A Detailed Guide to Potted Balloon Flower Planting Methods and Blooming Time
The balloon flower is a highly ornamental plant, and beyond that, it is also very potent in its medicinal properties, as its roots can be used as medicine, which is why it is very popular among consumers. Many people like to grow some at home, and when cultivating them, there are also many techniques to learn, so as to ensure its growth.
Potted Planting Methods for Balloon Flower
1. Seed selection. Select seeds of uniform size, plump, and pure color produced by 2a-old balloon flower plants. Place the selected seeds in sunlight for 1~2d to help break dormancy and kill parasitic fungi on the seed surface.
2. Seed treatment. In potted planting, to further increase the seed germination rate, soak the selected seeds with 100mg/LGA3 or 20%PEG6000 for 10h, then remove them, wrap them in gauze, and germinate them in an incubator at 25 in darkness for 10h, then prepare for sowing.
3. Potting and fertilizing. Pot size: diameter height of 33cm28cm, so that the container meets the requirements for the root development of the balloon flower plant. Thoroughly mix the screened sandy loam soil with high organic matter content and no pollution, and fill each pot with a measured amount. Because balloon flower seeds are tiny and not drought-tolerant in the early planting stage, the soil in the pot should be sifted fine before planting to improve the soil's water and fertilizer retention capacity and benefit root development. First, lay a layer of small stones diagonally at the bottom of the pot and wrap them with newspaper, then insert a hard plastic tube along the edge of the pot into the newspaper. Apply sufficient base fertilizer; among common fertilizers, phosphate fertilizer should be applied all at once, while nitrogen and potassium fertilizers should be used in appropriate proportions, and additional application can be made later according to growth conditions. The initial base fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed with the soil in the pot and filled into the pot.
When Does Balloon Flower Bloom
The balloon flower has a relatively late flowering period. From July to September, 1 or several blue or blue-purple flowers are produced at the top of the stem. When in bud, they swell into a balloon shape. The corolla is bell-shaped with five lobes at the tip, and when hanging downward it looks very much like an ancient bell, so it is also called bellflower. It fruits from August to October.
Precautions for Potted Cultivation of Balloon Flower
1. Replace the pot soil in time: 1~2 days before repotting the balloon flower, do not water first, which helps the pot soil separate from the pot wall. When repotting, take the plant out of the pot, shake off 20%~50% of the old soil from the roots, cut off dead roots and rotten roots, add a small amount of aloe residue to the bottom of the new pot, place the loosened soil in the center of the pot, and finally fill the pot with new soil.
2. Control the temperature well: before and after flowering, provide appropriate shade to prolong the flowering period. After the flowers fade and before winter, cut off the aboveground parts to reduce nutrient consumption, and place it in a sunny position with slightly warm stems. Try not to let the roots of the balloon flower freeze. Next year the old roots will continue to sprout new branches.
Pest Control for Balloon Flower
1. Balloon flower pests. In fact, balloon flowers at home are rarely attacked by insects, but in a home environment that is stuffy, humid, or dry, or when the environment changes suddenly, insects can easily find an opening. Root-knot nematode disease: root-knot nematodes are mainly concentrated in the roots and live by gnawing on roots and stems. When pest damage occurs, the roots have diseased protrusions and the aboveground stems and leaves wither early. If root-knot nematodes are found, there is no need to spray pesticides; burying cake fertilizer in the soil to increase soil fertility can reduce the damage to a certain extent. If the pest damage is severe, it is recommended to take the plant out of the pot outdoors and replace all the soil with new soil. False wireworm: false wireworm also damages the roots of the plant. This insect usually appears in March to April, and trichlorfon 800-fold solution should be sprayed promptly for control. Also pay attention when opening windows for ventilation to prevent pests from flying in from outside.
2. Balloon flower diseases. Violet root rot is severe in mid-September, and roots rot in October. In the early stage of affected plants, the roots turn red and gradually form a net-like reddish-brown mycelium; of course, in the early stage these are all underground changes. Later, bulges appear on the soil surface, purple sclerotia the size of mung beans appear, and the stems and leaves gradually die. Control method: repot and change the soil every year, renew the soil, and disinfect promptly. Once symptoms are found, remove the diseased plants promptly, and pour 5% lime water for disinfection.
The potted planting method for balloon flower is relatively simple. First, disinfect the seeds and pot, then add fertilizer at the right time. When growing balloon flower in a pot, its temperature must be well controlled, so that the survival rate will be high. Later, pest control is also needed to prevent the balloon flower from being attacked by pests.