How to Grow Larkspur? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Larkspur is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Consolida in the Ranunculaceae family, native to southern Europe, and cultivated in all provinces of China. It is named for its distinctive flower shape, which closely resembles little swallows. The flower diameter is about 4 cm, and its elegant form makes it a favorite. It is often planted in flower beds and borders, and can also be used as a cut flower. Now let us take a look at how to grow larkspur!
Growth Habits of Larkspur
Larkspur has strong adaptability to climate, and a moist, cool climate environment is more suitable. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 15°C. During the growing period, the optimum temperature is 20-25°C during the day and 3-15°C at night. It likes light and can tolerate slight shade; during the growing period it can be placed in semi-shade, but during the flowering period it needs full sunlight. It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained acidic soil, and can also tolerate drought and slight waterlogging. A pH value of 5.5-6.0 is best.
Propagation Methods of Larkspur
Larkspur can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. For autumn sowing, sow seeds from late August to early September, first sowing them into an open-ground seedbed, then moving them into a cold frame or cold room to overwinter before winter, and planting them out when spring is warm. In the south, direct sowing in the open ground in early spring, with thinning to maintain a plant spacing of 25-5 cm. In the north, seedlings are generally raised in advance and planted out in mid-April; transplant when there are 2-4 true leaves, and plant out when there are 4-7 true leaves. Pay attention to drainage on rainy days. Cutting propagation is carried out in spring; when new leaves have grown more than 15 cm, cut cuttings and insert them into sandy soil. Division propagation can be carried out in both spring and autumn, generally dividing once every 2-3 years.
Cultivation Methods of Larkspur
1. Care: After sowing larkspur, the soil must be kept moist. The simplest method is to cover it with some grass, and gradually remove the covering after the seedlings emerge.
2. Transplanting: When larkspur has grown 2 true leaves, transplant it with soil into a small pot, and change to another pot once the seedling has grown larger.
3. Watering: Water larkspur by the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry between waterings. During the flowering period, water a little more appropriately to avoid the soil becoming too dry.
4. Fertilizing: When changing pots, apply dry manure as a base fertilizer, and afterward, according to growth conditions, apply 1-3 times a month of decomposed cake fertilizer water.
5. Height Control: After changing pots, use paclobutrazol to control plant height. The specific method is to apply 0.5% paclobutrazol once every 2 weeks.
6. Seed Collection: Collect larkspur seeds in good time to prevent the seed capsules from splitting after maturity.
7. Diseases: Common larkspur diseases include black spot, crown and root rot, and chrysanthemum leaf nematode, which harm the leaves, flower buds and stems. They can be prevented and treated by spraying 500 times dilution of 30% thiophanate wettable powder.
8. Pests: Common larkspur pests include aphids and noctuid moths, which can be killed by spraying 2000 times dilution of 10% deltamethrin emulsifiable concentrate.