How to Grow Oxypetalum caeruleum (Blue Star Flower)? Detailed Planting Methods and Precautions
The blue star flower is very beautiful, with small and delicate blooms, white centers surrounded by blue petals, fresh and natural, with extremely high ornamental value, deeply loved by everyone. Many flower enthusiasts like to grow blue star flowers on their home balconies as decorative plants. Let's learn together with the editor about how to care for and grow blue star flowers!
How to Grow Blue Star Flower
1. Seed selection
Selecting seeds before sowing is a key step for successful sowing. Before sowing blue star flower, select seeds harvested in the current year. The selection criteria for seeds are plump grains, no deformities, and no pests or diseases. After selecting the seeds, disinfect them, generally by soaking them in hot water at about 60°C.
2. Germination promotion
Blue star flower should be germinated before sowing to promote sprouting. The method is to soak the seeds in warm water for a period of time, about 12 to 24 hours, until the seeds absorb water and swell up.
3. Sowing
Prepare the soil and put it into a flower pot. Place the seeds on the soil in the pot, arranging them one by one. Then place the sown pot into water, with the water depth at 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot's height, allowing the water to slowly soak up and saturate the soil. Afterward, water with a sprayer or a fine-hole watering can. After sowing, water in an appropriate amount, and be careful not to water too forcefully, so as not to wash up the seeds that have not yet taken root.
Blue Star Flower Planting Methods and Precautions
1. Light and temperature
Blue star flower likes sunlight and has strong adaptability to light; it can take full sun or partial sun. When keeping it indoors, let it receive sunlight and get sufficient light. Insufficient light will cause the plant to grow leggy and will also affect flowering.
The blue star flower is native to subtropical regions. Its suitable growth temperature is 20-30 degrees. In winter, the overwintering temperature needs to be relatively high; below 8°C, it stops growing and enters dormancy.
2. Humidity requirements
Blue star flower likes a relatively humid environment and requires air humidity between 50 and 70%. Air humidity must not be too low; otherwise, the lower leaves of the blue star flower will turn yellow and fall off, and the upper leaves will lose their luster.
3. Water and fertilizer management
Water is very important for the blue star flower. Spring, summer, and autumn are the growing seasons for the blue star flower, so sufficient water must be provided. Especially in summer, the plant must not lack water; when the temperature is high, watering can be increased. In winter, the blue star flower enters dormancy, so the frequency of watering can be reduced.
Because the flowering period of the blue star flower can be described as year-round, blooming almost all four seasons, fertilizer needs to be supplemented regularly. During the growing season, an appropriate amount of extra fertilizer can be added.
4. Precautions
In winter, the blue star flower enters dormancy or semi-dormancy. Weak branches, diseased branches, dead branches, dense branches, and other branches should be pruned off. Branches can also be organized in combination with cuttings.
The Flowering Period of Blue Star Flower
The flowering season of the blue star flower is from January to December, blooming almost year-round. The blue star flower likes a sunny, warm environment. If the growing environment is good, it can bloom all year round.
The blue star flower generally blooms in the morning and completely withers by the afternoon, not a single one left. The next day, brand-new flowers open again, full of freshness.
How to Take Cuttings of Blue Star Flower
Insert the cut branches into the soil and keep the temperature at 20°C to 30°C. Do not exceed this range; too low will lead to slow growth, and too high will cause the cut ends to rot.
When blue star flower cuttings encounter low temperatures, they need to be kept warm by wrapping the flower pot or container with plastic film. When encountering high temperatures, they need to be cooled, mainly by shading and spraying.
Another point for blue star flower cuttings is to maintain relatively high air humidity, because the cuttings have no root system and cannot absorb water on their own, so moisture must be maintained by keeping the air humid to reduce evaporation. Spray 3 to 5 times a day; on cloudy and rainy days, spray less or not at all. But do not overdo it, to avoid the blue star flower rotting and dying.
As mentioned above, the blue star flower likes a sunny environment in daily life and is heat-tolerant but not moisture-tolerant, so everyone should pay attention when watering and should not water too much. The blue star flower has very strong vitality and is very suitable for growing at home!