Sutera (Bacopa cordate)

The bacopa plant belongs to the ampelous plant and is not often grown among gardeners. This is primarily because the plant is difficult to propagate. In addition, the culture does not tolerate our harsh cold winters, similar to ampel petunias and other annual plants.

However, not so long ago, the bacopa plant was propagated only with the help of cuttings. Therefore, it was possible to purchase plants only as seedlings, which were not sold very often. In this regard, Bacopa was not grown by our gardeners.

Thanks to the hard work of breeders, there are now a large number of bacopa varieties, and now it can be grown from seed even in our regions. Further in the article we will talk in more detail about this plant.

Bacopa plant - description

Bacopa is also called a pimp. It is currently unknown why Sutera is called Bacopa, since the plant does not belong to the genus Vasora. However, Bacopa is already an old name for the plant, so it is most often used among flower growers. Packages with seeds are also marked with the same name.

In botany, the term Chaenostoma cordatum has been used recently. Before that, the culture belonged to the genus "cordate", which in translation from a foreign language means the word "heart-shaped". The reason for the name was precisely the shape of the leaves of the plant, which resemble a heart. Then, not so long ago, at the beginning of the 21st century, scientists studied the DNA of the culture and found out that this species belongs to the genus Chaenostoma and belongs to the Norichnikov family, so it is not a suter.

Despite the new name, which was noted by botanists and confirmed by various scientists, florists continue to call this plant the heart-shaped sutera. Now even these two terms are used interchangeably.

The name Bacopa has not lost its meaning either, and in addition, it is often used as decorative Bacopa or Ampelous Bacopa. However, the really large genus Vasora consists of a large number of plants that grow in water, for example in aquariums or reservoirs, mainly where there are warm and mild winters. A plant with this name also has a place to be, but belongs to a completely different family.

Bacopa plant: photo and characteristics

Bacopa ampelous white: Photo of a plant

Bacopa is considered one of the best annuals to be used in landscaping as it creates a very beautiful backdrop. The bacopa plant is considered evergreen because it can bloom for a very long period, striking in its splendor and abundance.

In addition, Bacopa is very unpretentious. It is easy to grow it without paying much attention. Even if only the minimum care rules are followed, Bacopa will grow and please the eye over a long period. In general, this plant is exotic and very popular among landscape designers. This plant is very often grown in Africa and the Canary Islands.

In general, the culture belongs to annual plants, is a ground cover and performs decorative functions. The beauty of the picture is complemented by the often located branches of the plant. Their very fast vigor and a very large amount of green mass, as well as the creeping form of shoots - all this, undoubtedly, looks very epic from the side, reminiscent of flowering carpets.

Bacopa gained its popularity only as a summer plant.It is actively planted in hanging pots, in baskets, where this plant can grow in all its glory, creating unique pictures.

The stem can be up to 1 meter long. At the same time, it branches and curls, so it is impossible to know the exact length. It happens that the stem is bare. In this case, it is simply cut off to maintain decorativeness. The leaves here are small and oval in shape. They grow opposite each other very, very densely. A special decorative effect is also complemented by the uneven edge of the leaf plate, which gives openwork to the entire crown.

Bacopa cordate: Photo of a plant

However, the main decorative value is precisely the bacopa flowers, which are located on the plant in very large quantities and do not fall off almost the entire season. If we compare Bacopa with other plants, which also bloom very luxuriantly, this culture continues to bloom until the winter months, has good resistance to cold weather, and when other trees already begin to shed flowers, Bacopa continues to bloom and smell.

If you watch closely, you will notice undulating periods of flowering with small gaps between them. However, they become invisible, since the plant itself looks no less beautiful without flowers.

The flowers here are actually very ordinary, they consist of 5 petals. Some varieties have double inflorescences. The shade of flowers can be completely different: it is white, and pink, lilac and blue shades.

How to Grow Bacopa (Sutera) Plant from Seeds

Bacopa ampelous yellow: Photo of a plant

The Bacopa plant has very small seeds, which are usually sold as granules containing approximately 7 seeds per pack. Plants are usually planted in 3 liter containers, when they dive, they can also be planted together.

The optimal time for sowing will be the beginning of spring, the best if the end of March. It is necessary to prepare small boxes or containers that are pre-filled with nutritious fertile soil. Seeds should be scattered on top and not buried. Spray them from a spray bottle in order to make the dragees wet, then the container must be covered with film or glass.

The container with seedlings must be placed in a room where there will be a lot of sunlight, and the air temperature will be at least 20 degrees. Periodically, the shelter is removed and the soil is sprayed again. Thus, the plant must be looked after within 14 days.

After the seedlings germinate, they must also be dived in piles, when two or three true leaves appear on each of them. Separating plants is not recommended. After picking, the seedlings must be watered, and also continue with their usual care.

The land must be nutritious, fertile, so additional feeding is not required. The air temperature must also be high enough for normal plant growth and development. The grown and ready-to-transplant seedlings must be pinched, as well as tempered events must be arranged for it.

How to plant a bacopa plant

After you have grown a strong healthy seedling, it is necessary to transplant it into open ground or to a permanent place of growth, having thought over and selected all the necessary conditions for abundant flowering in advance. It should be remembered that Bacopa is very fond of the sun and absolutely cannot stand even a small shadow.

However, you should choose a location that is not exposed to direct bright sunlight. This is especially true for plants that will be grown in hanging pots, since the soil dries out much faster here. Drafts and winds do not scare this plant, unlike many other crops.

What Bacopa is demanding for is that the soil is not calcareous. It is best to choose a slightly acidic soil reaction.It is very important that there is loose, drained soil where air and water can circulate well. When planting, it is necessary to add compost to the soil to increase its nutrient saturation.

If you are growing a plant in a hanging planter, then a good drainage layer is also added to the usual soil. A soil mix consisting of sand, peat, humus, and leafy soil is ideal.

This plant is planted after the soil has warmed up enough and there is no risk of frost return. Usually, in central Russia, this period falls on late spring or even early June. You must first prepare the holes so that the plants can be carefully transplanted without damaging the root system.

When planting multiple plants, a distance of approximately 20 cm should be maintained. If you are growing plants outside of the open field, then you can shorten the distance.

Bacopa plant: photo, care (basic rules)

Bacopa terry white: Photo of a plant

The most important and requiring special attention is the procedure glaze. It is necessary to water this plant regularly, even if you grow it immediately on the site. You need to pay particular attention to the period of active growth and development of plants, as well as if the summer is hot, dry, with a long absence of precipitation.

It is necessary to maintain moderate moisture in the soil at all times. If the land is dry, the plant will begin to shed its flowers and its branches will then wither. If you see the first signs of wilting of the bacopa, then it urgently needs to be watered. And then only, after 14 days, the plant will be able to restore its growth again.

And if you grow Bacopa in pots, then you should water it regularly after the top layer of the earth is just a little dry. When growing plants in flower beds, watering should be done only in very hot times. If the plant does not give flowers, then in addition to watering, you can also use foliar spraying with water. This rule applies especially to potted plants.

Bacopa, which grows in the open field, and bacopa, which grows in pots, need to be fed in exactly the same way. This should be done quite rarely, about once every 30 days, using ready-made complex solutions. It is necessary to start feeding after the plants are planted and before the beginning of autumn.

Plant formation

The culture needs constant pruning in order to maintain its decorative appearance. To give the plant splendor, it is necessary to pinch its branches, as well as those stems that are strongly knocked out of the crown.

Diseases and pests

This plant has a fairly high immunity to various common diseases, as well as pests. Especially if it is kept under suitable conditions. All plants that are grown in a room can be affected by spider mites or whiteflies in winter.

However, these pests do not pose a particular danger to the culture, in contrast to various kinds of rot, which can affect both roots and stems. This usually happens when the irrigation regime is incorrect.

Preparing for winter

Sutera (Bacopa plant) belongs to evergreens and tolerates winter weather quite well. It is very decorative and retains these properties even when it is already about 0 degrees or even -6 outside.

In regions where winters are mild and warm, Bacopa is grown as a perennial plant and tolerates winter calmly. In any case, the plant is not grown for more than 3 years, since it already loses its decorative properties. After two or three years, the plant is re-grown using its own seeds. Some still propagate bacopa using vegetative propagation methods.

Before the winter period, preferably long before it, it is necessary to reduce the number of watering, and to exclude fertilizers altogether.After the first negative temperatures appear, when they are still predicted, this plant should be dug up and placed in room conditions, having previously arranged a quarantine.

Thus, the plants need to be kept indoors, the air temperature of which will be in the range of 10 to 15 degrees. If there is also a large amount of light in this room, then this plant will also bloom.

Graft propagation

In addition to seed propagation, this plant is also propagated using cuttings. The method is optimal as the plants retain their parental characteristics. Before removing the bacopa indoors, you can cut off the tops of the stems, thereby obtaining excellent planting material, you can also cut off the tops in the winter season.

If the bacopa plant is grown as a perennial plant, then the cuttings are cut off at the end of the summer season. As a planting material, not only the tops of the stems, but also the areas left after pruning are suitable.

To root the stalk, it must be placed in a container of water. You can use wet sand or ready-made soil. In this case, the moisture level of the substrate should be constantly monitored. Unlike other plants, cuttings do not need additional cover, as they take root very quickly. In order for the future plant to be more lush, you should periodically pinch the top of the cutting.

Bacopa plant (sutera) - varieties

Sutera is cordate. It is a perennial plant that is not large in size. It is usually grown as a summer plant, especially in regions where winters are very cold.

The stems of this plant are drooping, the leaves are very small, and the flowers are snow-white. However, they are always open, despite the changing weather conditions. That is why the plant is so appreciated by flower growers who choose this variety. In addition, the variety can itself shed flowers that have already wilted.

Bacopa Blue Avalanche: Plant Photo

Among them, a very large number of varieties are distinguished, which also have terry inflorescences, which are distinguished by a lilac shade. As well as various hybrids with simple pink or blue flowers. In our country, various production companies sell seeds called Utopia. The flowers of this plant are blue or snow-white in color.

In addition, varieties such as Blue avalanche, Vasilisa, Snow avalanche and others.

Application area

The plant, which is usually grown from seeds, is used to decorate plots, as a ground cover plant, and is also cultivated as an ampelous summer plant. The bacopa plant looks beautiful in combination with petunia, lobelia, coleus and other wonderful plants.

In addition to performing a decorative function, bacopa has another very important function, namely, attracting pollinators.

Bacopa pink: Photo of a plant

As a groundcover, this plant is grown to provide carpeting, in order to fill in empty spaces that are not planted with other plants in order to bring bright notes among the green mass.

Bacopa is planted to ennoble and cover various inconspicuous or unsightly corners of the site. The plant is also planted around the perimeter of the flower beds, they ennoble the curbs and make the zoning of the site, use it in various compositions in mixborders and flower beds.

In addition, the plants are grown in hanging pots in baskets like a classic ampelous plant. With the help of it, various complex cascades and vertical flower beds are created. Also used to create flower beds and as a background for other large-flowered plants.

Conclusion

Despite the difficulties with the name of this culture, it is actively grown by experienced florists, especially in regions where a warm, mild climate dominates.The plant is very unpretentious and at the same time perfectly performs decorative functions. For these reasons, bacopa is planted and used for a variety of purposes.