Nightshade - Solanum

The second name of the genus nightshade is solanum. This plant belongs to the Solanov family. The genus is more than a number of species, equal to about 1000, which differ from each other, since they represent both shrubs and trees, as well as herbaceous plants.

A suitable climate for nightshade is a warm, temperate climate, therefore, nightshade grows wild almost throughout the world. However, most often this plant can be seen in the Southern Continent of America, which is also home to tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant.

Only a few species are considered popular among flower growers. Among them, the nightshade is distinguished. This culture grows in several places at once. Its homeland is considered to be Ecuador, Peru and the Madeira Islands.

Currently, this plant is found in various countries around the world. If we talk about mainland Australia, then there the nightshade is already growing like a weed, from which people cannot even get rid of, since the plant is extremely unpretentious and very quickly adapts to any conditions.

Nightshade description

The nightshade is a compact evergreen bush that can grow no more than 1 meter in nature. However, being in indoor conditions, the stem of the plant is even smaller. The leaves here have a rich dark green color and an uneven edge. The flowers are small in size and are collected in inflorescences in the form of a brush. Single flowers with a white tint can also grow.

The flowering period can be in any month, however, the flowers do not represent decorative value, since the fruits of this culture look most impressive. Here they form a bright, beautiful round berry, reaching no more than one and a half centimeters in diameter. The color of the fruit is very bright and eye-catching. In addition, the fruits can be on the plant for a very long period, so the culture decorates the room for several months.

However, in order to achieve this, the plant must be placed in a suitable environment, which is to maintain a cool temperature.

Most often, flower growers grow a dwarf form of culture, the stem of which does not exceed 30 cm in height. Such bushes grow very lush and are practically covered with many bright fruits that resemble small tomatoes. This plant is considered unpretentious and is freely available in specialized stores. It is best to buy crops before the winter period, since it is at this moment that the formation of its fruits begins.

It should be taken into account before growing a plant that all parts of this culture contain poison. It is forbidden to eat the resulting fruits, despite their attractiveness. Families with small children and pets should be especially careful, because even if a small amount of the fetus enters the body, there will undoubtedly be a disruption in the digestive tract. In addition, there is a risk that the child may inhale the fruit, and this will entail danger to his life. In this regard, it is better to grow plants in those houses where there are no children and animals.

Nightshade care

Lighting for nightshade should be very abundant, but avoid direct sunlight. If the plant lacks lighting, then it will bloom very poorly and its appearance will no longer be the same. The stems will stretch out and there will be very little fruit. The best place for growing nightshade is the southern windows of the apartment.

When spring starts and the sun becomes more active, it is necessary to create shade for the given culture.In summer, it is allowed to move the flower to the loggia, to the veranda or balcony. In summer, this plant tolerates room temperature comfortably. However, you should not allow too much heat.

The nightshade is also responsive to small temperature changes, especially day and night. During the winter months, it is best to lower the room temperature to around 12 degrees. Thus, you will prolong the fruiting period and maintain a correspondingly decorative function.

When summer comes, you need to move the crop to another window. During the summer, the nightshade should be watered regularly, and in the winter you need to change the watering regime, reducing it. There is a direct dependence on the room temperature. The higher it is, the more often you need to water. The earthen lump must not be allowed to dry completely. You can also spray the leaves of the plant with warm water.

To ensure the best growth and development of plants, it should be fed during the spring and summer months at least once every 14 days. Ready-made complexes for flowering indoor crops are perfect as fertilizers. When winter comes, feeding should be stopped or the number of repetitions should be significantly reduced to once a month, while reducing the concentration by half.

Pruning

Nightshade tolerates pruning well, so it must be done periodically to maintain the decorative effect of the bush. Plants should be pruned after the end of the fruiting period, since at the end of winter, the leaves and stems can change their color. Also, after carrying out sanitary rejuvenating pruning, the bush feels much better. During pruning, it is necessary to pinch the main stem, due to which there will be an incentive for the growth of new side shoots. Their ends must also be cut off.

Transfer

To transplant a plant into a larger container, you must wait for the beginning of spring. This must be done before the start of sap flow in the plant. The right soil should be found. It should be loose and light so that air can circulate freely in it. A fairly impressive layer of drainage is laid out in a new container. Expanded clay is perfect. It will maintain moisture and absorb excess liquid. The previous plant needs to be cut 1/3 part and then moved to a new pot. However, it was noted that with age the bush loses its decorative effect and therefore experienced growers do not transplant nightshade, but take a stalk from it and grow a new plant.

The nightshade will grow well in soil, which will consist of turf, peat, humus, and sand. After a period of flowering, fruits are formed on the plant, but this does not always happen. The reason for the lack of fruit may be the lack of wind, which is a pollinator for a given plant. Therefore, if you have a flower in the room all the time, then you need to artificially pollinate it with a brush.

Insects - pests and diseases

Of the popular pests that can infect a plant, spider mites are isolated. Usually, this pest affects only the plant that is located in a too hot and dry room. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to ventilate the room from time to time and spray this bush from a spray bottle. To destroy the spider mite, it is necessary to treat the bush with an acaricidal agent.

If you take nightshade outdoors, it can also be attacked by pests. A pest such as aphids is very common for an open area. If a plant is damaged, it must be treated with insecticides.

Nightshade breeding

This plant propagates by seed and cuttings.

After the berries are ripe and fall off, seeds are formed in them. In order for the flower to self-propagate by seeds, it is necessary to select a sufficiently spacious container for it. When new seedlings appear next to an adult plant, they are planted in independent containers.Artificially, the seeds are collected and sown, waiting for the beginning of spring. To do this, you will need to prepare a wide box with low sides. Seeds must be evenly distributed over the entire surface and covered with a small layer of sand on top. Next, the container is placed in a room where the air temperature is about 20 degrees, and covered with glass or film.

In order to propagate this plant by cuttings, it is necessary in the spring or summer to cut off a small part from the plant and place it in a soil mixture consisting of sand and peat, taken one-to-one. From above, the handle is covered with a transparent cap. It must have at least three or four sheets on it. Further, the same care is carried out. In order for the bush to be more lush, the top should be cut off several times.

Conclusion

Solanum is a very beautiful ornamental plant, which is popular among flower growers, due to the bright unusual fruits that remain on the branches for a long time. However, do not forget that the fruits are poisonous, therefore, special care should be taken when growing nightshade in homes where there are children.