A Complete Analysis of the Latest Lupin Growing Methods
Lupin, also known as multi-leaf lupin, lupine, etc., is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Lupinus in the Fabaceae family, native to North America, mostly growing in sandy temperate regions, with many horticultural cultivars, brightly coloured and diverse flowers, suitable for mass planting or group planting in ribbon flower beds, and is also a good material for cut flower production. Let us take a look at the growing methods for lupin!
Growth Habits of Lupin
Lupin is relatively cold-tolerant (above -5°C), prefers a cool climate and sunny locations, dislikes intense heat, is slightly shade-tolerant, requires fertile, well-drained sandy soil, has a well-developed taproot, few fibrous roots, and does not tolerate transplanting. The root system is well developed and drought-tolerant, best suited to sandy soil, and has a relatively strong ability to utilise insoluble phosphorus in phosphates. It can still grow in rainy, flood-prone areas and in acidic soils where other plants struggle to grow, but calcareous soils or poor drainage often lead to poor growth. It can tolerate temperatures of 0°C, but freezes to death when the temperature drops below -4°C, and intense summer heat also inhibits growth.
Propagation Methods of Lupin
1. Sowing: Lupin is mostly propagated by sowing in production; both spring and autumn sowing are possible. Under natural conditions, autumn sowing flowers earlier and grows better than spring sowing. Sow from September to mid-October, and the flowering period is from April to June of the following year.
2. Cuttings: For lupin cutting propagation, in spring cut shoots sprouting from the rhizome into 8-10 cm lengths, preferably with a little rhizome attached, and insert them in a cold frame.
Growing Methods of Lupin
1. Soil: Lupin has a deep root system and few root nodules, requiring deep, fertile, loose, well-drained, acidic sandy loam; plants grow poorly in neutral and slightly alkaline soils.
2. Transplanting: The lupin seedling stage lasts 30 to 35 days. After the true leaves have fully unfolded, transplant the seedlings. Keep the original soil when transplanting to help the seedlings recover.
3. Temperature: For autumn-sown lupin, corresponding cold protection measures should be taken during overwintering; the temperature should preferably be above 5°C to avoid frost damage to the leaves, which would affect early vegetative growth and ornamental effect.
4. Fertilising: Lupin top-dressing begins in March, generally once a week with 20% water-soluble fertiliser (such as Peters), or once every two weeks when growth is good, until the flower spikes stop.
5. Repotting: During lupin cultivation, 1 to 2 repottings should be carried out depending on growth conditions. Tall bucket pots are best for meeting the growth needs of the taproot system, and a reasonable planting and placement density should be determined.
6. Pests and diseases: During cultivation, lupin is susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew, rust, root rot, etc. When disease occurs mildly, promptly remove diseased leaves; in the early stages of disease, promptly spray fungicide once every 7 to 10 days, and spraying 2 to 3 times continuously can control the occurrence and spread of the disease.