Monarda is a herbaceous floral plant with very original inflorescences, which is a relative of mint, which can be seen not only on the pubescent leaves, but also on the characteristic odor. When the monarch blossoms, this is a riot of colors among the beautiful greenery, because the breeders have long been interested in this flower and brought out a variety of varieties. Being a native of North America, the monarch requires not too careful care, most importantly, that it was fairly light, but not hot. In most areas, due to its cold resistance, the monarch keeps the leaves until November, and at this time fresh greens are especially pleasing to the eye.
Planting and caring for a monarch
One of the reasons why the monads are so fond of gardeners is the simplicity of planting and caring for the plant. Seeds are planted in early spring (March-April), in southern areas you can sow directly into the ground, in the more northern you will have to tinker with seedlings, so that by autumn the flower has fully formed. At the age of about 20 days, the seedlings are best to dive - that is, transplant, pinching the tip of the root - in separate small pots. This activates the development of the root system and promotes earlier flowering. In the future, for monads, cultivation and maintenance are reduced to the usual procedures - watering, loosening, fertilization. When planting seedlings in the soil to "permanent residence" it is necessary to make sure that the plants are open to the sun. In the first year of life, flowering plants can not wait - the bouquet will appear next summer, at the end of July or August.
Cultivation
For successful development and abundant flowering, monads grow better on soils that are very rich in humus and pass water well. Since this plant does not like heat, it is necessary to cover the soil beneath it with sheet humus - this will protect the soil from overheating and evaporation of moisture. In the dry period, the flower should be watered abundantly. Watering a monarch is better in the evening, and not on top, on a bush, and as close as possible to the ground - its pubescent leaves may suffer from drops of water, especially if you water the plant with a solution of fertilizers. Mineral fertilizer monarch very "respects". In the first period of life it is necessary to introduce nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, they activate the formation of lush greenery, and since the moment of bud formation - potash. In addition, a couple of times during the summer it will be useful to make a complex fertilizer, as well as to produce foliar top dressing with microelements. To maximize the flowering, you must regularly break the wilted buds, then the monad will have more strength for new inflorescences.
To various diseases and parasites this plant, like its fellow mint, is very resistant, but when grown in areas with high humidity, the monarch may be affected by powdery mildew or rust to prevent it, in the early spring, perform preventive treatment with copper sulfate . For the winter, the monastic bush can be completely cut off, and if the harsh winters - to hide.
Reproduction
To get a whole brood of monarchs, you can reproduce yourself. This is not only possible, but it also needs to be produced about every five years. During this period the bush grows and loses decorativeness, in addition, it will be useful to change its habitat. The monarch must carefully dig out and remove from the roots large clods of earth, so that the root system can be seen. Now the bush can be divided into two or three parts, so that each contains healthy strong roots and shoots. If the bush is still too small for division, try propagating by propagation: just bend to the ground a long shoot, strengthen and fill it with earth. In a couple of weeks, this stalk can already be separated and planted, as an independent plant.