How to grow Garden nasturtium

How to grow Garden nasturtium

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L., 1753) is a herbaceous plant of the Tropaeolaceae family, originally from Peru which, in the seventeenth century, was imported by Europeans and also used against vitamin C deficiency in the treatment of scurvy.
This plant, often known for its ornamental value, is used in various parts of the world in both food and medicine.
In fact it is well known for being edible, both for the leaves and for the flowers. Today it is still widely used, especially in the homeopathic field as it seems to have effective antibacterial properties.
In the ornamental field it is highly appreciated for its beautiful rounded leaves, small colored flowers and the pungent smell it emanates.
It is a plant that can be grown both in the garden and inside the apartments.
It is found in approximately all continents, although it is characterized by different peculiarities: for example, in South America it is perennial, while on the European continent there are many hybrids of the nasturtium plant.

Features –
Nasturtium is a plant that appreciates sunny positions and also adapts to poor soils. It is grown either as a hanging, creeping or climbing plant. It is a plant widely grown as an annual and has large seeds and therefore easy to handle individually and to sow.
Many varieties of this species are available with various flower colors, from cream to yellow, orange, red and brown. Some have highly decorative marbling on the leaves.
The flowers are produced prolifically during the late spring and summer, although they continue to produce lower volumes throughout the year.

Cultivation –
Nasturtium is a plant that is easy to grow, as long as some of its needs are respected.
In fact, the plant prefers areas in full sun, but an area in semi-shade can also do well, although in these areas the flowering capacity of the same is compromised. The soil in which to insert it must be well drained to avoid stagnation that could damage the plant and it is better if it is with good fertility.
The cultivation period is obviously linked to its vegetational cycle. Being a plant that blooms in the period between late spring and early summer, it is a good idea to start cultivation at the end of winter, preferably after the last frost or in any case the last cold in order to avoid problems with sowing. that will grow.
In areas with colder climates, it is good to protect the plant in the greenhouse or apartment at first as it prefers a mild climate and temperatures that are not too cold.

Propagation –
Tropaeolum majus is a plant that must be sown in a seedbed and transplanted later in early spring, when the seedlings begin to emit their first leaves.
Before planting, the soil must be finely worked, after having mixed it with fine peat and fertilized with earthworm humus or well-humified organic substance.
During the transplant, care must be taken to protect and not damage the roots; alternatively, it can be sown directly in the garden, but when you are sure that there is no risk of frost returning, sow two or three seeds per hole (no deeper than one cm) and then leave the plant more vigorous.
For multiplication it is also necessary to know that from flowering groups of three seeds are born which can then be collected and stored when they become quite large. These seeds will tend to deflate and prepare for planting the following spring.
A very easy and used reproduction is the agamic one by cuttings or even by offshoots, which means that aerial roots may appear on the ground coming from those twigs that are closest to the ground.

Watering –
Nasturtium is a plant that can grow in poor soils but needs constant irrigation. The soil must, in fact, always remain moist enough, but not too much. It is important to dose the right amount of water according to the season in which you are. During the summer, watering must be carried out approximately three times a week, although it can still increase in the presence of particularly hot weather. In winter, they can even be suspended, especially if rainfall is regular and the climate rather cold.

Fertilization –
Nasturtium is a plant that must be fertilized carefully, as excessive organic fertilizations can lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowering and excessively poor soils can have smaller leaves and flowers.
For this reason, we recommend the use of slow-release nitrogen-based fertilizers or, better still, well-humified organic substance (such as earthworm humus).
Fertilization must be done before transplanting or before sowing in the open field.
If the plant is grown in pots, the technique changes.
In this case, about every two weeks, a nitrogen-rich product must be diluted in the water with which the plant is usually watered. during the flowering period it is advisable to fertilize with soluble products based on potassium phosphorus.

Flowering and harvesting –
Recall that the flowers of this plant begin to appear towards the end of spring, at the latest at the beginning of summer. If the plant is grown for food, the optimal time for harvesting is when the flowers begin to appear.
Harvesting must take place during the growth of the plant: in this case it will be enough to cut with a well disinfected scissors as necessary to avoid excessive exploitation of the plant. if the plant is grown only for ornamental use, it will be sufficient to remove the dried flowers and carry out light pruning operations as explained below.

Pruning –
Nasturtium is a perennial plant so the pruning technique must be carried out continuously but lightly to ensure that the plant vegetates for a long time. In this sense, it is sufficient to remove dry leaves, dry or damaged twigs without carrying out drastic pruning, except in the case that the plant, where it grows perennial, must be renewed.

Diseases and pests –
Tropaeolum majus is a somewhat rustic plant, however it can be affected by higher temperatures while it is quite resistant to phytopathogens, such as aphids and scale insects, provided that the fertilization is done without the aid of nitrogen fertilizers for immediate release, which weakens the plant. (apparently more luxuriant) but makes it more prone to parasitic attacks.