Nigella, "Chernushka sowing", "Roman coriander", "black cumin", "Kalindzhi", "seidan" are all the names of one plant belonging to the family of the Lyutikovs, which is common in the European part of Russia, as well as in Western Europe, Western Asia and North Africa.
In the article you will learn how to grow a nigella, and also why it is used.
Nigella: description
Nigella is an annual herbaceous plant up to 60 cm high with a strongly branched straight stalk. Blue, blue, pink and white flowers in the frame of green pinnately-dissected leaves look very gently and beautifully. Flowers nigella single, are simple and double, have a cup of 5 sepals, 5-8 bichelove petals, a lot of pretty large stamens and pistils. Blossoms from May to August. After flowering, the shrub retains its decorativeness, thanks to the unusual shape of the boxes with the seeds. Nigella light-loving and cold-resistant plant, very well tolerates spring frosts. Propagate it with seeds. They are collected when ripen 2/3 of the capsule. They should be black and triangular-ovate.
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In floriculture, there are often such kinds:
- Nigella Damascus - up to 35-45 cm high, flower up to 5 cm in diameter with different colors;
- Nigella Spanish - dark blue flowers have a weak aroma. They are distinguished by large bright stamens and fruits of red color;
- Nigella is eastern - it has small flowers;
- Nigella sowing - greenish-yellow or white-blue gentle flowers.
Growing nigella from seeds
Seeds of nigella are planted in seedlings in March-April in seedlings with soil. Pre-soak them for 3 days and put in the refrigerator. On the surface of the earth make grooves depth of 2-3 cm, distribute the seeds and fall asleep on the ground. Watered as necessary from the spray. At a temperature of + 15-25 ° C for 2-3 weeks, the first shoots appear. In May, the seedlings are already planted in the front garden.
In the open ground, the seeds can be sown in the early spring or winter at a depth of 3-4 cm, leaving between the rows of 45 cm. Then they are covered up to germination from above: in the spring - with a film, for the winter - with foliage.
About 40 days after sowing seeds, the nigella blooms. To prolong the flowering period, in spring it is necessary to sow several times in a month.
Nigella - landing and care
Choose for planting you need open and well-lit places in the sun. Nigella does not grow next to ground cover plants and does not like mulching. It develops better on light and nutritious soils. Those places where plants that used to be fertilized with organic fertilizers were grown before, are best suited.
Plant nigella according to this scheme: between the bushes leave 15-20 cm, between rows - 45 cm in the hole at the bottom of the drainage, on top of a handful of sand. Place the plant and fall asleep on the ground. Next, pour a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. Some growers recommend the first time to cover landing at night.
You should look after the nigella:
- moderately watered as needed;
- Weed weeds and loosen;
- feed rarely and in small portions, since she does not like an excess of fertilizers;
- to fight with pests: from spider mites to be treated 2 times with a break in 10 days infusion of potato leaves.
Nigella: the use of
Seeds of nigella have peppery taste and nutmeg, for which they are widely used in cooking: in meat and fish dishes, salads and bakery products, sometimes for flavoring jelly, ice cream and tea. In perfumery, essential oil is used from seeds of nigella. The leaves of the plant are added to salads, and the flowers to jam from gooseberry. The most widespread use of nigella, especially its oil, was obtained in medicine, since it has many useful properties.
Spice, medicine and just a beautiful plant - nigella is gaining increasing popularity in our flower gardens.