Lewkonia - Matthiola incana
Lewkonia is a plant that has long been cultivated for its beautiful flowers with a pleasant aroma. Full-flowered plants are the most valued, which are widely used in the production of bouquets, bouquets and wreaths.
There are three known breeds of the Levkonia: lukewarm, autumn and winter, which differ in the length of the production period. The production period of summer scythe lasts 3–4 months, autumn - 5 months, and in winter - 10 months.
Summer lion and winter leopard are suitable for cultivation under glass.
Growing summer scythe in a greenhouse. Among the varieties of the summer lion's mane, the most suitable for cultivation under glass are Cv. 'Excelsior' with an unbranched flower shoot, growing up to 50-70 cm, about white flowers, pink, salmon and the "Brillant" variety with unbranched shoots growing up to 35-40 cm high, about white flowers, pink, red. Varieties belonging to the "completely full" type are particularly sought after (Allgefullte), from seeds of which 80-90% is obtained, and even all plants with full flowers. Meanwhile, in ordinary varieties, full flowers constitute no more than 50-60%. However, this percentage may be increased, because some varieties have the so-called. signaling factor i.e.. indicator, which, in the seedling phase, makes it easier to distinguish between the plants of the Red Lily of the Valley. Namely, in some varieties (e.g. "Excelsior" i "Brillant") leaves of full-flowering plants are light green in color, and plants with single flowers - dark green. The difference in color is apparently in the spring, when the day is less than 12 hours (into 20 April), and the temperature ranges from 6 into 8 degrees C.
Lionhead seeds, which in 1 g is 600-700 pcs. sown in January-February into boxes filled with a mixture composed of 2 parts of leaf land and 1 sand. Earth and sand must be steamed beforehand, because lion's mane seedlings are easily infested by fungi that cause gangrene of seedlings. We cover the sowing 2 cm with a layer of sand, water carefully - rather spray it. When the seedlings start to germinate, make sure that the temperature does not exceed 8 ° C and observe whether there is a color difference.. If differentiation has appeared, only seedlings with lightly colored leaves are selected and dived at a 2X3 cm spacing into boxes filled with fresh soil, also evaporated. The plants are watered very moderately and left at a temperature of 12-15 °, and when they are about 5 cm high, we plant them into the ground in a greenhouse or in a Belgian plant.
Growing in a greenhouse. The soil in the greenhouse should be fertile. We plant the lion cubs at 10-15 X spacing 20 cm. During the first two weeks, we maintain the temperature of 12-15 ° C, then lower it to 8-12 ° C, because at this temperature the lioness develops prettier flowers. We still water only then, when the topsoil is completely dry, and greenhouses are well ventilated, to prevent plants from mildew. It blooms in the second half of May.
Cultivation in Belgians. Deserves a recommendation, because the lion's mane is insensitive to slight frosts. Seedlings can be planted even in early April with spacing 15 X 18 cm. Initially, we cover Belgians with windows and for the first week we only ventilate at noon, and in the next from, hours 10 into 12. After two weeks, you can usually take out what 4 window, and spread the rest evenly. Po 3 weeks after landing, every other window is removed again, and the others are pulled apart. In the first days of May, under normal weather conditions, all windows can be removed. Plants are still watered carefully. The lion's mane grown in Belgium blooms in early June, but it produces stronger inflorescences than when grown in a greenhouse.
Growing winter lionfish. Among the varieties of the winter lion's leopard, the most widespread is the 'Nicaea' lion, growing up to 80 cm and the "Imperial" lion, reaching up to 30-35 cm in height. They both branch out strongly.
We sow the seeds in May, at the beginning of June, to boxes like a summer cane, but we put the boxes in frames. Sowing directly into the frame boxes is less advisable, due to the need to evaporate the soil.
We dive the seedlings directly to the windows to the frame soil with the addition of peat, which will keep the root ball compact and facilitate subsequent replanting. When the seedlings reach 5–7 cm in height, we plant them in the beds, in the open air, spaced apart 30 X 30 cm. The soil should be well seasoned and fertilized with decomposed manure. If the soil is acidic, it should be limed in advance. During the summer, we move the soil to prevent weed infestation. At the end of August, the plants have grown well (it is not worth planting the weak) are planted in pots with a diameter 14 cm or larger to heavy soil, clay with the addition of peat (1/5). After watering, place the left hand in Belgians after 15 into 20 pcs. in the window, where they remain until the start of driving. With the onset of frosts, we cover the cape with windows, but we are well ventilated during the day. Leave the windows closed when the temperature during the day drops to 2–5 ° C, and we only ventilate at noon. With the onset of frosts, we cover Belgian women with mats and leaves. On warmer and windless days, it is windy in the midday hours. In January, we transfer the sycamore to a greenhouse with a temperature of 10-12 ° C, remove dried leaves and place them on the table in 3-4 rows. We cherish it like a summer lion. Relocated in the first half of January, it blooms in early March.
Set of flowers. Levkonia flowers are not cut, but whole plants are uprooted as half of the flowers in the inflorescence have developed. The roots are first shaken off before transport, and then rinses off the soil.