There Mirabilis Jalapacommonly known as “beautiful at nightis one perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family of Nyctaginaceae – the same, among others, of the Bougganville – originally from Mexico and Central America.
The generic name derives from the Latin “Mirabilis“(Admirable, surprising), referring to the extraordinary chromatic variability of flowerswhile the specific epithet recalls the Mexican city of Jalapafrom which it was imported for the first time in Europe.
The species presents itself as a densely branched herbaceous bushwith quadrangular erect stems that reach aheight of 30-80 cm, occasionally up to 1 meter. The radical system is characterized by a vertical tuberous root, blackish, which can exceed 20 cm long, guaranteeing the plant the ability to survive during the unfavorable periods. The leavessimple and opposite, they have ovate shape with sharp peak and consortium base, reaching size up to 12 cm in length and 5 cm wide, with intense green color on the upper page and pale green on the lower one.
Characteristics of flowering
The most fascinating aspect of Mirabilis Jalapa lies in his peculiar flowering. THE hermaphrodite flowerswithout the actual corolla, they present reclaim petalid glasses that take on the function of attraction of pollinators. These pseudopathic, 4-6 cm long with a diameter of 2-3.5 cm, consist of five sepals welded together and can occur in a wide chromatic range: pure white, bright yellow, delicate pink and intense red. Particularly interesting is the possibility of observing Schooling or two -tone flowerssometimes with different colors on the same plant.
The phenomenon that confers the common name to the plant is his circadian rhythm: The flowers hatch in the late afternoon, giving an intense and sweet perfume that persists all night, and then close again at the first light of dawn. This evolutionary adaptation is aimed at night pollinationmainly carried out by nocturnal lepidoptera (flour) and, in the areas of origin, by the Colibrì. In covered sky conditions, the opening of the flowers can anticipate, demonstrating the sensitivity of the plant to environmental luminous variations.
Where to place the beauty at night
Mirabilis Jalapa thrives in Tropical, subtropical and temperate-caldi climatesdemonstrating considerable adaptability. The plant prefers Exhibitions in full suncondition that guarantees abundant blooms and dense foliage. Tolerate the half -shade, although in such conditions the flowering is more shaved and the less compact bearing. During the hottest hours of the summer days, the leaves can manifest temporary wiseness, recovering turgor when the evening temperatures are dropped.
About the temperaturesthe aerial part succumbs to the first geli, while the radical tuber can survive temperatures of some degrees below zero, especially if protected by a layer of mulching. In areas characterized by rigid winters, it is advisable to extract the tubers in autumn and keep them in a fresh and dry environment until the next spring.
What ground to use for the beautiful at night
The beauty at night has no particular pedological needs, adapting to different types of substrate provided they are equipped with adequate drainage. Tolerates poor landshows excellent resistance to salinity, aspect that makes it suitable for coastal gardens. The optimal pH ranks in a neutral-salvacid range (6.0-7.0), albeit the plant, monsters tolerance also to slightly different values.
For the cultivation in the groundit is appropriate to work the ground by incorporating mature organic substance than better structure and fertility. In the case of heavy clayey soils, the addition of coarse or perlite sand favors drainage, preventing radical rot.
How to cultivate the beauty in the night at night
The cultivation in container requires the use of vases of adequate size (minimum 30 cm in diameter) with drainage holes. The ideal substrate consists of one mixture of quality universal soil, enriched with 20-30% of coarse sand or perlite to ensure drainage. The addition of mature compost or earthworm humus in the proportion of 15-20% brings nutrients and improves water retention.
The repotting is preferably carried out in springwhen the plant resumes vegetative activity. During this operation, it is possible to divide the tubers for vegetative multiplication, ensuring that each portion has at least one sprout.
How to water the beautiful at night
Mirabilis Jalapa’s water requirement varies significantly during the vegetative cycle. During the active growth phase and flowering (spring-summer), it requires Regular but moderate irrigationsleaving partially drying the substrate between one intervention and the other. Water excess, especially in the presence of insufficient drainage, can cause fatal radical rot.
In summerduring periods of intense heat, Irrigation can intensifypreferably in the evening to minimize evapotranspiration. It is fundamental Avoid wet the leaf to prevent the onset of fungal pathologies. With the approach of autumn, the irrigations must be gradually reduced until the complete suspension when the air part drives.
How to fertilize the beauty at night
Fotation represents an important aspect for obtaining spectacular blooms. In the ground, at the beginning of the vegetative season a Slow granular granular fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10), in the dose of 30-40 g/m². During flowering, fortnightly contributions of Flooring Rich Potassium liquid (type NPK 6-10-15) stimulate the production of buds.
For the Vase cultivationwe recommend the use of Specific liquid fertilizers for flower plantsdiluted in irrigation water every 10-15 days from April to September. The dose must be halved compared to what is indicated by the manufacturer to avoid saline accumulations in the confined substrate of the container.
Multiplication and propagation of the beauty at night
The propagation of Mirabilis Jalapa takes place mainly for seedmethod that guarantees quick and reliable results.
The seeds have a subsferic shape and a rough surface of black color, keep germinability for several years if preserved in a fresh and dry environment. Sowing is carried out in spring (March-April), after soaking seeds for 12-24 hours in warm water to encourage the impossible.
Germination takes place in 1-3 weeks at temperatures of 18-20 ° C. It is possible to anticipate sowing in protected seedbed (February) to obtain seedlings already developed to be transplanted after the latest frosts. Vegetative multiplication by division of tubers or herbaceous cuttings represents an alternative valid to maintain specific characteristics of the mother plant.
Beauty diseases and parasites in the morning
Mirabilis Jalapa generally shows Good resistance to parasites and diseases. Occasionally it can be attacked by aphidscontrollable with treatments based on potassium soft soap or natural pyrethrum. In conditions of high environmental humidity and poor air circulation, they can manifest themselves Oidio attacks or other foglia fungal diseasespreventable through correct crop practices and, if necessary, treatments with copper or sulfur products.
The excess of humidity in the substrate can encourage radical rotten rots caused by phytophthora and/or pythium.
Prevention is based on the control of irrigation and the maintenance of optimal drainage.
Do not forget the toxicity of the plant: all parts of the same, in particular the seeds, contain toxic substances that can cause gastrointestinal and neurological disorders If you ingest, therefore it will be necessary to pay particular attention in the presence of children and pets.
Ornamental uses and scientific curiosities
In the ornamental gardening area, the beautiful at night is used in the creation of mixed borders, flowery flower beds and small informal hedges. The evening flowering makes it particularly suitable for night gardens and evening relaxation areas. The ability to naturalize itself easily requires attention to avoid uncontrolled diffusionespecially in Mediterranean environments where it can take on invasive character.
From a scientific point of view, Mirabilis Jalapa covers historical importance in genetic studies. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Carl Correns used it to demonstrate the phenomenon of incomplete dominance: the intersection between red and white flower plants produces pink flower offspring, highlighting how both alleles contribute to the final phenomenon. Furthermore, the presence of foliage variegatures was used for study cytoplasmic inheritancethis case that favored the spread of new perspectives on understanding hereditary mechanisms.
