Bacopa - description of the main types, features and methods of planting (115 photos). Features of growing bacopa ampelous and caring for the plant

Bacopa - creeping perennial with herbaceous shoots covered with miniature leaves and many flowers. Plants belong to the plantain family. They are common in the swampy and coastal areas of the tropical and subtropical climates of Latin America, Africa, Australia and South Asia. The flower can also be found under the name "sutera". In our country, bacopa is rather a novice, but it is so charming and unpretentious that it deserves the closest attention of flower growers.

Botanical description

Bacopa is a herbaceous rhizomatous plant with flexible, creeping shoots. fibrous root system located very close to the surface of the earth. Although the length of the shoots can reach 70 cm, the height of the perennial does not exceed 10-15 cm. The stem lying directly on the ground in the internodes can take root. Along its entire length, small lanceolate or broadly oval leaves on short petioles are located close to each other. They grow in pairs, criss-cross. Bright green leaves on the sides are covered with small notches.

Bacopa flowering is very long and abundant. Almost the entire warm season shoots are decorated with small axillary flowers. They bloom like waves: sometimes more abundant, sometimes less, but they are constantly present on the plant. Correct form the corolla consists of 5 petals fused at the base into a short tube. Flowers different varieties are painted in red, pink, white, purple or blue. Their diameter does not exceed 2 cm. The core consists of short stamens with large bright yellow anthers and ovaries. After pollination, small flattened boxes with dry walls ripen. They contain many dusty seeds.

Species and ornamental varieties

To date, there are more than 60 plant species in the genus. Breeders based on them brought out many ornamental varieties, which differ mainly in the color of the petals. There is even a variety that blooms flowers of different colors at the same time.

The perennial plant has long creeping shoots that look very nice in flowerpots or in tall flowerpots. Thin stems are densely covered with opposite bright green ovoid leaves with serrated edges. During the flowering period (May to October), the plant is covered with many tubular flowers with widely recurved petals. Varieties:

• Olympic Gold - shoots up to 60 cm long are covered with small golden-green leaves, as well as white flowers;
• Bluetopia - stems up to 30 cm long are dotted with small olive-green leaves and bluish-lilac flowers;
• Scopia Double Blue is a perennial groundcover with bright green leaves and large pink-purple flowers.

Flexible stems spread along the ground. They are covered with regular sessile obovate leaves. Bell-shaped flowers with a diameter of 1-2 cm are painted in white, purple or blue. The plant is found in flooded soils and can grow partially in the water column.

This perennial grows in swampy areas or in fresh water. Stems up to 30 cm high grow straight, they are covered with opposite oval leaves of a light green hue. When hit by direct sun rays the foliage turns copper red. It blooms with bright blue small flowers.

A low-growing, thin-stemmed plant develops in the water column. The shoots are covered with opposite rounded or oval leaves up to 18 mm long. The foliage is painted in a light green tint. Flowers bloom on the aerial part of the shoots. Their petals are light blue in color.

Reproduction methods

Bacopa reproduces by seed and vegetative methods. For vegetative propagation use parts of shoots 8-10 cm long. It is best to cut the cuttings in January-March or August-September. They are rooted in a moist sandy-peat substrate. The bottom pair of leaves should be buried in the soil, it is from it that the first roots will appear in a few days.

Often on shoots that are in contact with the ground, even without separation from mother plant, roots are formed. It is enough to cut off such a rooted process and transplant it with a clod of earth to a new place.

Seedlings are pre-grown from bacopa seeds. To do this, in the spring, the containers are filled with loose soil, which is abundantly moistened. The smallest seeds are mixed with sawdust and distributed on the surface of the earth. It is enough to squeeze them out with a plank. The containers are covered with a film or a lid and placed in a well-lit room with a temperature of +20…+22°C. The container is aired and sprayed daily. Shoots appear in 10-14 days. When the seedlings grow 1-2 true leaves, they dive into another container with a distance of 2 cm. When picking again, after 2-3 weeks, the lower pair of leaves is deepened. Already at this time, the soil should be fertilized with mineral top dressing. When the air temperature in the street is set at + 12 ... + 15 ° C, the seedlings begin to be taken out for several hours for hardening. A week later, the plants are planted in open ground or pots on permanent place.

plant care

Bacopa care is not too complicated, but the plant needs attention.

Landing. Bacopa can be planted outdoors or in pots. It is worth remembering that in a temperate climate, bacopa does not hibernate and is grown in the garden as an annual. The soil for planting should have a weak acidity. Suitable mixtures of the following components:

• sand (2 parts);
• leafy humus (2 parts);
• leaf ground (1 part);
• peat (1 part).

Lighting. In order for flowering to be abundant enough, the plant must be kept in bright diffused light. The direct rays of the midday sun can cause burns. A small penumbra is allowed.

Temperature. Bacopa is resistant to night cold snaps and drafts. It can grow outdoors from May to October. The plant withstands frosts down to -5°C, but not for long. in winter houseplants should be kept at a temperature of +10…+15°C. In this case, the shoots will remain compact, and in the spring a new wave will come. abundant flowering. If the bacopa is kept warm in winter, the leaves will begin to dry and fall off.

Watering. Bacopa love moisture, the soil should always be slightly damp. Infrequent ground flooding is allowed. Water the plant with soft, well-purified water.

Fertilizer. Since the flower actively increases its green mass and blooms for a long time, it is too depleted without top dressing. From March to October, three times a month, bacopa is fertilized with a solution of a mineral complex for flowering plants.

Pruning. Even on young plants, they begin to pinch the tips of the shoots to form lateral processes. After wintering, it is necessary to cut off up to half of the stems, especially if they are stretched out and exposed.

Diseases and pests. Bacopa is resistant to plant diseases and most pests. Only occasionally in shady places or in severe drought its crown is affected by aphids and whiteflies. After the first treatment with an insecticide, the pests will disappear. To get rid of the larvae, re-spraying is carried out after a week.

Bacopa in the aquarium

Some types of bacopa, such as the Carolina and Australian, grow naturally in swampy areas or in the water column. They can be used for landscaping an aquarium. Plants are very unpretentious, undemanding to the purity of water and quickly grow shoots. These advantages make them ideal for beginner aquarists.

In order for bacopa to develop well, it is necessary to provide it with intensive lighting. The water should be soft and slightly acidic. In a hard liquid, as well as with a lack of heat, growth slows down or stops completely. The optimum water temperature for bacopa growth is +18…+30°C. It is also necessary to plant it in nutrient soil rich in organic impurities. Some varieties bloom directly under water, but most bloom on the surface of the stem.

Usage

The long, fast-growing stems of bacopa are densely dotted with flowers and leaves. They are excellent for ampel cultivation on balconies, terraces, in the garden. Planters can be placed in the yard on the pillars of gazebos or on the walls of the house. Bacopa will easily withstand heat, strong gusts of wind and thunderstorms, and at the same time retain its attractiveness.

Also, plants can be used as ground cover on the ground or rocky slopes. With their help, they decorate the banks of reservoirs and other relief objects. Perfectly withstands the flower immersion in water and flooding. Shoots can cling to any surface, forming horizontal or vertical dense carpets. With the help of bacopa, you can create a decent frame for a flower garden. It looks good near petunia, nasturtium, fuchsia, lobelia.

Flowers are the best decoration of the house and garden. Every year, gardeners get acquainted with new types of ornamental and fruit plants and master the methods of growing exotic crops.

In this article we will talk about bacopa - we will talk about growing from seeds and the features of caring for this unusually beautiful South African flower. Today, in addition to the traditional white bacopa, there are many varieties with flowers. different shades- purple, blue, pink, yellow, blue, red, purple. But a plant with white flowers is the most stable, unpretentious and resistant to various kinds external influences. In addition, many bacopa varieties tend to degenerate and pollinate, turning from colored to white forms after a few years.

Bacopa: planting and care

Bacopa (sutera) is a low perennial plant with many small single five-petalled flowers (about 2 cm in diameter), blooming almost continuously from spring (March) to autumn (October). Most often, bacopa is grown as (decorating fences, poles, walls of buildings with flowerpots), but it also looks great as an unpretentious and spectacular perennial ground cover. If desired, other species can be grown in the same flowerpot with bacopa. ampelous plants: petunias, nasturtiums, fuchsias, lobelias, aregatum. In ground plantings, bacopa is used as an attractive background plant, forming a lush flowering carpet around the central plant of the composition. The advantages of the plant can also be attributed to resistance to prolonged rains - bacopa does not lose its attractiveness even in such conditions. In addition, even in the absence of flowers, the plant is quite decorative, due to the presence of many small bright green leaves.

The very first thing to find out for those who want to grow this beautiful flower is how to plant bacopa. After all, it is proper fit makes it possible to grow high-quality seedlings, which means healthy and beautiful plants. Planting a bacopa is a simple task, but here, as in any other business, a certain algorithm of actions should be followed.

First of all, you need to choose the right soil. For bacopa, a slightly acidic mixture (peat and garden soil 1: 1) is best suited. For growing in flowerpots, you will also need to add humus and sand to the mixture (2 parts each). It is also imperative to ensure good drainage, since stagnant water has a bad effect on the condition of the root system.

Bacopa should be watered often, but little by little, preventing the soil from drying out or waterlogging. From time to time, the plant should be fed with liquid complex mineral fertilizers.

Depending on the variety, the distance between plants should be from 10 to 25 cm (the higher the plant, the more space it will need).

In open ground, bacopa can be planted as soon as the threat of night frost disappears.

Bacopa grows best in sunny, wind-sheltered areas. Growing in partial shade is also possible, but remember: the less sun, the fewer flowers. With full shading, the bacopa stretches out and somewhat loses its decorative effect.

For wintering, bacopa is hidden in a cool, damp room (with an air temperature of 8-15 ° C). The plant is able to withstand short frosts down to -5°C. When wintering in too hot rooms, the risk of diseases increases - gray rot, soot fungus, shoots can stretch and become bare.

Do I need to pinch bacopa?

Bacopa pinching is not mandatory procedure, but significantly increases the number of flowers, therefore it is very popular among flower growers.

It is carried out according to classical pattern- growth points are pinched on young shoots, which stimulates the development of lateral processes and flower buds. You can pinch the shoots at any length.

Bacopa: reproduction

This plant can be propagated various methods: by sowing seeds or cuttings.

The seed method of reproduction involves growing through seedlings; bacopa is not grown by direct sowing in the ground.

The seeds are small, in 1 gram there are more than 5 thousand seeds. Germination is maintained for 2-3 years.

For sprouting small seeds light, light, moisture and breathable soil is best suited. The optimum temperature for germination is 20-23°C. At air temperatures below 18°C, the seeds do not germinate. Seeds should not be buried deep - they are light-germinating, it is better to just slightly crush them to the soil surface. For the same reason, it is impossible to cover pots with sown seeds with opaque materials - without light, the seeds will not sprout. It is also important to ensure high humidity air during seed germination.

The first shoots appear on the 10-14th day.

At the stage of one or two true sheets, the first pick is carried out (2 cm between plants). From this point on, regular fertilizing with diluted fertilizer is required (50% of the rate indicated in the instructions).

At the second pick, the seedlings are transplanted into separate cups (with a drainage hole). In this case, specimens should be buried in the substrate by one node. After the second picking, the plants begin to harden, gradually reducing the temperature from +22-23°C to +15-22°C during the day and +13-15°C at night.

How to cut bacopa?

Bacopa cuttings are carried out in January-March and August-September. To do this, choose healthy young shoots, cutting them the apical part with two nodes (up to 10 cm) and root them in a moist, light substrate to a depth of about 0.5 cm so that the lower node is below the soil surface (it will form a root). The node remaining on the surface forms ground shoots and leaves. To increase rooting, cuttings can be treated with phytohormones or stimulating drugs.

The container with the cuttings should be placed in a warm, moist environment (you can cover it with a bag and put it in a warm place). Rooted plants are planted in the ground (in a permanent place) in early May.

White varieties of bacopa take root best of all.

Many gardeners prefer to deal with flowers and plant them both in the country and near the house, and sometimes even on balconies in apartment buildings. The best decoration than a beautiful opened bud, you can hardly find.

Flowers are a symbol of life, youth and splendor. They serve as a wonderful decoration for any place. They can even cure people of depression and stress.

Exotic flowers are increasingly attracting the attention of florists and lovers of beauty. One such bright and delicate plant is bacopa.

It has received a lot of attention recently. Homeland bacopa - South Africa. This plant is a perennial. The cool climate is difficult for him to endure, therefore, in winter period the flower must be placed in a warm room.

This exotic and unusual flower has over a hundred species.

Currently, this plant has a lot different colors. It all depends on the specific type. The most common types of this plant:

• bacopa ampelous
• snowtopia
• blue avalanche
• vasilisa
• snow avalanche

Colors are as follows: white, pink, yellow, blue, purple, red, purple, blue.

Let's consider some types in more detail. Bacopa ampelous is a South African representative. The plant is quite simple and picky. People often use the ampel view to decorate balconies, adjoining territories, walls.

The foliage of bacopa flowers can be 2 centimeters in diameter. Bacopa ampelous bright green, has stems 60 centimeters long. However, the plant achieves such characteristics with proper care.

Flowers blue, pinkish, white or purple. However, as soon as autumn comes and the temperature drops, they immediately fall off the stem.

One of the subspecies of ampelous bacopa is bacopa snowtopia. This is a typical representative of this family. The plant blooms with blue and white buds, creating a beautiful contrast of brightness.

Utopia has small leaves. Enough long time you can observe the flowering of this plant due to its endurance and good adaptability.

Another hybrid is bacopa snowtopia, or it is also called bluetopia. Flowers white and bluish. Very often, terraces are decorated with this plant.

Bacopa blue avalanche is also related to ampelous. The stems are drooping, covered with lilac and bluish flowers. It is usually planted in a pot. It also refers to the ampelous type.

Bacopa vasilisa is a very fragrant flower. Many florists note that it emits the smell of a real perfume. This is a plant of the Astrov family, an annual. Stands straight, branchy. In height it can reach 60 centimeters. Blooms from summer to cold. Flowers begin to bloom in June.

Blooms small fragrant flowers white color. They grow in whole inflorescences up to 8 centimeters. Vasilisa is resistant to heat and dry air. Loves sunshine and warmth. However, it can also grow in the shade.

But Vasilisa does not tolerate frosts.

Bacopa snow avalanche is also capable of growing up to 60 centimeters. This type is often used as decorative flower. Shoots drooping, white flowers. Blooms for a long time. Grow this species in pots.

Gallery: bacopa plant (25 photos)

Growing Features

Classic bacopa is a perennial plant. On stems, flowers are 2 cm in diameter, having 5 petals at the base.

Mostly flowering occurs from March to October. Often grown with bacopa:

• fuchsia
• lobelia
• aregatum
• petunias
• nasturtiums

A flowering plant forms a fluffy carpet of its inflorescences. This species is not afraid high humidity, heavy rains. Even under such conditions, the flower will grow and bloom.

In the event that the flowers do not bloom, the leaves can decorate any place, because they are bright and small. If anyone decides to grow this plant, you need to find information and learn as much as possible about it.

In order for the seedlings to turn out to be of high quality, and subsequently the plants are healthy, beautiful and chic flowers bloom, it is necessary to properly plant bacopa.

Landing does not require any serious effort. The main thing is to follow the algorithm.

Choose soil. For this flower, soil that is not too acidic is ideal. For example, a mixture of peat and garden soil one to one.

If you plan to grow in pots, add humus and sand. Avoid standing water. Make sure you have good drainage for this. This is necessary for the health of the root system.

As for watering, do not water these flowers. Sprinkle with a little water. However, make sure that the soil does not dry out or, conversely, is not too wet.

You will only do better if you feed bacopa useful minerals and fertilizers.

Make sure that the distance between the flowers is about 25 centimeters. After all, the larger and longer the flower, the more space it needs.

As soon as the frosts stop, you can plant a flower in the soil. Bacopa will grow well in places where there is no wind and where the sun's rays constantly fall.

Remember the rule - the more sun, the more flowers.

During cold weather, flowers need to be moved. They will fit in perfectly wet room with temperatures ranging from 8 to 15 degrees. The temperature of minus 5 the plant can still withstand.

If the flower overwinters in places where it is too stuffy, there is a high probability of developing flower diseases - for example, rot, fungus. And the shoots, in general, can become bare and stretch out.

Correct pinching

Of course, you can ignore this procedure, however, the number of flowers depends on it. Therefore, if you want an abundance of blooming 5-petal buds, pinching is better.

This process is carried out in this way:

• young shoots are taken, a growth point is pinched on them. This allows the lateral processes and colored buds to develop better.
• pinch on any segment of the stem.

As for reproduction, there are several ways. For example, the process can take place by sowing a seed or cuttings.

The way through the seed is to grow seedlings. Sowing in the soil will not give a result. The seed is quite small. One gram contains about 5,000 seeds. In order for the seed to germinate, it is recommended to use light soil, which receives a sufficient amount of moisture, air, light and sun.

The most best temperature for this about 23 degrees. If the temperature is 5 degrees lower, the seeds will not germinate.

Seeds do not need to be planted deep. It is better to place them closer to the surface of the soil.

It is also not recommended to cover the pots. After all, without the presence of the sun and the rays, all the work will go down the drain, and the seeds will not germinate.

Do not forget that this flower loves moisture, so make sure that it is enough for the seed.

If you competently approach this issue, then after 2 weeks you will see the first results of your work - the first shoots.

At the first pick with a couple of leaves, take care of feeding the plant. You can do this with fertilizer. It needs to be bred. Do half of the indicated rate in the instructions.

During the second pick, seedlings need to be transplanted. To do this, prepare special glasses with drainage. After that, you can harden the flowers. Lower the temperature to 15 or 23 degrees during the day, and to 13 in the evening.

plant cuttings

It is best to carry out cuttings in winter, for example, in January or in spring - in March. This process is also relevant for August and September. For this you need:

• choose young shoots, be sure to be healthy and strong
• cut off the top to 10 centimeters
• root the shoots in moist soil by half a centimeter
• the lower node must be below the ground surface for the formation of the root system

The knot that is on top will form shoots and leaves. In addition, for better development root system, you can fertilize the cuttings with the help of phytohormonal agents or special preparations that stimulate growth.

The cuttings in the container must be placed in a warm place with high humidity.

Rooted easier white bacopa. After that, you can plant in the soil in a permanent place in May.

In an effort to decorate their living space, many flower growers often grow ampelous plants. These flowers are quite unpretentious, because they feel fine both indoors and in a glass loggia, individual varieties can also grow open balconies. Bacopa has long been known to European flower lovers. Per last years a lot of our compatriots got acquainted with this plant.

Bacopa: features of the plant and its types

At the first acquaintance with a bacopa, a person is unlikely to appreciate its attractiveness. Although it looks magnificent, the flowers are very small, so there is no need to talk about originality. But still, it should not be discounted, given that in European countries this plant is the main decoration of the facades of houses. Perhaps the whole point is its simplicity, thanks to which its bushes easily fill large spaces without overloading the site. For this flower, you can use the most various options placement: it can be installed in a planter, fixed under the ceiling, and also decorate flat surfaces with it, which allows them to give them the appearance of a dense carpet.

In the genus Bacopa, there are also varieties that can grow well in water. A prime example that is bacopa caroline. Its habitual habitats are the reservoirs of the southern part of America. Therefore, having penetrated the European continent, it began to be used as a decoration for artificial lakes and ponds, which are often arranged on summer cottages or close to home. Often it can be found in aquariums.

• of the features of this flower, it is worth highlighting rather compact oval-shaped leaves, which are located on a long stem opposite each other;
• for inflorescences there is a place between the leaves, and they themselves are concentrated at the top;
• the petals are blue or lilac in color, some species are decorated in white.

AT artificial conditions Carolina bacopa must be grown in a pond, the depth of which should be at least 30-35 cm. It is also important to maintain a favorable temperature regime, which should be 20-22 degrees. In cooler conditions, it begins to grow extremely slowly, and in some cases there is a danger of its decay. In addition, you need to monitor the hardness of the water, which should be 7-8 degrees. The optimal indicator of acid-base balance is 7. Carolina bacopa feels good even without fertilization. Especially she demanding on lighting which improves it decorative properties.

They talk about other types of bacopa that are grown on land, it is worth noting their shoot length, which is 60-65 cm. They are decorated with small lanceolate leaves that have a muted green color. These features do not apply to the columnar bacopa, which has an erect stem and is characterized by short stature. Therefore, it is not so often found in gardens and apartments.

In any place where the shoots of Bacopa come into contact with the ground, new roots begin to form, so it develops well, regardless of the structure and fertility of the soil. Because of this, when growing, mesh wire walls are often used to make hedges out of it. Bacopa's inconspicuous flowers have a diameter of 2-2.5 cm. They are formed by blue, blue, lilac or pinkish-white petals that do not emit a characteristic odor.

Bacopa ampelous: growing from seeds

Usually, to obtain new plants, bacopa uses the method of sowing seeds, which can be carried out at any time. The only exceptions are situations when it is planned to plant them in open ground in the future. If the gardener intends to grow this plant in the apartment all the time, then sowing can be done without taking into account weather conditions. Although there are times when you have to be patient in order to wait for the first flowers to appear.

When choosing seeds for growing bacopa at home, it does not hurt to first find out how persistent the color of the plant is. After all, it is possible that 2-3 years will pass, and bacopa will no longer please you with the color of the sunset, which will be replaced by a boiling white hue. However, this usually only happens when you intend to grow plants for a long time.

How to grow bacopa from seeds?

The method of growing bacopa by direct planting in the ground is unacceptable. Before need to get seedlings, which is subsequently transplanted to a permanent place.

Seeds begin to germinate by the end of the second week. Until this happens, it is necessary protect them from direct sunlight . At the first sign of calcination of the sprouts, the pot must be moved closer to the light. From this point on, watering begins more often. First of all, the need for moisture increases when a pot with plantings is located on the south side.

Comfortable for bacopa seedlings is a temperature of 18-20 degrees. Think about changing to individual containers It is possible only after the plants form two or three leaves. It is also necessary to monitor the ambient temperature: if it is already warm enough, then you can transplant seedlings into open ground. However, before it is necessary to harden for 7-10 days, so that the seedlings better adapt to natural conditions. When placed in a permanent place of the plant planted no closer than 10-25 cm from each other. However, in any case, the height of the plants must be taken into account.

Bacopa: planting and care

A photo of a plant can amaze many flower growers, but the desired effect can only be achieved using the correct cultivation techniques. Bacopa is a fairly "peaceful neighbor", so it can be grown along with other plants. However, based on the experience of gardeners, it is recommended to place it with petunias, fuchsias and nasturtiums. This choice can be explained by the ideal compatibility in appearance.

All flowers are miniature in size, forming a single carpet, and do not stand out from the background, and also do not create shadows for each other. Therefore, each plant is provided with favorable conditions for development. Although bacopa can be grown as a single plant, this does not affect the decorative properties of the site.

Growing and caring for bacopa from seeds is a task that any gardener, no matter how experienced, can do. With regard to ampelous bacopa, it should be noted that in the process of caring for it, you will have to pinch it, although unlike other plants, it blooms in waves. As the first flowers wither, the new wave is often as intense as the previous one. The growth points on new shoots deserve attention here, which must be removed immediately if you do not want the bush to begin to grow in breadth.

Lighting and fertilizer

Particular attention in the care process should be given to lighting. This is very important for bacopa, because growing in a sunny area will allow it to bloom profusely. Putting her on shady area, you will not achieve the same beauty. The effect of dressing is insignificant, therefore it makes sense to conduct them only for young plants in order to provide them with the necessary nutrients. Subsequently, fertilizers are applied during flowering.

With winter approaching mineral supplements reduced and then completely eliminated. Do the same with irrigation. Although Bacopa already feels comfortable without regular watering. The main thing is always control soil moisture levels and irrigate if necessary. A more effective measure in caring for bacopa is spraying shoots and leaves, which is practiced by many gardeners. Indeed, in this case it is possible to support optimal humidity air in the growing area of ​​the bush.

Of great importance for the normal development of bacopa is a constant supply fresh air. This requires regular loosen the soil in the root zone. However, the penetration depth should be minimal, otherwise you can touch the roots, which are located in surface layer soil. If the bacopa is not planned to be grown as an annual, then in the fall it is dug up and transferred to the room. At this time of the year, it is necessary for her to maintain an air temperature of at least 14-15 degrees, although she can withstand more low values down to 0 degrees.

Conclusion

Seeing the ampelous bacopa for the first time, many beginners and not only flower growers may consider it an unworthy plant. However, this will be a mistake, because it is no coincidence that this flower is used to decorate houses in European countries. Therefore, it is also necessary for him to find a place on the site, because he has many opportunities to show all his originality.

The main feature of bacopa is that it excellent adhesion to any surface, so she easily manages to create beautiful "live" carpets that look great not only on the street, but also indoors. Growing this flower is quite simple, since in the process of care it is not required to carry out top dressing, as well as regular watering.

Bacopa, also called sutera, mainly grows in countries South America. Sometimes found on the territory of the CIS countries, but this is a rather rare occurrence, since such climatic conditions unsuitable for her. Coming from abroad exotic plant immediately gained its number of admirers among lovers of floriculture. And every season there are more and more of them.

bacopa flowers

A distinctive feature of bacopa is its small multi-colored flowers, similar to stars. The flower has 5 petals, similar to the sharp rays of a five-pointed star. The color and size of the flowers may vary depending on the variety. They can be white, pink, blue, purple. It is famous for its lush round caps of leaves. This plant has abundant greenery and grows very quickly. There are a lot of varieties, ranging from ordinary varieties to hybrid specimens. Of the varieties, the most famous are the following:

Cultivation and care

Despite its beauty and splendor of flowering, which will delight absolutely anyone, the plant is quite unpretentious in its care. Regular watering and pinching off excess shoots ensures bright and lush flowering. for a long time that will please your eye.

Bakola is capricious for watering and does not tolerate overdrying of the soil., so watering must be monitored. It should be located closer to moist areas, from where it can take water if necessary. extra food. She loves a lot of light, so she should always be placed in well-lit sunny areas.

This applies not only to bushes growing in open field, but also shoots growing in pots, they should also be taken out to the well-lit sides of the balcony or veranda. Otherwise, due to lack of sunlight, the plant begins to stretch in length, and flowering, on the contrary, becomes not so plentiful.

The soil should be selected, consisting of a mixture of peat, soddy soil and sand, and when planting, prepare good drainage. When planting in the ground, it is worth waiting for more warm weather when the ground is about to warm up. Timely watering, good lighting and suitable soil- these are all the secrets of growing and caring for a flower. Bacopa also likes to regularly loosen the soil to saturate the root system with oxygen, but this should be done carefully, as the plant sits shallow in the ground, and its root system can be disturbed by sudden movements.

Before hibernation, the ground part growing in open ground is cut off almost completely. And plants growing in pots are brought into the room. During hibernation, bacopa growth practically stops. but it still needs occasional watering. The recommended temperature for keeping indoors in winter is not higher than + 10 ° C.

Bacopa ampelous

Bacopa ampelous is one of the types of bacopa. It is used as decoration in hanging planters, baskets. This variety has long shoots that can both hang from hanging pots and trail along the walls, covering everything around with their star-shaped inflorescences. different colors. Bacopa ampelous blooms cyclically. After the lush color comes a temporary dormant period, then again lush flowering.

The flowering period lasts from early spring to late autumn. For the winter, the plant is brought into unheated room. For regular and lush flowering the flower should be renewed annually. This is done in two ways:

1. division of shoots from the main adult plant;
2. breeding unpretentious plant by growing from seed.

The timing of sowing is affected only by further conditions in which bacopa will grow. If its further growth and flowering will occur in room conditions, then the sowing time can be absolutely any. Both breeding methods are good and are guaranteed to produce abundant color in the first year.

Propagation by cuttings

cuttings, or cutting propagation, bacopa is produced by rooting the tips of the shoots of the plant. Before planting the cuttings in the ground, they need to undergo a little preparation. The upper shoots of the plant are cut off approximately 10 cm long, leaving a few leaves on them. Then the cut shoots are lowered into the water for several hours. You can also add to the water if you like. special agent to accelerate the appearance of root processes. A few hours later, the cuttings are planted in the prepared soil.

An important point in the issue of cuttings is the choice desired soil. Sandy soil with vermiculite works best. It absorbs water well and saturates the roots with oxygen better. Shoots are planted in the ground so that a few petals remain on the surface. For faster rooting of the shoots, you can cover them with a film, creating a greenhouse effect inside. Further, it is recommended to put the greenhouse with cuttings in a warm place with sufficient illumination, but not under direct sunlight.

When new fresh shoots appear, it is best to pinch them so that in the future the bacopa has richer inflorescences. After a noticeable growth of new petals, the film is removed. Further care produced in the same way as for any other seedlings. Cuttings are best done towards the end of summer, when a lot of regrown stems have already formed in the ampelous bacopa. Another favorable time for planting bacopa ampelous is the winter period. At this time, large bacopa bushes are divided into smaller ones.

Growing from seed

Bacopa ampel cultivation from seeds - the most common type of breeding. Bacopa seeds can be purchased at almost any gardening store. Growing in this way requires growing seedlings, and then transplanting them into the planned soil.

Bacopa should be sown superficially by lightly crushing the seeds. Further care for seedlings is the same as always. Cover with foil and put in a warm room. Seeds hatch about two weeks after sowing. This is followed by picking when small leaves already appear. The first pick is carried out approximately at a distance of 2 cm from each other. The second pick is already done in separate containers, for example, cups or small pots, with a hole for drainage.

After the second pick, you can safely start fertilizing the plant with fertilizers. Also, after the second pick, it is necessary to reduce room temperature for seedlings to harden. Optimum temperature for their favorable growth, it is considered from + 15 ° С to + 23 ° С.

Bacopa Blutopia

This type of bacopa has a blue color. Small beautiful bright flowers rich color. The period of active color of bluetopia lasts from June to September. The length of the shoots of blutopia can reach up to 60 cm.

Bloomopia, like all other species, is very bright and plentiful, in the form of a lush hat. This variety can often be seen in outdoor flowerpots, flower beds, hanging planters. Blutopia flowers, like a blanket, cover the top of the flowerpots in which they grow. Like all members of this family, bluetopia loves abundant bright light. With its lack, the plant begins to lose all its beauty, and its appearance becomes no longer so attractive.

Landscape decor

For decorating landscapes, a combination of a flower with erinus lobelia, geranium, capuchin or fuchsia is used. Such combinations do not leave indifferent not only gardening lovers. Growing in hanging pots can be combined with wicker trellises, on which bacopa can crawl and form a flower hedge from its branches.

It can also be used as a background plant. Against its background, you can create an excellent contrast and emphasize the colors of other plants. An excellent combination in the form vertical gardening plot will be a combination of bacopa with morning glory and nasturtium.

For covering desert areas in the garden great solution there will be an ampelous bacopa planting. Due to the fact that the plant grows quickly and covers everything around with its flower carpet, you can achieve excellent decorations in a recently vacant place.

Even more brightness and saturation of the leaves and flowers of bacopa can be given top dressing based on trace elements.