Nigella, Or Chernushka - Description, Cultivation And Reproduction. Planting And Leaving. Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

Nigella (Nigella) is a genus of annual herbaceous plants belonging to the Buttercup family. People call this flower differently: "wild fennel", "nutmeg flower", "maiden in green", "Italian coriander", "black cumin", but more often "nigella" for the seeds of coal-black color. All these names indicate not only the delicate beauty of the flower, but also the beneficial properties of seeds, which have long been used in cooking, perfumery, and medicine.

About 25 species of nigella are known, distributed in North Africa, Western Asia and Europe. Of these, only 10-11 species are found in Eastern Europe. Florists mainly grow two types:

• Spanish Nigella (Nigella hispanica) is a rapidly growing plant with fragrant dark blue flowers that attracts flower growers with an abundance of bright stamens and a red ovary, which, after flowering, turns into a large fruit;
• Damascus Nigella (Nigella damascena) - a plant height of 35-45 cm, with unusual white, blue and sky-blue flowers surrounded by decorative pinnatisect leaves.

Content:

• The use and useful properties of nigella
• Description of nigella
• Secrets of growing nigella
• Breeding nigella

The use and useful properties of nigella

In medicine, the seeds and leaves of the plant are used. Young leaves contain many useful substances, so they are added to fresh salads. The seeds have a nutmeg aroma and peppery flavor. These properties are mainly used in oriental cuisine.

In Turkey, baked goods are sprinkled with nigella instead of the poppy we know. Seeds are widely used in Indian cuisine as a spice. They give salads, fish, meat dishes a special piquant taste. Nigella is used for flavoring ice cream, tea, jelly, and also used for home canning. The seeds are stored in a dry, dark place in tightly closed porcelain or glass containers.

In eastern countries, nigella is called "the blessed seed" and they are sure that it will cure any disease, except, of course, death. Currently, this flower is considered an effective elixir for numerous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

In addition, nigella is a very popular decorative flowering garden plant, which is often used to decorate borders, flower beds, rabatok, and Moorish lawns. The flower looks especially advantageous among flowering perennials and annuals (poppy, flax, cornflowers). Florists use the plant to cut and create exquisite dry bouquets.

Description of nigella

Nigella is a low (30-60 cm) plant with straight, branched stems, gray-green leaves, very similar to dill leaves only located a little denser, and rather large, single, simple or double flowers of blue, blue, white, less often red color.

Nigella bloom begins in July. Each flower blooms for about a week, and the flowering itself lasts 1-1.5 months.

The fruit is five-leafed with black seeds resembling onion seeds. Non-flowering nigella is also decorative. Its delicate lush greenery with bright seed pods is ideal for forming winter bouquets.

Secrets of growing nigella

Nigella prefers an open location, generously warmed by the sun. It grows and blooms poorly in the shade. Does not tolerate proximity to ground cover plants. Not picky about the ground. It develops well on nutritious light soils. It is better not to use mulching, it negatively affects the development of the plant.

Water the nigella nigella sparingly. She does not like excessive dampness, as well as long periods of drought. The flower should be fed carefully, as it does not tolerate any excess of fertilizers. It is advisable to choose a site for planting on which flowers, well fertilized with organic matter, were previously grown.

Nigella is a cold-resistant plant and easily tolerates short-term spring frosts. It is rarely damaged by pests and practically does not get sick.

Nigella is an ideal plant for the garden, the care of which consists only in systematic watering and weeding from weeds.

Breeding nigella

Nigella is propagated only by seeds, which are harvested at the time of ripening 2/3 of the capsules. The branches are cut, tied in small bunches and dried in a dry, well-ventilated area until the leaflets are fully expanded. Seed germination is maintained for 3 years. Seeds can be sown in early spring directly into garden soil or in seed boxes.

When sowing on a garden bed, nigella seeds are sealed to a small (3-4 cm) depth, watered abundantly and covered with agrofibre until shoots appear.

Nigella seeds are sown on seedlings in March, embedded to a depth of 2.5-3 cm. The first shoots hatch in a couple of weeks. Seedlings are rapidly gaining strength and by May they can already be planted in garden soil at intervals of 15-20 cm. Young plants will bloom in 40 days.