How to make florist's cineraria (Pericallis hybrida) bloom year after year

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

We all know that when it blooms, it is exceptionally beautiful, with a flower shape like a peony, a wide range of flower colors, and the added contrast of its highly ornamental leaves, it is simply stunning! It is a very popular flowering plant indoors today. So if you want it to produce such beautiful flowers every year, what should you do? Today let me guide you through it.

1. Choosing the potting soil and container

When choosing soil, lean toward a loose, fertile, alkaline soil; here we can mix leaf mold, garden soil and river sand in equal parts. After mixing, let it bake in the sun for several days to fully sterilize it. When choosing a container, a breathable purple clay pot or ceramic pot is best, but the container must not be too large.

2. Controlling light and temperature

It is extremely fond of a semi-shaded environment; when grown indoors, placing it on an east-facing balcony is best, as this allows it to receive ample morning light while avoiding the harsh midday sun. It likes a low-temperature environment; when controlling the temperature, 15°C to 20°C is best, and in winter it needs to be kept above 10°C. Only then will it be able to bloom the following year.

3. Supplying water and fertilizer

It likes moisture, especially before the flowers open, when sufficient water must be ensured and no water shortage should occur, otherwise it will be difficult for it to bloom while still a small plant. When watering, also be careful not to let water accumulate in the pot, otherwise it will cause root rot. It loves fertilizer; every spring when it arrives, it enters its best growth period, and at this time stems will appear on the plant, so we should fertilize it more frequently, ideally once a week, along with a foliar fertilizer.

4. After-bloom care

Many people become careless after it blooms, not realizing that this is precisely when timely care and attention are even more necessary, so that more flowers will bloom the following year. Usually, after blooming it enters its dormant period, and at this time we should cut off the spent flowers on its branches, then water it thoroughly and apply a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer once, so that the underground tubers receive more nutrients and lay the foundation for more flowers the following year.

5. Daily care

First, after planting it, water it thoroughly so that the roots and soil make full contact, helping the plant absorb water and nutrients better. Then, each year when repotting it, keep 1 to 2 shoots on the roots, transplant them separately, place them in a shady spot for a week, and afterward move it to a spot with ample light.