On the windowsills of many apartments and houses you can see a lush blue flower. The flowers on it resemble bells. It is called Campanella. His other name is the bride and groom.
Campanella is an indoor flower native to the Mediterranean coast. The flowers resemble a bell in shape, which gave it a name. In the world there are approximately 400 varieties of this plant. There are perennial, biennial and annual species. Only 15 of them are grown in apartments and gardens.
What does the Campanula flower look like?
The most common are the following varieties.
Description of popular varieties
Campanula Equivalent
Branches of this variety reach a length of 30 cm. Petiolate leaves, with a serrated edge. Flowers are gathered in a panicle, the size of one flower is not more than 40 mm. Often plants with different color of petals are planted in one pot, for example, white and blue. This is what served as the second name for the flower.
Campanula Brauranca
The stems grow no more than 20 cm long, with a large number of leaves. Flowers of a classical form, bluish color. Grow up to 60 mm in diameter. The petals of the flower are elongated; they are shaped like a star. Among other varieties stands out for large leaves and flowers. It can grow both in a pot and on the street.
Important! When growing on a site, it is better to plant a flower in the shade of trees. A patterned shadow from the crown will protect the delicate flower from direct sunlight.
Terry Campanula
This species was bred as a result of crossing Campanulla Carpathian and Losebrica. Carved leaf blades grow throughout the stem. Unlike other species, the calyx of this flower consists of 15 petals. Terry flowers of three shades can bloom on one plant at the same time:
- white
- blue;
- purple.
With good care at home, the terry campanula blooms for a long time. It is better to plant this variety on a site surrounded by trees.
Campanula Carpathian
Campanula Karpatika differs from others in that the leaves are not located on all the stems, but near the root, like a rosette. It grows with a bush, in height not exceeding 30 cm. It is a perennial.
Terry Campanula
Bred subtypes with white, blue and purple flowers. It is grown on the site.
Campanula Cirillo
Another name is a brittle bell. On stems forms rosettes with blue flowers. The middle of the sepals is darker. Due to the long stems with additional branches, it forms beautiful cascades of flowers.
Campanula Portenschlag
Low plant. The leaves are rounded with a sharp top, similar to hearts. Petals of lilac color, classical bell-shaped. The stems remain green all winter and dry only after the growth of new shoots.
Campanula Pozharsky
Blooms with bright purple flowers. By size, the flowers do not exceed 20 mm. Unlike other species, the leaves of the campus of Pozharsky are rounded.
Interesting! Campanella is often confused with Californian phacelia (Phacelia campanularia). Its inflorescences resemble a bell, but phacelia belongs to the genus Burawchikovs.
Home Care
Campanella flower is an unpretentious plant. For successful cultivation, you need to know how to care for the campanula at home.
First steps after purchase
After the purchase, do not rush with a transplant. The plant must get used to the new atmosphere. It can only be transplanted for 3-4 days after purchase.
Pot selection
Campanula root grows rapidly. Therefore, for its transplantation, choose a flowerpot with a volume of at least 5 liters. Since this plant belongs to ampelous, to emphasize beauty, it is better to plant it in a flowerpot on a leg or a cache-pot.
What should be the soil
Before planting a flower, it is necessary to prepare the soil. For the growth of the campanula, it is better to take a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand, mixed in the same proportions. The earth should be light and loose.
Important! The formation of crusts on the surface of the earth must not be allowed. A lack of oxygen near the roots can damage the plant.
After the soil is prepared, and a pot for transplantation is selected, the flower must be abundantly watered. Together with the ground, the flower is taken out of the old pot. Entangled roots at the bottom should be cut with a sharp knife. The plant is placed in a new vessel and sprinkled with earth. The newly transplanted flower must be put in a cool place for several days. This will help him to get accustomed soon.
Campanula home care in the future consists in watering and fertilizing. To maintain an aesthetic appearance during flowering, carefully remove faded flowers.
Flower dressing
During the vegetative period, the flower is fed once a month. For this, any complex fertilizer for flowers is suitable. During the rest period, top dressing is not carried out.
Watering and humidity
Despite the fact that the indoor flower of the campanula can go without watering for a long time, the earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out. This is especially important in the summer. Watering the plant must be defended with water at room temperature.
Watering mode
| Season | Development phase | Number of irrigations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | The beginning of the vegetative period and the development of the plant | Starting 2 times a week, gradually switch to watering every day |
| Summer | Bloom | everyday |
| Autumn | Growth cessation | Two times per week |
| Winter | Rest period | 1-2 times a month |
Campanella is undemanding to air humidity. During intense heat, you can spray it from a spray bottle, preventing water from entering the flowers. It is easier to achieve this rule when spraying leaves from below.
Temperature and lighting
When choosing a location for the location of the flower, one must take into account the fact that the campanula is photophilous. However, it does not tolerate direct sunlight. To place a pot with a campanula, it is better to choose eastern or western windows. When located on the north - the plant needs to provide additional lighting.
Important! During the heating season, it is better to remove the plant from heating appliances.
The temperature regime when growing a bell should be in the summer in the range of 22-25 ° C, in winter - not lower than 15 ° C.
When caring for a flower, it should be remembered that sharp turns of the plant by 180 ° C have a bad effect on the development of the plant. Campanul should be turned gradually: at a time no more than 20-30 ° С.
Compliance with these simple rules for caring for Campanula will allow you to get a beautiful lush flower.
Why does not bloom
To bloom the campanula, you need to follow some rules:
- The flower must be protected from drafts.
- The plant should be well lit. Sunlight should be diffused.
- In spring, moving the plant is prohibited.
- Ambient temperature should not be higher than 22 ° С.
- At the beginning of the vegetative period, top dressing should be applied once every two weeks.
- In the spring you can not cut the shoots.
- Flowers bloom only with regular watering. The earthen lump in the pot should always be wet.
Important! Excess water from the pan should be drained. Stagnant water can cause root rot.
The reason for the absence of flowers on the plant may be age. In this case, you should plant a new plant from seeds or cuttings.
How to deal with Campanula diseases
The appearance of problems with the flower indicates improper care. If the irrigation regime is violated, the plant is infected with fungi. To eliminate the lesion, watering should be reduced.
Scalp on the leaves
Also, spider mites and scabies may appear on the plant. To eliminate pests, the flower is treated with an insecticide, you can also rinse them off with warm running water.
Breeding methods
Campanula can be propagated in three ways:
- Seeds;
- Cuttings;
- By dividing the bush.
Seed cultivation
From seeds, the plant is grown in spring. Campanula seeds are small, so you can use a small pot for sowing. They do not need to be deepened. Sprinkle the seeds on top with a small layer of sand. Sown seeds should be sprayed from a spray bottle.
Transplanting sprouts to a permanent place is possible only after the appearance of 3 of this leaf.
Campanula Balls
To get a spreading flower, you need to pinch the top when the seedling reaches a height of 12 cm.
Cuttings
Cuttings flower propagated in the fall. For cuttings choose branches from the bottom of the plant. Cooked stems put in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10 hours. After this, the cuttings are placed in a vessel with cool clean water and wait for the roots to appear.
Sprouted cuttings are planted in loose soil to a depth of 3 cm. A greenhouse of film or glass should be built above the pot. Watering young plants should be sprayed once a week.
This unpretentious beautiful plant will decorate any apartment. With it, you can diversify not only the windowsill, but also the flower stand. Combining different types, you can create an exquisite composition of flowers. Blue and white balls of bells grown in hanging flowerpots will become the center of attention on the veranda or loggia.
