If you want to get a very unusual plant that can be used as a spice, then cultivate the lemon monad from the seeds. About how to do this we will tell in this article.
Meet the monarch
This perennial plant, grown from us as an annual plant, came to us from the United States. Its leaves and stem can smell like aromas of different essential oils: mint, lemon, citrus and even bergamot. We use it as a decorative and medicinal plant, and besides it is an excellent source of nectar for the shoulders and a means of protection against some pests.
Monarda is a tall (80-100 cm) well branching plant, the stems of which are crowned by single or arranged above each other inflorescences of bilabiate flowers. The color of the inflorescence may be different, depending on the species. Flowering begins in the middle of summer (in July) and lasts almost 2 months.
Cultivation of lemon monarch
If you want to grow a monarch with a lemon scent, then you will have to choose between the varieties Mona Lisa and Solntsevo Semko. They both have pale lilac inflorescences.
To your monarch lemon bloom more abundantly, it must be planted in a sunny place, if longer, then in the penumbra. It is not particularly whimsical to the quality of the soil, it grows poorly only on acidic and waterlogged. The selected site should be dug twice (in autumn and spring), both times applying fertilizers.
In the southern regions, sowing can be carried out immediately into the ground, after good weather is established and the soil warms up. In a cooler climate, it is recommended first to grow seedlings by sowing it in February. With the second method of cultivation, the citric monarch will be stronger.
Seedlings are planted in the open ground when it grows 2 pairs of real leaves. Between the holes it is necessary to retreat the distance not less than 35 cm. Immediately after planting the soil needs to be moistened and loosened.
In the future, the care for the monarch will consist of carrying out 2-3 loosening of the soil around them, seasoning, watering and weed control during the season. Water it should be as the drying of the soil, in hot summer conditions, the land around it should be covered with peat or it will be necessary to water more often. To form a large number of stems, during the active growth period, the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers should be alternated.
If you want to make this flower essential oil, then cut off the ground part is necessary in the period when the monarch massively blooms. You can take flower stalks to compose bouquets at any time, as well as collect leaves for tea making.