Ipomopsis (Gilia rubra) is a beautiful perennial flower. Includes 24 species. Sometimes it can reach a meter in height. Often it is used in large bouquet compositions as a decoration. When cut, it can open up to the very last bud, while fully retaining its freshness.
- Family: cyanotic
- Homeland: USA
- Stem: thin branched
- Leaves: needle-like
- Fruit: rosette
- Reproductive ability: propagated by seed
- Illumination: light-requiring
- Watering: moderate
- Content temperature: warm, room temperature
- Flowering time: from late summer to late autumn
Ipomopsis flowers: description with photo
Most often it is used for mixborders. It is understandable, because the flowers of hipomopsis attract the attention of others and decorate the interior very harmoniously.
Ipomopsis in the photo
It has beautiful, long and bright inflorescences, which are somewhat reminiscent of thin and shiny tubes of a flower, red or scarlet. The leaves also have a rather unusual structure.
They have many small incisions, which are collected in a basal basal rosette. From a distance or in a photo, Ipomopsis looks like a large bright red bouquet that does not require any additions.
The color of the inflorescences depends entirely on the variety. But it differs in exceptionally bright and colorful shades.
Ipomopsis red surprise
Most gardeners and flower growers are attracted to this particular variety. How did hipomopsis red surprise win their hearts?
Ipomopsis red surprise in the photo
It is this variety that is very convenient for growing in gardens and cottages. Its sowing takes place in the spring, approximately at the end of March or the beginning of April. First, seedlings are grown, at home or in greenhouse conditions, and then planted in open ground.
It can be grown for hedges (living fence). Since its height can reach a meter, such a scarlet living fence will delight the eye of any flower lover.
Ipomopsis hot temptations
This variety is more picky than the previous one. Ipomopsis varieties are hot temptations, loves fairly fertile soil. Many gardeners, giving preference to this particular species, buy special fertilized soil for seedlings, then dive into separate containers or jars, and then plant them in open soil together with an earthen clod.
Ipomopsis hot temptations in the photo
It also prefers fairly moist soil. If this particular variety is planted on your site, make sure that from the end of one to the beginning of the next watering, the earth is sufficiently moist and does not have time to dry out.
Growing Ipomopsis
In principle, growing such a marvelous and wonderful flower is not a very laborious process. But just planting in a hole and growing it will not work, you will have to work hard not only during the planting and germination period, but also during the maintenance period.
Growing Ipomopsis in the photo
So, in order for the cultivation of hipomopsis from seeds to bear fruit, good soil is needed. The best and best option would be to go to a gardening store and buy special soil for flowers. Such land contains organic matter, so during the period of planting and germination, the flowers will not need additional feeding. This flower is considered a cold-resistant plant, because growing seedlings on the windowsill is the best option.
Ipomopsis is grown in March or April. At the end of March, seed germination reaches almost 100%. If, after sowing the seeds, the temperature reaches 14 ° C, then seedlings can appear already in 2 weeks, or even less.
It is this temperature when growing seedlings that will make the flower cold-resistant and hardened, and it is not scary to plant such seedlings in open ground. It is worth noting that although it is hardened, it is necessary to plant only after the last spring frosts, after all, this is not a snowdrop.
This representative is very fond of light and warmth. Therefore, many grow it simply in flower greenhouses. The soil should be moderately moist.
After sowing, a whole four months must pass before it begins its magnificent flowering. In its native region, hipomopsis flowers are grown as a juvenile or biennial. And in Europe, it is most often practiced in general as an annual plant.
Ipomopsis at home
Is it possible to grow such a miracle just at home, so to speak for yourself? Yes, but you need enough space and a decent sized flower pot. With regard to the place for such a tall flower, you can free up some spacious corner, and that’s where you put the flower pot.
Ipomopsis at home in the photo
Cultivation begins in the same way as described above. First seedlings, then transplanting. To do this, it is necessary to comply with all conditions of heat, light and humidity. Since the flower will be homemade, there is no need to harden it on a cold windowsill. After he “grows” from his substrate or the jar in which he was planted, he can be placed in a spacious pot.
Most plants have the necessary medicinal properties that somehow affect our body. The medicinal properties of hipomopsis have not been studied, so it is not recognized as a medicinal plant. Rather, it is decorative, so you should not experiment it on your own health.
After he is planted in a pot, you need to take care of his nutrition, that is, top dressing. Like any other plant, it has its own feeding rules. To do this, in a flower and gardening store, you can buy top dressing in liquid form and add it along with watering, or dry, which is also dissolved in water. On the packaging, the rule and regimen are usually described, but despite this, it needs to be fed only once a week, while ensuring systematic watering.
By adhering to such simple and traditional rules for growing hipomopsis, the flower will feel good and comfortable not only in harsh outdoor conditions, but also in greenhouses and at home. And if so, then its abundant and lush flowering will bring a feeling of joy and peace to its owner.