Nasturtiums are growing flowering plants that are cheerful and the leaves are edible and thus can be grown at home. These plants can be grown without much fuss and, therefore can be grown even by those who are new to gardening.
This guide will review how to plan, grow, and enhance the wellness of nasturtiums, and how to get them to bloom brilliantly. Here are the complete guides on how to grow and care for nasturtiums.
It is a herbaceous, flowering plant in the Tropaeolaceae family and commonly called Indian cress or nasturtium.
There are two main types: Tropaeolum majus - an annual plant native to the Andes that produces yellow, orange, and red flowers, young leaves, and flowers that are edible and are used in salads because of their resonance with pepper.
Another one is Nasturtium which belongs to the family Brassicaceae and includes watercress - Nasturtium officinale and Nasturtium microphyllum which is also characterized by a pungency similar to the pepper. Both types can be ingested and both have been utilized in traditional medicine systems.
Nasturtiums Plant Care
Nasturtiums are annual plants that can be grown in sun or semi-shade locations. They grow better in deep, well-draining soils but are not fussy about the qualities of the soil they are growing in. Trailing varieties are perfect for a beautiful ground cover while compact or dwarf kinds are ideal for pots.
In order to encourage blooms, one must not feed the plants since the presence of nutrients in the soil leads to the development of leaves instead of flowers in nasturtium. It is important to deadhead the spent blooms and shear back those stems that are becoming leggy to make the plants neat and encourage further blossoming.
Let us dig deep into other care requirements:
Light
Nasturtiums prefer full sun to part shade locations and need at least 6 hours of full sun daily to grow and flower adequately. Although they can adapt to some degree of shade, they might produce scraggly flowering plants with extended skinny stems in too much shade.
To allow the plant to grow well, nasturtiums should be planted in an area that is exposed to the sun in the morning but shaded in the afternoon to avoid burning from the scorching sun during the day especially if the climate is hot.
Soil
The best conditions for nasturtiums are well-drainage and slightly alkaline or neutral soil pH ranges from 6 to 8. Surprisingly, these plants have little regard for soil fertility and are often more successful in less fertile soils, as overly fertile soils can lead to more foliage at the cost of flowers.
This is usually due to a high nutrient content in the soil which means you have to lower it by incorporating sand or perlite into the soil. Although they can adapt to the poorer types of soil, frequent checking and irrigation are required as they get dry much quicker than the better types of soil.
Nasturtiums require regular water, though they are relatively resistant to drought once they are planted. Irrigate the plants consistently when the weather is dry and avoid watering when it is rainy because it offers the same effect which is detrimental to the plants.
The best approach to watering involves avoiding wetting the foliage by watering near the stem, thereby reducing the chances of fungus development. Through mulching, there can be an increase of water in the soil hence less frequency of watering is necessary.
Temperature
Nasturtiums prefer warm climates and can grow best in a temperature range of 65-75 °F (18-24 °C). It is frost sensitive and should avoid application of temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 13 degrees Celsius.
Nasturtiums are planted in autumn in areas where the winters are not severe, while in colder climates, the planting occurs in the spring once the frost date is gone. Depending on the climate, nasturtiums may be grown in a location that receives shade in the afternoon to keep out too much direct sunlight.
Humidity
They thrive at average humidity levels but can handle marginal dry conditions although not consistently. However, conditions that are extremely humid lead to the outbreak of fungal diseases thus adequate air circulation around the plants is recommended.
Do not water when foliage is wet to reduce disease problems which are generally more severe when growing in a humid environment.
Fertilization
In most cases, nasturtiums do not need to be fertilized and it is often better if they are not. Fertilizing can result in the growth of tender leaves and busts at the expense of the flowers.
If you need to fertilize, work in a low-fertility mix or apply a balanced water-soluble fertilizer at half strength only. It is recommended to use only the fertilizer in moderation and only when the plants give clues of nutrient shortage.
Winter Care
They do not endure frost, because they are annuals. They can be grown in regions with relatively cooler climates and enjoyed through the winter months as a winter crop. In cooler climates, they are used for re-potting during the early months of spring.
If you wish to collect seeds for the next year, you should let some of the flowers wither and form seeds that can be harvested once the plants die down during the end of the season.
Pinching out requires removal of faded flowers, cutting back long branches to promote branching and eradicating old or faded leaves to avoid sickly plants. Also, selective pruning for shape is also useful in order to manipulate for certain looks.
To ensure that the plant is not hurt when pruning, it is important to use clean and sharp instruments to make cuts and also, subsequently apply fertilizer to aid its growth after pruning. Prune the plant in frequency but ensure you do not stress the plant through pruning for extended periods.
Deadheading
Deadheading, or the act of cutting off faded blooms, helps promote new blossom formation and lengthen the nasturtium’s flowering season. This is a basic task that preserves the beauty of the plant and guides the energy of the plant through the creation of flowers instead of seeds.
Pruning
In the case of the nasturtiums that are in containers, slight trimming is required at some point so that it will look neat and to encourage more flowering.
Pinch back the branch tips that tend to grow outwards to promote lateral branching and to get rid of any leaves that are yellowing or moldy. Pruning also aids in increasing the amount of space around the plants, giving room for better air movement and thus, less diseases.
Leaf Harvest
The leaves of the Nasturtium plant can also be picked for cooking purposes. Collect the leaves in the morning to avoid indecent exposure to heat, and they can be used in salads or just for enhancement.
For those who prefer fresh leaves in their dish, it is important to rinse the wilted leaves with cold water not exceeding 10 minutes. It’s also important to learn that harvesting the leaves as often as necessary will reinstate growth and lengthen the life of the plant further.
Nasturtium can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings as follows:
Seeds
Nasturtiums can be grown easily by planting seeds obtained from flowers of mature plants ready for harvest. It is ideal for the preparation of grounds by new gardeners since the seeds are large and thus easy to manage.
Some of the flowers should be left on the plants to produce seed pods which should be harvested and stored in a dry place for planting the following year.
Stem Cuttings
Other methods of growing nasturtiums include using stem cuttings. Select 4 to 6-inch healthy stem cuttings and make sure that each cutting has at least two buds or nodes with leaves. Prune the lower branches, and stick the lower end in the rooting hormone then transplant in a good drainage soil.
Maintain a favorable environment for the germination process by keeping the soil moist and warm until roots emerge which can take a few weeks. This method is less frequent in propagation, though it can be useful in the rapid generation of new plants.
To grow Nasturtium from seeds, you can follow the steps below:
Timing: Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last expected frost or sow them within the garden as soon as the soil is 55 degrees F, 13 degrees Celsius.
Location: They require well-drained soil, and full sun exposure, which means the plant will need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The afternoon shade is useful when the temperatures are high since it provides shelter to animals.
Soil: Plant them in well-drained soil with a preference for pH 6-8. Filler or sand should be added to heavy soil. Nasturtiums are not very demanding on the soil quality but do require some watering every once in a while.
Watering: In a soil-less mix, keep the roots damp but not waterlogged. Water frequently until seedlings germinate, afterwards, water moderately with the soil intermediate drying between watering.
Temperature: Seeds should be sown at a temperature ranging from 65- 75 °F (18 -24 °C) for germination and the growth of the seeds. Gradually harden the seedlings off before transferring them outside to the final spot where they will be grown.
Sowing: Sow annual kinds about 1/4 inch deep, planting them 1 to 2 inches apart. Prune seedlings to up to 6-8 inches so that they can grow well and air can circulate properly.
Nasturtiums can be potted and repotted without much hassle Compared to other plants, the process is rather simple. Here's a basic guide to help you:
Potting Nasturtiums:
Choose a container that has a depth of 8 – 12 inches with hole or drainage provisions at the base. Nasturtiums grow from deep roots, therefore the pot in which it would be placed to grow should be deep enough to accommodate the roots.
Sow the seeds of nasturtium right into the container or a pot and plant them between ten and twelve inches distance apart. When planting seedlings, you should carefully place them into the prepared beds without disturbing their roots too much.
Locate the pot in an area that is exposed to direct sunlight or filtered sunlight for a part of the day. Check for pests that may find nasturtiums attractive such as aphids and caterpillars, although they are mostly not a big concern for this plant.
Repotting Nasturtiums:
Nasturtiums require to be repotted preferably in early spring before this plant starts growing to vigorous growth. Take a pot slightly bigger than the one that is being used so that the plant has enough space to grow.
Acquire a new pot which should be approximately two inches bigger than the previous one and fill this new pot with fresh potting soil. Make sure that there is just enough space at the top of fresh potting soil to allow for the root mass of the plant to fit.
Now put the plant in the new pot so the top two or three nodes of the root ball are one inch below the overhanging edge of the new pot rim. If there are empty spaces around the stem’s base, apply more soil and gently pack it around the plant.
It is recommended that the newly repotted plant is placed in an environment that is similar to the previous conditions as far as light and heat are concerned.
Nasturtiums, in most cases, are considered to be rather resistant to many factors which can detriment their growth, however, any living plant is a potential host to pests and disease.
Pests:
Aphids: These miniature bugs can mass on the lower side of the leaf, drawing plant sap which stunts the development of the plant and turns the leaves yellow.
Caterpillars: Some types of caterpillars such as cabbage loopers or cabbage worms feed on nasturtium and it will be very evident when they do so.
Slugs and Snails: Usually these pests are fond of eating the soft portions of nasturtiums, either biting the margins off the leaves and flowers or sometimes stripping whole sections of the plant.
Whiteflies: These small, white creatures love to hide at the underside of the foliage and suck sap from the plant while posing a threat as a disease vector.
Diseases:
Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease develops as a powdering of the leaves with a white substance. It is found mostly in regions of warm and humid climates, and it has a deteriorating effect on the plant if not controlled.
Botrytis Blight: This fungus disease is also referred to as gray mold and results in the formation of a grayish mold on affected plants particularly the leaves, stems, and flowers. It normally occurs in a cold and moist environment favors the growth of the disease.
Downy Mildew: Like powdery mildew, downy mildew shows itself as a white or gray to brown dust-like substance on the underside of the leaves. It is a fungus that grows well in cool and humid environments and can easily spread if not managed effectively.
Fusarium Wilt: This creeping fungal disease affects nasturtium by wilting, yellowing, and stunted plant growth originating from the soil. Hard to control once developed and may remain in the soil for years.
Apart from the pests and diseases, some other issues associated with nasturtium are as follows:
Leaf Drop: The leaves of nasturtium may wither down through over-watering or even very hot and dry weather. It is advisable to alter the regimes of giving water and to shield the plants from changes in temperatures in order to avoid the shedding of leaves.
No Blooms: There may be no blooms if there is an inadequate light source within the area where the plant is placed. It is recommended that nasturtiums be placed in locations that provide not less than 6 hours of full sun to promote flowering.
Pests: The nasturtium plant also repels pests such as aphids, squash bugs, and white flies in a natural manner. Planting vegetables like tomatoes, radishes, and squash among flowers, can also assist in pest control and create balance in the garden environment.
By adhering to these specific suggestions, you will be able to cultivate and nurture nasturtiums and delight in their gorgeous blossoms and edible foliage as the planting season progresses. The plants can be easy to grow and the beauty added to the edible blooms makes nasturtiums to be a great addition to any plant collection.
