Campanula refers to herbaceous plants of the bellflower family. It is believed that the homeland of this flower is the Mediterranean. Today, Campanula, thanks to its pleasant appearance and undemanding care, is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners. Learn more about the features of caring for her.

Botanical description of the plant

Campanula is found in many countries of Europe and Asia. This plant has been successfully used both for decorating personal plots, for example, in compositions of alpine hills, and as a houseplant.

This plant has a well-developed rhizome of a fibrous species, the Campanula stalks can reach a length of up to 60 cm. The inflorescences of this plant themselves look like a bell, but, unlike these flowers, have a larger diameter - about 5-7 cm.

The people often call the flower "Bride and Groom" - this is due to two types of inflorescences of this plant. One, blue is the groom and the second, white is the bride. Both of these varieties coexist perfectly in the same container and grow to a maximum length of 40 cm.When planting in one pot, varieties with different shades are separated by a partition. Otherwise, after some time, the white color suppresses the blue tint, that is, only the campanules of the white hue will be in the pot.

The flowering period of these plants lasts about three months, from the beginning of summer to autumn. Very often, gardeners are concerned about the question of whether this or that plant is poisonous. There is no information that would indicate the toxicity of the campanula.

Main types

Campanula flower has not so many varieties, even fewer than those that are "domesticated" and grown by gardeners.

Among the most common varieties of this plant are:

1. Campanula Alba - a variety with white inflorescences and Campanula Mayl - with blue. Often planted in one pot or just nearby. The diameter of the bell is about 7 cm. In nature, such flowers are found among the mountains of the Mediterranean.

2. Campanula Carpathian or even the Carpathian bell - this variety is grown on open ground and subject to a warm climate. The leaves of this variety have a rounded, slightly elongated, egg-shaped, blue tint.

3. Campanula Terry - a representative of hybrids, developed on the basis of the Kampanula Karpatskaya variety. The inflorescences of this plant have large buds, terry leaves, the color varies from white to purple.

Prerequisites for growing a house

This variety of flowers is absolutely not picky and easily grows at home. Knowing the basic rules of planting and care, the campaign can quickly become an adornment of any home.

Did you know? It is believed that the campanules are a talisman for an already existing family or a harbinger of an imminent wedding.

Lighting

When choosing a place under a flower pot, you need to take into account that the Campanula belongs to photophilous plants, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Therefore, the best solution would be to choose a window that faces west or east.

With a lack of daylight, this plant will require additional lighting, otherwise it will die. By the way, this flower shows heliotropism - during the day these plants turn flowers after the sun.

Ventilation

When planting a flower at home, it is worth knowing that for healthy growth and development, the campanula needs fresh air. Therefore, the room in which the pots with plants are located needs constant ventilation. However, you should beware of drafts - this will negatively affect the general condition of the flower.

Temperature

The ideal temperature regime for this plant will be the climate in the temperature range +13 ... + 22 ° С.Excess heat will negatively affect the condition of the leaves (they will dry out, regardless of watering) and the possibility of flowering (it will either be completely absent or will be extremely scarce).

Important! In the cold season, the campanul should be removed away from operating radiators or any other heating devices, and in hot weather - from direct exposure to the cold air of the air conditioner.

Air humidity

Humidity will not play a significant role in the cultivation of this flower. Campanula blooms beautifully in high humidity and in dry air. The only option in which the plants are sprayed is intense heat.

In this case, water is sprayed onto the soil and lower leaves, in order to avoid the appearance of unsightly brown spots on the inflorescences.

How to care for campanula at home

Campanula is so good that, having such a wonderful look, it belongs to absolutely undemanding home flowers. By following a few recommendations below, you can get a truly beautiful decoration for any home.

Watering

The bride and groom are undemanding to the irrigation regime. The main thing that you should pay attention to is that the soil in the pot does not dry out much and the water does not stagnate. Usually, in the non-hot season, watering twice a week will be quite enough.

But even if you do not have the opportunity to water the flower within two weeks, nothing terrible will happen - the Campanula will still delight you with its flowering.Watering corrections should be made in especially hot and cold seasons:

• in the summer season, intensive growth of plants and its flowering are added to high temperatures; therefore, depending on the climate, watering may need to be carried out more often;
• in the cold season, the plants have a dormant period and the campanula will not need moisture - the watering regime can increase up to 1 time in 2 weeks or even less.

For irrigation, warm, clean water is used. This flower does not tolerate hard water, from which it can hurt or die. For cleaning, they usually use either sedimentation or, in extreme cases, water filtration. Water needs to be poured under the very roots of the plant, trying not to fall on the flowers themselves.

Fertilizer application

Fertilizing is an important condition for the development of this plant. During the active phase, which lasts from early March to late September, the campanula needs help. As a top dressing, you can use any store-bought complex fertilizers for home plants.

It is recommended, however, to reduce the dose by half, from that specified in the instructions. It is necessary to carry out the fertilizer application procedure three times a month.

Bush formation

Campanula belongs to ampelous plants, that is, it will feel best in hanging pots, flowerpots, baskets or flowerpots on a long stalk so that the stems can hang down.

A mix of blue and white inflorescences looks very beautiful in pots, however, experienced gardeners note that over time, the white campanula is actively suppressing plants with blue flowers. To avoid this situation, a barrier is placed in the flowerpot that separates the two parts of the pot.

Rest period

At the beginning of autumn, the flowering period near the campanula ends and it gradually plunges into a dormant period. This time is very important, because right now the indoor flower is exhausted and requires restoration of strength.Therefore, starting in November, it is recommended to carry out the following activities:

1. From the end of autumn to the beginning of spring, you need to remove and cut off all dry leaves and stems - all that a flower will uselessly squander juices and forces.
2. At the beginning of winter, the campanulu is completely cut off, leaving the stems up to 10 cm long.
3. In March, when new shoots grow enough, they are again cut to 5 cm from the ground.
4. During the entire period of rest, watering is carried out no more than 2-3 times a month.
5. In the cold season, the plant especially needs good lighting, excluding direct sunlight.
6. There is no need to feed at this time.

Did you know? Legend has it that once, during a walk, the bells were so liked by an Italian clergyman that he ordered them to be poured out of copper. That is how the first bells appeared on the churches, which were called the Campanilla.

Transfer

Campanula does not apply to perennials, therefore, does not need a traditional transplant. But this flower is prone to overgrowth, therefore, when it becomes crowded in a pot, a plant needs to be transplanted into a large capacity. Usually, this procedure is carried out in the spring-autumn period.

A layer of drainage and new soil is placed in the prepared pot, and then a flower is placed, always with clods of earth from a past pot on the roots. After transplanting, the earth is carefully compacted and watered.

Breeding

The average life span of this flower is several years, so in order to be able to enjoy your campaign for many years, it needs to be propagated. The spring period is the most suitable time for this. Below are a few breeding methods.

Cuttings

During spring pruning, a young shoot is plucked from the main stem, on which there are already several sheets, with a piece of skin and the stem core.Next, you need to perform several steps:

• the location of the cutaway shoot falls into a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 7-8 hours;
• just before planting, the shoot can be treated with a growth stimulator - this is an optional procedure, but many gardeners note its positive effect;
• shoot stem is planted in the soil up to 3 cm in depth;
• the pot is closed from above with a polyethylene film and placed in a place with cool air temperature;
• every 7–9 days, the shoot is sprayed with warm, settled water.

After three weeks, the film begins to be opened, and after another week they are completely removed.

Dividing the bush

Propagation of a flower by dividing a bush is conveniently done immediately when a plant is transplanted into a large capacity.

Usually, this happens in late spring or early summer:

• a bush from an old pot is divided using several scissors or a knife into several parts;
• each part of the bush is placed in pre-prepared pots, at the bottom of which a drain is placed;
• each plant is deepened by 2-3 cm;
• from above the necessary amount of land is supplemented and carefully tamped;
• plants are watered.

Seed cultivation

Campanula propagation is also possible with seeds. You can collect them from the boxes formed after the previously faded flowers or buy in a store. The seeds of this plant are very small, rather like dust.Sowing seeds is better in early spring, in March. In a prepared container with soil, seeds are spread evenly and the earth is sprayed from the spray gun. Seeds do not require deepening, it is recommended to simply sprinkle them with a little earth. After sowing, the pot of seeds is closed with polyethylene and regularly ventilated.

Important! Watering the seeds is not necessary, this can lead either to leaching them from the soil, or to an excess of moisture, which will provoke decay.

Growing difficulties

Despite its unpretentiousness, when growing this flower, you can encounter the difficulties listed below.

Does not bloom

First of all, you need to know how much the Campanula usually blooms. As a rule, the flowering period lasts about three months, from the end of spring to the end of summer.

If the Campanula during this period of time does not bloom or blooms little and has weak inflorescences, you need to look for a reason in deviation from the mandatory rules for growing this plant:

• drafts - if the place where the flower stands is not protected from drafts, this can lead to a lack of flowering, disease or even death;
• lack of lighting;
• wrong temperature (temperature should vary from + 13 ° С to + 22 ° С);
• lack of bait in early spring or the introduction of fresh organics;
• constant movement at the beginning of flowering.

Disease

If noticeable traces of deviations from a healthy state (for example, the appearance of rot, leaf fall, etc.) are visible on the leaves and stems of a flower, this may be a sign of a plant disease.There are several common diseases of this variety:

1. Gray rot - manifests itself in the form of small spots on the plant, similar to mold, under which rotting is manifested. The main reasons for the appearance of this fungus is considered to be frequent watering or a high level of air humidity. When identifying this disease, you need to clean the plant from all areas affected by the fungus and reduce watering, as well as air humidity.
2. Yellow foliage - The main reason is direct sunlight or the drying out of the soil. In this case, the flower is better to rearrange in a cooler place and watering more often.
3. Sluggish leaves - indicate excessive moisture in the soil. It is necessary to reduce a portion of water during irrigation and carefully make sure that it does not accumulate on the pallet.

Pests

Along with the main diseases, domestic flowers can be affected by pests. It is important to understand that if you find parasites in at least one plant, the likelihood of infection and all neighboring flowers is high. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately isolate the diseased plant and immediately begin treatment.

Spider mite - the main signs are the appearance of a web between the leaves and the stem, as well as the accumulation of small bugs on the underside of the leaves, resembling adhering dirt.

When a tick is found, first of all, all the leaves are cut off, under which the main number of beetles has accumulated.

Then, the plant is processed in any convenient way:

• the plant can be sprayed with medical alcohol, paying special attention to the back of the foliage;
• with foaming soap, each leaf and stem of the affected plant is treated, the pot and pan itself, and the soil is sprayed with soap and water, after a few hours the campanula is washed in the shower and closed for one day with a plastic bag;
• purchased ready-made insecticidal preparation is dissolved in water according to the instructions and the plant is sprayed;
• predatory mites are bought, which are released onto the infected plant, after some time, predators destroy the spider mite, and they themselves die from hunger.

Shield - these insects accumulate in places where the leaf joins the stem and feed on the sap of the plant. The main signs of these parasites are the appearance of dark spots on the leaves with their further twisting and falling. You can also notice droplets of sticky fluid - these are traces of the insects themselves.

If a scab is found, it is necessary to manually remove the insects from the plant (this is convenient to do with a soft toothbrush or a wet ear bud), and then the plants are processed using any of the following recipes:

• a piece of cotton wool is wetted with vodka or alcohol and the entire stem and leaves are completely wiped, the procedure must be repeated several times during the week;
• chopped onion is superimposed on the place where the leaf joins the stem, and all the leaves are rubbed with the obtained onion juice, all this remains to dry, and then washed off with a solution of kerosene and soap;
• a soap-kerosene solution is obtained by dissolving 40 g of soap in 1 liter of water and adding 5 drops of kerosene there, and the plant is sprayed, previously covering the soil with a film;
• ready-made insecticides are dissolved according to the instructions and the stems and leaves are processed, the procedure is repeated again after a week.

In general, all the difficulties that a gardener may encounter when growing a campanula are very insignificant, in comparison with the beauty of this decorative flower and the absolute unpretentiousness in maintenance and care. That is why campanulu so often can be found in homes where it easily becomes a real decoration.