Origin
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant belongs to the Polemoniaceae family and is native to North America, specifically to the western regions of the United States and Canada.
Common Names
The plant is commonly referred to as sticky Gilia, sticky-leaved Gilia, glandular Gilia, and sticky wildflower.
Uses
Sticky Gilia is a beautiful wildflower often found along roadsides or open grasslands. Its sticky foliage and bright blue-purple flowers attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. As an ornamental plant, it is suitable for garden borders and rock gardens. Native Americans used the plant for medicinal purposes, such as for treating coughs, colds, and skin irritations.
General Appearance
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant is a short-lived perennial or annual herb that grows up to 24 inches tall. Its stem is erect, hairy, and commonly branching at the base. The plant has sticky, glandular hairs that cover the leaves. The leaves contain 3-7 leaflets, making them pinnately compound. The leaflets are linear to narrowly lanceolate, measuring about 0.4-2 inches long and 0.1-0.2 inches wide. The flowers are showy, with blue-purple or violet-colored corolla cups that measure about 0.2-0.4 inches long. The plant blooms from April to July.
Growth Conditions for Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant
Light: Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant prefers full sunlight to partial shade. It can withstand direct sunlight in areas with mild to moderate temperatures.
Temperature: This plant species grows well in temperate to hot climates. It can withstand some frost but cannot survive in extremely cold temperatures. The ideal temperature range for growth is between 20 and 30°C.
Soil: Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant grows well in well-drained soils with good water retention capacity. It can also tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy loam, clay loam, and gravelly soils. The plant prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0.
Water: The plant requires moderate watering, especially during the growing season. It can withstand periods of drought but does not do well in waterlogged soils. Watering should be done early in the day to allow the plant roots to absorb the water before the heat of the day.
Fertilization: Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant does not require fertilization. However, adding organic matter or compost to the soil before planting can help improve soil fertility and enhance growth.
Cultivation of Gilia gilioides
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant requires full sun to partial shade to grow effectively. It thrives well in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil. The plant has a tendency to self-sow, which is an indication that it can significantly grow in its natural habitat pressure-free.
Watering Needs of Gilia gilioides
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant is drought tolerant, requires very low watering frequency even in hot and arid regions. Overwatering the plant has negative consequences, including rotting of the roots and stunted growth.
Fertilization of Gilia gilioides
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant does not require regular fertilization. However, top-dressing with compost or adding organic matter is recommendable to provide nutrients to the soil. Organic fertilizers that promote the development of beneficial microbes in the soil are suitable for this plant.
Pruning Gilia gilioides
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant does not require pruning. However, deadheading and trimming the plant can help to boost its flowering capacity. Deadheading the flowers before they form seeds redirects all the energy back to the roots, so the plant can put out more flowers.
Propagating Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant
Gilia gilioides (Benth.) Greene ssp. glutinosa (Benth.) Mason & A. Grant, commonly known as sticky gilia, is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in dry, open areas, such as grasslands and woodlands. It produces beautiful purple-blue flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. Propagation of Gilia gilioides can be done through several methods, which include seed sowing, cuttings, and division.
Seed Propagation
The most common method of propagating Gilia gilioides is through seed sowing. Seeds can be collected from mature plants in the fall or spring and sown in pots or a prepared bed after the last frost. The seeds require light for germination, so do not cover them with soil. Keep the soil moist and watch for germination in 1 to 3 weeks. Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, they can be transplanted.
Cuttings Propagation
Gilia gilioides can also be propagated through cuttings taken from the parent plant. In mid to late summer, take 3-4 inch long stem cuttings and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in a soilless mix in a pot. Keep the soil moist and provide bright but filtered light. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into a larger pot or into the garden.
Division Propagation
An additional propagating method for Gilia gilioides is through division. It is recommended to divide the plants in the early spring before new growth appears. Carefully dig up the plant and separate the root clumps into smaller sections. Replant the divided sections into prepared soil at the same depth as the original plant. It is essential to keep the soil moist to give the plant time to re-establish its roots.
Disease Management
Gilia gilioides ssp. glutinosa is typically a healthy plant, but various plant diseases can attack it under ideal environmental conditions. Some of the common diseases that affect this plant include root rot, powdery mildew, and stem canker.
Root Rot: This disease is caused by fungi that thrive in poorly drained soils. To control root rot, always plant your Gilia gilioides ssp. glutinosa in well-drained soils. Avoid overwatering the plant and provide adequate drainage to ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a common disease that causes a white powdery growth on the leaves of the plant. The disease is caused by fungi that thrive in humid and wet conditions. To control powdery mildew, ensure that your plant is grown in well-aerated soil with adequate spacing between plants. Avoid overhead watering as it can create a wet environment for the development of the fungus.
Stem Canker: Stem canker is a disease that affects the stems of the plant. The disease is caused by fungi that infect weak and damaged stems. To control stem canker, prune out infected areas and destroy them to prevent the disease from spreading. Avoid damaging the stem of the plant and ensure that the plant is grown in well-drained soils.
Pest Management
Gilia gilioides ssp. glutinosa is generally not affected by pests, but some pests can occasionally attack the plant and cause damage. The common pests that affect Gilia gilioides ssp. glutinosa include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.
Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck sap from the leaves of the plant. They can cause stunted growth and deformation of leaves. To control aphids, introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or release insecticidal soap.
Spider Mites: Spider mites are tiny pests that feed on the plant's sap and cause discoloration of leaves. They thrive in dry and dusty environments. To control spider mites, regularly spray the plant with a strong stream of water or release natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings.
Whiteflies: Whiteflies are tiny insects that feed on the plant's sap. They can cause the leaves of the plant to wilt and turn yellow. To control whiteflies, release natural predators such as parasitic wasps or use insecticidal soap.
