This is how the name of this fragrant garden plant can be translated from Latin. This is due to the fact that the heliotrope turns the cups of flowers towards the sun, and its leaves rise in the light of day and fall in the evening. In fact, this phenomenon is called heliotropism and is characteristic of many plants. But it is with the heliotrope that the discovery of the biological clock in the animal and plant world is associated.
This fragrant plant came to us from the Americas, where it reaches a height of 2 meters. In the southern regions of our country, the heliotrope grows like a weed plant.
For the first time in Russia, the heliotrope was introduced in the 18th century and quickly gained popularity due to its exquisite aroma. He was planted in gardens and greenhouses, and fashionistas and dandies attached fragrant flowers to clothes or hair.
Why the heliotrope is loved and appreciated
The classic aroma of the heliotrope is vanilla, but during the selection aimed at improving the decorative properties of the plant, the smell has changed. It may look like the smell of lilac or honey, some find it difficult to find a comparison for this marvelous aroma. But everyone agrees that it is one of the most fragrant and fragrant flowers. The smell becomes especially strong in the evening. Plant a heliotrope next to the gazebo, and your evening gatherings will be decorated with a marvelous delicate aroma.
Low-growing types of heliotrope can be grown at home, exhibiting in the summer on a balcony or loggia.
Types of heliotrope
Thanks to selection, more than 300 types of heliotrope have been created. The essential oils of this plant are widely used in perfumes. The delicate and refined aroma of the heliotrope does not at all resemble some odorous varieties of lilacs or phloxes, the presence of which is fraught with a headache. Heliotrope found application in folk medicine and homeopathy. But the most widespread heliotrope received as an ornamental plant.
Peruvian (Peruvian) heliotrope
The most common type of heliotrope in gardening. A small bush up to 60 cm with bright numerous small medium-sized flowers. In nature, this plant blooms only in dark blue or dark purple, but selective breeding allowed to obtain both white and pink and reddish inflorescences. The leaves of the Peruvian heliotrope are dark green, pubescent with thin hairs, due to which they look velvet.
This type of heliotrope is poisonous, so make sure that this plant is not accessible to children and pets.
European heliotrope
A bush no larger than 30 cm in height with dark green leaves. The flowers are small white, very fragrant. It is actively used in traditional medicine and homeopathy. Toxic.
Kurasavsky heliotrope
A tall, sprawling bush with pale blue flowers on a long peduncle. The height of the plant reaches one meter.
Thyroid Heliotrope
A tall shrub that grows to 1.2 meters. Large inflorescences of approximately 10 cm with lilac flowers. The leaves are elongated and twisted.
Stem-rich heliotrope
Low-growing shrub with pale purple flowers with an unexpressed aroma. These features reduce its popularity among gardeners, but nevertheless it is used to design flower beds and borders. This is an unpretentious type of heliotrope.
Heliotrope Reproduction
The heliotrope can be propagated by seeds and cuttings cut from the mother plant. In the conditions of a short summer in the middle zone, the first option is most convenient. Usually purchased seeds are used, this is caused by their late ripening, approximately in the middle of October.
Propagation of the heliotrope by cuttings for planting and care in the open ground
In order to propagate the heliotrope by cuttings, it is necessary to maintain the mother plant until spring. In the autumn, select a good branched bush, dig and transplant into a pot or planter. Provide the mother heliotrope with a low temperature of 8 to 15 degrees, additional illumination and moderate watering. Thus, the uterine bush will gain strength and in the spring will give good strong cuttings for future plantings. At too high a temperature or with a lack of light, the cuttings will stretch, will be weak and are unlikely to survive the future rooting and planting.
In spring, we cut off the strongest cuttings with 3-4 internodes and plant them in loose soil with good drainage. Usually a mixture of peat land with sand is taken 1: 1. For the first time, it is better to cover the plants with a glass jar to create a greenhouse climate. The jar is periodically opened for ventilation. The temperature in the room should be at least 25 degrees. After about 3-4 weeks, the cuttings should take root. After rooting, transplant seedlings into separate pots with a soil mixture of turf land, peat and sand 1: 4: 1. During this period, additional artificial lighting will be needed.
Propagation of the heliotrope by seeds for planting and care in the open ground
The heliotrope seeds are small, almost dusty. For their cultivation, a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand 4: 1 is taken. Sowing seeds begins around the end of February or the beginning of March. This is due to the fact that when growing a heliotrope from seeds, about 100 days pass before an adult flowering plant is obtained. That is why sowing seeds in open ground in the conditions of a short summer in central Russia is practically doomed to failure. So we plant and grow seedlings in advance.
We calcinate the soil, provide good drainage, spill moderately and evenly spread the seeds on the surface in any way convenient for you. This can be done by mixing the seeds with sand or just slowly and gently sprinkling on the soil. If you get a lot of seeds in some place, distribute them with a toothpick.
Spray on top with water from a small spray bottle and cover with a film to create a greenhouse effect. When sprouts appear, we open the film daily for ventilation and spraying. Seeds should hatch for 5-16, sometimes 30 days. But in this case, it is better to play it safe and sow another batch of seeds, approximately 2 weeks after the first.
Sprouts are planted only after the appearance of the first true leaves. They are small, so it is more convenient to do this with tweezers. The soil mixture is taken from the calculation of one part of sand, 2 parts of peat and one part of turf land. If you want the heliotrope to have the shape of a bush, then as soon as the sprouts become about 10 cm, pinch the tops.
Heliotrope: planting and care in the open ground
Planting rooted cuttings and seedlings is possible only when the threat of freezing frost passes (approximately the beginning of June). Heliotrope sprouts are planted at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. For planting, a sunny area with deeply located groundwater is suitable. The soil should be loose, fertile. The heliotrope does not tolerate stagnation of water, but loves frequent watering. Protect the plant from strong winds. When planting, mineral fertilizers are used, such as Ideal or Kemira Lux. Complex additives are used up to the beginning of flowering with a frequency of 1 time in 2 weeks.
Wintering
The main problem of planting and caring for heliotropes in open ground is the special conditions of wintering. The heliotrope needs to be dug up in the fall and stored at a temperature of 8-15 degrees, while continuing to water and install artificial lighting. Thus, you can save a perennial plant and in the spring again plant it in the garden.
Heliotrope Diseases and Pests
The most dangerous pests for the heliotrope are whiteflies, scutes, spider mites and aphids. From aphids, washing the heliotrope helps with a solution of laundry soap, just carefully close the roots so that soapy water does not destroy them. The remaining pests are removed by spraying with insecticides, with a treatment period of once every 2 weeks until complete disappearance.
Of the diseases, the most common are fungal infections, covering the leaves with black or brown spots. To combat them in the initial stage, fungicides are used.
The very popular aromatic heliotrope is once again returning to our beds and lawns. Its relative unpretentiousness, bright large inflorescences and, most importantly, a unique gentle aroma again win the hearts of gardeners.
