How to Grow Plumbago auriculata? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Plumbago auriculata, also known as blue snowflake, is a very beautiful flowering plant with extremely high ornamental value. In midsummer, its pale blue little flowers dot the emerald green branches and leaves, giving people a refreshing feeling, and it is sought after by many flower enthusiasts. Plumbago auriculata is very easy to care for, and with proper care, it readily fills out its pot.

How to Grow Plumbago auriculata

1. Blue snowflake is mostly propagated by seed propagation, cutting propagation or division propagation. The cutting method is mostly carried out in early summer at a temperature of 20-25 degrees, and roots will form in about one month. When planting, the potting soil should cover the seedling soil, and a small amount of fertilizer should be added to the new potting mix. In addition, after planting, apply a dilute complete-element compound fertilizer once a week.

2. When watering blue snowflake, note that you should not water if the soil is not dry, and water thoroughly when you do. In daily care, keep the surface of the potting soil dry. Pay attention to the pH value of the water to prevent soil salinization.

3. Blue snowflake does not need light during propagation. Carry out reasonable lighting once growth is stable. Timely supplementary light after germination can speed up the growth rate of blue snowflake. In order to make blue snowflake branch more, bloom more, and have a full plant shape, it needs to be pinched back two or three times during the seedling stage. Pinching back can also delay the flowering period by about two weeks.

Plumbago auriculata Cultivation Methods and Precautions

I. Cultivation Methods for Plumbago auriculata

1. Temperature

Plumbago auriculata likes a warm environment with sufficient light and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature for growth is between 17°C and 25°C. In summer it should not exceed 35°C, and the overwintering temperature in winter should be above 7°C.

2. Light

Plumbago auriculata likes sunlight and is relatively shade-tolerant. It should receive sufficient sunlight every day. However, avoid strong direct sunlight in summer, and note that it can be slightly shaded. In winter, ensure sufficient light.

3. Watering

Plumbago auriculata needs plenty of water during vigorous growth. When the temperature is high, ensure air humidity and spray water on the plant. In summer, the water requirement is high, and it can be watered every day to replenish water in time. Water thoroughly when watering. In winter, reduce watering or even stop watering.

4. Fertilizing

Plumbago auriculata needs plenty of fertilizer during the growing period. During the spring and summer growing seasons, it can be fertilized once a week. Liquid fertilizer is preferred. During the bud stage, some flower fertilizer can also be sprayed to make the flowers more brilliant and prolong the flowering period.

5. Soil

Plumbago auriculata should be repotted in spring. When repotting, choose a well-drained sandy soil. Take out the plant, trim it appropriately, then repot it with fresh soil.

II. Cultivation Precautions

1. Pests and Diseases

Plumbago auriculata is susceptible to root-knot nematodes and scale insects. It can be controlled by spraying a diluted solution of 80% dichloropropane emulsion or by spraying with a 1000-fold solution of 25% phosmet emulsion.

2. Pruning

Plumbago auriculata should have its branches pruned in spring. Cut off the thin and weak branches; new branches growing from old stems will bloom before long. For plants more than 3 years old, cut off the old branches, and after flowering, cut off the spent flowers.

How to Pollinate Plumbago auriculata

1. The flowers of Plumbago auriculata come in two types: male flowers and female flowers. The top of the female flower's style looks like an open little umbrella, as if it is always ready for pollination. The male flower has five filaments in the middle, with anthers at the top.

2. First, the best time to pollinate Plumbago auriculata is around 8 o'clock in the morning. The specific time depends on the situation: when the temperature is higher, it can be earlier, and when the temperature is lower, it can be later.

3. Next, prepare a few cotton swabs. Use a cotton swab to collect pollen from the male parent and apply it to the stigma of the female parent. For successfully pollinated flowers, even after the flower fades, the green part will not wither, and once mature it becomes the flower seed.

Differences Between Plumbago auriculata and Plumbago zeylanica

1. Different flower colors

This is the most intuitive difference between Plumbago auriculata and Plumbago zeylanica. It can be seen from the names: Plumbago auriculata is generally pale blue, very fresh and elegant; while Plumbago zeylanica is pure white.

2. Different flowering periods

The peak flowering periods of these two flowers do not overlap. The flowering period of Plumbago zeylanica is in November, while that of Plumbago auriculata is in January and April to July. However, because Plumbago auriculata has a longer flowering period, its first flowers sometimes coincide with the last flowers of Plumbago zeylanica.

3. Different uses

Plumbago zeylanica is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material with relatively wide uses. It can be used for traumatic injuries, rheumatism, ringworm and malignant sores, and insect and snake bites, and it also has a certain effect on killing mosquito larvae and fly maggots. Plumbago auriculata has a unique flower color, high ornamental value, and a very long flowering period, and is mostly used for horticultural ornamental purposes.

Seeing such a beautiful Plumbago auriculata, are you tempted? Plumbago auriculata is naturally robust, and its cultivation methods are relatively easy. However, many flower lovers know that Plumbago auriculata is a plant that is not very cold-tolerant, so in winter the care temperature is the most important, and it generally needs to be kept at 5-10 degrees for it to overwinter safely.