Kvamoklit (lat. Quamoclit ) belongs to the Bindweed family. The genus includes about 500 varieties of this culture. Mexico is considered her homeland. Today, the plant is grown by flower growers all over the world. The reason for the popularity of quamoclite is its high decorativeness, unpretentiousness, the ability to grow quickly and actively develop with minimal care.
Description
Kvamoklit is an annual herbaceous plant with creeping stems 4-5 m long twisting around the support. The leaves are heart-shaped, divided into many thin segments. Star-shaped flowers, on long pedicels, 3-4 cm in diameter, can be simple and double, depending on the variety. The buds are painted in red, pink and white. Flowering occurs in June, lasts until October.
An interesting feature of the flowers of this culture is that they open only in the morning and evening. They close at noon in the heat of the day. On cloudy days, the buds may partially open.
Species and varieties
As noted above, there are about five hundred species of quamoclite in the world, but only 25 of them are used in ornamental gardening. The following is a description of the most popular quamoclite species in the garden and photos of plants are presented.
Quamoclit Cairo ( Quamoclit cairica ). Herbaceous annual with creeping stems up to 3 m long. During flowering, the plant is densely strewn with star-shaped flowers of lavender color. The leaves are lobed, divided into many segments. Foliage color is light green.
Purple Quamoclit ( Quamoclit purpurea ). An annual liana with creeping fleecy stems 6–8 m long. The leaves are spatulate or heart-shaped, smooth, oppositely arranged. Intense purple flowers. This variety has varieties with variegated terry buds.
Quamoclit Sloteri ( Quamoclit Sloteri ). Grown as an annual. Reaches 1.5 m in length. Differs in expressive openwork foliage, which consists of filamentous lobes. Star-shaped flowers, scarlet color.
Quamoclit Nile ( Quamoclit nil ). An annual herbaceous plant with branching stems about 5 – 7 m long. The leaf blades are broadly oval, consist of many thin segments, and have an opposite arrangement. The flowers are tubular, 10 cm in diameter, blue, lilac, pink, red colors.
The best varieties:
“Serenade” – is a hybrid with star-shaped double flowers with a diameter of 7 cm. The color of the buds is lilac, red or blue.
“Pikoti” – differs in semi-double buds of red or bright blue color. A white border runs along the edge of the petals.
Quamoclit tricolor ( Quamoclit tricolor ). This species is thermophilic, does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. In the southern latitudes, it is grown as a perennial crop; in regions with cold winters, it is bred as an annual. Creeping stems reach 7.5 m in length. The leaves are heart-shaped, smooth, with a wrinkled surface, have an opposite arrangement, attached to a long petiole. The flowers are large, star-shaped, up to 10 cm in diameter, light blue. The plant begins to bloom with the onset of summer days. Flowering lasts until late autumn.
Ivy-shaped kvamoklit ( Quamoclit hederacea ). It has a branching stem 4–6 m long. The leaves are heart-shaped, consist of three lobes, resemble ivy leaf plates in shape. The flowers are tubular, 4 cm in diameter, blue in color with a white border around the edge. This variety begins to bloom in mid-summer. Flowering lasts until October.
Moonflowering Quamoclit ( Quamoclit noctiflora ). One of the most beautiful types of quamoclit. The length of the stems is 3 – 6 m. The leaves are heart-shaped, smooth, dark green. The flowers are large expressive, with a diameter of 8 – 10 cm, white.
Quamoclit lobada ( Quamoclit lobada ). A plant with a pink-violet central stem and darker shoots extending from it. In adult specimens, the stems and shoots are green. The flowers are tubular, red or pink, 5-7 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs in August, lasts for a month.
Quamoclit pannata ( Quamoclit pinnata ). An annual species with shoots 3–4 m long. The leaves are large, pinnate, dissected into many thin segments, resembling a fan. The flowers are funnel-shaped, with pointed petals, red, crimson, white color.
Growing from seedlings
Kvamoklit is a tropical plant accustomed to warm climates, so it is best to grow it from seedlings. The seed of this crop has good germination, so the grower has every chance to get new plants.
For successful cultivation, quamoclite seeds should be sown for seedlings when the second half of March comes, but it is possible to transfer planting to the beginning of April.
Before planting, the seed must be kept in warm water for a day. To do this, it is recommended to place it in a thermos. During this time, the seeds will swell and become suitable for sowing. If this does not happen, you will need to pierce the shell with a needle and repeat the procedure again with warm water.
For successful germination of quamoclite seeds, loose nutrient soil is used. Since the seedlings of this crop do not tolerate transplanting, it is recommended to immediately plant the seeds in individual peat pots.
The seed is deepened by 1 cm, watered, covered with a film. Germinate in a bright room with a temperature of 20 – 26 degrees. Sprouts will hatch in 6-9 days. After their appearance, the shelter must be removed.
Seedling care should include regular watering as the substrate dries out. In early spring, young plants may not have enough light, so you will have to use additional lighting.
When the seedlings reach 100 – 150 cm in length, ropes are pulled near each specimen so that the vines do not get confused with each other, but cling to their support. Plants are planted in open ground after the return frosts have passed, the soil will be well warmed up and warm days will be established.
Before planting quamoclite in the ground, you need to choose a well-lit place in the area where the flower will be protected from gusty winds and drafts. For seedlings, a ridge is made with holes 15–20 cm deep. The distance between plants should be 30 cm.
Transplantation is carried out by transshipment, but if a peat pot was used, it is simply placed in the soil. After planting, the earth is watered, sprinkled with mulch in the form of sawdust or peat.
Care
- Watering. Kvamoklit is moisture-loving, requires regular soil moisture, especially during the period of foliage growth and bud formation. The earth must not be allowed to dry out. Water procedures should be carried out at least 2 – 3 times a week, and on hot days, watering the vine is required daily. The next day after wetting, the substrate must be loosened to prevent the formation of a dense crust and increase oxygen access to the roots.
- Topdressing. In order for the plant to please the eye with abundant bright foliage and numerous buds, you will need at least three dressings per season. The first time the soil is enriched a couple of weeks after planting the seedlings on the site, using a nitrogen-containing composition. The second time the fertilizer is applied during the laying of the buds. Suitable drug with a high content of phosphorus. The third dressing is applied during the active flowering phase. Potassium-phosphorus composition is suitable as a fertilizer.
- Support. If supports are not installed near the seedlings, soon their shoots will intertwine. A lush bush will appear on the site, which will consist of many stems tangled together. On the one hand, it looks interesting and even attractive, on the other hand, the grower will not see buds on a tangled green mass. When caring for a quamoclite in the open field, a support is installed near each seedling, along which it will climb up. For this purpose, gratings, arches, ropes, pergolas are suitable.
- Fight against diseases and pests. Sometimes aphids, leafworms and spider mites settle on the plant. Having found harmful insects, you need to spray the quamoclite with an insecticide. This work should be carried out on a cloudy day or in the evening.
Among the common diseases of this culture, various rot, powdery mildew, rust and others are distinguished. Usually the occurrence of diseases is provoked by excessive watering.
In the affected plants, the damaged parts are cut off: leaves or shoots, then the bushes are treated with fungicides. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, watering is regulated, and moisture is not allowed to stagnate in the soil.