Gloxinia Seeds Price Per Pack, Planting, Blooming Period, and Post-Bloom Pruning Care
Gloxinia, also known as Sinningia, is a common perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Sinningia in our country. Because of its rich and brilliant colors and beautiful flowers, it is deeply loved by flower enthusiasts. So how much does a pack of gloxinia seeds cost? How do you plant them? When do they bloom after planting? How do you prune them after blooming?
Seed price:
Gloxinia seeds are generally purchased in small packs, with about 10 or 20 seeds per small pack. A pack of 10 seeds costs about 5 yuan, and 20 seeds cost about 10 yuan. They are generally available for purchase at flower markets or online.
How to plant?
1. Seed selection
If you want gloxinia to bloom more, when selecting seeds, choose imported first-generation hybrid superior varieties that bloom abundantly, have a short and sturdy plant shape, strong resistance, and are easy to care for. Single-petal varieties bloom more than double-petal varieties.
2. Obtaining seeds
Gloxinia is relatively difficult to self-pollinate. In order to obtain superior seeds, artificial pollination is necessary. During the flowering period of gloxinia, collect the pollen from the stamens and apply it to the stigma of the pistil with a brush. About 35 days after pollination, the seeds will mature. Remove the seeds, dry them in the sun, and store them.
3. Sowing method
Before sowing, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to encourage earlier germination. For the potting soil mix, it is best to use a culture soil mixed with leaf mold, garden soil, and fine sand. After leveling the soil, evenly scatter the seeds, place the pot in shallow water to soak through, then take it out, cover it with glass, place it in a semi-shaded area, and maintain a humidity condition of 18-20°C. Seedlings will emerge in about 10 days. After that, gradually let the gloxinia receive sunlight, but avoid direct sunlight. Spray frequently to maintain humidity, and apply a dilute cake fertilizer water about once every 10 days. Generally, it can bloom about 6 months after sowing.
Bloom time:
Gloxinia flowers are terminal or axillary on the branches, with a bell-shaped corolla. The flowering period is between April and November, and the flowering period is relatively long. The flower colors include pink, red, purple-blue, white, multicolor, and more. The colors are many and the flowers are large. A single gloxinia plant can bloom dozens of flowers, truly stunning. A single gloxinia plant can bloom dozens of flowers. The flowering period is April to November, lasting for several months. However, it blooms once a year.
How to prune after blooming?
Generally, after gloxinia blooms, many new shoots will also emerge from the base. When pruning, we must pay attention to these new shoots. If there are no new shoots, do not prune lightly, otherwise it will be difficult for the plant to recover.
As for how to prune gloxinia after blooming, there are actually two methods. One is to prune aggressively, and the other is to simply pinch off the old flower stalks.
Both methods are acceptable, and flower enthusiasts can choose for themselves. If pruning, it is best to do it on a sunny day after the flowers have completely faded. At least 1 pair of leaves should be kept, and it is good to leave 1-2 cm of stem. After pruning, do not water for 3 to 5 days to avoid wound infection leading to bulb rot. If pruned when there are no new shoots, it will generally sprout again within ten days and can bloom again in about 2-3 months. The cut leaves can be used for cuttings.
Whether they are the original new shoots at the base or the new shoots produced after pruning, unless for propagation, you can keep only one among all the shoots and remove the weak ones. This helps concentrate nutrients, so the flowers bloom more abundantly and fully.
Cultivation methods:
1. Soil: Gloxinia prefers loose, fertile humus soil with good water retention. It is suitable to cultivate it in slightly acidic soil rich in humus and loose in texture. A common mix is 1 part perlite, 1 part river sand, and 3 parts leaf mold, plus a small amount of decomposed, sun-dried, finely crushed poultry manure. Potted gloxinia commonly uses a mixed medium of leaf mold, coarse sand, and vermiculite.
2. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for gloxinia is 10-25°C. Different seasons have different requirements. From January to October, it is 18-25°C, and from October to January of the following year, it is 10-12°C. A suitable temperature can make the leaves grow luxuriantly and green, and the flowers large and vivid. When the plant withers and goes dormant, take out the bulb and store it in slightly moist sand.
3. Light: Gloxinia is a semi-sun plant. Usually, it should be properly shaded to avoid direct strong light. In winter during the seedling stage, there should be sufficient sunlight. In summer, it must be placed in a well-ventilated shade shed with scattered light and carefully maintained. During the growing period, light should not be too strong. When blooming, the shading time should be appropriately extended. During the winter dormant period, the potting soil should be kept slightly dry.
4. Watering: The flowers and leaves of gloxinia have fine hairs. Once they get water droplets on them, they are very prone to rot, so do not spray water on the flowers and leaves. It is best to use the immersion method for watering. Usually, watering should be moderate. Too much can easily cause tuber rot, yellowing leaves, and even the death of the whole plant. During the high-temperature period in summer, water 1-2 times a day. During the flowering period, rain must be avoided.
5. Fertilizing: From leaf expansion to before flowering, apply a decomposed dilute organic liquid fertilizer once a week to gloxinia. After flower buds form, increase phosphorus fertilizer. Be sure not to contaminate the leaf surface. After each fertilization, spray clean water once. From leaf expansion to before flowering, apply dilute cake fertilizer water once every 10-15 days. When flower buds form, apply bone meal or superphosphate once.
6. Pests: During cultivation, gloxinia is prone to leaf mite pests, which mainly harm the roots, stems, and leaves of gloxinia, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off, and in severe cases leading to death. When red spider mites are found on the leaves, spray 5% Nissorun emulsion at 1000 times dilution, which has a very good control effect. Generally, spray once every 1 week, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.