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Description
All the nasturtiums in the Tip Top Alaska series have attractive, mottled foliage and flowers that are held up, over the leaves. Sow Tip Top Alaska Salmon nasturtium seeds in containers or raised beds, or between rows in your organic vegetable garden. This variety grows very compact, without the trailing stems of some other nasturtiums. The edible flowers of this nasturtium are a soft salmon pink colour. This contrasts nicely against brighter flowers, and looks fabulous against the dark purple flowers of Lobelia or the blue of Cynoglossum flowers. This hardy annual is drought tolerant, so useful in water conserving xeriscaping schemes.
| Latin Name |
Tropaeolum majus & T. minus |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Exposure |
Full sun to partial shade |
| Timing |
Sow indoors in peat or coir pots 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. Better yet, direct sow from 1 week after last frost and repeat at 2 week intervals into early summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 12-18°C (55-65°F). Seeds will sprout in 7-12 days, perhaps longer outdoors. |
| Starting |
Sow seeds 5mm – 1cm (¼”-½”) deep. If starting indoors, provide darkness during germination, followed by bright light. Space smaller varieties 15-30cm (6-12″) apart, and the big ones like Tall Single 60-90cm (24-36″) apart. |
| Growing |
Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Keep watered during dry weather, and do not fertilize. If aphids infest nasturtiums, cut off the infested growing tip and destroy it. Otherwise, a quick jet of water from the hose will dislodge and kill aphids. |
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