How to Grow Cleome? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods

Cleome, also known as spider flower, purple dragon whiskers, spider plant, etc., is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Cleome in the family Cleomaceae (caper family), native to tropical America, cultivated worldwide from the tropics to temperate zones for ornamental purposes, with no wild populations in China, commonly cultivated in major cities, and can be used to arrange flower beds and flower borders in summer and autumn, or dwarfed as potted plants for ornamental purposes. Now let us take a look at the growing methods for Cleome!

Growth Habits of Cleome

Cleome has strong adaptability, prefers high temperatures, is relatively tolerant of summer heat, and is averse to cold. It prefers full-sun locations, and can also grow well in partially shaded areas. It is not demanding about soil; in fertile ground with ample water and nutrients, the plants grow tall, and it can also grow well in soil of generally medium fertility, but grows poorly in sandy loam, somewhat heavy clay soil, or alkaline soil. It prefers moist soil, is relatively tolerant of drought, and is averse to waterlogging.

Propagation Methods of Cleome

1. Sowing: For propagation by sowing, sow the seeds in an open-field seedbed in mid-April, and the seedlings emerge uniformly. The seedlings grow slowly, so thinning must be done in time after sowing; transplant when they have 2-3 true leaves, and plant out or pot up in June. During the growing period, fertilize once every half month; excessive fertilization tends to cause leggy growth, affecting plant form and flowering. Generally, spring-sown plants flower in autumn, while autumn-sown plants flower indoors in winter and spring.

2. Cuttings: For Cleome cuttings, use materials such as nutrient soil, river sand, or peat soil. The optimum temperature for cutting roots to take is 18-25°C; below 18°C, the relative air humidity must be kept at 75-85%. Humidity can be increased by misting the cuttings, and 50-80% of sunlight must be blocked. After the root system has grown, gradually remove the shade netting.

Growing Methods of Cleome

1. Soil: Cleome does not need special soil; sandy soil with good drainage and containing humus is best. Its root system is relatively well developed, so use a somewhat deeper and larger pot, preferably with a pot diameter of 20 cm to 30 cm. Apart from growing poorly in alkaline soil, it can grow in sandy soil and clay soil, and grows best in slightly acidic sandy loam. You can use equal parts leaf mold and vegetable garden soil mixed as the growing medium, requiring loose soil with good drainage.

2. Potting up: When potting up Cleome seedlings, first place a 2-2 cm thick layer of coarse granular substrate or ceramsite at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, sprinkle a layer of fully decomposed organic fertilizer on top as a base fertilizer, about 1-2 cm thick, then cover with another layer of substrate about 1-2 cm thick, and then place the plant in, so as to separate the fertilizer from the roots and avoid burning the roots.

3. Fertilizing: When transplanting Cleome seedlings, first dig the planting hole, sprinkle a layer of organic fertilizer at the bottom of the planting hole as a base fertilizer, about 4-6 cm thick, then cover with a layer of soil and place the seedling in, so as to separate the fertilizer from the roots and avoid burning the roots. After placing the seedling in, backfill the soil to cover the root system, firm the soil with your foot, and water thoroughly once. Apply a light fertilizer once at the initial planting stage.

4. Pinching: Before flowering, Cleome is generally pinched twice to encourage more flowering branches to sprout. One to two weeks after potting up, or when the seedlings are 6-10 cm tall and have six or more leaves, remove the top shoot and keep the lower 3-4 leaves to encourage branching. Three to five weeks after the first pinching, or when the side branches grow to 6-8 cm long, carry out the second pinching, that is, remove the top shoots of the side branches and keep the 4 leaves below on the side branches.

5. Watering: Cleome is tolerant of drought, but grows even better with higher air humidity. In midsummer, water daily and water thoroughly. It likes relatively high air humidity; if the air humidity is too low, individual flowers will fade more quickly. It also fears rain, and the leaves need to be kept dry at night. The optimum relative air humidity is 65-75%.

6. Pests and diseases: Cleome is often harmed by leaf spot and rust. For leaf spot, spray with a 500-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate wettable powder; for rust, spray with a 3000-fold dilution of 50% carboxin wettable powder for control. Cleome is prone to Lepidoptera pests at the seedling stage, and the insecticide abamectin at a 4000-fold dilution can be sprayed on the foliage.