Mimulus - growing from seeds. Unusual mimulus flower: types, photos, growing from seeds

Agree, sometimes our life for some reason suddenly becomes gray and boring, sadness and longing come from somewhere, and we can’t get rid of them. Days are turning gray...

And few people know what to eat from this blues effective remedy. Plant the most cheerful flower in a flower bed - mimulus, and it will give you a holiday, surprise you with a variety of bright colors.

Every year I want to plant something new in my flower garden. And so, going to the market one spring morning for seeds, pay attention to a bag of unusual flowers. Mimulyus cheerful brightly yellow color, and on the petals stains turn red different sizes which makes each flower unique. Its height is small, only up to 25 cm, and the diameter of the flowers is 6-8 cm.

The second name of the mimulus is more funny - sponge, because the shape of the flower really resembles lips. Your attention will be drawn to the fact that it can be grown in the sun and in the shade, where the trees and flowers should get along with each other. True, you need to make a little effort, because mimulus is grown through seedlings at the end of April, and in open ground move in at the end of May-beginning of June. But it will bloom until frost, down to -3 ° C.

Sowing mimulus seeds

Mimulus seeds are very small, so do not close them deep, press them a little into light sandy soil, carefully moisten with a spray bottle, cover with glass and place in a sunny place.

After 10 days, the first shoots will appear.

True, we want to warn you that if you don’t have space on the windowsills, then putting a flowerpot with seeds on a locker will be a big mistake, all the seedlings will be lost!

Mimulus Care

Several buds are tied on one bush, and they bloom in turn and all in different ways on some large spots, on others - small droplets, and not a single flower is similar to another! To continue flowering, remove wilted buds. And of course, we must not forget about timely watering, because although mimulus loves shade, it dries quickly without moisture. Feed 2-3 per season complex fertilizer.

If mimulus are grown as a container plant, then they are planted in a soil mixture of humus, leaf and sod land, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:2:1:1:1, making good drainage.

Wind-blown mimulus seeds germinate, so next year you don't have to grow seedlings.

Mimulyus are also perennial and can winter in the ground, however, under cover, and even in an apartment in a cool room.

All types of mimulus prefer nutritious clay soil, but you can also in the usual garden soil. Not particularly afraid of pests and diseases.

Mimulyus, popularly known as sponge, is a beautiful flowering plant that is very popular among lovers of indoor and garden flowers. Its decorative qualities are valued among professional flower and landscape designers. The plant propagates easily with the help of seeds in the open field and at home, especially its two types - "Leopard" and "Winter Sunset".

Mimulus belongs to the Norichnikov family. The homeland of the flower is Northern and South America, Australia and New Zealand. In nature, the flower grows in wet and swampy places. Mimulyuses bloom in spring and autumn, and in the summer they are at rest during the drought period. The genus Mimulus includes more than 150 species of annual and perennial plants.

Mimulus leopard

The plant blooms in unusual colors and large in size (up to 6 centimeters in diameter) yellow flowers with many spots burgundy that resemble a leopard body. Hence the name of this hybrid species. A small shrub, reaching a height of no more than 25 centimeters, will easily fit in a flower container on a windowsill or in a long box on a loggia or balcony. The compact flower has a rounded shape and a large number of colors. He attracts most flower growers with his early flowering. After all, the first flowers on the bush appear within 40-50 days after sowing the seeds.

Mimulus "Winter Sunset"

In this species, the flowers have even more complex shape and bright coloring. Numerous spots of pink (light and dark), red and burgundy shades are scattered on the main white background of flowers. vernacular name mimulusa "lip" is very suitable for this species, since its lower and largest petal resembles a protruding lip.

The plant belongs to the early hybrid varieties. An artificially bred species is able to withstand even slight frosts at night (up to about 4 degrees below zero). Flowering plant can decorate a flower bed from May to October, starting its active flowering already 1.5 months after sowing seeds in the ground.

A favorable time for sowing sponge seeds for seedlings is the first 2-3 weeks of March. Seeds at this time are recommended to be sown in flower containers or planting boxes on a glazed balcony or veranda. In size, the seeds of the "gubastik" are even smaller than the poppy seed. Such a miniature planting material is distinguished by light or dark shade Brown color.

Seeds must be sown at a shallow depth (no more than 0.5-1 cm) so that they can sprout faster, and after sowing, be sure to cover the soil surface with a dense transparent film. If the seeds are sown in small containers, then the cover can be built from an ordinary plastic cup, which should sit tightly on the soil. The first sprouts will appear very soon - after 7-10 days, and after another week it is recommended to pick young seedlings, as they will interfere with each other to fully develop.

It is possible to transplant grown mimulus plants into individual containers (before planting in open ground) not one at a time, but immediately 4-5 pieces in one pot or glass. In this form, they will grow at home until about May 15-20. During these one and a half months, the seedlings will get stronger and grow by several centimeters.

The soil for sowing mimulus seeds needs high-quality soft, with good air exchange and moisture permeability, it is better to use soil mixtures from specialized stores. For "lip" fit the usual universal soil mix with a little sand, which you can buy at the pet store and add yourself. It is desirable that this soil contains wood ash or ashes, as well as dry top dressing. One large bucket of earth will require about two hundred milliliters of ash and fertilizer. In order for such a soil mixture to be loose and “breathe”, coconut milk is usually added to its composition.

It is necessary to water the plants every day, and possibly in the morning and in the evening, because the light soil will dry out very quickly, which should not be allowed. To maintain humidity, daily spraying from the sprayer is also added to the watering.

Since the survival rate and germination of mimulus seeds is quite high, many flower growers prefer to sow them immediately in open ground. This method of planting is considered no less effective than seedlings.

The optimal time for sowing planting material occurs when the air temperature in the daytime rises to 16-18 degrees Celsius. On average, this happens around the fifteenth of April. The common procedure for soaking seeds before sowing does not apply to these flowers. The main thing is that the soil when planting should be slightly, and not overly moistened. An excess of moisture in the planting soil will lead to rotting of the planting material and low germination.

Seeds are sown on the prepared site on minimum depth and immediately cover all the beds with a transparent polyethylene film, which is left until mid-May. After the appearance of the first sprouts, 2-3 weeks should pass, and then it is recommended to thin out all the grown and strengthened plants.

In the numerous family of "gubastika" (approximately 150 species), there are a large number of different species and hybrid varieties, among which there are annual and perennial specimens. annual plants occupy most There are about a hundred varieties of them.

Perennials are usually propagated by cuttings, and annuals only by seed. Each grower can easily collect planting material himself. Mimulus seeds can be harvested after the end of the flowering period, around the end of September. It is at this time that the seed pods on plants complete their maturation.

Plants are watered only as needed. An excess of moisture in the soil, like a lack, will affect the development flowering bush negative. Usually one watering in the evening is enough, but during especially hot weather summer days additional moisture may be required. The plant will signal its sluggish appearance. But the appearance of small holes on the leafy part of the bush indicates the need to reduce the volume and frequency of watering.

Transplantation of plants growing in containers is carried out as the root part grows and only by transshipment.

Mimulus (gubastik) - cultivation in the open field (video)

Rarely has anyone heard of such a plant as sponge, in Latin Mimulus. Meanwhile, this is a fairly numerous genus of decorative flowers, including about 150 varieties. The plant belongs to the norichnikov family.

Mimulyuses reach a height of no more than 60 cm, but the stem can vary: creep, be erect, with and without pleasant pubescence. But the leaves are invariably ovoid, arranged oppositely. Of particular interest to flower growers are, of course, flowers: even if they are not large, up to 5 cm, they have their own unique charm. Tubular corolla with two upper petals bent back and three lower petals moving forward.

The shades of colors are the most unpredictable: red, orange, yellow, dotted with small contrasting spots. After flowering, a fruit-box is tied, in which there are many small seeds.

Conditions for growing sponges in open ground

Location

Light, sunny areas are preferable for mimulus. However, it tolerates the plant and partial shade. The speckled sponge tolerates temporary immersion in water during the warm period, when the green mass is actively growing. However, in autumn and winter, it should be protected from stagnant water. But the open mimulus develops beautifully when immersed in water on an ongoing basis, but it is important not to overdo it: a maximum of 10 cm in depth. It is most convenient to “plant” plants in a pond by simply lowering them to the right place in the container.

It is better not to “flood” the rest of the sponge types: it is preferable to give them damp places on the banks of a river or pond, or even prepare a sunny flower bed with nutritious soil.

Soil composition

The soil must be rich in organic matter: add more loose humus and slightly acidic peat (you can do it in half, about a bucket and a half mixture per 1 sq. M). The earth should be loose, if you have heavy loam, it is better to pour it onto the site river sand, which will make the soil lighter and more breathable. Remember that over the years, the sand will be washed away by the rains, so you will have to add it again later.

What kind of care does mimulus need

You need to pinch the tiger sponge if you want to achieve thick bushiness. To do this, pinch young plants over 3-4 leaves. this procedure causes the plant to expel lateral axillary shoots.

Winter-hardy species are speckled and open mimulus, they are grown as perennials, covering for the winter in areas with a harsh climate.

The remaining varieties of mimulus are grown as annuals through seedlings, but if desired, they can be stored for the second and subsequent years by sending them to a cold greenhouse for the winter. It is enough to dig up a bush in the fall, transplant it into a pot and keep it in a cool, well-lit room.

Water the sponges abundantly, without waiting for the soil under them to dry out. Desirable loosening of the soil, but not allowing damage to the roots. Therefore, in the trunk zone, loosening should be no deeper than 5 cm.

Growing mimulus from seeds at home

When to plant mimulus seeds? In late March - early April, sponges are sown on seedlings at home. A nutritious, loose, slightly acidic soil is prepared and filled with seedling containers, boxes or glasses with drainage holes in the bottom. Perfect for sowing gubastic land for orchids.

  • Mimulus seeds are sown on the surface of the earth, without sprinkling on top. Try to keep the distance between the seeds at least 2-3 cm. To do this, use a moistened toothpick and very carefully lay out the seeds.

  • Moisten the sown seeds from the spray gun and cover with a film, maintaining a temperature of about 18 ° C.
  • When shoots appear (in about two weeks), the film must be removed and the temperature lowered to 12 ° C so that the seedlings do not stretch. If this still happened, do not worry: you can gently sprinkle the earth between the plants to the level of the leaves.
  • When the seedlings rise and release 4 true leaves, pick it up in separate cups, trying to grab a lump of earth with a fork or toothpick so as not to damage the delicate roots of the seedlings.
  • Water regularly, wetting the soil well.
  • Maintain a temperature not higher than 18-20 ° C, provide good lighting.
  • Feeding is carried out with potassium nitrate, 2-3 times with a period of 10 days, starting from the first week of seedling life immediately two days before picking.

Seedlings are ready for planting 6-7 weeks after sowing. Before planting, it is hardened on the street for about 10 days, first taking it out for a couple of hours, increasing the time every day. You can plant only when the heat is steady without night frosts!

How to plant seedlings of mimulus gubastic in open ground

Sponges are planted on the banks of water bodies, in flowerbeds with good watering or directly in small swamps, with a depth of up to 10 cm (the latter applies to copper-red and red sponges). Perennials grow well, forming a continuous blooming carpet. The distance between the bushes is left 30-40 cm, taking into account future growth. The root neck is not deepened, trying to maintain the same level of planting.

Sponge is also grown as a container culture, perfectly adapting to the conditions of a limited amount of soil. Pick up deep, spacious containers with loose nutrient soil and install both in the garden and near artificial reservoirs, near recreation areas.

Annuals are planted as border plants, as decoration for flower beds or rabatok. Consider that the distance to the nearest crop is at least 30-40 cm.

Propagation of mimulus sponge by dividing the bush

Perennials can be easily divided when the bush has grown well. To do this, dig the plant, carefully remove it from the ground along with a lump and cut it sharp knife into 2-3 parts. If desired, you can get more divisions, leaving at least 2-3 growth buds per bush. The resulting new seedlings are planted in pre-prepared holes, maintaining the same level of planting. Abundantly watered.

Humidity should be monitored by regularly watering the plants until they are fully rooted. However, in the future, mimulus are very fond of when the soil remains moist.

Sponge in landscape design

With what to plant sponge mimulus photo of flowers In the background, tenacious ayuga

Mimulus blends beautifully with the colors of blue and blue color: forget-me-nots, blue, etc. To blue color you can add soft pink, which will bring a special touch of romanticism to the overall fit.

Landings with low-growing blue ground covers look original, for example, with juveniles.

However, mimulyus looks great in monoplants, against the background of decorative stones.

Types of sponge mimulus with names and photos

Ornamental plants with unusual flowers are loved by flower growers all over the world, and it is not surprising: quite unpretentious, not requiring special care and maintenance, mimulus take root quite well in their allotted area, harmoniously fitting into any garden design.

Many species with their hallmarks I will please the eye with its unique variety, so there are plenty to choose from, believe me. We will show the most popular types.

Tiger sponge Mimulus tigrinus

It is a hybrid form with pronounced decorative features: a characteristic spotting of a red-brown color against a yellow or white background. The plant is only 25 cm tall. bright and unpretentious perennial. Blooms in June-July.

Pomegranate sponge Mimulus puniceus

The special attraction of pomegranate mimulus is not only in the rich color of bright flowers and dark green leaves. Their very form is also amazing with somewhat elongated, oblong petals and leaves. The plant is native to California and Mexico.

Yellow sponge Mimulus luteus

Originally from the South American country of Chile. IN wild nature perennial, we grow it as an annual due to poor winter hardiness. High enough, up to 60 cm.

Spotted sponge Mimulus guttatus

You can admire the rich yellow flowers unusual shape, only slightly touched by orange-red krpinki, located on the lower petals closer to the pharynx. Originally from Alaska, the perennial reaches as much as 80-90 cm in height. It grows in shallow water, on the banks of reservoirs, in shady and humid places.

Purple or red sponge Mimulus cardinalis

A perennial with a branched pubescent stem, but in our conditions it is grown as an annual. Compact bushes do not grow above 40-60 cm.

Copper red sponge Mimulus cupreus

A perennial ground cover at home, only 12-15 cm high, dies in our winter conditions, therefore it is grown as an annual through seedlings. The charm of the view is in its large flowers bright scarlet with a copper tint.

A multifaceted mimulus is a flower that always leaves about itself Nice memories. Velvet inflorescences, decorated with the colors of summer, decorate all corners of the garden, balconies, terraces. In addition, mimulus is undemanding to the soil, and can revive sun-deprived areas that other flowers have rejected. Mimulyus is not offended and species diversity. This genus boasts over 150 varieties. We will tell you how to grow this unusual flower in your area.

Mimulus is a numerous genus that naturally grows in temperate climates everywhere except in Europe. Until recently, this species was attributed to the Norichnikovs, but now it belongs to the Frimov family. IN wild mimulyus - perennial species, in culture - an annual, although some of its varieties can survive even at -20⁰С.

The mimulus was nicknamed the mimulus by the people for the peculiar shape of the inflorescence in the form of a mouth with a drooping lower lip. The flower has another name - monkey flowers ("monkey flowers"). This is how the Americans call it, to which the mimulus bud resembles the muzzle of a monkey.

  • Mimulus, depending on the species, can grow from 70 cm (for herbaceous species) to 150 cm (for shrubs).
  • The stems of sponges are also different: they can be erect, densely branched and even creeping. The surface of the stems is found naked and pubescent.
  • The foliage on the stalks of the mimulus is opposite, the shape of the leaf is ovoid.
  • mimulus inflorescences irregular shape collected in fragile brushes. Buds monophonic or variegated up to 5 cm in diameter.
  • The flower corolla of the mimulus is tubular, the upper lip of the sponge is dicotyledonous and slightly pushed back, and the lower one consists of three lobes and moves forward.
  • The color of the inflorescences is very different: purple, bright yellow, rich orange, dotted with contrasting strokes.
  • The fruit of the gubastic is a small box in which small seeds ripen. After maturation, it independently cracks in half.

Common types of mimulus

In culture, sponge has not yet gained its well-deserved popularity, so only a few varieties are grown. You can meet the following species in the gardens.

  • Mimulus aurantiacus (orange sponge)- his natural environment Growth is the southeastern United States. The species is extremely thermophilic, and under optimal conditions it produces shoots up to 90-100 cm. Among the dark green foliage, inflorescences of orange, less often salmon-pink color bloom with glitter. Corolla of flowers of medium diameter (3-4 cm). For the shoots of this sponge, it is required to build a support so that they do not bend down and do not creep along the ground. However, this species can be successfully grown in hanging flowerpots. The species can be grown as a perennial if it is provided with wintering indoors.

  • Mimulus puniceus (popularly - pomegranate mimulus)― a medium-sized native of California, also found in the US-Mexico border zone. The erect stems are covered with rich green oblong leaves. Large inflorescences are painted in a shimmering wine color, and the middle is decorated with orange strokes.

  • Mimulus luteus (yellow mimulus)- this bright spotted flower was found by the French clergyman Feyet in Chile. The species is characterized by erect stems (bare or heavily pubescent), reaching 60-70 cm in height. The foliage is heart-shaped, small teeth are concentrated along the edges. The petals of the flowers are yellow, and a large crimson spot flaunts on the lower lip. Numerous red dots are visible towards the middle.

  • Mimulus guttatus (another name for speckled sponge)- at the time of discovery (1808), this species was found only in the western lands of North America. But due to its inherent polymorphism, the species quickly developed new territories towards New Zealand and Europe. A speckled mimulus grows up to 80 cm. Its stems are branched, and the flowers are bright yellow with small crimson specks in the center of the throat. The species has a variegated variety (Richard Bish) for which a characteristic grayish shade of sheets with a white border.

  • Mimulus ringens or gaping sponge- the height of the branched stems of the species depends on the variety and varies from 20 to 100 cm. The foliage of the mimulus is opposite, calm green, oval in shape. Delicate small flowers of a delicate lavender hue bloom in the axils of the leaves.

  • Mimulus cardinalis (often referred to as purple sponge) Came to us from North America. Its stems are pubescent, strongly branched. The species is represented by a small bush 45-55 cm high. In mimulus, the foliage is ovoid, placed oppositely, bordered by teeth along the edges, veins protrude on the surface. The species has fragrant flowers of expressive form. Tubular buds are distinguished by a scarlet-red color. The inflorescences are held on loose elongated pedicels and flaunt in the axils of the leaves.

In culture, the species consists of several varieties:

  • Red Dragon - a variety with buds of a juicy crimson color;
  • Cardinal - a plant with large inflorescences of a scarlet-red color with a dense yellowish speck;
  • Auranticus - a variety with blood-orange flowers;
  • Rose Queen - forms scarlet buds with darker specks.

  • Mimulus tigrinus (other names: leopard sponge, hybrid or tigrinus)- a group of hybrid varieties bred on the basis of yellow and speckled mimulus. Low plants with expressive variegated flowers collected in racemose inflorescences.

The most popular varieties:

  • Brass Mankins - ampel variety; the color of the buds is yellow-orange;
  • Foyerking - the variety is distinguished by red inflorescences, the petals of which are completely covered with brown specks, and the pharynx is colored yellow;
  • Magic Spots - a plant up to 15 cm high, the flower petals acquire a creamy white hue and are covered with raspberry spots.
  • Twinkle Mix - undersized variety with inflorescences different shades: from snow-white to brown-purple, from solid to contrasting;
  • Viva - the variety does not exceed the mark of 25 cm in height, the flowers are bright yellow with large bloody spots.

  • Mimulus cupreus (copper-red sponge) is a compact perennial. The stems are bare, up to 15 cm in height, slightly rise above the ground, and among them axillary inflorescences bloom on thin peduncles. Their color is copper with wine or orange overflow. The buds are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, gradually brighten and turn golden.

The view includes several garden forms:

  • Roter Kaiser - a variety with deep red flowers;
  • Andean Nymph - a plant with creamy inflorescences dotted with pale purple specks;
  • Red Imperer - blooms with bright red inflorescences.

  • Mimulus primuloides (known as primrose mimulus)- a view with a rosette of oblong leaves, above which graceful peduncles with yellow buds rise. The species is perennial, the height of the shoots is not more than 15 cm from the height.

  • Mimulus moschatus (musk lip)- Endemic to North America. It is a herbaceous perennial crop. The stems are erect, and in some varieties creeping, covered with pile, 30-35 cm long. The leaves actively secrete mucus, spreading a musky aroma, oval, opposite, leaf length 5.5-6 cm. The flowers are miniature, honey-colored.

Mimulus growing from seeds

Lipstick is predominantly grown seedling method. It is not difficult to sow the seeds, but since they are very small and more like dust, you need to work with them carefully. Their size is so small that more than 10 thousand pieces can be counted in 1 g.

When to sow mimulus seeds

The favorable period for sowing seeds is determined climate zone and the weather. In the southern regions, mimulus seeds can be sown in February. In cooler latitudes, it is better to postpone sowing until March-April.

Seeds are sown in prepared containers with cells, which are subsequently placed on a balcony or in a heated greenhouse.

Soil selection and sowing of mimulus seeds

Mimulyus seeds germinate safely on soil enriched with organic matter. Therefore, it is better to use a nutrient-rich soil with a low or neutral pH.

A purchased universal soil mixture is also suitable, but it needs to be enriched with peat and sand. An admixture of coconut fiber and perlite is also welcome.

Ideally, you need to do the soil yourself. To do this, a part of the turf and two parts of the leaf substrate are combined, as well as one part of peat and sand, and three parts of humus. The resulting mixture should be loose, moist and breathable. You will also need to make a drainage ball at the bottom of the container.

The technology of sowing sponge seeds is due to their size. They are carefully scattered on top of the soil in cassettes, without embedding them into the ground. If you bury the seeds too deep, they will not be able to sprout.

Then the soil is moistened with a spray bottle, the container is covered with glass, film or cut plastic cups. While maintaining the air temperature at 16-18⁰С, seedlings appear in 4-7 days.

Mimulus, seedling growing conditions

After germination, the soil cannot be watered, since weak sprouts can be severely damaged even by the most weak pressure. To maintain moisture, you need to use only a fine spray gun.

At this stage, you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out, but excess moisture is also undesirable. Too frequent irrigation of the soil can cause a fungal blackleg disease, and seedlings will die. Seedlings also need to provide plenty of sunlight or artificial light.

When a cotyledon leaf is formed on the sprouts, the container is transferred to a cool room with a temperature of +10 to +15⁰С. This will slow down the growth of seedlings a little, otherwise it will not survive the pick. Watering is also reduced, as excess moisture can harm young sprouts.

Mimulyus seedling picking

Sponge picking is a must. Since small seeds cannot be evenly distributed over the cells, seedlings germinate crowded and are unable to develop normally.

After the formation of four full-fledged leaves and roots that appeared from the lower hole, the plants are planted in separate cups. This happens 2-2.5 weeks after sowing.

200 ml cups are perfect for picking, they can be made of plastic, paper, peat. Up to four plants can be placed in one cup.

In order for the mimulus seedlings to endure the picking well, it is necessary to carry it out in the following sequence:

  1. Before picking, you need to water the soil well, give it a couple of hours so that it is sufficiently moistened.
  2. With the help of a miniature spatula or other device with a flat surface, each sprout is pulled in turn.
  3. You can grab seedlings by the cotyledon leaf, but you should not touch the leg.
  4. After separating the sprout, you need to carefully pinch its root to stimulate the growth of a healthy root system.
  5. Then the seedling is dipped into a small depression in the soil just below its growing point.

Mimulus, planting in open ground

Sponge seedlings are fragile and difficult to work with. However, mimulyus is developing rapidly, so you need to have time to land on a flower bed in time.

When to plant mimulus in the ground

As a rule, dived seedlings are planted in the garden in the last decade of May. Until this time, the seedlings have time to form properly and grow well. The ideal age of seedlings for planting is 6-8 weeks.

You can choose a sunny place for mimulyus, but under too scorching sun mimulyus can burn and wither. Therefore, it is better to stay in moderate penumbra. The soil will need slightly acidic, loamy with an admixture of peat.

Mimulus planting scheme in the garden

Before planting sponges, the site is dug up, loosened and watered. Then holes are formed in which the rhizome can fit along with a clod of earth. The distance between seedlings should be 25-30 cm. Seedlings are transplanted by transshipment.

In the southern strip, sowing seeds in open ground is practiced. If the temperature in the second half of April does not fall below 16-18⁰С, the seeds are sown without cultivation. The flower bed is covered with oilcloth until the first shoots appear. When the seedlings are fully hatched, they are thinned out.

Mimulus, planting and care in the open field

Growing sponge stick is rarely a hassle. All he needs is watering, pinching and fertile soil. Mimulus, the care of which is very simple, easily takes root after transshipment to a flower bed and blooms quickly.

Watering and feeding mimulus

Gubastic is a moisture-loving species, so you need to ensure regular watering. Throughout the summer period, the soil should be well moistened, but the water in the soil should not stagnate. Excess moisture can lead to the appearance of holes in the foliage or the development of putrefactive bacteria. After watering, it is desirable to loosen the ground around the mimulus, remove germinated weeds.

Top dressing should be carried out every 30-45 days. For this 15-20 ml organic fertilizer bred in a bucket of water.

Mimulus blooms twice: in spring and autumn. The first period lasts a couple of weeks. When the last bud has bloomed above-ground part three-quarters is trimmed and fertilized. Soon the mimulus acquires new shoots and begins to prepare for re-blooming.

Advice! If the flowering of the mimulus is late, you need to apply magnesium sulfate once.

Mimulus pinch

In order for young seedlings to actively branch, they pinch. The beginnings of buds at the sponge appear quickly, so it is important not to miss the moment, otherwise you will have to cut off the first buds.

The formed bush will look more elegant, its shoots will be strong and thick, besides, there will be much more buds. Promotes beautiful formation bush and abundant flowering regular removal of dry shoots.

Important! Mimulus does not tolerate excess nitrogen fertilizers. If you add too much of them, the shoots will stretch and weaken.

Diseases and pests of mimulus

Of the pests for sponges, slugs and snails are the most dangerous. Their number increases greatly under conditions high humidity soil around the plant. To prevent the invasion of these pests, the ground near the plant must be mulched with sawdust.

Sometimes the plant can be affected by whiteflies and aphids. Actellik will help to destroy insects.

With excess moisture is also associated with the development of the "black leg" and powdery mildew. Normalization of watering will help cure mimulus. These diseases are especially common during the period of growing seedlings. Therefore, for prevention, seedlings should be sprayed with a solution of any fungicide.

Mimulus in landscape design

Mimulus, the cultivation of which is a pleasure for every gardener, will become a real decoration spring garden. It will quickly fill empty spaces in a flower bed, enliven curvy paths, and enchant with its beauty in single plantings. Moisture-loving sponge will perfectly get used to wet areas, near water bodies, artificial ponds.

Mimulyus is used to create colorful rock gardens, colorful flower beds, hanging compositions. Also, creeping sponge varieties are a fast-growing ground cover material. It can be settled next to phlox, periwinkle, buttercups, saxifrage.

Video "Mimulus or gubastic - sowing and growing"

A plant with an unusual name "Mimulus" is better known to us as Gubastic. It got its name because of the unusual shape of the corolla, resembling two lips. At home, and this is a number of countries - Chile, Australia, new Zealand, western North America, this flower is affectionately called "monkey face" due to the similarity of the flower with the muzzle of this mammal.

Flower growers have long appreciated Mimulus, they are happy to grow it on their own garden plots. In gratitude, the plant gives for a long time bright, beautiful inflorescences, similar to an orchid.

Description of Mimulus

Mimulus is a perennial or annual creeping herbaceous plant. The most favorable place for the plant to grow is a swampy, humid area. Mimulus blooms from April to July. The flower "waits out" at rest during the driest time of the year, but as soon as the rainy season begins, the plant begins to bloom profusely.

Depending on the variety, Mimulus grows from 10 cm to 60 cm. Some species with favorable conditions begin to bush, growing up to 2 meters.

The stems of Mimulas are erect or creeping, the leaves are broadly lanceolate, opposite, with carved denticles on the sides. Inflorescences - racemose, with flowers of various shades.

Mimulus can be grown both in flower beds and in flower pots.

Varieties of Mimulus

  • Tiger Mimulus. The plant is low, grows up to 25 cm. It has racemose inflorescences with variegated flowers of different colors. Flowering time - from late May to August.
  • Tricolor Mimulus. This variety belongs to undersized species. The maximum height is 14 cm. The oval leaves of the flower are slightly pubescent, their length reaches up to 4.5 cm. The throat of the flower has a pink color and yellow and white spots in the throat. The base of each flower has maroon spots.
  • Muscat Mimulus. Your name this species received because of the mucus with the smell of nutmeg, which the plant secretes. The inflorescences of this variety are yellow, 2.5 cm in diameter.
  • —red mimulus. Stems - creeping, maximum length- 15 cm. Flowers have a copper tint. There are inflorescences of copper-yellow, red and orange shades.
  • Speckled Mimulus. This variety can be both perennial and annual. Its stems are creeping or erect, reaching a length of 10 cm to 80 cm. The inflorescences of the plant are disproportionately large tubular flowers that have a bright yellow color. The lower lip of each flower is spotted from red to brown.

Growing Mimulus from seeds at home

Growing Mimulus at home is an activity that does not require special efforts. Most acceptable way- cultivation through seedlings. In this case, the plant will bloom faster, will delight with its unusual beauty for a long time. Growing Mimulus at home

To grow healthy seedlings at home, you must adhere to the following rules:

  • sowing seeds can be carried out from the end of February to the beginning of April;
  • the soil must be necessarily slightly acidic, light and loose;
  • since the seeds are very small, they must be sown on top of the ground;
  • soil and seeds are moistened with a sprayer;
  • seedling box (container) is covered plastic wrap or glass, placed in a warm place;
  • favorable air temperature +18ºC.

How to care for seedlings of Mimulus?

Subject to all requirements, the seeds at home will begin to germinate in 3-4 days. After all the seeds have germinated, the seedling container must be moved to a cooler, lighter place, otherwise the seedlings will begin to stretch upward, their stems will be thin, brittle. Optimum temperature for normal growth and development of seedlings at home is + 10-12ºC.

Water the seedlings daily in the afternoon. Since the sprouts are very thin and delicate, it is better to water with a fine sprayer.

When the seedlings reach the phase of 4 true leaves, it is necessary to start diving. To do this, separate cups are taken, filled with soil, into which 3-4 sprouts are planted. When the transplanted plants are a little stronger, they can be fed potash fertilizer in low concentration. After 1-1.5 weeks, top dressing can be repeated.

With the onset of warm days, hardening of seedlings should begin. To do this, they must be taken to Fresh air, every day increasing the time of their stay.

When and how to plant seedlings in open ground?

As a rule, Mimulus seedlings are planted in open ground in mid-May, when the return of frost is unlikely. The growing area can be either sunny or shaded. The soil should be slightly acidic. Before you start planting seedlings, the site is well dug up, loosened, equalized and necessarily moistened. After that, holes are made at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. Their depth should correspond to the root system of the seedlings, along with earthy clod. Planting is carried out by the "transshipment" method, but the containers with seedlings should be watered first.

In the southern regions, Mimulus seeds can be sown directly in open ground. Sowing is carried out in mid-April, unless the air temperature drops below +15ºC. After sowing, the bed is covered with a film, which is removed after the seeds germinate and the first shoots appear.

Mimulus Care

Since Mimulus is a moisture-loving plant, it must be watered as often as possible. The soil around the plant should always be kept moist. But if suddenly small holes appear on the leaves of the plant, watering should be stopped for a while.

In order for moisture to penetrate well into the soil, it must be loosened after watering.

Once a month, the plants are fertilized with a mineral complex fertilizer (15 ml of fertilizer per 1 bucket).

During its growing season, Mimulus blooms twice - in spring and autumn. The first bloom lasts only a few weeks. After that, the Mimulus bushes are cut as short as possible, and fertilizer is applied to the soil. After a little rest, the plant will begin to grow again, and flowering will be more abundant than before. During flowering, do not forget to pluck wilted inflorescences.

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