Melissa officinalis - this is the full botanical name of the plant. Popularly known by the names: lemongrass, lemon mint, bee mint, citronmelissa. Planting and propagating it is not difficult if you know the structural features and preferences for growing conditions. We will tell in the article, growing lemon balm at home, how to plant, what care rules gardeners need to follow.
Growing lemon balm at home on the windowsillRequirements for soil and fertilizers when planting
Gardeners have long sown with seeds, propagated by dividing the rhizome and cuttings. Fragrant lemon balm was so fond of flower growers that they began to grow it as a houseplant in pots. Not surprising, because it is not only fragrant, but also useful. Its greatest advantage is essential oils.
Scientists say that their number depends on the conditions in which it is grown. On poor soils - 0.02%, on rich soils - 0.8%, in some varieties - 0.14%. The difference is obvious. There is no doubt that in order to get the most benefit from a plant, you need to take care of it. Vegetable soil for lemon balm is a soil mixture in which:
On sandy soils, it dries quickly due to lack of moisture and nutrients; on heavy, moist loams, it is affected by fungal infections and dies. Soils with high acidity require neutralization. Substances containing calcium cope with this task - slaked lime, chalk, crushed limestone, wood ash, crushed eggshells.
Tip #1 Before fertilizing, you need to determine the pH level. This can be done using a special device.
To increase the pH level by one unit of the scale, 200 g of slaked lime per 1 m 2 of soil is required. To improve the aeration of heavy soils, coarse-grained river sand is introduced to obtain light loam. For 1 m 2 it is required:
- medium loam - 21 kg;
- heavy loam - 43 kg;
- light clay - 75 kg;
- medium clay - 110 kg;
- heavy clay - 121 kg.
A proven folk method is the application of organic fertilizers at the rate of:
- Dry bird droppings are diluted 400 g per 10 liters of water, applied to 1 m 2.
- Horse rotted manure - 3 buckets per 1 m 2.
- Compost - 3 kg per 1 m 2.
Soil preparation for planting lemon balm seeds Recently, organic farming methods have become popular, using efficient microorganisms. They can be purchased in the form of preparations "Emochki", "Shine", "Baikal", "Bokashi".
Melissa growing conditions, care rules
A living culture, when introduced into the soil, increases fertility in a natural way, as in nature. The formation of humus takes an average of 2-3 years. For example, "Bokashi" process plant residues into humus within 2 - 3 months, but only in the warm season. Microorganisms, like plants, "sleep" during the cold season and become active in the spring, when the average daily temperature reaches + 12 0 .
Place and growing conditions of lemon balm
Lemongrass is an unpretentious plant, it will survive in the shade and in the scorching sun. But with gentle lighting or in partial shade, it feels more comfortable. Will gratefully respond to generous watering, but not stagnant water. For one session of water procedures, one adult plant needs 10 - 20 liters of water, - 1 - 2 buckets.
Landing dates are shown in the table:
Features of planting in the soil
If basic soil preparation has not been carried out, then it is necessary to provide fertile conditions for each plant individually. To do this, the landing pit should be 2 times larger than the volume of the coma, this allows you to add rich soil. As part of traditional farming, mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil:
- superphosphate - 50 g per 1 m 2;
- ammonium nitrate - 20 g per 1 m 2;
- potassium salt - 20 g per 1 m 2
Tip #2 When planting, deepen the lump by 5 cm, this contributes to the growth of new roots.
A common mistake is the dense planting of seedlings in a permanent place of growth. Gardeners are confused by the size of a young plant. Melissa grows, on average from 30 to 50 cm in diameter. This is the distance at which plants are planted from each other, regardless of whether seedlings or with a lump. If bee mint is intended for medicinal and culinary purposes, it should be placed less often so that it is convenient to collect fragrant leaves. For a decorative effect, the landing is slightly thickened.
Propagation Methods for Lemon Balm
Gardeners use several ways to propagate this spicy herb:
- Seeds for seedlings.
- Seeds in open ground.
- Green cuttings.
- The division of the bush.
Planting seeds for seedlings
- sown in greenhouses or room conditions in the second decade of March in a container, 7-10 cm high;
- into a ready-made seedling substrate, which can be bought at a garden store. If not, you can make your own. In the "Universal soil pH 6.5" add coarse river sand 1: 1.
- before sowing, small seeds are mixed with dry sand for even distribution;
- in prepared soil, using the long side of a pencil, push grooves 1 cm deep;
- gently moisten with a fine spray;
- place the seeds evenly along the grooves and lightly press down;
- sprinkle with a substrate and moisten with a spray bottle;
- cover with foil;
- keep in a well-lit, warm place with a temperature of 20 0 .
The first shoots will appear in three weeks. After another 10 - 15 days, thickened sowing can be dived. Seedlings are planted in special cassettes for seedlings. They are like egg cups. On sale there are devices of various shapes and sizes. One plant is placed in each cell. Before landing in the garden, a dense lump is formed, which is easily removed. This method increases the survival rate of a young plant compared to traditional seedlings.
Seeds in open ground
Sow when the threat of spring frost has passed. Lemon balm grains are small, for uniform distribution they are mixed with sand (as for seedlings). The dug-up soil is carefully loosened without leaving large lumps, it should be as sifted. The grooves are prepared shallow up to 1 cm, watered.
After waiting for the water to be absorbed, the seeds are placed, lightly pressed down and covered with loose soil. Watering should be done carefully so as not to wash out. Germination of lemon balm - 60%. The first sprouts appear after 15 days, after 3-4 weeks everything will hatch. After another month, they can be thinned out. Between the remaining distance should not exceed 30 cm.
Propagation of grass with green cuttings
So lemongrass is propagated from early spring to late autumn. If you keep the lemon balm in a pot in winter, as a houseplant, then the cuttings can be removed in March. Fragrant leaves and young stems are harvested during flowering, in June. At this time, lemon balm has the most useful substances. Over the summer, new shoots grow, so they are an excellent planting material.
Features of this method:
- for the cutting, a shoot with 3-4 internodes is chosen;
- the lower leaves are cut off;
- the stalk is placed in water or in a substrate for seedlings;
- for survival in the soil use "Kornevin" or "Heteroauxin";
- before planting, the tip of the cutting is powdered with a root;
- in moist soil, with a pencil, make a small depression of 2–3 cm, place the stalk and lightly squeeze;
- The "greenhouse" is covered with plastic wrap.
After 10 days, you can determine which specimens survived, they are planted in a separate pot, the size of a disposable plastic cup. As the dishes grow, they will have to be increased to transship the plant.
Lemon balm propagated in this way can be kept at home as a houseplant, and transplanted into the garden in spring. There he will be more familiar and will bring much more benefits. Dividing an adult bush into parts
In this way, lemon balm is best propagated in the spring. The rhizome is cut so that the divisions remain 3 - 4 shoots or hatched buds. This "surgery" can be carried out in the fall. The resulting parts are planted in a permanent place with an interval of 30 - 50 cm. This method is more suitable for varietal plants that do not retain decorative and healing properties during seed propagation.
Growing lemon balm at home in pots
Melissa lovers who do not have a dacha can enjoy the delicate aroma at home. Lemon mint is a garden plant, but feels great as a houseplant. If it is on a bright windowsill in a cozy, draft-free place, in fertile soil, it will respond to care with lush growth and fragrance.
Unpretentious in care:
- you need to water with settled water when the soil in the pot is dry and not petrified. You need to moisten generously until water appears in the pan, then this procedure will have to be repeated less often;
- it is better to feed with Emochka or other "effective microorganisms", they are absolutely harmless to plants and humans.
Unfortunately, the aroma of homemade lemon balm is inferior to its garden relative, but it's still nice to enjoy the fresh taste and smell on cold winter evenings. 5 varieties for home growing
Melissa officinalis has been known to mankind for 2000 years. All this time it has been successfully used in medicine and cooking. In favorable conditions, it grows up to 1 m in height. Breeders have worked on low-growing varieties so that lemon mint pleases all year round not only with aroma, but also with an attractive appearance. Gardeners call such plants decorative deciduous. For indoor floriculture, the following varieties are popular:
- « Pure gold”, the variety got its name for its exceptional “compliance” in care and unusual effect. The compact bush changes shades from white at the beginning of flowering to a blue hue at the end.
- "Lemon tea" is valued for its original flavor, which successfully replaces real citrus.
- "Majito" is bred for culinary purposes, not used for drinks and cooking meat dishes.
- "Lemon scent" is a relatively small plant, suitable for home and garden.
- "Variegated" - the most decorative lemon balm, has a golden color along the edge of the leaf, looks like a blooming one.
It looks interesting when several varieties are placed on the same windowsill. It is not difficult to take care of them, water them in time and feed them seasonally with fertilizers for indoor decorative deciduous plants.
Mistakes when growing lemon balm
Sometimes gardeners complain that they cannot breed bee mint in their area. Melissa is not a picky plant, but there is a limit to her patience. You should not expect a good result if she:
- in the sun or in dense shade;
- suffers from drought on poor soil;
- suffocates on wet soil;
- drowned out by weeds;
- blown in a draft;
- freezes in winter.
If you exclude spartan conditions and choose a cozy place with fertile soil and sufficient watering, she will respond with a generous harvest of useful leaves. Answers to frequently asked questions
Question №1. Where can I get Melissa?
Purchase a ready-made plant from a garden center that sells perennials. Advantage:
- guarantee of quality and "health" of the sold copy;
- 100% survival, thanks to whom the soil with which it is sold.
Buy seedlings. Advantage:
- the price is less than that of an adult plant;
- can be planted in open ground immediately after purchase.
Sow seeds. Advantage:
- minimum financial costs;
- the ability to sow both in open ground and in indoor pots.
Question number 2. What to do with watering lemon balm if I don’t go to the country often?
The best solution is automatic watering, but not everyone can afford the equipment because of the high cost. It is possible to retain moisture for a long time after ordinary irrigation, if mulch is poured around the plants, with a layer of 5–10 cm. Mowed grass, wood chips, bark, and crushed dry cow dung are suitable. All this creates protection against evaporation and serves as a slow acting fertilizer (MRL).
Question number 3. When to harvest melissa?
It is best during flowering, then it contains the most essential oils, but it is possible all year round if you take lemon balm home from the garden for the winter.
Question number 4. What plants go with lemon balm?
Most often, it is planted along with spicy herbs mint, lovage, hyssop, tarragon. In decorative floriculture, they are used in mixborders with flowering perennials, lupine, catchment area, rudbeckia, coreopsis, cornflower and other large plants.
Question number 5. Do I need to cover lemon balm for the winter?
Melissa is winter-hardy, but in cold winters it needs to be protected with agrofibre, sawdust, mowed grass. Leaves of oak, walnut, hornbeam, poplar are not suitable for this purpose, they contain tannins and inhibit plants.
Mint is propagated vegetatively. In the first half of autumn, cuttings are cut or a mint bush with roots and a clod of earth is dug up. This lump must be cut with a knife so that 2-3 shoots with roots or buds remain in each lobe. Divided parts or cuttings should be planted in pots with a diameter of about 10 cm.Drainage is laid at the bottom of the container, and then a moistened mixture is poured from a part of garden soil or two parts of humus. The roots of the plants should be in the ground, and the aerial part is cut at a height of 5 cm above the surface.
To speed up the process of leaf regrowth, the planted mint is placed as close to the light as possible.
Plants should be regularly watered with settled water at room temperature. It is desirable that it be constantly in the pan, since mint prefers air with a humidity of about 80%. It is also useful to periodically spray the leaves.
When the mint takes root and the leaves begin to grow, you can carry out one feeding with a solution of urea (1-2 g of urea per 1 liter of water). As a rule, the plant is fed at the end of September. In winter, top dressing is not carried out, they are resumed in February, when the sun appears.
How to grow lemon balm
For seedlings, lemon balm seeds are needed in early March. To do this, dry seeds should be placed in a container with a ready-made soil mixture (one part of peat, soddy soil and humus) in grooves 0.5 cm deep and spilled with warm water. Before germination, the soil must be sprayed every other day. Shoots appear in 8-10 days.Seedlings should be planted between April 25 and May 5. Plant the plants at a distance of 12 cm from each other. Melissa is watered 3 times a week. When the plants reach 20-25 cm in height and buds appear, they should be pinched off to prevent flowering. This will increase the lateral branching, and during the summer period the greens can be cut 2-3 times.
When the plant reaches a height of 40-50 cm, it is cut off along with the stem, leaving 10 cm each. Thus, the splendor of the lemon balm bush will be increased several times.
Melissa is not afraid of the cold, so she can be left on the loggia or balcony until the late autumn cold sets in. Further continue. At the same time, 1-2 plants are placed in each flower pot, along with clods of earth from the box. The plant does not need fertilizer. For this purpose, you can use sleeping tea and eggshell infusion for watering.
Melissa officinalis belongs to the Lamiaceae or Lamiaceae family. The bushes of this perennial plant are well branched, they come in various heights depending on the variety. Leaves resembling nettles, all wrinkled, with teeth on the edges, covered with fluff.
Melissa is an abundant source of honey for bees, which is why it is also called " bee mint ", and for its citrus smell is called" lemon mint ". There is a variegated variety of lemon balm, which is distinguished by light spots on the foliage. Among the varieties of Melissa officinalis, the most famous are:
Varieties and types
A perennial plant that grows a little over half a meter. The foliage is egg-shaped, strongly scented, may be smooth and covered with down. It is eaten raw and dried.
Forms tall lush bushes up to a meter high. The foliage is jagged, dark green in color, smells strongly, but not as strongly as the previous variety. The flowers are small, white.
The bush grows up to 60 cm. The foliage is strongly wrinkled, with large teeth. Like other species, it produces honey well.
In addition to these varieties, suitable for our latitudes:
- Quadrille ;
- Isidore ;
- Tsarynska SEMKO ;
- Freshness ;
- Lada .
Melissa landing and care in the open field
When preparing the soil for planting lemon balm, you need to dig it up in the fall and fertilize it with manure or other organic top dressing. It is impossible for water to stagnate in the substrate, it must be loose enough and, if this is a problem, then take care of the drainage layer.
It is also undesirable to plant bushes close to groundwater and in lowlands. If you don’t have to choose, then you need to make high beds. The best soil acidity is neutral or slightly acid close to neutral.
The growing area should be well lit, a light shade is allowed, which will even be useful for the variegated variety. And an excess of shade will lead to a decrease in the amount of essential oils, as a result of a decrease in aroma, and also in the shade the bushes do not grow very lush.
In the spring, when the soil warms up, the dug-up flower bed is loosened, cleared of weeds and beds are outlined. The distance between rows and individuals is about 50 cm, it can be a little more or less depending on the size of the variety. In general, the bushes branch well and fill the empty space.
Medicinal or peppermint is also grown by gardeners in their gardens as a medicinal plant, you can read more about the plant at the link.
Watering lemon balm
Watering lemon balm in the open field is important only in hot weather. If the soil dries out, pour about 10 liters per square meter of land.
Melissa fertilizer
Top dressing should be carried out in the spring, introducing mullein diluted in water with mineral fertilizer (half a liter of mullein per bucket of water and a spoonful of complex mineral top dressing).
Melissa transplant
It is a perennial plant and does not need frequent transplants. In one place, lemon balm can grow up to 10 years, but it is better to transplant every 4-6 years. In this case, the division of the bush is carried out.
Melissa breeding
A simple way is to layer. You just need to bend a couple of shoots to the soil and sprinkle them with soil, after which they should take root.
In this case, it is necessary to water the plants.
Reproduction of lemon balm by dividing the bush
During transplantation, lemon balm can be divided if she is already 3 years old. They do this at the beginning of spring, when young greens only appear, or at the end of summer.
This is a simple procedure, which is cutting the mother plant into equal parts, so that each has at least 4 stems with roots.
Melissa growing from seed
If you want to use seeds, they can be sown directly into the soil in late spring.
For seedlings, the material is sown at the end of March. When the seedlings have 4 true leaves (usually they appear when the bushes are about a month and a half old), they can be planted in a flower bed.
Melissa from seeds can also be grown in a pot, but in such conditions this plant feels worse than in open soil.
Diseases and pests
The main diseases of lemon balm are rust and septoria .
They are saved from them by cutting off diseased parts and treating them with fungicides, including Bordeaux mixture.
Of the pests, the most dangerous is mint leaf beetle . This green beetle, as its name implies, feeds on lemon balm leaves.
To get rid of it, you need to destroy wild-growing individuals of mint, and breeding sites are treated with insecticides.
Melissa medicinal properties and contraindications
This plant is used in folk and official medicine, because it has a number of useful properties.
Melissa has a calming effect on the nerves and can be used as a sedative.
Tinctures from it have a good effect on heart disease and high blood pressure, but they should not be used without a doctor's prescription.
Melissa has anti-inflammatory properties, so teas and decoctions from it are used to relieve spasms, gum disease, headaches, improve metabolism and eliminate menstrual irregularities.
Melissa is used in cooking as a spice or simply as a tea.
It is important to remember that this plant is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure, because it, in turn, also lowers it.
The exact origin of the name Melissa has not been clarified due to the disagreement of its interpreters. But it is known that the herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family, called lemon balm, whose cultivation as a medicinal raw material is widespread, is also called censer, lemon grass, lemon and bee mint. This inconspicuous herb is cultivated by gardeners, gardeners and even planters for industrial purposes, focusing primarily on the richness of biologically active substances contained in lemon balm.
Did you know?According to one version, the name melissa was formed from the addition of Greek words meaning honey and leaves. According to the second - on behalf of the nymph Melissa, who allegedly treated Zeus with honey and milk. According to the third, Melissa was the name of a beauty who was turned into a bee by the will of the Olympic gods.
Melissa: plant description
The height of the perennial can reach one and a half meters. Its basis is a strongly branching rhizome. Petiolate opposite leaves of a complex shape, resembling both a heart and an egg and having large teeth, are located on a branched stem, as if faceted on four sides.
The short pedicels are crowned with axillary tufts of small white flowers, which may also have pale pink or purple tones. The flowers have four stamens, the upper four-parted ovary of the pistil on a long style. The flowering of lemon balm is marked by July and August of the second year of growth.
A large, with a black sheen, four-nut fruit, gaining maturity in August-September, has an ovoid shape. Before flowering, the grass is fragrant with lemon. When flowering ends, the weakening smell becomes unpleasant.
How to choose a place and prepare the soil for growing lemon balm
In order for lemon balm to grow well, it is necessary to create certain conditions for it.
Lighting for active growth
Planting lemon balm is recommended to be done in a place with good sunlight, which is especially important for the germination of naturally small seeds. Frosts can kill new lemon mint bushes, so their cultivation should begin with planting in warm weather. In the future, the plant demonstrates a fair amount of resistance to cold, although the place where lemon balm grows is still better to choose on the south side, protected from air currents coming from the north.
Important!In an open sunny place, lemon balm has a richer aroma.
Soil preparation for planting lemon balm
The soil for planting should be fertile and free from weeds. Melissa prefers loamy soils, as they have high water and air permeability, which makes it possible to grow a full-fledged plant. Loose sandstones are also possible. They need good drainage from fine gravel or broken bricks, which will protect the root system from decay.
If the entire site is located on clay soil, then at the place where lemon balm is planted, it must be mixed with river sand. The reaction of the soil to acidity should be slightly acidic or neutral. The first digging with weeding and fertilizing can be done in the fall, and in the spring, loosen and clean the heated soil again.
Melissa breeding methods, how to plant a medicinal plant
To understand how melissa reproduces most successfully, you must first carefully study and only then choose seeds, melissa seedlings, cuttings or separated parts of the bush for planting.
Sowing seeds
A thousand seeds weigh approximately 0.62 g. Their germination persists for 2-3 years. Based on practical experience, it was concluded that plants grow stronger and more enduring from seeds. When it is better to sow lemon balm depends on the planting material chosen for open soil.
Landing in open ground
Rapid seed germination will occur when lemon balm is sown in open ground at the end of May. Moreover, as close as possible to the surface, that is, it is necessary to plant lemon balm seeds to a depth of no more than 1-1.5 cm. For a row spacing, a gap of up to half a meter is enough. Between the bushes, since they grow decently, it is advisable to leave at least 40 cm.
Gardeners who care not only about productivity, but also about the aesthetics of the beds, recommend increasing both distances to about 0.6 m. The first shoots appear only after 3-4 weeks, so the answer to the question: “Why doesn’t lemon balm grow?” The answer is simple - the appointed time has not come.
Planting lemon balm seedlings
A rich harvest of fragrant lemon balm can be achieved not only by growing it from seeds, but by first obtaining seedlings from them. Planting on seedlings should be done at the turn of March and April, and in May, the resulting approximately 40-day material with four leaves on each seedling is planted in the soil.
Boxes with sown seeds, covered with glass, are kept in a warm room, the illumination of which is increased to a maximum after germination. Seedlings that have grown up to 3-5 cm need to be thinned out to five-centimeter intervals and then planted in separate small containers.
Growing lemon balm by dividing the bush
The shoots that began to grow by the end of May signal that it is possible to start dividing the bushes. Another, also favorable period is the end of August. The excavated bush is cut into pieces of the same size. On each of them, at least 4-5 shoots and roots should be preserved. The separated parts take root well and bloom beautifully. The limitation for this method of reproduction of lemon balm is its age - it must be at least 3-4 years old.
How to cut melissa
Cuttings for planting lemon balm are made from the apical part of its young shoots, which, after cutting, are placed in water. After the roots appear (this happens after about two weeks), the cuttings are grown in fertilized loose soil.
Rules for caring for lemon balm in the garden
There is no difficulty in planting lemon balm, it is unpretentious in any case, and therefore caring for it does not provide for special specifics. But in the first year, until the branched roots of the overgrown bushes began to independently provide them with food and moisture, the plant needs close attention. First of all, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds.
In one place, lemon balm can exist for up to 10 years. But in the sixth year, winter-hardy qualities deteriorate, therefore, in a frosty climate after this period, it is better to divide and seat.
Important!After five years, the winter hardiness of the plant decreases.
Watering and feeding the plant
Several waterings are needed in the initial growth stage. Be sure to water in case of significant drought. Watering must be supplemented by loosening the soil. A protective layer of mulch laid on top will help the soil stay moist longer and also serve as a weed protector. Melissa is fed after each cut of greenery.
Complex liquid fertilizers are used (for 10 liters of water - 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 50 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium chloride) and mulching with organic matter - a significant layer of humus or compost. Feeding is not done before flowering, as this prevents the seeds from ripening in time.
pinching lemon balm
Pinching seedlings of lemon balm grown for seedlings is carried out at a height of 10-15 cm. The result of this procedure is compact bushes with greater branching.
Melissa pruning
Two or three times per season, lemon balm shoots are radically cut at a 10-centimeter distance from the surface of the earth. Such an operation leads, in addition to a very quick recovery, to a rather active formation of a large number of new branches and dense, pretty bushes, so attractive that they are used as elements of landscape design.
Often in the garden you can see a modest plant - lemon mint, the care and cultivation of which will not cause complications even for beginner gardeners. The scientific name of the inconspicuous bush is lemon balm. The herb has many advantages, the use of fragrant leaves and stems is recommended in cooking, traditional medicine, and home cosmetology. Before you start planting and caring for lemon balm in the open field, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the features of agricultural technology.
Origin and description of culture
According to one of the legends, medicinal or lemon balm owes its name to the exhaled honey aroma - “honey” and “leaves”. The Greeks interpret differently, in their opinion, the culture was named after a girl who disrespectfully treated the Olympic deities. For her defiance and pride, she was turned into a bee that preferred lemon balm to other plants.
Another version of the origin of the name is that the nymph Melissa lived in Ancient Greece, who regaled Zeus with a special drink made from milk and honey. In honor of her, an inconspicuous fragrant culture was named.
Lemon mint is a perennial. The height of the bush reaches one and a half meters. The base is a powerful rhizome, reaching a length of several meters. The leaves resemble hearts, have teeth.
In July and August, lemon balm is covered with small white (sometimes pink) flowers that exude a delicate aroma. Fragrant mint is revered by bees - at the time of flowering, tireless workers circle over it, collecting nectar. The taste, smell, useful qualities of honey did not go unnoticed - the bee product collected from lemon balm is considered the most valuable. The peculiarity of the perennial is that after flowering the fragrant aroma disappears. The leaves exude a rather unpleasant odor.
Varietal diversity
If the owners plan to grow lemon balm in the garden, it is better to study its varieties in advance, this will help to make a choice. There are many types of lemon mint, they differ in the height of the bush, flowering, aroma intensity:
- It has a bright green shade of leaves and a persistent aroma. The height of an adult bush does not exceed a meter. Flowering begins in June, continues until mid-August. Used in cooking.
- Inconspicuous bushes, reaching a height of 55-60 cm. The leaves are ovate, exude a delicate aroma. Flowers begin to bloom in early summer.
- A feature of the bush is a height that reaches 130 cm. Flowering begins in mid-summer and lasts almost until autumn. Distinguished by the persistent fragrance of the leaves.
- Melissa of the Lemon flavor variety is especially popular with gardeners, the smell of which does not differ from the fragrance of citrus fruits. It is commonly used in conservation, for the manufacture of perfumes and face and body care products.
Agrotechnical requirements
Growing lemon balm is not as difficult as it seems to many novice gardeners. It is enough to follow simple agrotechnical requirements, which include:
- soil preparation;
- choice of location;
- proper hydration;
- timely feeding.
The soil for growing in open ground will need light, nutritious. Melissa loves good lighting, but without drafts, so it's best to find a cozy corner in the garden. The earth should not be abundantly moistened, often the bushes do without watering - dirt can destroy lemon mint, causing root rot.
It grows in one place up to 10 years, this must be taken into account when planning plantings. Adult bushes endure movements painfully, take root for a long time and may die.
How to plant melissa
Growing lemon balm is a simple process, but on condition that all the requirements of agricultural technology are met. Landing is carried out in several ways:
- seedlings;
- cuttings;
- seeds in open ground;
- layering.
The most difficult and time-consuming method of reproduction is through seedlings. Difficulties arise even when sending planting material into the soil - the seeds are small and not everyone can distribute them evenly over the surface of the substrate. Another feature of sowing is the need for stratification. For soaking, a pink solution of potassium permanganate is most often used.
Adult bushes can also be used for breeding - delenki take root well. If everything worked out and the plants survived, lemon balm will please you with a good harvest in the first year after planting. The bushes branch well, so an easier way is to propagate by layering or cuttings.
seeds
Getting lemon balm from seeds is troublesome, but interesting. Before sowing, be sure to soak the seed in a solution of potassium permanganate, then dry it on a napkin. It is recommended to use soil for growing seedlings for tomatoes and peppers - it is light, well passes moisture and air, necessary for plant growth.
A prerequisite is good drainage. At the bottom of the container, put a layer of expanded clay, clay shards, pieces of foam. Send the seed material to a depth of about 1 cm. After sowing, cover the container with a piece of glass or polyethylene. Shoots will appear in 4 weeks. After half a month, carry out a pick. Send seedlings to the beds at the age of 6 leaves.
The division of the bush
If there is no desire to grow lemon balm from seedlings, you can do it easier - get full-fledged specimens from cuttings. It is better to do the process in the spring, even before the leaves appear. Dig up an adult bush, divide it into several parts, each of them must have a kidney. Delenki are planted in pre-prepared soil. Add ash, a small amount of sand, compost to the soil.
The first time after transplanting, it is necessary to irrigate the soil abundantly, especially if spring does not indulge in rains.
Reproduction by layering
A quick and easy way to get full-fledged bushes is to use layering for propagation. The process is simple:
- Dig a few deep grooves from an adult bush.
- Put a shoot of lemon balm in each furrow.
- Press the shoots to the ground with steel clamps.
- Sprinkle the places of contact of the plant with the soil surface with soil.
Water the earth abundantly throughout the summer. Usually by the beginning of autumn strong roots grow. Do not plant the resulting lemon balm bushes, leave until spring. After the snow melts, cut off the shoots, dig up the plants with a large clod of earth and transplant them to a pre-selected place.
cuttings
You can use cuttings to grow lemon balm. It is recommended to cut them from an adult plant, and if it is not possible, then purchase a bunch of lemon mint in the store and use it for sprouting. The length of the handle should not exceed 15 cm.
At home, place lemon balm cuttings in water on a sunny windowsill. After a week and a half, the roots will appear, you need to let them get stronger and plant them in a nutrient substrate. If the weather is sunny and warm, it is recommended to land immediately in the garden or on the beds.
Growing from seed
Despite the fact that growing lemon balm from seeds is considered the most troublesome, many gardeners prefer to plant lemon balm in this way. In addition to the disadvantages, there are also advantages:
- you can plant several varieties and independently check their differences and advantages;
- renew plants that degenerate over time, which affects the aroma and beneficial qualities.
If garden soil is used for planting, be sure to disinfect it - send it to a hot oven for half an hour. It is better not to use boiling water - hot liquid will not be able to destroy some types of bacteria. Send planting material to beds in open ground in April-May, pre-fertilize and dig the soil.
seedling method
After the lemon balm seeds germinate, care for the seedlings should be carried out as for houseplants. Conduct frequent but sparing watering, loosen the surface of the soil with a sharp stick, trying not to damage the roots that are in the upper layers of the substrate.
When picking at the age of 4 leaves, be sure to leave a clod of soil on the roots. It is better to plant plants in separate cups filled with drainage and a light substrate. After transplanting, place the containers on a bright windowsill, making sure that direct sunlight does not fall on the lemon balm.
Sowing in open ground
It is possible to carry out the cultivation of seeds not through the seedling method, but immediately in the open field in the country. The danger for such plants is in the weeds - they are able to drown out the tender sprouts of lemon balm, preventing them from growing and developing. It is difficult to cope with herbs - it is not easy for an inexperienced gardener to determine where the weed is and where the spicy culture is.
If you carefully weed the weeds, there will be no difficulties in growing lemon balm. A month after germination, thin out the bushes, leaving the strongest. Melissa bushes grown from seeds are resistant to diseases and climatic conditions, they easily tolerate frosts.
The main thing is to make sure that the soil is moist, but not dirty.
Features of care
Caring for mint is simple, the main processes that need to be carried out during the season:
- Watering. Irrigation is rarely carried out - excess moisture causes rotting of the roots and the death of lemon balm bushes.
- Soil loosening. Carry out carefully, without delving into the lower layers in which the rhizome of lemon balm is located - it can be damaged.
- Mulching. A thick layer of mulch (pine bark, chopped straw, sawdust) will protect against evaporation of moisture and weeds, loosening will have to be done much less frequently.
- Top dressing. It is recommended to introduce nutrients only when growth slows down. Most often, nitrogen compounds are used. Do not use fertilizer before collecting leaves.
- Shelter for the winter. Some varieties of lemon balm do not tolerate frost well, so in the fall it is recommended to cut off the aerial part of the plant and cover the soil with agrofiber, sawdust, spruce branches, and dry grass.
In the cultivation of lemon mint, you need to remember one feature of the plant - despite the fact that in one place the bush can grow up to 10 years, cold resistance sharply decreases already in the fifth year. It is imperative to cover an adult lemon balm for the winter, otherwise it will die at the first frost.
Growing a house on a windowsill
You can grow lush compact bushes at home, using a sunny windowsill instead of a garden bed.
Growing and caring for lemon balm on a windowsill begins with seedlings. It differs little from the preparation of young plants for planting in the beds - send seeds to a nutritious light substrate, wait for germination and dive into pots. After the bushes grow a few full-fledged leaves and begin to branch, transplant into larger containers. Transplantation is carried out annually.
You need to take care of lemon balm, as for unpretentious houseplants:
- prevent waterlogging of the soil;
- protect from direct sunlight;
- periodically loosen the top layer of the substrate;
Lemon mint, growing on the windowsill, needs to be pruned - this will allow you to get a compact beautiful bush. For the winter, it is better to completely cut off the aerial part - in the spring, young shoots will begin to grow from the root.
Melissa is one of the few crops that is easy to grow and care for. The main thing is that you can collect the spice 2-4 times a season, make preparations and even dry it, which will allow you to enjoy the aroma and taste of lemon mint in your favorite dishes throughout the year.
