Godezia has received the love of flower growers for its graceful beauty and varietal variety. And among poets and artists, she found the name of the flower of passion. It is very easy to grow, and the collected seeds remain viable for several years. Graceful godetia grows quickly and will fill your garden with all shades of pink! We will tell you what is needed for this!
general information
Godetia is a beautiful herbaceous annual that grows well on the plot and in the apartment. It has a branched, erect stem that extends 20-60 cm, depending on which variety you prefer. As a result, neat pyramid bushes with voluminous bells grow.
The flowers of godetia are quite large and for some varieties can reach 10 cm. They are combined into voluminous inflorescences on short peduncles - smooth or lush double. The main color scheme is all shades of pink, but there are also different variations from white to red.
Types of godetia
In nature, there are about 20 species of godetia that live in different regions of America. They differ in height, flower type and color. For convenience, several large categories can be distinguished, which we will talk about.
Godezia grandiflora
The main feature of the large-flowered godetia grandiflora is fully reflected in its name. On stems of medium height, up to 40 cm, large bells or bowls of inflorescences bloom. The most popular varieties are White Swan, Meteor, York, Rembrandt and Orange Glory.
Dear godetia
An elegant garden annual can grow quite tall - up to 60 cm. Regularly shaped double flowers reach 8 cm in diameter and are collected in large clusters. The stem is very branched, and the leaves on the petioles diverge alternately. Popular varieties are the romantic Rosea, Kirshkenigin with a scarlet tint and the snow-white Crystal Snowflake.
Azalea flowering godetia
These are relatively small varieties that can survive frosts and even prolonged frosts. Stems rarely grow taller than 25 cm, and large bells shimmer with all tones of pink. Most often in the gardens there is an azalea-flowered godetia of the Monarch variety.
Terry godetia
In nature, such a curiosity does not exist, therefore terry varieties are completely decorative and bred by breeders. Moreover, the degree of terry can vary from very light to thick. Among them, the following subspecies are popular: scarlet Summer kiss, delicate Orange glory and compact Blanche.
Godetia care
Godetia gets along well in containers and in flower beds, regardless of the weather. Its large flowers do not close at night or during a cold snap until the end of flowering. Therefore, with minimal effort, your garden will always be bright and beautiful!
Temperature and lighting
Most varieties easily tolerate minor frosts down to -5 degrees, so the seedlings can be transplanted into the ground at the end of April. They are not afraid of temperature changes day and night, and some varieties of godetia are not afraid of even a prolonged cold snap. Choose an open sunny area or light partial shade.
Watering
Godetia is very sensitive to humidity conditions, so it does not tolerate any extremes. Adjust the irrigation regime taking into account the weather outside the window: reduce the frequency on rainy days and increase on dry days. There is no standard schedule here - watch the condition of the soil under the bushes.
The soil
Before planting godetia, the soil must be loosened well so that it is light and airy. And in the future, you will have to constantly repeat the procedure as it compresses. You need a nutritious soil, for example - loamy, but too dry will not work.
Fertilizers and feeding
In order for godetia to please with lush flowering, it needs regular feeding every 3-4 weeks. For this, complex fertilizers for flowering plants, such as nitrophoska, are best suited.Before planting, be sure to feed the soil with compost and ash: 5 kg and 300 g per square, respectively.
Transplant and reproduction
Godetia seeds can be planted in advance in containers or directly into the ground in mid-April. For disinfection, first soak them for half an hour in a manganese solution. They sprout quickly - in about two weeks, but wait for 2-4 full-fledged leaves before diving.
In containers, the process can be accelerated by regularly dampening and tightening with film. But do not forget to often ventilate your makeshift greenhouse and clean it in time - about 12 days after germination.
In open ground, seedlings are planted when they reach about 6 cm in height. Leave a distance of at least 25 cm between the bushes, because they will soon grow a lot. Keep in mind that godetia does not tolerate transplants well, so minimize their number and take care of the earthen lump.
Pruning
Godetia is an annual plant, so it does not need seasonal pruning. But if you want to extend flowering until the cold weather, immediately remove the faded buds so that they do not drag resources over to themselves. High grades need supports, otherwise they can break from the wind and their own weight.
Pest and disease control
Godetia has many large leaves, so its main problem is leaf-eating insects. They need to be fought with preventive spraying with insecticides and washing the plants with a soap-ash solution. And do not forget to regularly remove weeds that contribute to the spread of parasites and diseases.
Due to excess moisture, godetia suffers from root rot, but such a plant cannot be saved and must be removed immediately. The leaves are affected by powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Fungicides and antiseptics are needed against them, and in extreme cases, drastic measures.
Godetia - photo
Godetia flowers are so similar and yet so different. They are ideal for creating lush flower arrangements in the garden or in the country. Just take a look at the photos in our selection!