Description
- Latin name:
- Malva.
- Family:
- Malvaceae.
- Homeland:
- Europe.
The genus Malva includes about 40 species of one -, two-and perennial herbaceous plants. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped in the axils of the leaves, sometimes collected in several pieces, purple, purple, pink or white. Leaves are long-stemmed, lobed or palmate.
Stock-pink mallow (Malva alcea) is a perennial species with a height of 1 m, with light, deep-fingered and serrated leaves along the edge. The flowers are solitary, up to 3 cm long, pink in color, and bloom in summer and autumn. The variety 'Pointed' has red flowers, it is more compact and blooms longer.
Musk mallow (M. moschata) is another perennial species with a height of 30-60 cm, with rounded leaves that, if rubbed, emit a musky smell (hence the name of the species). Pink single flowers with a diameter of 5 cm begin to bloom in spring and bloom all summer. The variety 'Belaya' has white flowers.
Forest mallow (M. sylvestris) is the most common wild-growing annual or biennial species. It has pink flowers and rounded deep-fingered leaves that have medicinal properties (antipyretic and diaphoretic).
Cultivation
Mallow is grown in the open ground, even on low-fertile and dry sandy soils. Many types of mallow are used as decorative flowering plants. Finally planted in the ground in autumn or spring (only annual species; perennials are recommended to be planted in dense moist soil) at a distance of 40 cm from each other. The crop is used in flower beds, mixborders, and for cutting.
Watering
Hollyhocks are generally drought-tolerant plants, but in case of prolonged drought, they should be watered.
Reproduction
Seeds are sown in boxes in the spring. Grown seedlings are transplanted into separate pots, and then in the fall or next spring they are planted in a permanent place assigned to it.
Location
It is best to place plants in the open sun, they are also suitable for a semi-shady place.
Temperature
Perennial species tolerate both high and low air temperatures.
Diseases and pests
The fungus Colletotrichum malvarum can cause spots on the leaves and stems, at first, they are brownish-yellow, later they turn brown. It is possible to treat with benlat, although it is still recommended to remove the affected plants. Less dangerous damage-due to the hot, humid environment-is associated with oidium (powdery mildew of grapes) and rust, which causes plants to wither. Treatment is carried out with sulfur or anti-oidium drugs. Rust appears in the form of pustules and spots on the leaves. Plants should be treated with fungicides.
Acquisition
Seeds are easily found in nurseries and gardening centers. Check the expiration date on the package.
Care summary
| Cultivation | very simple |
| Watering | moderate, sparse |
| Transplanting | not performed |
| Appearance maintenance | remove wilted flowers |
| Location | in the open sun or partial shade |
| Temperature | resistant to both low and high temperatures |
| Flowering time | summer-autumn |
| Height | 0.3-1.0 m |
Literature
- Malva // Great Soviet Encyclopedia. — M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978. — 630000 copies.
- Ilyina E. Ya., Sterligova E. I. Indoor plants and their use in the interior. — Sverdlovsk: Ural University, 1991 — 208 s — 130000 copies. — ISBN 9785752502118
- Turdiev S. Yu., Vecherko L. I. Flowers in our life. — Alma-Ata: Kainar, 1986. — 217 s — 50000 copies.
- Chub V. V., Lezina K. D. Complete encyclopedia of indoor plants. — M.: Eksmo, 2003. — 416 s — 7000 copies. — ISBN 9785040060771.
- Malva // Indoor and garden plants. — M.: Premiere, 2005. — 1274 s — 300,000 copies. — ISSN 1729-1828.
- Golovkin B. N. What do plant names say. — M.: Kolos, 1992. — 192 s — 70000 copies. — ISBN 9785100025054.
- Golovkin B. N. 1000 amazing facts from the life of plants. — M.: AST; Astrel, 2001. — 224 s — 10000 copies. — ISBN 9785170105342, ISBN 9785271030529.