Melampodium

Family. Asteraceae.

Origin. Central America, Sri Lanka.

Description. Melampodium is an annual or perennial plant, among which there are both herbaceous and shrubs and subshrubs. The leaves are green, opposite, simple, oblong-lanceolate, up to 5 cm long. The flowers are white, cream, but more often yellow, up to 3 cm in diameter. Cover the plant very densely.  

Height. Dwarf varieties, which are best suited for indoor growing, grow to only 25 cm, while large ones reach a height of 60 cm.

Cultivation

Temperature conditions

Moderately cool conditions are ideal for this species. When grown indoors, maintain a temperature of 16-18 °C, this prolongs the life of the plant. Do not expose the flower to temperatures below 10 °C.

Lighting

This species loves brightly lit places with access to direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours. If the melampodium receives enough sunlight, its flowering will be more abundant.

Care

The bush is extremely unpretentious and easily adapts to a variety of conditions. Remove wilting buds to extend the flowering period. Adult specimens can tolerate heat and even drought.

Substrate

It can be grown in a wide variety of soils, the main requirement being good drainage. 

Feeding

Feed 2 times a month with water-soluble complex fertilizers from spring to autumn, diluting them to half the recommended dose.

Purpose

Low-growing varieties can be used as ground cover plants.

Flowering time

Spring – summer, flowering is abundant and long.

Air humidity

Tolerates dry air in residential areas and does not have any special requirements for humidity. 

Soil moisture

Watering should be regular, but the soil should dry out a little before the next watering.

Transfer

Melampodium is often grown as an annual plant and does not need replanting. 

Reproduction

It reproduces well by seeds and often by self-seeding. Seeds germinate within 1-2 weeks at a temperature of 18-20 °C. It is advisable to cover the seedlings with glass or a transparent plastic cap to maintain uniform humidity. Young seedlings bloom within 3 months after sowing the seeds.

Pests and diseases

When there is an excess of nutrients in the soil, it grows abundantly in green mass to the detriment of flowering. Prone to the appearance of powdery mildew, rots with excessive watering and stagnation of moisture in the soil. Among the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.