Horn (Lotus corniculatus)

The Lotus corniculatus is a beautiful plant

El lotus corniculatus It is a very beautiful herbaceous plant that produces really curious flowers of a fantastic yellow color, which is why it is an ideal species to grow in pots and / or gardens.

Also, it is perennial, which means that it lives for several years before drying out. Let's get to know him better 🙂.

Origin and characteristics of lotus corniculatus

The flower of the Lotus corniculatus is yellow

It is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Fabaceae, that is, of legumes, native to Eurasia and North Africa. It is popularly known as horns, virgin's shoes, corniculated lotus, crow's foot, sand clover, or king's crown, and its scientific name is lotus corniculatus.

Grows to a height of up to 40 centimeters, but as it usually has a more or less decumbent and creeping bearing, it does not exceed 20 centimeters. During the first year of life it develops one or two stems that will be the main ones, from which the ramifications will emerge from the second year.

The leaves are sessile, that is, without a petiole, composed of five leaflets of about 17mm in length, with an ovoid shape. The flowers are grouped in umbels and are yellow. The fruit is a legume about 4mm thick, inside which we will find 10 to 30 brown seeds of 1 to 1,5mm in diameter.

What are their cares?

To have this plant in good condition you must take into account the following:

Location

El lotus corniculatus it is an herb to be had abroad, full sun. It is adapted to temperate and even somewhat cold climates, having a slower growth rate in those areas where summer temperatures exceed 30ºC; in fact, the ideal is that the maximum 27ºC should not be exceeded.

Earth

View of the Lotus corniculatus

  • Garden: not too demanding. It grows well in nutrient-poor soils, and in those that are compact and moist. Of course, he likes the soil to be slightly acidic, with a pH between 5 and 6.
  • Flower pot: it is advisable to fill it with substrate for acidic plants (for sale here).

Irrigation

Irrigation should be moderate. He lotus corniculatus It is a plant that does not withstand drought, so it is important to always keep the soil somewhat moist. Therefore, it is advisable to water 3-4 times a week during the summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.

Every time it is watered, all the soil has to be soaked well so that the roots can make the most of it.

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Throughout the growing season, that is, from spring to early autumn, it is interesting to pay with organic, such as compost, guano (for sale here) or mulch, among others. So you can grow healthy.

Multiplication

El lotus corniculatus multiplies by seeds in spring, following this step by step:

  1. First, you must choose what will serve as a seedbed: a flowerpot, a seedling tray (like the ones in this type), yogurt or milk containers, ... or anything else that is waterproof and that has or can have some holes in the base for drainage.
  2. Then fill it with acidic plant substrate and water thoroughly.
  3. Next, place the seeds on the surface, being careful not to make piles. Moreover, it is best not to put more than 2-3 seeds in each seedbed, since the more likely it is that they will germinate or all or the majority and the less competition they have, the more likely it is that they will reach adults.
  4. Then cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
  5. Finally, water again and place the seedbed outside, in full sun.

They will germinate in a week or two.

Pruning

Don't need it. Remove only the withered flowers and the dried flowers whenever necessary using scissors -may be kitchen scissors- previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol or a few drops of dishwasher.

Planting or transplanting time

The Lotus corniculatus blooms in spring

The right time to plant it in the garden is in spring, when the frosts have passed.

If you have it in a pot, transplant it to a bigger one when you see that roots grow out of the drainage holes, or when it has been in it for more than two years.

Rusticity

It resists cold and frost well up to -7ºC.

What uses is given to lotus corniculatus?

It has several uses:

Ornamental

It is a very beautiful plant, ideal to have in pots, planters, and of course also in the gardens. It is not difficult to care for or grow, and since the cold is not a problem for you, without a doubt it is a species of the most interesting for temperate climates.

As green manure

All legumes have the peculiarity that fix nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, so the lotus corniculatus can be used as green manure.

To do this, what you have to do is cultivate it in the ground, let it grow on its own, and when it begins to bloom, cut it, chop it and bury it in the ground.

Forage plant

It is the most widespread use. Excellent quality hay is produced with this plant, particularly for sheep.

Where to buy?

You can buy seeds from here:


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