Make your own household plot unusual will help a beautiful mallow. It is also called a rod-rose or a bower. The plant comes from Egypt and Greece, where it was already cultivated more than three thousand years ago. Now the mallow is quite common in Europe, America, Asia and North Africa. It is usually a one-year-old flower (although there are two- and many-year-old varieties) with stem height from 5 m to 1.2 m. But there are also two-meter plants. However, the most remarkable in mallow is its flowering, which is why it is so appreciated by gardeners. Large flowers of plants 5-15 cm in diameter are connected to sockets and decorate your site with bright fluffy blossoms throughout the summer. By the way, the color of the mallow is diverse: buds can be white, pink, red, purple and even yellow. What kind of owner will refuse to admire this beauty in his garden? If you also intended to decorate your plot with this plant, we will tell you about the peculiarities of growing mallow, planting and caring for it.
Malva: landing
Usually, the mallow is planted with seeds and seedlings. Concerning how to plant mallow seeds, then there are some points. It is important to immediately choose the right place and suitable for the plant. The fact is that in the future there is no need to transplant the mallow. Its root system is very well developed, the roots are long, so they are often damaged when the place changes and rot. Well suited well-lit and fenced off from the draft areas. To the ground the flower is demanding: suited loamy, fertilized, loose and with good drainage soil.
Terms depend on where the landing takes place - in the open ground or in the greenhouse. In the first case, the seeds should be planted at the end of June. Seeds should be spread over the surface of the soil at a distance of 60 cm from each other and sprinkled a little on the ground.
If he talks about when to put mallow in a greenhouse, then the end of May - the beginning of July is considered the best time for this. When the growth of 2-4 cm in height, the rows of the plant need to be thinned out or transplanted into separate pots. The mallow, when growing seedlings, transplant into the open ground in the end of August.
Malva: care
In general, what special, careful care the plant does not require. In the cultivation of mallow, moderate watering is carried out once a week. In arid weather, water the flower more abundantly, but so as not to cause stagnation of moisture. Malva responds well to easy top dressing with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and periodic loosening of the soil.
If the mallow was planted in an open area, support will be needed to prevent the stem from breaking. For the winter, so that the plant does not freeze, it is recommended to cover the bush with fallen leaves.
Reproduction of mallow is possible by seeds, cuttings and bush division. The latter two methods are suitable for hybrid varieties and are performed in early spring. But when to collect the seeds of mallow, then it is recommended to do this in the middle of summer, when they fully ripen and begin to crumble. Planting of seeds should be done next spring.
Malignant pests and diseases
Basically, all the diseases of this beautiful plant arise from the excess of moisture that arises from excessive watering or frequent rains. It is powdery mildew ,
Most often the flower is affected by rust. On the leaves of the mallow on the reverse side there are specks of red-brown color, which then fade and fall off. Affected leaves should be removed and the plant treated with Bordes fluid . Next year it is not recommended to plant mallow at this place.
Malignant pests include spider mites and aphids. When they are found, the plants need to be treated with insecticides.