What are the propagation methods for the Golden Tower flower?
The Golden Tower is native to Mexico and Peru in the tropical regions of the Americas, and is widely cultivated in southern China. So how do you propagate the Golden Tower flower?
1. How to propagate the Golden Tower flower
Propagation is mainly done by cuttings. In March-April, cut vigorous, non-aged branches or tender shoot tips as cuttings, each about 8-10 cm long, remove the lower leaves, and also cut off any flower buds at the top to reduce water evaporation from the leaf surface.
When taking cuttings, the cut is best made at a slant to enlarge the rooting surface and improve the survival rate of the cuttings. Keep the temperature at 20-25°C; roots can form about 30-35 days after insertion.
2. Cultivation techniques for the Golden Tower
1. Water
Before taking cuttings, water the seedbed thoroughly, then make holes with a stick before inserting. After insertion, water thoroughly so that the cuttings fit closely with the medium. After that, water normally, keep the medium moist, and mist 1-2 times a day for 1-2 minutes each time.
2. Temperature
The optimum temperature for rooting of the cuttings is 20-25°C. If it is below 20°C, rooting will be very difficult and slow; if it is above 30°C, the cut end of the cutting is easily infected by pathogens and rots. If low temperatures occur after insertion, cover with plastic film to keep warm. If the temperature is too high, shade to cool down, with 60-80% shading, and mist at the same time, 2-3 times a day.
3. Humidity
After insertion, the relative air humidity must be kept at 75-85%. Before the cuttings have rooted, they must be covered with 60-80% shade netting to maintain the air humidity of the seedbed, thereby ensuring the survival rate of the cuttings. To maintain the air humidity of the seedbed, mist the cuttings 1-2 times a day.
4. Light
After insertion, cover with 60-80% shade netting; after the root system has grown, gradually remove the shade netting.
The Golden Tower has bright green leaves, with yellow bracts arranged tightly in the inflorescence, elegant white flowers, and a unique flower shape; the entire inflorescence looks like a golden-yellow shrimp, with a long flowering period and high ornamental value.