Kobe is tenacious. Kobeya planting and care in the open field wintering reproduction. Use cases in landscape design - photo

Among the numerous detachment of liana-like plants there are very attractive flowering representatives, among which is kobeya. This crop is considered perennial, but in the conditions of the middle zone it is grown as an annual.

It is not difficult to grow it, this is confirmed by the fact that among our gardeners there are many fans of this vine. Its attractive large flowers in the form of bluebells can decorate a seating area and become an attractive accent anywhere in the garden.

From experience, we can safely say that it is more expedient to grow kobei in seedlings, then already in the middle of summer it becomes a dense and decorative climbing shrub and blooms successfully.

Kobeya belongs to the Sinyukhov family, in the subtropical forests where it comes from, this plant grows as a perennial, but does not survive in temperate climates. winter period and freezes.

The plant got its interesting name from the name of one curious medieval researcher of the natural environment, Barnabas Cobo, who discovered the kobe to the world, conducting research in the subtropics of Mexico and Peru.

After the discovery of this culture, and this happened back in 1787, the liana immediately found its use as living fences, and decorating arbors and walls.

Plant features

The main difference between kobei is fast and active growth, this happens due to a powerful and well-branched root system, which has a mass of thin fibrous roots. They are able to easily obtain water and the nutrition necessary for growth.

Thanks to this “talent”, kobeya is extremely popular with gardeners, because in a few weeks it literally transforms the garden.

The stems of the plant are also very strong and can grow up to 6 m in length, entangling the support and deftly braiding vertical surfaces.

The leaves have three lobes, arranged in turn on a branch, difficult - pinnate. Interestingly, at the tips of the leaves there are antennae, due to which the coupling with the support occurs.

Bell-shaped flowers also have features. Firstly, they are extremely large and sometimes reach eight centimeters in diameter. Inside each bell there is a large pistil and many protruding stamens.

Sometimes several bells appear on the pedicel at once, such groups of yes or three flowers look very impressive.

The metamorphosis that occurs with flowers as they bloom is interesting. At first their shade is greenish-yellow, but later, when full opening is reached, the flowers turn purple or white, depending on the variety.

Fruits in the form of boxes appear at the end of summer. The seeds are oval and flat in shape and spill out of the pod as it matures. For the grower who intends to repeat planting kobei next season, the main challenge is to collect the seeds before the expulsion from the leathery fruit.

How to grow a kobe from seeds

Experienced gardeners know one interesting feature which allows seeds to germinate faster. The fact is that the exit of sprouts from the seed can be complicated due to the dense shell in which they are enclosed.

There is one trick that allows you to speed up the process of germination, it consists in soaking or dissolving the crust to a slimy substance and then removing it with the help of mechanical actions. How to do it:

  • Take a saucer or other flat container and fill it with water.
  • Place the seeds in water, but so that they do not touch each other.
  • Next, cover the container with another saucer or any lid. This will prevent moisture from evaporating.
  • We are waiting for the crust to become sour, become soft, and then remove it from the side that moves away without effort.
  • After a few days, the crust should completely fall off and the seeds should be cleaned.

Further, wet and clean seeds, we can plant in the ground. But, remember the rule: kobeya does not like transplants, so provide a separate container for each seed. Due to this technique, the roots of the plant will not be damaged, and adaptation will occur faster. open field.

The soil can be bought at the store, or prepared at home, but remember that it must be universal and neutral. Sowing is done in late February - early March. It is not worth burying the seeds, just put them in a container and sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top, no more than 1-1.5 cm.

Provided that the seeds were prepared correctly, seedlings will appear in two weeks.

seedling care

As soon as two true leaves appear on the seedlings, take care of preparing large pots with a volume of at least 3 liters. Only in them will a kobea be able to acquire powerful and developed roots and strong stems before planting in the garden.

When transferring the plant to a large container, install a ladder or support made of plastic or metal in it. This is necessary to support the stems, since during this period the kobeya already begins to curl and crawl up.

Hardening is one of important points in growing kobei from seeds at home. Since the plant comes from the subtropical and tropical forests of South America, it requires heat, moisture and sunlight for normal growth.

In order for the stress not to be too heavy, and the plant to quickly adapt to open space, hardening procedures are needed. Cool air on a closed loggia or veranda is suitable for these events.

Three weeks is the ideal amount of time for the vine to get used to the climate change. At first, pots with plants are exhibited for a short period, gradually the terms increase and by the time the kobei is planted in the garden, it will be fully prepared.

When and how to plant a kobe in open ground

After the return frosts, that favorable period begins when this Tropican can be planted in a permanent place. The soil warms up to this moment up to +14 degrees, and at night the temperature does not drop below +5 degrees. Control the growth of the plant and try not to overpot it.

If already at the end of May night temperature regime auspicious, plant a kobe in the soil, if it is quite cold at night, wait until the 10th of June.

  • The place for landing kobei on the site is determined in advance. It should be a sunny, draft-free location with good fertile soil. Great choice there will be a place next to the buildings on the south side, since the walls will protect the plant from cold winds, and additional heat received during the day will come from the wall at night.
  • Pits are prepared in a few days. The distance between plantings should be at least a meter, because the liana is actively growing and produces many side shoots, in its form, kobeya is a semi-shrub, so it needs quite a lot of space for successful growth. The holes are filled with peat, humus, sod layer. All components are well mixed and watered. After waiting for the ground to settle, you can start landing.
  • Strong supports, special nets located near the wall, arches or fences are installed in the pits or next to them. If this is not foreseen, then the liana will begin to look for trees and bushes available to it for support, which will noticeably spoil appearance site. Keep in mind that the development of the plant under favorable conditions is very fast.
  • After planting the bush, along with an earthen clod, the pit is filled with soil and moistened again, for complete subsidence of the soil. If you are not entirely sure about the consistency of night temperatures, use a covering material and cover the vine for the time of adaptation.

Growing kobei outdoors

There is nothing supernatural in caring for a vine; it will only require regular watering and a few top dressings from you.

It is necessary to water the plant abundantly, but at the same time, make sure that the roots are not flooded, this is fraught with the development of root rot, this phenomenon often occurs with vines growing in the shade.

Top dressing is carried out every week, starting from the first weeks of growth in a permanent place:

  • nitrogen supplements are first introduced, this promotes growth;
  • when forming buds, phosphorus and potash fertilizers will be required;
  • then there is an alternation of organic and mineral additives, for example: "Kemira" and mullein.

It is necessary to weed and mulch kobey constantly throughout the growing season.

In order to save the plant until next year, it is dug up at the end of October, before the onset of cold weather, and stored in the basement of the house at a temperature of +12 degrees.

In February-March, the pot with the plant is exposed to the light, and in the summer they are planted again in their original place in the garden.

Kobeya reproduces well not only by seed, but also with the help of cuttings. They are harvested in the spring and are taken from the parent bushes that have successfully overwintered at home. Rooting takes place in wet sand, and the planting of finished seedlings is carried out in June.

It is noted that the bushes obtained by cuttings bloom faster, but much less ovaries appear. For this reason, not every gardener uses this method.

Most often, the following types of kobei are used for growing from seeds: tenacious, climbing, creeping.

Kobeya is a unique curly flowering plant. With proper care, she will give you an avalanche of greenery and beautiful flowers that will decorate the garden for three weeks. You will not get disappointed, on the contrary, you will get a lot of positive emotions.

Video:

Kobeya is an amazingly beautiful decorative vine of the cyanotic family. It comes from the humid mountain forests of South America. And it got its name in honor of the Spanish monk Barnabas Cobo, a famous naturalist.

Kobe has very tenacious climbing stems, often reaching six meters in length. Multiple tendrils help the plant to cling to any support.

The root system is strong, fibrous, with branches and cord-like processes. Flowers are large, up to 8 cm in diameter. They grow singly, and can be grouped in leaf axils of 3-4 pieces. They have an elongated pedicel and an elegant bell-shaped shape.

The stamens and pistil protrude significantly beyond the petals, which gives the flowers a special sophistication. The soft leaves have a light green tint and a complex pinnate shape, including three lobes. In vertical gardening, gardeners have been using kobe since late XVIII centuries.

At home, the flower is represented by 9 species, but in our gardens and at home only one is grown - the climbing kobe.

Its other names are creeping, climbing, Mexican ivy and monastery bells. Kobeya gives a large number of shoots reaching 4 meters in length. The leaves are feather-shaped, very openwork with slight wrinkles, and the ends are crowned with branched tendrils. During blooming, the buds of the plant are greenish in color and smell of musk. Gradually, they acquire a lilac hue, later - dark purple and exude the smell of honey. Breeders have bred another variety of kobei - Alba, which has white flowers.

In South America, this plant is a perennial, but in our gardens, kobe is grown as an annual - because of its thermophilicity, it does not survive the winter. It is usually propagated from seeds. This is a simple, but quite interesting procedure. Here it is necessary to know the specific features of the preparation of seed. Sometimes Kobe is propagated by cuttings from the mother stems.

Sowing kobei seeds

You can prepare seeds for planting at the end of winter. They are quite large with a hard shell, which makes it difficult to germinate. Therefore, before sowing, a certain preparation is carried out, which makes it possible to remove the crusts manually. To do this, the seeds are laid out in a wide container at some distance from each other, filled with water and covered in such a way that the moisture evaporates as slowly as possible. After the shell is soaked, it is removed, and the seeds are folded back.

When the planting material is cleaned, they take toilet paper, fold it in 2-3 layers and moisten it with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds are carefully placed on it and placed in a plastic bag, which should be warm and well lit. The germination process takes about 2 weeks, during which you need to make sure that the seeds are moist. If mold appears, they are carefully washed and the paper is changed.

After the seeds germinate, they are transferred to loose soil, laying on a flat barrel, and fall asleep about one and a half centimeter layer of soil. Due to the fact that kobeya does not withstand the first pick, it will be optimal to use small individual cups, tightening them on top with polyethylene. The containers are placed in a bright room at a temperature of 20°C. The film should be removed daily to ventilate and moisten the plantings. If you have previously germinated the seeds, then seedlings will appear in the second week.

Sapling dive

When the first two leaves develop well on the plants, they dive. To do this, use voluminous pots (at least 3 liters), which are filled with drainage and on top of a nutrient soil composition. Due to the large volume of containers, by the time they are transplanted into open ground, the seedlings will form a strong root system. And this is a guarantee of active growth, strong shoots, size and abundance of buds. Before picking, the soil is well shed, then the sprouts are carefully removed, preserving the earthen ball as much as possible, and transplanted into new containers. Young growth definitely needs supports to support fast-growing stems.

Kobe transplant in open ground

Plants should be planted in an open bright area, but protected from drafts. Kobeya is able to endure partial shade, but shady places are contraindicated for her - growth and flowering will greatly slow down. Young seedlings do not like cold weather, therefore it is optimal to pre-harden the plants, for example, by rearranging the flower on a glazed loggia.

If a low temperatures still possible, they are sheltering a kobe nonwoven fabric folded in 2-3 layers.

Plants are planted at a distance of 0.5-1 m from each other. Pour into the pits in equal volumes sod land, peat and humus. The soil must certainly be loose. Seedlings are watered for easy excavation, and after transplantation they are covered with earth and moistened a little. Subsequently, the soil around the kobei can be covered with sawdust or peat mulch. It is imperative to install supports for weaving, along which the stems will climb with the help of tendrils, or plant plants near trees, walls, gazebos, fences.

Note! If you want to admire a more lush and compact bush, periodically pinch the tops of the stems. So the shoots will gain great strength, they will not be strongly intertwined with each other and will not lose their decorative effect.

Watering kobei

The tropical beauty is very moisture-loving and needs systematic abundant watering, especially during the heat. But an excess of water should not be allowed at the same time - the roots will rot, so water after the top soil layer has dried.

From the moment of development of the first leaves and up to the stage of forcing the buds, the plant needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which contribute to the growth of green mass. Then they are replaced with phosphorus-potassium ones to stimulate and maintain flowering. Due to the fact that kobeya is a large liana, it is fed once every two weeks. Mineral fertilizers and organic matter can be alternated if desired.

Kobeya in winter

If you don't want to mess around with seeds every year, you can try keeping the plant as a perennial. Why, after the end of flowering (usually October-month), the kobe is dug up, trying not to injure the roots and transplanted into a container of a suitable volume. Then the plant is placed in a dark and cool (8-10 ° C) room, it is possible in the cellar, and left there until spring. At the same time, the soil is moistened once a month so that the root system does not dry out and die. In March, the kobe is taken out of the winter shelter and transferred to a bright and warm room, the number of waterings is increased, and when the first leaves appear, they begin to be fed with nitrogen compounds.

After growth is activated, young plant cuttings can be taken for propagation. But at the same time, their fragility should be taken into account and cut very carefully. Shoots are immersed in pots with wet sand and placed in a bright place, while covering glass jars. Until the beginning of June, the branches will take root, after which they are transplanted to a permanent place.

Important! Kobeya grown from cuttings blooms earlier, but the flowers of plants obtained from seeds are more saturated and showy.

Control of diseases and pests

On kobey, aphids often like to settle down and spider mites. That is why the plant must be regularly examined for preventive maintenance, and, having noticed the infection, start treatment in a timely manner. The plant is treated with solutions of household or green soap, infusions of onion peel and garlic. If these methods do not help - insecticides.

Black spots found on leaves and flowers indicate root rot. In this case, remove all damaged areas, dry and loosen the soil. Then the soil is shed with a fungicide solution. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, in the future you need to adjust the amount and volume of watering.

Causes of poor kobei growth

If a flower does not please you with high lush stems, then it is not satisfied with the place of planting or care. In order for kobeya to initially be distinguished by active growth and early flowering, if possible, seedlings should be covered for the first time. In this case, young seedlings adapt faster, develop a more powerful root system and form buds earlier.

How and when to collect kobei seeds

In our country, kobeya begins to bloom in July and pleases with its purple lights until October. That is why in most regions the seed material simply does not have time to ripen. And since the seeds the best manufacturers have a germination percentage of only about thirty, then it is pointless to collect them themselves in an unripe form, since shoots are unlikely to appear. That's why the best option will buy planting material in a specialized store.

If you properly care for a kobe, she will very quickly please you with a lush green carpet with large bright bells. This chic shelter will perfectly shade the gazebo, become a hedge, climb any uneven surface without outside help and decorate your garden in an original way. Often, flower growers breed kobe on balconies if they are facing south. And with the help of this wonderful creeper, they create original compositions and amazing living curtains, attaching the stems to various supports.

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Kobeya is an amazingly beautiful decorative vine of the cyanotic family. If you properly care for a kobe, she will very quickly please you with a lush green carpet with large bright bells. This chic shelter will perfectly shade the gazebo, become a hedge, climb any uneven surface without outside help and decorate your garden in an original way.

Often, flower growers breed kobe on balconies if they are facing south.

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And with the help of this wonderful creeper, they create original compositions and amazing living curtains, attaching the stems to various supports.

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It comes from the humid mountain forests of South America. And it got its name in honor of the Spanish monk Barnabas Cobo, a famous naturalist.

Kobe has very tenacious climbing stems, often reaching six meters in length. Multiple tendrils help the plant to cling to any support.

The root system is strong, fibrous, with branches and cord-like processes.

Flowers are large, up to 8 cm in diameter. They grow singly, and can be grouped in leaf axils of 3-4 pieces. They have an elongated pedicel and an elegant bell-shaped shape.
The stamens and pistil protrude significantly beyond the petals, which gives the flowers a special sophistication.

The soft leaves have a light green tint and a complex pinnate shape, including three lobes. In vertical gardening, gardeners have been using kobe since the end of the 18th century.

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Popular types and varieties of kobei

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At home, the flower is represented by 9 species, but in our gardens and at home only one is grown - the climbing kobe. Its other names are creeping, climbing, Mexican ivy and monastery bells.

Kobeya gives a large number of shoots, reaching 4 meters in length. The leaves are feather-shaped, very openwork with slight wrinkles, and the ends are crowned with branched tendrils. During blooming, the buds of the plant are greenish in color and smell of musk. Gradually, they acquire a lilac hue, later - dark purple and exude the smell of honey.

Breeders have bred another variety of kobei - Alba, which has white flowers.

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We grow kobe at home

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In South America, this plant is a perennial, but in our gardens, kobe is grown as an annual - because of its thermophilicity, it does not survive the winter. It is usually propagated from seeds. This is a simple, but quite interesting procedure. Here it is necessary to know the specific features of the preparation of seed. Sometimes Kobe is propagated by cuttings from the mother stems.
Seedlings are grown at home or in greenhouses. The temperature should be fifteen degrees with a plus sign. It is necessary to sow in separate cups, because the flower does not tolerate picking. The fruits are large and easy to spread.

Sowing dates are early, it is carried out simultaneously with pepper seeds by the end of February. The need for early sowing is explained by the fact that the seeds germinate for a long time.

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Sowing kobei seeds

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You can prepare seeds for planting at the end of winter. They are quite large with a hard shell, which makes it difficult to germinate. Therefore, before sowing, a certain preparation is carried out, which makes it possible to remove the crusts manually. The process is complicated due to the structure of the fruit. Dicotyledonous seeds are covered with a shell, which makes it difficult to germinate. It must be dissolved in water, where after a while the shell of the fruit takes the form of mucus.

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The process can be described like this:

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  • Spread the seeds on a damp gauze, or in water so that they do not touch each other.
  • Cover with plastic wrap.
  • Place in a warm place
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The seed material is placed in a damp gauze, and then placed where it is warm to remove the shell faster. To avoid drying out, you need to add water from time to time.

After a while, the fruits become covered with mucus, which must be removed by hand. It is difficult to completely expose at one time, you have to repeat again until cleansing.

This is important for germination, sprouts will appear in ten days. If the shell remains, then the process will be long, about a month. If mold appears, it must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

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When the planting material is cleaned, they take toilet paper, fold it in 2-3 layers and moisten it with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds are carefully placed on it and placed in a plastic bag, which should be warm and well lit.

The germination process takes about 2 weeks, during which you need to make sure that the seeds are moist. If mold appears, they are carefully washed and the paper is changed.

After the seeds germinate, they are transferred to loose soil, placed on a flat barrel, and covered with about one and a half centimeter layer of soil.

Due to the fact that kobeya does not withstand the first pick, it will be optimal to use small individual cups, tightening them on top with polyethylene.

The containers are placed in a bright room at a temperature of 20°C. The film should be removed daily to ventilate and moisten the plantings. If you have previously germinated the seeds, then seedlings will appear in the second week.

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Sapling dive

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When the first two leaves develop well on the plants, they dive. To do this, use voluminous pots (at least 3 liters), which are filled with drainage and on top of a nutrient soil composition. Due to the large volume of containers, by the time they are transplanted into open ground, the seedlings will form a strong root system. And this is a guarantee of active growth, strong shoots, size and abundance of buds.

Before picking, the soil is well shed, then the sprouts are carefully removed, preserving the earthen ball as much as possible, and transplanted into new containers. Young growth definitely needs supports to support fast-growing stems.

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Kobe transplant in open ground

Plants should be planted in an open bright area, but protected from drafts. Kobeya is able to endure partial shade, but shady places are contraindicated for her - growth and flowering will greatly slow down.

Young seedlings do not like cold weather, therefore it is optimal to pre-harden the plants, for example, by rearranging the flower on a glazed loggia.

Seedlings are transferred to permanent residence when the threat of frost has passed - this is the end of May or the beginning of June. If low temperatures are still possible, the kobe is covered with non-woven material folded in 2-3 layers.

Plants are planted at a distance of 0.5-1 m from each other. Soddy soil, peat and humus are poured into the pits in equal volumes. The soil must certainly be loose.

Seedlings are watered for easy excavation, and after transplantation they are covered with earth and moistened a little. Subsequently, the soil around the kobei can be covered with sawdust or peat mulch.

It is imperative to install supports for weaving, along which the stems will climb with the help of tendrils, or plant plants near trees, walls, gazebos, fences.

Note!
If you want to admire a more lush and compact bush, periodically pinch the tops of the stems. So the shoots will gain great strength, they will not be strongly intertwined with each other and will not lose their decorative effect.

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Watering kobei

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The tropical beauty is very moisture-loving and needs systematic abundant watering, especially during the heat. But an excess of water should not be allowed at the same time - the roots will rot, so water after the top soil layer has dried.

Plant nutrition and fertilizer

From the moment of development of the first leaves and up to the stage of forcing the buds, the plant needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which contribute to the growth of green mass. Then they are replaced with phosphorus-potassium ones to stimulate and maintain flowering.

Due to the fact that kobeya is a large liana, it is fed once every two weeks. Mineral fertilizers and organic matter can be alternated if desired.

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Kobeya in winter

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If you don't want to mess around with seeds every year, you can try keeping the plant as a perennial. Why, after the end of flowering (usually October-month), the kobe is dug up, trying not to injure the roots and transplanted into a container of a suitable volume.

Then the plant is placed in a dark and cool (8-10 ° C) room, it is possible in the cellar, and left there until spring. At the same time, the soil is moistened once a month so that the root system does not dry out and die.

In March, the kobe is taken out of the winter shelter and transferred to a bright and warm room, the number of waterings is increased, and when the first leaves appear, they begin to be fed with nitrogen compounds.

After growth is activated, young plant cuttings can be taken for propagation. But at the same time, their fragility should be taken into account and cut very carefully.

Shoots are immersed in pots with wet sand and placed in a bright place, while covered with glass jars. Until the beginning of June, the branches will take root, after which they are transplanted to a permanent place.

Important! Kobeya grown from cuttings blooms earlier, but the flowers of plants obtained from seeds are more saturated and showy.

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Control of diseases and pests

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On kobey, aphids and spider mites often like to settle down. That is why the plant must be regularly examined for preventive maintenance, and, having noticed the infection, start treatment in a timely manner.

The plant is treated with solutions of household or green soap, infusions of onion peel and garlic. If these methods do not help - insecticides.

Black spots found on leaves and flowers indicate root rot. In this case, remove all damaged areas, dry and loosen the soil. Then the soil is shed with a fungicide solution. To prevent the problem from reoccurring, in the future you need to adjust the amount and volume of watering.

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Causes of poor kobei growth

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If a flower does not please you with high lush stems, then it is not satisfied with the place of planting or care. In order for kobeya to initially be distinguished by active growth and early flowering, if possible, seedlings should be covered for the first time. In this case, young seedlings adapt faster, develop a more powerful root system and form buds earlier.

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How and when to collect kobei seeds

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In our country, kobeya begins to bloom in July and pleases with its purple lights until October. That is why in most regions the seed material simply does not have time to ripen. And since the seeds of even the best producers have a germination percentage of only about thirty, it is pointless to collect them ourselves in an unripe form, since shoots are unlikely to appear. Therefore, the best option would be to buy planting material in a specialized store.

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It is considered one of the most beautiful vines. This heat-loving plant prefers to grow in the southern regions. Here kobeya blooms for several years. In our climate, the plant belongs to annual species. If desired, you can hide the plant for the winter in a warm, protected place. However, many flower growers prefer to grow kobe with each new season from seed.

What features the presented flower differs in, how it is planted and cared for, should be considered in detail by each grower before breeding lianas in their area.

general characteristics

Kobeya (photo of flowers presented below) is a beautiful exotic plant. This picturesque liana got its name in honor of the Spanish explorer Barnabas Cobo. The Jesuit lived for a long time in Mexico and Peru. Here he first saw this lovely flower. Since the 18th century, kobeya has been grown in vertical gardening by many European landscape designers.

Today there are 9 types of kobei. In our country, mainly only two species are grown - with white or purple flowers. In terms of its decorative qualities, this vine is much superior to other tropical climbing plants.

Kobeya is developing very quickly. Many tendrils appear on the stem. Shoots cover the leaves. They cover the entire vine with an openwork carpet. Plant height can reach 6 m. Tenacious tendrils help the vine to climb to a great height. It adheres firmly to any surface.

kobei flowering

Kobeya (photo of flowers presented in the review) is famous for its delicate charming bell flowers. They cover thickly green carpet from leaves. In diameter, the buds can reach 8 cm. In nature, there are lilac, white, light green, burgundy varieties of kobei.

In our country, only one type of liana is grown. This is a climbing kobe. Its buds are purple or white. Long stamens and pistil protrude. During the development period, the bud may have a green color. After the flowers change their color to purple or white.

The flowering period lasts from July to October. With the first frost, the vine withers. Although the plant is able to withstand the first frosts. It will not fade even at a temperature of -5ºС, if the cold snap is short-lived. When stable cold weather is established, the kobe fades. Therefore, every year gardeners acquire new seeds for breeding this beautiful plant in their area.

Due to the insufficient duration of the warm period in our climatic zone, the seeds of the plant do not have time to ripen. Therefore, seed is purchased in a specialized store before each new season.

Growing features

Almost every gardener is able to breed this flower. Kobeya, (growing from seeds this creeper requires certain skills) is a photophilous plant. If it can somehow put up with a small penumbra, however, it will not grow in dimming. Therefore, you should choose a sunny place on the site.

The soil should be fertile, well fertilized. The plant also likes moist soil. However, excessive watering, as with most plants, causes rot. In this case, the plant is attacked by pests (mites or aphids). Therefore, maintaining a certain level of humidity for kobei is extremely important.

Reproduction features

Kobe flower, cultivation which is planned to be produced on the site, requires the gardener right choice planting material. For this, seedlings or seeds are suitable. If the kobe has been grown for more than a year, you can save its cuttings for the winter. Most often, summer residents purchase seeds in specialized stores.

When choosing planting material, it is recommended to give preference to trusted suppliers. Seeds can be sown from the end of February. For this, greenhouse conditions are created for plants. The deadline for seeding the soil is mid-March.

Before planting, the material must be properly processed. If dry seeds are introduced immediately into the ground, they may not germinate well, such vines have practically no strength to bloom. Therefore, it is recommended to soak the planting material in a special growth stimulator before introducing them into the ground. For this, for example, HB-1 or other similar solutions are suitable.

Some flower growers grow kobe by cuttings. Shoots suitable for transplantation are taken from the mother liana. They appear on last year's plants transferred to a warm place. Transplantation of cuttings is carried out in individual containers. They are filled with wet sand. In such soil, kobeya takes root. With the advent of stable warm weather, creepers are planted in open ground on the site. This method is less common, as it is quite difficult for many gardeners to keep last year's kobe until the next warm season. She needs constant proper care.

Landing in the ground

Kobe flower, planting which is carried out in the soil of a mini-greenhouse, requires a careful approach to each seed. There are usually 5 in a pack. You can buy 2 bags of seeds to get seedlings for sure.

Seeds soaked in a growth stimulator can be planted in the ground. They will germinate in about 2-2.5 weeks. The first shoots should appear in the second week after transplanting the seeds into the ground. A place for a mini-greenhouse should be chosen bright and warm. Temperature environment should not be less than 20ºС. The container with seeds must be covered with a plastic bag.

In order not to subsequently violate the integrity of the kobei roots, it is recommended to protect each seed with a separate foil pot. This helps speed up the growth period. Seeds should be covered with a layer of soil about 1.5 cm. They are brought into the soil with a flat side. This technology, proven by many flower growers, allows you to quickly and efficiently grow a vine even in our climate.

Transfer

Kobeya flowers, planting and caring for which require certain skills from the gardener, are easier when using special growth stimulants. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the sprout to break through the shell. When the first shoots appear, prepare a container for planting and soil. You can use plastic cups for this purpose.

Sprouts need to be watered abundantly. The foil is then unrolled. An escape with a clod of earth must be carefully removed from the greenhouse soil. You need to make sure that the roots are not damaged. This will significantly slow down the growth of the vine. Foil molds allow you to do this as neatly as possible.

The substrate for transplantation should be loose and light. It should contain enough nutrients. After transplanting, you need to give the sprouts time to adapt. After that, you can begin to gradually harden the sprouts.

Seedling care

After transplanting young shoots, proper care should be taken. The soil must be watered periodically (as it dries). It is recommended to ventilate the room in which there are containers with small vines. The window should be opened in the first few days for only 2-4 minutes. Then the interval increases gradually every day.

You can fertilize with humate. During the growth of a flower in cups, this procedure can be done no more than 2 times. Otherwise, the shoots will be too long. They will be hard to transplant. Gardeners disagree on the issue when you can pinch a kobe flower. Some experts recommend performing this procedure before planting in open ground. Other flower growers do not pinch shoots at all.

You need to pinch the plant when its shoots do not develop densely. In this case, new stems up to 20 cm long are grafted before transplanting the plant into open ground.

If the kobea develops correctly, it will develop brown thin branches on the shoots. These tendrils will look for something to cling to. However, they will be easy to remove from the wall, from clothes or other objects. The antennae are strong enough, they are hard to damage.

Dive

What else is interesting about these curly flowers? Kobeya is a plant that, when grown should dive. Sprouts are recommended to be transplanted into a large container 3-4 weeks after their germination. This will allow the vine to develop a powerful root system. The rate of growth and development of the plant will depend on this. By the time of transplantation into open ground, the kobe will be able to form strong shoots.

A transplant will require a large flower pot. Its capacity should be about 3 liters. The soil must be nutritious. Before transplanting, water the soil and move the plant with an earthen clod into a pot. In a spacious container, kobeya will begin to actively develop. Liana must be tied with ropes so that she strives to grow upwards.

Kobe should be prepared for environmental conditions before transplanting to the chosen place on the site. To do this, the plant is hardened. This process is conveniently carried out on the balcony. The first time a kobe is taken out here for 15 minutes. Every day this interval increases. After a while, the pot can not be brought into the room.

Preparing for transplanting into open ground

Flowers (kobeya purple or it's white, it doesn't matter) can be planted on suburban area at the beginning of summer. Some flower growers even decorate balconies or loggias with climbing stems of this tropical creeper. First you need to choose the right place to land.

The growing area should be well lit. There should be no drafts here. Next, you need to prepare the ground. It should contain nutrients and be loose. Water should not stagnate on the site.

The soil should be dug up and leveled with a rake. A week before planting kobei in the ground, holes must be made. They should be at least 50 cm apart from each other. The bottom of the holes is covered with peat and humus. Watering is done immediately before the transplant process.

Kobe, which grows on the balcony, should be untied and folded into a ring. By the time of transplantation, its height will reach approximately one meter.

Transplant to the ground

It should be transported to the transplant site in a folded state. So it will be more difficult to damage the vine. The potted plant needs to be well watered. Then it is taken out of the container along with a clod of earth. Plants are planted at a distance of at least 50 cm (up to 1 m) from each other.

The transplant hole is watered, and then a kobe is placed in it. They dig in the earth with it. You need to compact the soil. Then the vine is watered again. A plant twisted into a ring must be carefully unrolled. If it was tied with a cord, it should be cut with a knife.

Kobe is planted near the support. If it is not, you should put an artificial fence. Otherwise, the vine will creep along the ground, entangle neighboring plants. The antennae must be raised to the place allotted for it. Liana on an arch or hedge will look beautiful. It can also be a grid with large cells. The tenacious antennae of the kobei will immediately begin to firmly fix themselves on the support intended for them.

The soil around the stem of the vine is mulched. To do this, it is sprinkled with peat or sawdust. Proper care contributes to the rapid development of the plant, the appearance of a lush green carpet of leaves. The first buds in this case will appear very soon. Kobeya will decorate any landscape design.

Liana care

Requires proper care after transplant. Regular watering, fertilizing and creating supports are required until the vine clings to a hedge or arch on its own.

Also, the plant can hit root rot. The reason for such an unfavorable phenomenon may be improper care of the plant. Black spots appear on the leaves. If the soil is not of good quality drainage system or the grower periodically floods the soil, the roots may begin to rot. In this case, the plant quickly loses strength, fades. To avoid this, it is necessary to water the plant as the soil dries. Filling kobe is strongly not recommended. All affected leaves are removed. The soil near the vines needs to be loosened and dried. Then water the kobe with a special solution of fungicides.

During the dry season, the vine needs to be watered abundantly. If it is rainy outside the window, it is necessary to stop periodic watering until the soil dries. It is recommended to fertilize the soil once every 2 weeks. The first time such a procedure is performed a week after the transplant. Until the kobeya has released buds, it is watered with nitrogen fertilizers. They contribute to the development of the green mass of the leaves.

When the first buds appear, top dressing is changed to phosphorus-potassium varieties. This will stimulate abundant flowering large luxurious flowers. During this period, organic and mineral fertilizers can be alternated. The plant will look strong and healthy.

The Kobe climbing flower is considered perennial plant. If the grower is unwilling to seed it again next spring, he can keep it under greenhouse conditions. After the end of the flowering of the vine in October, the plant must be dug up. This is done very carefully so as not to damage the roots. Then it is transplanted into a bulk container.

Liana is installed in a dark and cool place. The temperature in the room should not exceed 10ºС. It could be a dry cellar. Here the kobe will overwinter. Watering is done once a month. In this state, the vine does not require top dressing. In March, it will be possible to get it out of the cellar and move it to a warm room. Also, the plant will need a lot of light during this period.

Watering is increased. After a while, the first leaves will appear on the shoots. During this period, attention is paid to nitrogen fertilizers. When the kobeya begins to grow, you can take cuttings for transplantation. They are carefully cut from the vine. They take root by the beginning of June. Such a kobeya will bloom faster. However, there will be more buds on a plant grown from seeds.

If the plant develops poorly, then it is not satisfied with the growing conditions. Perhaps there is not enough light, moisture on the site, or, conversely, the gardener waters the vine too often. The cause of this state of kobei should be identified. Many adverse factors can be eliminated.

Having considered what features the kobe flower has, each gardener will be able to independently grow a lush, beautiful liana with stunning, luxurious buds. It will decorate any site, delighting its owners with flowering almost to the very frost.

A beautiful liana has been decorating arbors and hedges for many years with openwork leaves and numerous flowers, and Kobeya got its name in honor of the botanist monk Barnabas Kobo, who studied the flower in Mexico and Peru.

Origin

AT natural conditions kobeya grows in the humid tropical and subtropical forests of the American continent.


Name

Kobeya (Cobaea) refers to perennial climbing shrubs of the cyanotic family.


Description

Flower growers in mid-latitudes grow kobe as an annual due to the heat-loving nature of the plant.
A distinctive feature of kobei is its rapid growth, which is provided by a strong, branched root system with a large number of thin roots.

The length of the stems of the vine reaches 6 m or more. The leaves are compound pinnate, trilobed, arranged alternately. Branched tendrils grow at the ends of the lashes, helping the plant to cling to the support and climb up.

Large bell flowers up to 8 cm in diameter have protruding stamens and pistils, fragrant with a light musky-honey aroma. The flowers have long pedicels growing from the leaf axils. The arrangement of flowers is single or in bunches of 3-5 pieces.


Blooming buds are yellow-green, which change after full bloom to white, purple or purple.

Flowering begins in the middle of summer and lasts until the first frost.

After successful pollination, kobeya forms fruits that look like a leathery box, which opens on the sides and flat-oval seeds become visible.

Unfortunately, in our climate, the seeds do not have time to ripen, and they will have to be bought for the next planting.
You can get kobei seedlings from seeds or by cuttings.

Varietal diversity

There are 9 natural types of kobei. In culture, only one is grown - climbing or creeping kobeya (Cobaea scandens) with the magnificence of flowers in the photo. It is popularly called "monastery bells".

White kobeya (Cobea scandens alba) with white flowers is considered a subspecies of creeping kobeya.

Growing kobei from seeds

Kobes start sowing seeds in early spring. This will require a spacious wooden box, on the bottom of which gauze or toilet paper is laid in several layers. The flooring is moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

  • Kobei seeds are laid out individually with a small interval.
  • The container is covered with a film to reduce the evaporation of moisture, and left in a warm place without exposure to sunlight.
  • The resulting mucus is washed off the grains warm water with potassium permanganate and change the flooring.

Germination should be expected by the end of 3 weeks, because the seeds have a high shell density. In order for the sprout to break through, you need to dissolve the skin and remove it in the form of mucus.

The grown sprouts are transplanted into a container with a diameter of about 10 cm. They are buried in universal, loose soil by 1.5-2 cm. The opened seed is placed horizontally, orienting the flat side down. With the advent of several full-fledged sheets, a support is installed so that the vine can weave.

For the development of the root system of a young vine, it must grow in a large pot. A strong root will give strong stems and ensure active flowering.

In order to enhance bushiness, young shoots are pinched.

You can start planting in open ground in the second half of spring, when warm days set in and the temperature at night becomes above + 5 °. They begin to prepare seedlings for this in 2-3 weeks, exposing them to the balcony for the night when there are no frosts. Plants can be kept on a glazed balcony all the time, accustoming them to cold air.

Propagation by cuttings

When propagated by cuttings, the shoots are cut from the mother bushes that have overwintered indoors. This is done in the spring with the beginning of shoot growth. The cuttings are planted in a container with wet sand for rooting. The stalk with roots is planted in the garden from mid-May.

Young plants obtained in this way are characterized by rapid growth, but their flowering is not as lush as that of vines grown from seeds.

How best to plant a kobe

For planting creepers choose a sunny area near the house or under the fence. The place must be protected from the cold wind.

Kobeya planted in an open sunny area will grow faster and please longer lush bloom with a striking abundance of flowers. AT shady place kobeya will stretch out and will not be able to show the magnificence of flowering.

The soil needs nutritious, with high air permeability.

A pit is prepared for each bush with an interval of 70-100 cm. The pit is filled with nutrient soil with peat and humus. Young seedlings are removed from a container with an earthy clod. Plants are watered abundantly after planting and pegs are installed for support. Soon the flower will grow and it will need a solid support in the form of a lattice or arch.

plant care

Kobeya is moisture-loving and needs regular watering, which is increased on dry days. At the same time, there should be no stagnation of moisture on the site, provoking the appearance of rot. Also, watering must be controlled if the kobe grows in partial shade.

It is desirable to mulch the soil around the stem with organic material so that moisture is lost less. Suitable sawdust, last year's leaves or peat.


Strong growth in the spring needs additional nutrients that come with top dressing. The procedure is carried out every week with nitrogen fertilizers.

  1. In the budding phase, in the first days of July, Kobe is fertilized with potassium and phosphorus.
  2. Saplings are fed with humate immediately after the formation of the first leaves.
  3. For an adult plant, the application of organic matter and mineral fertilizer is alternated.

Interestingly, kobeya will begin to bloom only after top dressing. And an overdose will cause an active growth of green mass and reduce flowering.

For the full growth and flowering of shrubs, lianas regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds.

When growing kobei, it is important to know that young sprouts are afraid of the cold and may die in case of frost. Therefore, for protection, they are covered with non-woven material. Mature, well-developed plants endure frosts up to +5°.

Winter storage

The kobei bush, although considered an annual, can be stored until next year. To do this, pruning of all stems is carried out in late autumn. The plant is removed from the ground and placed in a large container or pot. The earth must be watered and further monitored so that there is no drying out. 1 watering every 3-4 weeks will be enough.


For storage, you need a room with a temperature not higher than + 12 °. Suitable insulated balcony, basement or cellar. With the advent of spring, the bush is taken out and placed in a warm and bright place. To enhance sap flow, watering is increased. You can transplant to the site on warm days with steady weather so that there are no frosts.

Pests, diseases

The bush can be chosen by aphids or ticks. To combat them, the kobei bush is treated with a solution from a mixture of a phyto-farm with green potassium soap. Green soap in its absence, replace with pet shampoo against fleas.

Climbing and beautiful flower grows rapidly, forming a luxurious vertical gardening. Florists and landscape designers use kobeya to refresh the site and form a green hedge of vines.

Huge kobei flowers hang spectacularly from high hedges, attracting the eye.

Kobei stems will quickly cover the unsightly surfaces of the walls of outbuildings. Liana, planted near the fence, will braid it with a continuous blanket, covering the area from prying eyes.
Original decor personal plot there will be a green arch entwined with a kobe.


And a kobei bush planted on the south side of the gazebo will instantly turn it into a fabulous green house with a pleasant shade inside.

Kobeya will help to quickly plant greenery in the recreation area. It can be planted in a voluminous, stable dish with supports. Place containers around the perimeter of the garden or recreation area near the house. Flexible and long lashes of the plant can originally zone the site. In a group planting of flower beds, kobeya goes well with, verbena and.

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