Mimulus flower is a favorite of flower growers decorating their flower beds with bright flowers of an irregular shape. Landscaping with a flower looks much more attractive. Flowers do not require much attention, can be grown by full-fledged flower beds in large quantities.
Features of Mimulus
Mimulus is a unique plant that blooms for a long period. Many varieties have their own characteristics, which are represented by interesting colors and shapes. The unique structure of the bud also distinguishes the plant from others.
Mimulus in the flowerbed
Which family belongs to
Mimulus belongs to the Norichnikov family. This is a plant creeping on the ground that blooms for a long period. It is better to grow a culture on small flower beds or on slides on balconies and terraces.
Beautiful culture in nature
Briefly about the history of the appearance
The birthplace of flowering culture is South America. You can find the plant in Australia and New Zealand. The specimen grows mainly in marshy areas where there is high humidity.
On a note! Plants became home at the beginning of the XVI century. Then wild specimens were used. After 2 centuries, breeding varieties appeared.
Plant characteristics
The plant has a non-standard appearance. This applies to the buds and the aerial parts. Description of colors is represented by the following characteristics:
- Varieties can be annual and perennial.
- The buds are brightly colored with characteristic spots along the petals.
- This is a herbaceous plant.
- The flowering period is divided into 2 phases - spring and autumn.
- He likes high humidity and good watering.
- Usually the height of the aerial part is 20-40 cm, but some species (shrub varieties) can reach 2 m in height.
- The leaves are broad-lanceolate, opposite with sharp notches.
- Inflorescences form brushes from several buds.
Mimulus flower in the flowering phase
Classification of Mimulus
Mimulus hybrid has about 150 varieties. In nature, another 120 varietal individuals are distinguished. Some varieties are especially popular, while others are grown by some growers.
Note! The view is non-standard in all understandings, which is why flower growers love to grow crops on flower beds.
Tiger mimulus (Mimulus tigrinus)
It is also called mimulus tigrinus, large-flowered mimulus, leopard mimulus, hybrid gubastik (Mimulus hybridus), maximus mimulus. It is the most popular variety that flower growers especially love to grow in their gardens. The plant is annual. The height of the bush is 20-25 cm. Inflorescences look like brushes. The buds have a varied color, but always variegated. Flowering continues from May to July.
What does a tiger look like?
Mimulus orange (Mimulus aurantiacus)
Aurantiacus is a bush 1.2-1.3 m high. The variety loves warmly. The ability of the stems to bend beautifully during flowering adds to the decorative appearance. Each tubular flower has 5 petals. The color spectrum of the color ranges from white to red. Aurantiacus blooms from May to early September.
Gubastik pomegranate (Mimulus puniceus)
The height varies from 20 to 40 cm. The deep red color of the buds, which is as close as possible to the pomegranate, is considered a feature of the species.
Gubastik yellow (Mimulus luteus)
Gubastik species Mimulus luteus has a bush about half a meter high. The flowers are fiery yellow. Peduncles slightly omitted, since the buds are quite large due to the huge petals with wavy edges.
Speckled Mimulus (Mimulus guttatus)
A miniature variety whose stem length reaches a maximum of 20 cm. It can be annual and perennial. The flowers are large, bright yellow, and brown spots are present on the lower petal.
Gubastik red (Mimulus cardinalis), or purple gubastik
A bush 30-40 cm tall is usually crowned with bright red flowers. The petals are oval and have no extra spots. It emits a pleasant aroma, which is not characteristic of the culture.
Mimulus red has a unique aroma
Mimulus copper red (Mimulus cupreus)
The plant has a small stalk height equal to 15 cm. This is an annual version of the culture. The name Mimulus cupreus received due to the copper-red color of the petals. For flowers, another color is also characteristic, but close to the main shade.
Primrose chamomile (Mimulus primuloides)
Primrose gubastik is a perennial flower, but in gardens it is often grown as an annual. On the grassy aerial part there are many small yellow flowers. The blooming of new buds lasts from May to September.
Mimulus primrose in the area
Musk Mimulus (Mimulus moschatus)
It is a grassy mimus species that can secrete mucus with the scent of nutmeg. The entire surface of the leaves and stems is covered with small villi. The flowers are small 2.5 cm, and yellow. The height of the bush can be 30 cm.
Mimulus open (Mimulus ringens), or open mimulus
A feature of the variety is the bud. The color may be different, and the shape is unique. The buds are maximally opened, which makes the flower outwardly far from the standard representative of the mimus.
Varieties in great demand among gardeners
Gardeners prefer to grow certain varieties that look spectacular on flower beds. An added bonus is their prevalence and availability.
Brass Mankiz
Variegated buds of orange color.
Twinkle mixed
Height 0.5 m maximum. The color of the buds is red, milky, beige without intersperses and spots.
Magic mixed
A low bush on which buds of pastel flowers are located. Within one flower, several shades can be combined.
Magic spots
A small herbaceous plant with milky beige buds. Red spots are located along the petals.
Viva
The height of the aerial part is 30 cm. Lemon-colored buds with red splashes around the entire perimeter of the petals.
Sun in the shade
Refers to speckled appearance. The flowers have a colorful color, and the stems reach 25 cm in height.
Feuerking
Scarlet petals. Dark brown spots are located around the perimeter.
Auranticus
Scarlet or orange flowers without interspersing.
Red Dragon
Scarlet saturated color of large size buds.
Cardinal
Scarlet petals dotted with orange dots.
Rose queen
Pink petals with red oblong spots.
Red Empire
Inflorescences are deep red.
Rother Kaiser
Scarlet inflorescences of large size.
Andean nymph
Pale yellow buds, along the petals of which are pale purple spots.
Seedling by seedling
Mimulus, growing from seeds of which is carried out at home, can be propagated using seeds. This is an easy way to breed, but with some nuances.
Time for landing
You can sow planting material in boxes at the end of February. If planting is done in open ground, then laying is carried out in early May.
Capacity selection
Capacity should be low (2-5 cm). The entire surface must be completely covered with glass.
Seedlings of plants in indoor conditions
Note! It is better to use boxes of rectangular shape with low sides.
Soil and seed preparation
Planting seeds is only in soil with low acidity. Seeds are pre-sprayed with a solution to accelerate growth.
Important! The temperature in the room where the box will stand must be at least +18 ℃.
Seeds are often laid on the surface of the soil and lightly sprayed with water at room temperature. The container is covered with glass. Every day they raise the glass and ventilate the soil. Every 3 days, the soil is sprayed with water from a spray bottle.
Seedling Care
After about 4 days, the first sprouts appear. You need to remove the glass from the drawer and put the container in a well-lit place. The air temperature in the room should not exceed +10 ℃.
Seedling Care
Dive
Seedlings are dived after 3 leaves appear on each seedling. Plants are planted in separate peat pots. Seedling containers are placed in a cool place and constantly moisten the soil in them.
Features of non-seedling planting in open ground
Florists are actively practicing the seedling method. Mimulus planting and care in the open field does not differ from growing indoors. Seeds are planted much later and develop more slowly than seedlings, but flowering occurs almost at the same time.
Note! Having laid the seeds in the soil, it is important to cover the bed with glass. The principle of care is identical to growing in boxes.
Outdoor plant
Features of gardening
A flower needs attention. Immediately choose the right place for planting and determine exactly what the plant does not like.
What conditions like the mimus
The landing site is that part of the flowerbed that is in partial shade. The plant prefers loamy soil and good watering, as in natural conditions it grows in marshy areas.
What is the plant afraid of?
Culture does not like winds, cold and direct sunlight. If one of the listed factors has its influence, then the plant ceases to bloom, and the aboveground part begins to slope to the ground.
Preparing for planting on the flowerbed
Watering
An important condition is constant watering. Culture loves moisture. In hot weather, you need to water every 2 days. But it is best to monitor the condition of the soil.
Mulching
This is not a prerequisite for growing sponges. But in particularly hot periods it is worth sheltering places near the roots with fresh hay. Remove material if necessary.
Loosening
Loosening is carried out after each watering. Do it carefully. The root system is superficial and often looks like a cobweb. It has an extremely fragile structure.
Loosening the soil - an element of proper care
Top dressing
After 2 weeks after planting, you can make the first top dressing. Compound fertilizers are ideal. "Vitamin watering" should be done every 3 weeks.
When and how it blooms
Mimulus flowers have different flowering periods, depending on the variety and variety of culture. An additional difference is the shape and color of the buds themselves.
Flowering buds of mimulus
Types of flowers can be very diverse, because each variety is completely individual. And there are more than 15 units. The shape can be spongy - 4 buds are located up, and the fifth one down. Sometimes flowers look more like lilies. Here the variety of forms is also great.
Additional Information! Typically, the flowering period lasts from mid-May to the end of June. The second stage lasts from mid-August to the end of September. But some varieties bloom from May to July without stopping the formation of buds.
During the flowering period, you need to carefully monitor the watering, since the active growing season requires additional irrigation. In the first and second periods of flowering, top dressing can be reduced to 1 per month. dry leaves, twigs and buds must be removed immediately.
Care after flowering
After flowering, the plant must be carefully looked after. It is important to collect seeds for sowing next year.
Seed collection
It is necessary to cut off the dry seed capsules that appear in September. It is worth storing the material in glass containers with oxygen access.
Preparing for wintering
In the regions, culture is grown as an annual. In September, the plant is dug up and destroyed. Often they resort to transplanting a specimen into a flowerpot and leave it for the winter in a cool room for wintering.
Possible problems in growing
Mimulus is easy to grow, as basically the culture is resistant to most diseases, but problems still arise.
Pests
The most “popular” pests for gubastiks are:
- whitefly;
- aphid;
- slugs.
You can cope with them through the use of special tools.
Mimulus flower in open ground
Disease
Sometimes it’s difficult to grow a culture, as diseases are manifested:
- gray rot;
- blackleg;
- powdery mildew.
At the same time, care is adjusted, but if gray rot appears, they destroy the specimen.
Signs of improper care
Signs of improper care are yellowing of the aerial parts, lack of flowering and wilting of leaves. If something like this happened, then revise the principle of plant care.
It is not difficult to grow and breed gubastiks, given the basic rules of watering, feeding and care during the flowering period. The culture is diverse - a wide selection of varieties of flowers, their color and shape.
