Rules for growing nigella from seeds and descriptions of varieties

Growing nigella from seeds is an interesting process that allows you to get good results. This herbaceous crop has excellent decorative properties and provides a medicinal effect. Today there are many varieties and varieties of nigella known, which differ in appearance and other characteristics. Thanks to this, every gardener can choose the appropriate option.

Description and features

Nigella is often called nigella. It is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 60 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a straight stem with a large number of branches. The plant is distinguished by blue, white, blue flowers. There are also pink buds. In combination with bright, pinnately dissected leaves, the flowers look beautiful.

Nigella inflorescences are solitary. They are simple and terry. The composition includes a calyx with 5 sepals, 5-8 petals, a large number of large stamens and pistils. Flowering lasts from May to August. After its completion, the bush does not lose its decorative properties. This is due to the appearance of unusual boxes filled with seeds.

The culture is considered light-loving. It is resistant to cold and easily tolerates spring frosts. Reproduction is carried out by seeds. They have a black tint and a triangular shape.

Planting in open ground

To plant a crop in open soil, you should follow a number of important recommendations.

Selecting a location

The plant likes light, unshaded places. It is important to choose the right site for planting. In the shade, the culture begins to bloom later. In this case, the flowers bloom at different times, and therefore the seeds do not have time to ripen.

Soil requirements

For the full development of nigella, loose nutritious soil is suitable, which is characterized by a neutral reaction. The crop grows poorly in acidic soil. In such a situation, it is recommended to lime the beds in the fall.

Sowing dates

You can sow seeds into the soil in May or before winter, deepening them 2 centimeters. The seedlings are resistant to low temperatures. However, at first it is recommended to cover the crops. There is no need to replant the sprouts. It is recommended to immediately plant them in a permanent place.

Planting scheme

For each square meter of plot, take 1-1.5 grams of plant seeds. It is recommended to plant them in rows. You should maintain a distance of 20 centimeters between them.

Growing through seedlings

Nigella can be grown in seedlings. In this case, it is worth following some recommendations.

When and how to plant

Seeds for seedlings should be planted in March or April. At the same time, they are buried 2 centimeters into the ground. Sprouts appear after 2-3 weeks.

Dive

This procedure is carried out when 2 true leaves appear. The sprouts are transplanted into peat-humus pots. It is worth transplanting seedlings into the garden bed directly into them.

Planting in open ground

When the time comes, the seedlings should be planted in the garden. This process has some peculiarities.

Selecting a location

For Nigella it is worth choosing an open and sunny area. The crop grows poorly in the shade.

Soil requirements

Nigella loves loose and dry soil. It should be light. In this case, the composition must contain nutrients. It is important that the soil is neutral or calcareous. The culture does not develop well in acidic soil.

Deadlines

Nigella seedlings develop quite quickly. Therefore, it should be transplanted into open ground in May.

How to drop off

The sprouts are transferred to the ground in peat pots. It is recommended to maintain an interval of 15-20 centimeters. It is worth maintaining a distance of 45-50 centimeters between the rows. More frequent planting will result in a lack of flowering and seeds.

After planting, the bed should be watered.However, it is not recommended to mulch the soil. Nigella reacts poorly to this procedure.

Care

To provide the culture with complete care, it is important to properly care for it. To do this, follow a number of recommendations.

Watering

It is worth watering the crop moderately but regularly. It has difficulty accepting excess soil moisture. If you do not water Nigella for a long time or use too much water, there is a risk of the plant dying.

Loosening and weeding

This plant is considered very capricious. It is recommended to constantly weed and loosen it. In this case, weeding should be carried out carefully so as not to provoke damage to the roots. It is important to loosen the soil after watering to provide the roots with oxygen.

Top dressing

It is not recommended to feed Nigella with fresh organic fertilizers or use a lot of nitrogen substances. This greatly delays the growing season. As a result, it will not be possible to collect ripe seeds. During the flowering period, it is worth applying phosphorus-potassium preparations under the nigella.

Reproduction

There is only one method of propagating a culture. This is done using seeds. They are planted directly into the soil or used for growing seedlings. After flowering ends, the plant can be sown on its own.

Diseases and pests

Nigella is resistant to diseases and harmful insects. This is due to the strong odor that repels parasites. However, sometimes problems still arise.

Powdery mildew

This disease develops when there is damp and cool weather for a long time. To cope with the problem, it is worth using fungicides. The plant should be treated with such preparations 2-3 times every 7 days.

Spider mite

In dry weather, in the absence of timely watering, the plant can be affected by spider mites. Parasites suck all the juices out of the crop. To cope with ticks, Nigella should be sprayed with chemicals. Substances such as Akarin and Actellik are suitable for this purpose.

After flowering

After the seed pods have ripened, they begin to collect the seed material. It is recommended to use it for growing crops next year. Collect seeds in late summer or early autumn.

To do this, dry stems with seeds should be cut and hung in bunches in a ventilated room. It is recommended to remove well-dried seeds from the boxes. They remain viable for several years. Planting the crop in a flower bed is allowed in spring or late autumn.

Kinds

There are quite a few varieties of nigella that have certain characteristics.

Damascus

It is this variety that is most often found in gardens. It is an unpretentious ornamental crop that has beautiful flowers and leaves. The stems grow 30-50 centimeters in height.

The culture is characterized by dissected leaves. It also has white, blue or light blue flowers. There are many varieties of Damascus nigella that allow you to choose the appropriate option.

Sowing

This plant is also called Roman coriander. It resembles Damask nigella, but is characterized by smaller flowers. They are distinguished by a white, bluish, yellow tint.

The seeds of the crop have a pronounced spicy aroma. This variety is often used to improve the taste of dishes. Also, dry bouquets of nigella seed help fight moths.

Spanish

This plant is somewhat less common. It reaches 60 centimeters in height.The culture is characterized by dark green leaves and rich blue flowers. They are 6 centimeters in diameter. Inside you can see bright stamens. The plant blooms from June to September.

Eastern

This culture has become more widespread in Asia. It has ugly flowers with practically no petals. The rest are bent downwards. The bush has a straight stem and branched shoots covered with long leaves.

Popular varieties

Nigella has many varieties that differ in certain characteristics. This allows gardeners to choose the most suitable solution for the flower bed.

Cambridge Blue

This beautiful plant is characterized by large flowers. They are distinguished by a bluish-blue tint. The bush reaches 1 meter in height and is covered with lacy leaves. It is this variety of nigella that is most often chosen for decorating flower beds.

Miss Jekyll Rose

This variety is characterized by large flowers. They may have red or purple hues. You can find red seeds in the box. The plant has a straight stem, the height of which does not exceed 50 centimeters.

Persian Jewels

The plant is characterized by pink, white, and red flowers. In their center you can see long green stamens. This variety has thin leaves that form a graceful lace on a small stem.

Dwarf Moody Blue

This variety is a dwarf species of Damascus nigella. It is characterized by small truncated leaves that form a cloud. That is why the plant received the name “blue mist”. The height of the stem reaches 25 centimeters. The flowers are small and have a blue or blue tint.

Baby Blue

This is an unattractive variety with small, pale flowers.It is also characterized by small curved stems. Their height does not exceed 20 centimeters.

Sativa

This plant can be used for medicinal purposes. The culture reaches 30-70 centimeters in height and has white, blue or yellow flowers. The leaves are finely dissected and resemble fennel grass.

Medicinal properties

The crop is grown not only for decorative purposes. It brings great benefits to the human body and is used in food. The seeds of the plant are characterized by an intense strawberry aroma and taste. They can be added to food.

Nigella leaves are also considered edible. They have a tonic effect on the body and help improve well-being.

The seeds of the plant contain many useful elements. These include vitamins E and C. The product also contains many essential oils. Thanks to this, it has general strengthening properties.

Nigella fruits are actively used in folk medicine. They are used to combat cystitis, dysbacteriosis, and pyelonephritis. The seeds are useful for diabetes, oncology, asthma, and epilepsy.

Infusions based on them improve metabolism and cleanse the body of harmful elements. Such remedies are used during the period of weight loss. They stop the aging process and improve memory.

To make a useful remedy, you should take nigella seeds and mix with vodka in a ratio of 1:5. Place in a dark place and leave for 1 week. Then strain the liquid and transfer it to the refrigerator. Use the resulting remedy for pathologies of the respiratory organs. Single dose – 10-15 drops.

Nigella helps control mosquitoes and moths. The plant has a specific aroma that helps repel insects.

It is worth considering that the plant has contraindications.It should not be used during pregnancy, ischemia, or gastritis. Limitations also include cholelithiasis.

Application in landscape design

Nigella has excellent decorative properties. Therefore, it is often used in landscape design. There are many uses for this plant:

1. The flower fits organically into dry gardens and rockeries.
2. Nigella is often planted near artificial ponds and decorative fountains. This plant is characterized by lightness and neatness.
3. Nigella also looks attractive along borders. The plant forms a bright pattern.
4. Nigella will decorate any flower bed. It will not get lost even in a bright flower arrangement.
5. An excellent option would be to decorate an alpine slide. The combination with cornflowers and petunias will be especially effective.

Nigella is a beautiful plant that has beneficial properties and is actively used in landscape design. This crop is considered unpretentious, which is why many gardeners love it and often plant it in plots.