B.carole
Bacopa is an evergreen perennial ornamental plant easy to grow in pots and in the ground, appreciated for its abundant and prolonged summer flowering.
General characteristics of the Sutera cordata or Bacopa
There Sutera cordata, commonly called bacopa, is a small herbaceous plant of the bacopa genus, family of the Scrophulariaceae, native to southern Africa. It is a perennial and ground cover plant, mostly with a hanging development. The aerial part is composed of slender stems about 30 cm long.
The stems herbaceous, light green in color, are covered with small leaves dark green with serrated edges.
Read also: Houttuynia- Houttuynia cordata
During the flowering period, among the leaves bloom small flowers five-petalled, with a yellow center, white, lilac or blue in color.
Flowering
Bacopa blooms all summer. Flowering generally begins in May.
Bacopa cultivation
Exposure
It is an ornamental plant that prefers sunny places sheltered from the wind. It tolerates the sultry heat of summer very well, however, it does not tolerate the cold temperatures of winter.
Ground
Bacopa loves rich, soft and above all well-drained soil. The ideal growing medium should have a slightly acidic pH value.
Watering
It needs regular and constant water supplies throughout the vegetative cycle, from spring to late autumn. In winter, watering should be reduced if the plant is grown in pots and suspended completely if it is grown in the ground.
You may be interested in: Pontederia – Pontederia cordata
Fertilization
Bacopa should be fertilized periodically with a specific liquid fertilizer for flowering plants suitably diluted in irrigation water. Alternatively, a slow release granular fertilizer can be administered at the base of the head every 3-4 months.
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Multiplication of Bacopa
The plant propagates by seed and by apical cutting.
Sowing
The sowing of bacopa is carried out in spring by putting the seeds to germinate in a protected seedbed and at a constant temperature of 15-18 ° C. The soil is nebulized until the seeds germinate, then when the new Bacopa seedlings are strong enough and about 15 high. cm can be grown in single pots. The time needed from sowing to transplanting varies from 3 to 4 weeks. In the event that reproduction by cutting is carried out, the Bacopa stem must be cut and planted in a container; eventually you will have new leaves and new roots.
Multiplication by cuttings
Bacopa can also be easily propagated by branch cutting. Using well-sharpened and disinfected scissors, about 10 – 15 cm long cuttings are taken from the apical branches. The leaves placed in the lower part are removed and each cutting is buried for 2/3 of the length in a mixture of peat and sand in equal parts. The substrate must be compacted well and then always kept humid until new leaves appear, about 15 days. After rooting, the new seedlings are left to strengthen and only later can they be transferred to pots or in the open ground.
Repotting Bacopa
The root system of this plant tends to occupy all the available space and therefore repotting should be done periodically when the roots come out of the water drainage holes. The new pot must be wider and deeper than the previous one and the fertile soil, rich in organic substance and preferably mixed with a little sand. To avoid the risk of root rot, it is advisable to put a layer of coarse crushed stone or pieces of earthenware on the bottom of the pot.
Bacopa pruning
It does not require pruning but to give an orderly shape to the crown and to favor the emission of new shoots, it is enough to trim the longest stems by a few centimeters. The topping will also stimulate the stumbling of the plant and the emission of new floriferous shoots.
Parasites, diseases and treatments
Bacopa is a plant resistant to attacks by common animal parasites such as aphids and scale insects. Among fungal diseases, it fears powdery mildew or white sickness if the climate is excessively humid and root rot if the cultivation soil is not well drained.
Cures and treatments
In winter, plants grown in pots should be sheltered to prevent the frost of the night from damaging the delicate root system. As for the aerial part, don’t worry because even if it dries up in the following spring, it comes back strong and vigorous, kicking back new stems.
Variety of Bacopa
Among the many varieties we remember the most widespread and cultivated species especially as aquatic plants.
Bacopa monnieri
A variety native to India, easy to grow in hard water, with an acid or alkaline pH. It is a species that requires partially bright places, a loose substrate consisting of sand or gravel. It prefers cold waters even if it also tolerates that at a temperature of 30 ° C. It has fleshy stems, ovate leaves similar to those of Portulaca oleracea.
Bacopa caroliniana
A plant native to America about 60 cm tall with fleshy stems, lanceolate and fleshy leaves of small dimensions. This type of bacopa needs a lot of light and although it prefers to be grown in medium hard cold water, it tolerates temperatures up to 26 ° C quite well.
Bacopa Crenata
A species native to Africa with drooping stems covered with smooth leaves with serrated edges. It prefers soft water and a fair brightness.
Bacopa rotundifolia
It is an aquatic plant native to the United States, with erect stems, round leaves about 3 cm wide, white or yellow flowers.
Bacopa australis
It is native to South America, maximum 30 cm high and 15 cm wide. It grows quickly in hard and not very hard waters with a slightly acidic or alkaline pH, 6.7 / 7.5. Requires a fair amount of brightness; withstands temperatures between 15-32 ° C.
Uses and properties
Bacopa monnieri is still used today for medicinal purposes to improve cognitive functions such as attention span, memory, mental reflexes, fight stress, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and treat upper respiratory tract infections such as coughs, colds. and bronchitis.
Due to its particular calming, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, bacopa monnieri is often used for the production of products that applied to the body before exposure to sunlight prevent sunburn and soothe burning and itching due to skin redness.
Curiosity
Bacopa monnieri such as Ginko biloba, Passiflora, mallow, lemon balm, Verbena officinalis and the common basil, is part of the list of plants that make you savor happiness, predispose to calm, awaken the sense of balance and inner peace.
George
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