How to Grow Potted Columbine? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Precautions
If you have ever seen a columbine, you will surely be captivated by its unique beauty. Columbine holds a very high status in Chinese medicinal use, and its ornamental value is no less than that of other flowering plants. When in bloom, the columbine is extremely beautiful, with a unique flower shape, making it very suitable for viewing, so it is a great choice as a potted plant at home.
How to Grow Columbine
1. Potting up
After columbine sprouts, at 5 to 6 weeks, it can be transplanted into plug trays with a 3 to 4 cm caliper. After another 5 to 6 weeks, blue columbine can be transplanted into pots with a 10 to 15 cm diameter, fan columbine can be transplanted into pots with a 7 to 11 cm diameter, and hybrid columbine can be transplanted into pots with an 11 to 16 cm diameter. Transplanting twice is beneficial to the quality of the plants.
2. Medium
The cultivation substrate for columbine needs good drainage. The soil content in the substrate should be about 15%, and about 15% organic matter (such as wood fiber, bark) can be added. Apply 1 to 1.5 kg of a complete balanced fertilizer per cubic meter of substrate, along with 1 to 2 kg of slow-release fertilizer, iron chelate, and micronutrients. The pH value should be 5.5 to 6.2.
3. Light
Columbine is a long-day plant. Maintain a high light level. Potted varieties need supplemental lighting in both winter and spring, which helps improve plant quality. In mid-January, they need to grow under long-day conditions (16 hours) with continuous supplemental lighting (30000 to 40000 lux), with the temperature maintained at 12°C.
4. Temperature
The optimal growing temperature for columbine is 14°C to 16°C. After the roots form, lower the temperature to 8°C to 10°C. Temperature changes can improve plant quality. In spring, seedlings begin to grow at 15°C to 18°C for 6 to 7 weeks. A temperature of 10°C to 12°C will extend the cultivation time. Avoid high temperatures and low light conditions.
5. Fertilizing
Columbine has a moderate fertilizer requirement. It can be sprayed with a nitrogen-potassium balanced fertilizer at a concentration of 130 ppm to 150 ppm, once a week. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. No fertilizing after mid-September.
Potted Columbine Planting Methods and Precautions
I. Potted Columbine Planting Methods
1. Pot and soil selection
For potted columbine, choose a slightly larger pot and place soil inside. It can be well-drained sandy soil or humus-rich leaf mold. A little base fertilizer needs to be added to the soil.
2. Light and temperature
Columbine prefers a cool climate, dislikes high temperatures but can tolerate cold, and needs sufficient light. When caring for columbine, maintain the growing temperature between 15°C and 35°C, with moderate light. Avoid the high temperatures and scorching sun of summer; at this time, shade is needed, or place the potted columbine in a semi-shaded spot for care.
3. Watering and fertilizing
Columbine needs strengthened management with reasonable watering and fertilizing. During the vigorous growth period, columbine needs sufficient water. Decide the amount and frequency of watering based on the dryness of the potting soil, but avoid waterlogging. In dry weather, drain promptly; after rain, drain excess water promptly, and pay attention to maintaining a certain air humidity. For fertilizing, moderate fertility is sufficient. Fertilizer can be applied once a week, but be careful not to use too high a concentration. Note that fertilizing should stop after autumn begins. In addition, before columbine blooms, apply some phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the flowers more vibrant.
II. Columbine Cultivation Precautions
1. Propagation methods
Columbine is basically propagated through division or sowing. Sowing propagation can be done in spring or autumn, while division propagation is mainly done in autumn.
2. Pinching
During the growth period, columbine needs timely pinching to control plant height. After columbine finishes blooming, the spent flowers can be cut off, so that columbine can be cared for as a foliage plant.
3. Pests and diseases
The main pest of columbine is aphids, which cause significant damage and can also cause mosaic disease. In addition, there is the harm of powdery mildew, which needs timely and reasonable treatment.
How to Propagate Columbine
1. Sowing: Columbine is best sown in pots immediately after the seeds mature. To adjust the dormancy period of columbine, sow immediately after seed collection. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, rake fine and level, prepare the seedbed, water thoroughly, spread the seeds evenly on the seedbed, and cover with a soil mixture just until the seeds are no longer visible. Keep the seedbed surface moist; excessive moisture will cause seed rot. Seedlings emerge in 140 days.
2. Division: Columbine division is carried out in August-September. First cut off the branches and leaves on the upper part of the plant, retaining the lower sprouts with growing points, then dig up the plant, shake off the soil, and plant according to the natural separation of the main roots. If the main root is aged, it should be removed, making sure the base of the sprout carries part of the root crown, then insert it into a sand bed. After rooting, plant it separately. Cuttings will bloom the following year.
What to Do About Columbine Mosaic Disease
1. Symptoms
The whole plant is affected, with leaves wrinkled and deformed. The pathogen is caused by cucumber mosaic virus. The virus particles are spherical, with a diameter of 35 nanometers, an inactivation temperature of 60-70°C, and a survival period outside the host of 3-5 days. The host range is extensive. The transmission route may be through aphids and sap friction, causing healthy plants to become diseased.
2. Prevention and control methods
Fertilize scientifically and effectively, use more compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer, avoid over-applying nitrogen fertilizer, and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, thereby improving the nutritional conditions of columbine and enhancing the plant's antiviral ability; also loosen the soil in a timely manner to promote root development. Remove weeds promptly. Control aphids early to eliminate the transmission vector.
The care methods for columbine are not too difficult. With a little patience in daily care, it can grow very well. During the care process, not only do you need to prevent pests and diseases, but the step of timely pinching during the growth period should not be omitted either.