How to Grow Million Bells? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Million Bells, also called dwarf petunia, is a plant whose main ornamental feature is its flowers. It is currently distributed in many parts of our country and is a relatively common flower variety. Nowadays, many people want to grow Million Bells, but regarding the specific cultivation techniques, many people do not know much about them. Let's learn about them together below!
How to Grow Million Bells
1. Best propagation time: Million Bells can be propagated by cuttings in winter.
2. Best growing soil: Million Bells likes fertile, loose humus soil, which makes rooting faster.
3. Growing humidity requirements: During the high-temperature summer season, replenish water in time. Besides watering in time, spraying water on the leaves to replenish moisture is very good.
4. Best growing temperature: The best growing temperature for Million Bells is between 15-30°C. In winter it can tolerate short periods of low temperatures of zero degrees, and in summer it can tolerate high temperatures of 35 degrees.
5. Best growing light: Million Bells grows relatively well in an environment with sufficient sunlight, and can also grow normally in a semi-shaded environment.
Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Million Bells
I. Cultivation methods:
1. Transplanting. Million Bells has relatively poor transplant tolerance. If the roots are damaged, it takes a long time to recover, and in severe cases it is difficult to save. Therefore, the best time to transplant is after the roots have filled a small pot. When transplanting, be sure to avoid damaging the roots. After successful transplanting, it needs one week to recover. First place it in a shaded place, spray water on the leaves morning and evening, and then move it to a full-sun environment for cultivation.
2. Fertilizing. Million Bells does not need much fertilizer for growth. The base fertilizer can be prepared in a smaller amount, and can be mixed at a ratio of worm castings : soil (1:3). During the growing period, thin fertilizer should also be applied, and the application frequency can be increased.
3. Sufficient sunlight helps promote branching and increase the number of flowers. During high summer temperatures, pay attention to replenishing water. After dehydration causes the stems and leaves to wilt, the leaves also need to be supplied with water.
II. Precautions:
Generally, planting three Million Bells plants in a flower pot is enough, because Million Bells has numerous flowers, and planting one is also fine. A reasonable pinching method can make even a single plant grow into a beautiful flower ball. If Million Bells of different colors are selected for planting, then the specific combination should be considered according to the different plant characteristics.
Pinching Methods for Million Bells
Generally speaking, the first pinching can be done when the seedlings grow to a height of 6-8 cm. Usually, in summer when temperatures are high, plants grow quickly and internodes are longer, so pinching should be done frequently. After pinching, fewer leaves should be left on the branches. Usually it is appropriate to leave 4-6 leaves per branch after pinching. In spring, plants grow relatively slowly and internodes are shorter, so after pinching leave 6-8 leaves per branch, not more than 10 leaves. If some areas have more branches, pinching can accordingly be done several more times, leaving only 2-3 leaves each time, allowing the unsatisfactory areas to continue growing to improve the plant shape.
Common Pests and Diseases of Million Bells and Their Control
1. White mold. After the disease occurs, promptly remove diseased leaves, and in the early stage of the disease spray 75{bf} chlorothalonil 600-800 times dilution.
2. Leaf spot. Try to avoid bruising the leaves and pay attention to preventing wind damage, sunscald and cold damage; promptly remove and burn diseased leaves, and pay attention to clearing fallen leaves; spray 50{bf} amobam 1000 times dilution.
3. Viral disease. The indirect control method is to spray insecticide to control aphids, spraying 40{bf} omethoate 1000 times solution; in cultivation work, tools and hands that have come into contact with diseased plants must be disinfected.
4. Aphids. When a large number of aphids are found, they should be isolated in time, and sprayed with 10{bf} omethoate emulsion 1000 times dilution, or malathion emulsion 1000-1500 times dilution, or dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times dilution, or Gaobo (70{bf} imidacloprid) water-dispersible granules 15000-20000 times dilution.
When growing Million Bells, be sure to pay attention to temperature control. If the temperature is too low, it may cause the plant to die. Light is also an important condition affecting its growth. Timely lighting is beneficial for its flowering. In the later stages of cultivation, pest and disease control work must also be carried out. Only in this way can Million Bells grow healthily.