Nigella DAMASCENA 'RED POD'

Nigella DAMASCENA 'RED POD' - Love-in-a-mist 'Red Pod', Damask fennel flower 'Red Pod', Nigella damascena 'Red Pod'.

Nigella is a genus of annual herbaceous plants in the family Ranunculaceae, comprising about 20 species and distributed in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.

Plants of this genus are erect, heavily branching herbs with lacy foliage and solitary flowers. Leaves are dissected, threadlike. Flowers are surrounded by bracts that create a "veil" effect. They are distinguished by high ornamental appeal during the period of flowering and fruit formation.

Flowering occurs in June-July. Flowers are solitary, most often blue, pink, or white, with five petals and large stamens. Fruits are inflated capsules that retain ornamental value in dried flower arrangements. Seeds are black, aromatic.

Love-in-a-mist 'Red Pod' is an ornamental cultivar with bright, airy flowers and particularly expressive fruits. Plant height is up to 50 cm (19.7 in); leaves are pinnate, light green, strongly dissected, reminiscent of dill.

Flowers are sky-blue, large, with delicate bracts. Flowering lasts from June to August. After flowering, rounded inflated capsules of a rich burgundy color form, which persist until autumn. Seeds are black, aromatic, used as a spice.

Seeds are sown directly into open ground in April-May. Sowing depth is 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in). It is desirable to thin out the sowings. The optimal germination temperature is 16-20 °C (61-68 °F). Seedlings appear after 10-14 days.

After the appearance of true leaves, thinning is carried out, leaving 15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 in) between plants. Flowering begins after 2 months. Young plants are undemanding, but prefer loose, slightly alkaline soil.

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Cultivation in sunny locations is recommended. With a lack of light, plants stretch out and bloom worse. It develops best in open areas with good air circulation.

During the growing season, a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F) is maintained. Seedlings are resistant to short-term frosts. Watering is carried out moderately as the soil dries out. Waterlogging and water stagnation are eliminated.

A loose, well-drained substrate with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction is used. Repotting is not required - the plant tolerates it poorly. Sowing is carried out immediately in a permanent location.

During the growth period, mineral fertilizers are applied twice: in the phase of 2-3 leaves and before the start of budding. Feedings are applied moderately. An excess of nitrogen reduces the ornamental quality of the fruits.

Pinching of shoot tips is performed to enhance branching. Faded flowers are removed to prolong blooming, unless harvesting of decorative capsules is planned. Propagation is carried out exclusively by seeds.