What season is suitable for planting lisianthus? Planting methods and care tips
Lisianthus, also known as prairie gentian, is a flower with very rich colors and natural “edging,” deeply loved by flower enthusiasts. So what are the planting methods for lisianthus and care tips? What season is suitable for planting?
1. What season is lisianthus planted?
1. Lisianthus is suitable for planting in spring and autumn
Lisianthus has no specific planting season; the main factor affecting its planting time is temperature. If the temperature is suitable, lisianthus can be planted all year round. But if planting in open ground, spring and early autumn are the best times for planting lisianthus.
2. The optimum temperature for lisianthus growth is 15—28℃
If you choose greenhouse planting or indoor planting, then as long as the growing environment temperature for lisianthus is kept between 15—28℃, you can plant with confidence.
2. What are the planting methods for lisianthus?
Lisianthus is generally planted in two ways, namely sowing and cuttings. Among them, sowing is suitable for home planting, while cuttings are more suitable for large-scale batch planting. Below we introduce separately how to grow lisianthus by sowing and by cuttings.
1. How to grow lisianthus by sowing?
(1) Soil selection
The most important thing for sowing is the choice of sowing medium. Since lisianthus seeds are very small, if conditions permit, it is recommended to use imported peat for sowing. If not available, you can mix general peat, vermiculite, and perlite in a ratio of 6:3:1 to prepare the soil for planting.
(2) Management after sowing
After sowing, there is no need to cover with plastic film. Supplement light, water, and fertilizer in time, and seedlings will emerge in about 14 days. When the 2nd pair of true leaves has fully unfolded and the 3rd pair has not yet unfolded, it is most suitable for transplanting and setting out.
2. How to grow lisianthus by cuttings?
Cuttings propagate relatively easily. Select healthy branches and cut them into small sections of about 5 cm, keeping only the top 3 leaves. Then soak the lisianthus branches in a diluted potassium permanganate solution for a while, and they can be planted in the soil. For the soil, it is recommended to mix coconut coir and nutrient soil in a ratio of 1:1.
3. How to care for lisianthus in daily life?
From sowing and cuttings to flowering, lisianthus takes about 120-140 days. After successfully planting lisianthus, daily care also requires considerable attention, mainly including the following aspects.
1. Light: Provide lisianthus with at least 4-6 hours of light every day. If there is insufficient light, it is recommended to supplement lighting, otherwise it will affect the formation of its stems and leaves.
2. Water: Lisianthus is also quite sensitive to water; too much or too little is not good. Therefore, it is best to water by drip irrigation, watering until the soil is moist.
3. Fertilizer: Lisianthus is a flower with high fertilizer demand, so it is recommended to fertilize once every half month (liquid fertilizer).
4. Temperature: As mentioned earlier, the growing temperature should be kept at 15—28℃. High temperatures will lead to a reduction in the number of flowers, while too low a temperature will slow growth or even prevent flowering.
5. Pest and disease control: Generally, after doing the above care well, the probability of pests and diseases will be relatively low. Common lisianthus diseases include damping-off and gray mold. After they occur, promptly remove diseased plants and apply some kangluning and wanmeiling; pests mainly include aphids and leaf rollers. Corresponding pesticides can be sprayed, and ventilation should be maintained.
Finally, one thing to remind everyone is that if the lisianthus you planted has bloomed, it can actually be harvested appropriately. Generally, it can be harvested when 1.5 to 2 flowers have opened. This can not only improve the quality of lisianthus but also extend its flowering period.