from the winds. Nasturtium does not tolerate cold at all.
Curly species give good shoots, the length of which can reach up to 3 meters. Such plants are designed to create hedges, fences, decorating arches and arbors. Cultivation is carried out only on supports. Curly nasturtium forms larger flowers, often double. Seeds for planting are best sown immediately in a permanent place, as the plant does not tolerate transplantation, the seedlings weaken, and do not take root well.
New varieties are regularly introduced that differ in their colors. In addition to the simple form of the inflorescence, there is also a terry one. Among lovers of nasturtium, there are especially beloved varieties:
Golden Globe; 
cherry rose; 
Day and night. 
Terry varieties are valued for the unusual shape of the inflorescence. In some species, the diameter of the flower reaches 10 cm in diameter. However, flowering in such species is shorter, but memorable. The first buds bloom in July, and flowering ends in August. Terry varieties are quite fragrant.
Growing features: planting nasturtium in open ground Following simple rules, you can successfully grow nasturtium in the garden, enjoying its fragrant flowers until autumn.
1. To grow a plant, you need to choose a suitable place.
Nasturtium comes from South America, so it loves warmth and sun. The landing site should be well lit throughout the day. A plant planted in the shade will not please with flowering. You should also protect the delicate flower from wind and draft.
2. Nasturtium prefers light moderately nutritious soils.
Soil overfed with organic matter the best option to grow a plant. On too "fat" lands, bushes bloom poorly. But poor soils also have a bad effect on the condition of the annual: the stems are exposed, the leaves become smaller. Experienced gardeners regularly make mineral complexes that nasturtium loves very much. As a result, the flowers become large, the leaves are shiny, the buds are formed until October.
3. It is better to grow nasturtium in a seedless way, sowing seeds directly into the ground.
fragile root system the plant does not tolerate transplants, it is often injured and the flower dies.
You need to sow seeds with the onset of heat, somewhere in early May. The bed for sowing is pre-watered with warm water, which contributes to the rapid germination of seeds and early flowering. The seeding depth is about 2 cm, the distance between plants should be at least 25 cm. Plants grown in this way are stronger and healthier, which prolongs the flowering period. If the threat of frost has not yet passed, then the planting dates should be postponed or the seedlings should be sheltered from the cold.
Important! If there is a need to grow nasturtium through seedlings, then only peat cups are used for planting. Transplanting such plants does not injure the roots, since it is not necessary to remove the seedling from the pot.
How to care for nasturtium
Flower growers love this flower for its unpretentious care. All nasturtiums need is timely watering, fertilizing and the absence of weeds.
Watering nasturtium
The watering regimen depends on the growth phase of the plant. When the first shoots appear, nasturtium requires regular irrigation, high soil moisture. For normal growth and development, seedlings need a lot of moisture. When buds appear, watering should be reduced, otherwise the plant will continue to grow leaves, which will negatively affect the duration of flowering.
Nutritious top dressing
For lush and long flowering, it is necessary to make mineral complexes. At the beginning of the growing season, you need to give more nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and later, when the plant gains enough green mass, you need to switch to potassium top dressing.
Weed control
The root system should breathe well, for this purpose, the soil around the bushes is regularly loosened, weeds are removed. You can increase the air permeability of the soil by mulching. A small layer of mulch will keep weeds from growing and keep moisture in the soil.
Growing nasturtium: how to collect seeds
Nasturtium propagates by seeds. If drooping flowers are removed, then flowering will continue, but the seeds will not be tied. For the formation of seeds on the plant, several inflorescences are left, which must ripen.
Ripened seeds are collected together with inflorescences, crushed on paper and dried. Dry the seeds at a temperature of 20 degrees in a shaded place. When they turn whitish, they are removed for storage. Seeds should not be allowed to fall to the ground. In warm autumn weather, they will germinate and die in winter. Fragile seedlings will not survive the cold. Collected seeds can be stored for 4 years. All these years they do not lose their germination.
Nasturtium care: diseases and pests
Nasturtium has a specific smell that repels the Colorado potato beetle, cabbage aphids and mites. But sometimes, some pests annoy the plant itself.
1. The cabbage butterfly lays larvae on the leaves of the plant. Its caterpillars strongly water the appearance of nasturtium. Pesticides are used to control them.
2. An ash solution is used from an earthen flea. Spraying is carried out in the evening. Processing is repeated after rain. The number of treatments is unlimited, since the ash does not harm the plant.
3. One of the dangerous pests of nasturtium is aphid, which carries viral diseases: ring spot. On the leaves of the plant, you can find light spots that form a mosaic pattern. 
4. Spider mite is another insidious pest of nasturtium. Alcohol is used to combat it, spraying the plant and soil. When growing a flower in a flowerpot, the container also needs to be processed.
Nasturtium is a rather beautiful annual plant that brings many benefits to the site: it repels pests and is a good honey plant. Some gardeners use the leaves of the plant in cooking. They have a spicy taste and add spice to meat dishes.
AT traditional medicine Nasturtium is known for its medicinal properties. Plant preparations are used for colds. It has antibacterial properties and contains vitamin C.
Cosmetologists advise using nasturtium for hair loss. After the procedures, the hair acquires shine, accelerates growth.
Nasturtium is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Nasturtium has a branched winding stem, hollow inside, and shield-shaped leaves. Nasturtium flowers come in different bright colors: yellow, orange, red. The sizes of nasturtiums are from 30 to 60 s in length. Nasturtiums are liana-like and can creep along the ground or curl along a support.
Nasturtium is native to South America. As an ornamental plant, it is grown in Eurasia.
Light requirements
Nasturtium is a photophilous plant. Blooms beautifully in diffused sunlight. But you can not expose it to bright direct sunlight. It is better to choose for her the eastern and western parts of the garden. If it doesn’t work out, then create an artificial shadow for it during hot sunny hours.
Watering mode
Proper watering of nasturtium is divided into two phases:
- The phase of seed germination and the formation of strong leaves and stems. During this period, you need to water the plants abundantly.
- The second phase is budding and flowering. Now you need to introduce moderate watering, that is, water the soil as it dries out, even less often in a warm, humid climate.
If you water the nasturtium too abundantly in the second phase, then flowering will be inhibited.
Temperature regime
Nasturtium is thermophilic, but does not tolerate heat. Therefore, it grows well in temperate latitudes. In extreme heat, the leaves turn yellow and then wither.
The plant absolutely does not tolerate cold, so it should be planted after spring frosts. It also dies during the first autumn frosts.
fertilizers
Nasturtium needs to be fed every 5 weeks. Before the budding phase, you can feed with a complex fertilizer.
With the onset of the budding phase, it is necessary to replace fertilizers with complex ones, but with a low nitrogen content, or simply phosphorus-potassium ones. Nasturtium uses all the nitrogen for the vegetative mass, in connection with this, flowering is inhibited. When fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, flowering will be sluggish, and the flowers will be small. For the same reason, it is absolutely not necessary to make organic fertilizers.
Soils for nasturtium should be not very humus, with a light granulometric composition and slightly acidic or neutral. On soils rich in humus, the vegetative mass also grows.
Transplantation of nasturtium should be carried out with all caution, since its roots are very fragile. It is best to use the transshipment method so as not to disturb the earthen clod.
Rules for transplanting nasturtium in open ground:
- Seedlings are best planted in early June, when it became quite warm. But it is better to focus on the appearance of the first true leaves;
- Spend in the evening or on cloudy days so as not to expose the roots to the sun;
- Plentifully water the soil, plant seedlings by transshipment;
- Water the plant regularly, but avoid flooding;
- Feeding can be introduced a week or two after transplantation.
Nasturtium has two methods of reproduction: seed and cuttings. Due to the fragile root system, dividing the bush is impossible.
seed
Seeds can be sown on seedlings, or directly in open ground.
When preparing seedlings you need:
- Do it in April;
- Prepare the soil, it is best to use peat cups or prepare a peat-sand mixture and disinfect it;
- Sow two or three pieces in a cup, after watering the soil;
- Water the seedlings only with warm, settled water;
- Shoots will appear in two to three weeks;
- It will be possible to transplant into open ground a couple of months after germination.
When sowing in open ground:
- This should be done when the spring frosts have passed, otherwise all shoots will freeze;
- Soak the seeds for a day;
- Sow three or four pieces per hole;
- The distance between the holes should be 25-30 cm;
- Water generously afterwards.
It should be noted that seeds sown in open ground will bloom later than seedlings. Since nasturtium blooms in one and a half to two months, after the emergence of shoots.
cuttings
Cuttings are carried out on plants that have overwintered in the house.
Cutting rules:
- In the middle of spring, cuttings are cut, cutting the stems at sharp angles;
- Root cuttings in wet sand or in a container of water;
- Roots will appear in about a couple of weeks;
- As soon as frosts pass, cuttings can be transplanted into open ground.
The flowering period of nasturtium is 4-5 months. It begins to bloom in June, and ends with the first frost.
The first flowers appear two months after germination.
Nasturtium flowers are solitary, funnel-shaped. The color of the flowers is predominantly warm tones: red, orange, yellow.
The size of nasturtium flowers can be from two to eight centimeters, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
pruning nasturtium
Nasturtium needs sanitary pruning, timely remove faded flower stalks, as well as weak and diseased stems. You can also cut off excess leaves so that they do not “pull” nutrients necessary for abundant flowering.
Nasturtium is not at all resistant to cold, so it is grown as an annual plant. It dies with the first frosts. If you want to save the plant, for example, for spring cuttings, but you can transfer it to the house for the winter. To do this, long before the first frosts, transplant it into a pot. Gradually move his house. For example, leave it outside during the day and in the loggia at night. Then during the day in the loggia, and at night - in the house. So there will be less stress for the plant. However, always keep an eye on the weather so that the nasturtium does not freeze.
Diseases and pests of nasturtium
Diseases
Nasturtium is a very delicate plant and is prone to various diseases. Among them:
- Gray rot. Manifested in gray dry spots on the leaves and stem. Formed during high humidity. For treatment, remove the infected parts, treat the plant with a fungicide.
- Bacterial wilt. With this disease, the lower leaves wither first, and then the whole plant. Infected plants must be destroyed. Transmitted through weeds.
- Mosaic. Causes a mosaic pattern on the leaves (yellow and green spots), later the growth of the plant is inhibited.
- Leaf spotting. Small dots with a red border appear on the leaves, gradually the dots grow and affect the entire leaf. It appears as small dots with red-brown edges. They appear on the leaves, gradually growing and capturing the entire leaf.
- Rust. These are small brown spots that become voluminous. Soon they cover the whole plant and it dies.
- The treatment of each type of plant disease consists in the destruction of diseased organs and the treatment of the plant with fungicides or bacterial preparations. If the risk of infecting other plants is high, then destroy all diseased plants and cultivate the soil where they grew.
Pests
Nasturtium is cabbage-flowered, which means it has pests in common with cabbage:
- Aphid. Aphids suck out nutritious juices and damage buds. You can shower the plant with ashes - this will drive away aphids.
- Cabbage moth. The caterpillars of this butterfly eat leaves and buds. The method of struggle is the same as with aphids.
- Medvedka. Due to its size, the bear can cover the entire plant in a few hours. In order to drive it away, use insecticides.
- Spider mite. It also sucks plant juices. To combat it, spray the plants with insecticides, and the soil with alcohol.
Note to the gardener
Why do nasturtium leaves turn yellow?
Leaf yellowing is a natural process that comes with aging. In any case, yellow leaves must be removed.
However, there are several reasons why this is not normal:
- Leaf burn. To avoid this, shade the plant during particularly hot hours.
- You watered it too abundantly, which caused waterlogging of the soil. Reduce watering and only water when the soil is dry.
- You planted a plant in the shade and it does not get enough sun. You can try transplanting nasturtium.
- The plant is sick, for example, mosaic.
- The soil is poor in micro and macro elements. Enter light mineral supplements.
Why doesn't nasturtium bloom?
There may be several reasons:
- You "overfed" it with nitrogen-containing fertilizers and all the nutrients went into the growth of the vegetative mass;
- You have planted it too densely and the plants have to spend their energy on competition, and not on flowering;
- If you grow her at home, then she simply may not have enough light or space in a pot;
- Improper care - too shady place or too abundant watering.
Nasturtium care video
Nasturtiums are fairly easy to care for. The plant does not need constant watering, and it can be planted, as well as seedlings, and in open ground. The main rule in the care of nasturtium is not to feed the plant with organic fertilizers, this will lead to the abundant formation of the vegetative mass and the absence of flowering. The flowering period of nasturtium lasts summer and autumn, until the first frost. Therefore, you can admire the flowering all season, and then you can transfer the plant to the house.
Sophia wants to get an answer to the question: “Why do the leaves turn yellow?”
Leaves are yellow
Nasturtium is a herbaceous culture, with "wax" leaves that look like shields. The natural color of the leaf is green, sometimes with a reddish tint. There are also variegated capuchins.
If you notice yellowness on the lower leaves, do not worry: this is the physiological old age of the tops. The alarm should be sounded only when the upper leaves turn yellow.
This trouble happens to nasturtium with improper care. There may be several reasons:
- burn from scorching sunlight;
- waterlogging of the soil;
- deficiency of minerals in the soil;
- lack of lighting;
- disease (mosaic of nasturtium).
If the nasturtium fell ill, it is necessary to cut off and burn diseased leaves, and spray the entire plant with special prophylactic solutions.
The lack of fertilizers can be made up for by applying Kemira-Lux or Azofoska.
To avoid burns, young capuchins should be covered from the sun.
In order to eliminate any problems with breeding nasturtiums in the future, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- the plant in the garden is sown in well-warmed soil, on the balcony - not earlier than April;
- nasturtium roots are extremely vulnerable, so you need to take peat glasses for it;
- nasturtium loves light: with its lack, it withers and does not bloom;
- capuchin needs potassium and phosphorus, but does not tolerate manure;
- in the vegetation stage of nasturtium, good and timely watering is required;
- as soon as the first flowers appear, watering should be kept to a minimum.
All this will allow you to grow healthy flowers with strong green leaves.
Nasturtium (video)
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