How to Grow Nasturtium? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Nasturtium is quite common in everyday life, and many flower lovers enjoy growing nasturtium, not only because it is easy to grow, but also because its flowers are bright and colorful, its leaves are emerald green and beautiful, and its blooming period is especially long. If well cared for, it can even bloom all year round. So let's take a look below, together with the editor, at how to grow nasturtium properly!
How to Grow Nasturtium
1. Soil: Potted nasturtium likes soil that drains easily, is rich in nutrients, and allows the roots to breathe. It fears waterlogging and must not sit in standing water. The potting soil can be made by mixing garden soil, leaf mold, compost soil, and sand in a 4:4:1:1 ratio.
2. Light: Nasturtium needs sufficient light. In summer it must not receive direct sunlight and should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated spot. In North China, move it indoors in mid-October and place it where it can receive sunlight. Nasturtium grows according to the light conditions, so the plant should be rotated constantly to receive even light.
3. Watering: Nasturtium likes moisture but cannot tolerate waterlogging. Soil moisture should be kept at about 50%. During the growing period, water little but often. In spring and autumn, water once every 1 to 2 days; in summer, water once a day, and in the evening spray water on the leaves of the nasturtium. During the bud stage, reduce the frequency of watering and increase the amount as appropriate.
4. Temperature: The most suitable temperature for nasturtium is 18 to 24°C. It fears high temperatures; when summer temperatures are too high, it does not bloom easily, and above 35°C growth slows or stops. Nasturtium is not cold-tolerant and can only survive briefly at 0°C. In winter, the temperature should be above 10°C to help it overwinter. Keeping the winter temperature at 12 to 16°C along with suitable fertilizer and water can maintain nasturtium's growth.
5. Fertilizing: During the growing period, nasturtium can be given 20% decomposed soybean cake water once a month. During the blooming period, apply 0.5% superphosphate or decomposed chicken and duck manure water once every half month. After the flowers fade, apply 30% decomposed soybean cake water once. Nasturtium does not need fertilizing in summer. At the end of autumn, apply a compound overwintering fertilizer once, which helps with cold resistance and growth the following year.
Nasturtium Cultivation Methods
1. Potting soil
Nasturtium should be grown in sandy loam rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5-6. Generally, during the growing period, fertilize once every 3-4 weeks, and after each fertilizing, loosen the soil promptly to improve aeration and benefit root development.
2. Water and fertilizer management
Watering: Nasturtium likes moisture and fears waterlogging. Keep soil moisture at around 50%. During the growing period, water little but often. In spring and autumn, water once every 2-3 days; in summer, water every day, and in the evening spray water on the leaf surface to maintain relatively high humidity.
3. Fertilizing
During the growing process, generally apply 20% decomposed soybean cake water once a month. During the blooming period, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and instead apply 0.5% superphosphate or decomposed chicken and duck manure water once every half month. After the flowers fade, apply 30% decomposed soybean cake water once as a top dressing to replenish the nutrients consumed by blooming. In hot summer weather, stop fertilizing. At the end of autumn, apply a compound overwintering fertilizer once more to strengthen the plant's cold resistance.
4. Light
Nasturtium likes sunlight. In spring and autumn, place it in a spot with ample sunlight. In summer, it needs appropriate shading. In winter, keep the room temperature at around 15°C with ample sunlight, and it can continue to grow and develop.
5. Propagation methods
Nasturtium can self-pollinate, and the seeds can be used for sowing and propagation. Nasturtium can also be propagated by cuttings, which can be done in both spring and autumn.
Precautions for Growing Nasturtium
1. During the growth period, nasturtium often shows long internodes and yellow leaves, thin stems and small leaves, or lush branches and leaves but few flowers due to improper fertilizer and water management. During the growing process, generally apply 20% decomposed soybean cake water once a month. During the blooming period, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and instead apply 0.5% superphosphate or decomposed chicken and duck manure water once every half month. After the flowers fade, apply 30% decomposed soybean cake water once as a top dressing to replenish the nutrients consumed by blooming. In hot summer weather, stop fertilizing. At the end of autumn, apply a compound overwintering fertilizer once more to strengthen the plant's cold resistance. Watering is a routine management task, and the frequency and amount of watering should be determined according to the weather and the plant's growth. In spring and autumn, generally water once every other day; in summer, water once a day to maintain relatively high air humidity. When flower buds appear, the frequency of watering should be appropriately reduced, but the amount of water each time should be increased, so that the potting soil alternates between dry and moist. After blooming, watering should be reduced.
2. Nasturtium likes sunlight. In spring and autumn, place it in a spot with ample sunlight. In summer, it needs appropriate shading. In winter, keep the room temperature at around 15°C with ample sunlight, and it can continue to grow and develop.
Pruning and Care for Nasturtium
After pinching: After pinching, provide fertilizer and water again. Generally, in about 10 days the new branches that emerge can reach several cm in length. When the plant grows 15-20 cm above the pot surface, a support frame needs to be set up, and the vine stems should be evenly tied to the frame, with the leaves facing one direction.
The size of the support frame should be such that the vines and leaves can cover it in the later growth stage. Generally, it should be about 20 cm above the pot surface. Tie the stems as they grow, and take care that the vine stems are evenly distributed on the frame.
After pruning mature plants: Pruning mature plants is done to encourage more branching, so as to achieve a beautiful shape with abundant flowers and lush leaves. After pruning, pay attention to watering at the right time to keep the plant in good growing condition.
As mentioned above, for flowering plants, care methods are very important, and the quality of care directly affects the overall appearance of the potted plant. So if you want to grow a pot of beautiful flowering plants, it is important to understand the planting and care methods!