Growing malope, which is a somewhat underappreciated flower, brings to yoir garden a certain amount of charm and or course some wonderful color. Malope is an annual that has large trumpet shaped flowers that will become the focal point of your garden once planted.
If you want to grow malope but aren’t sure how then this guide will give you everything you need. It’ll help you decide on the right variety, show you what it needs in the way of water and the steps to successfully grow your own malope.
Introduction to Malope
Malope comes from the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the mallow family and comes colors like pink, purple and white.
It’s very easy to grow so that makes it a good choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. It only needs minimal care and is a tough flower so it’s a good starter plant for those dipping their toes or new to gardening and growing.
Choosing the Right Variety
There are a fair few varieties of malope. You’ll want to choose the one that will fit in with how your garden looks. So let’s take a look at the most popular ones and what they need to help you decide:
Malope trifida ‘Vulcan’
- Appearance: Crimson petals that have a sort of velvet texture and a very noticeable central eye.
- Height: Grows up to 3 feet tall.
- Ideal for: Themes that need bold colors and making a central point in garden beds.
Malope trifida ‘Glacier Fruits’
- Appearance: A lovely mix of pink and white flowers. The have a subtle gradient to them.
- Height: Typically reaches 2.5 to 3 feet.
- Ideal for: Good for gardens borders to make them softer and also work well in cottage gardens.
Malope trifida ‘Alba’
- Appearance: Pure white flowers that look classic and elegant.
- Height: Grows to about 2.5 feet.
- Ideal for: Creates a serene feel for your garden. Also blends will other colorful plants and contrasts well against them.
How to Choose
When picking a variety of malope think about:
- Color Scheme: Match the flower color to your garden’s existing ones.
- Height: Make sure the plant’s height suits your garden’s layout and doesn’t overshadow any shorter plants.
- Climate Adaptability: Some varieties may perform better in certain climates. So make sure you choose one that fits with your area.
Preparing Your Garden
Soil Requirements
Malope likes soil that drains well and has a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Before you plant it’s a good idea to test your soil to check that it meets these conditions. You can then use compost or something similar to improve the drainage or fertility if you need to.
Location
Choose a sunny spot in your garden. Malope does best in full sun and need at least 6 to 8 hours a day of it. A south facing location usually perfect.
Planting Malope
Sowing Seeds Indoors
Starting malope seeds indoors can give you a head start on the growing season.
Materials Needed
- Seed trays or small pots
- Seed starting mix
- Clear plastic covers or plastic wrap
- Watering can with a fine rose
- Labels and markers
Steps
- Fill Trays: Fill the seed trays with a seed starting mix and make sure it’s lightly moistened.
- Sow Seeds: Sow the seeds thinly on the surface and gently cover them with a thin layer of soil.
- Cover and Place: Cover the trays with clear plastic to keep them humid and put them in a spot that’s warm and has indirect light.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. You don’t want to do disturb the seeds so use a watering can with a fine.
- Germination: Seeds will germinate in around 7 to 14 days. Once the seedlings appear take the plastic cover off and put them somewhere they will get bright and indirect light.
- Transplanting: When the seedlings have a few true leaves and the conditions outdoors are right you can harden them off by slowly exposing them to the outdoor conditions over a week before transplanting.
Direct Sowing Outdoors
If you prefer direct sowing follow these steps:
Preparing the Site
- Timing: Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost when the soil is warm.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and remove any weeds and stones.
- Sowing: Scatter the seeds thinly over the surface of the soil and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil.
- Watering: Water gently to settle the seeds but make sure you don’t wash them away. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge.
Transplanting Seedlings
Getting the transplanting right is a big part of growing malope successfully.
- Timing: Transplant the seedlings after the last frost and when there’s no more risk of anymore frost.
- Spacing: Space the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart so they have room to grow and enough air to flow around them.
- Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, put the seedling in the hole and move soil around it so they’re firmly in place. Water well after planting.
Caring for Malope
You won’t get healthy malope plants if you don’t water them properly.
Watering Instructions
- Initial Watering: After planting water thoroughly as it will help to establish the roots.
- Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil moist at all times, especially during dry spells. It should be evenly moist but not soggy.
- Morning Watering: Water in the morning and let the leaves dry throughout the day. This will mean there is less chance or fungus developing.
- Mulching: Put mulch on the base of the plant as it will help to keep the soil moist and the temperature steady.
Fertilizing Schedule
Feeding malope the right way will get them growing better and giving you more flowers.
- Initial Feeding: When you plant them use a balanced fertilizer that is slow releasing.
- Mid Season Boost: Give them some liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
- Organic Options: You could use compost tea or fish emulsion if you want any organic option for feeding.
Pruning and Deadheading Techniques
Dead heading and pruning help with growth and getting flowers blooming all year round.
- Deadheading: Regularly remove the spent flowers as it will encourage new ones. Cut the stem just above the next set of leaves.
- Pinching: Pinch back the growing tips of the young plants as this will help to get bushier growth and more flowers.
- Pruning: Trim any leggy or damaged stems. It will keep the plants shape and improve it’s health.
Mulching
Applying a layer of mulch around your malope will stop weeds, keep the soil moist and the roots cool. Organic mulches are god too. So things like compost, straw or shredded bark.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Control Methods
Malope is generally good at resisting pests but can still be affected by some.
Aphids
- Identification: Small, green or black insects, usually on newer growth.
- Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or use ladybugs that will predate them.
Slugs and Snails
- Identification: Look for slimy trails and holes in the leaves.
- Control: Use slug pellets, beer traps or just pick them off by hand at night.
Disease Prevention and Management
Stopping diseases is going to be key to keeping your malope healthy.
Powdery Mildew
- Symptoms: White, powdery spots on the leaves and the stems.
- Prevention: Don’t water from above, make sure the air flow around the plant is good and use fungicide if need be.
Root Rot
- Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, lack of growth and wilting leaves/flowers.
- Prevention: Make sure you have soil that drains will and that you aren’t overwatering your plant.
Companion Planting
Malope works well when planted with quote a few varieties of plants. A few of the best are:
- Lavender: Brings good insects and pollinators and complements the color of malope.
- Cosmos: Also easy go grow and has similar care needs.
- Echinacea: Brings in insects that help your plants and have contrasting flowers shapes.
Harvesting and Using Malope Flowers
The flowers from your malope can be cut and used in floral arrangements. For the best vase life cut the flowers early in the morning when they are fully open. Put them in water straightaway and then change the water every couple of days to keep them fresh.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Addressing Germination Problems
- Seed Freshness: Use fresh seeds from a source you know is reputable.
- Soil Temperature: Maintain the soil temperature at between 60 to 70°F (15-21°C).
- Moisture Levels: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Solving Leggy Seedlings
- Light: Seedlings should get at least 14 to 16 hours of light every day. If you can’t do this then use a grow light to make up the rest.
- Spacing: Thin seedlings so there is less competition and improve the air flow.
- Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature around 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C) as otherwise you might growth that is too fast and weak.
Managing Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves are a clear sign of a problem.
- Watering: change how you’re watering to avoid waterlogging. And make sure it has the right drainage.
- Nutrient Deficiency: Give them a balanced ferilizer to make up any gaps in the nutrients they’re getting.
- Pest and Disease Check: Look closely for signs of pests or diseases and then deal with them as quickly as you can.
Additional Tips
Seasonal Care Adjustments
Spring
- Preparation: Prepare the soil and start the seeds indoors or sow directly outdoors.
- Watering and Mulching: Get consistent with your watering and use mulch.
Summer
- Maintenance: Continue watering on a regular basis and the same for deadheading. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
- Feeding: Give them a fertilizer boost in the mid season.
Fall
- Seed Collection: Allow some flowers to go to seed for next year’s planting.
- Clean-Up: Remove dead plants to stop overwintering pests and diseases.
Observational Tips
Pay close attention to your plants and congas what you’re doing based on how the respond.
- Growth Patterns: Note how plants react to different watering and feeding you give them.
- Environmental Factors: Change what you’re doing when the weather changes. So if it gets hotter you should up how much you’re watering.
- Pest and Disease Signs: Regularly look for early signs of pests and diseases. Taken action quickly to prevent them spreading.
Experimenting with Garden Design
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- Mixed Borders: Combine malope with other annuals and perennials. It makes for a wonderful display.
- Themed Gardens: Use malope to create themed garden sections, such as a Mediterranean garden or a pollinator friendly area.
- Containers: Grow malope in containers so you can move them around your garden and highlight different parts of your space.