How to grow potted nasturtium? A detailed guide to cultivation methods

Cultivation methods for potted nasturtium

Potted nasturtium needs a loose, fertile, highly permeable growing soil, and likes moisture but fears waterlogging.

Nasturtium is usually propagated by seed, but can also be propagated by softwood cuttings. For annual field planting, sow in a cold frame in early spring; after the seedlings emerge, divide and transplant them 1 week later, and once the seedlings reach 10 cm in height they can be planted out in the open ground in a loose, fertile spot with slight shade. Generally, from June to September, nasturtium will bloom profusely, right up until the first frost.

If potted plants are wanted to bloom in April to May, sow in a greenhouse in December of the previous year; after sowing, water thoroughly and place near the front vent of the greenhouse at above 20°C, where seedlings will emerge in about 10 days; keep the light adequate. When the plants reach 10 cm in height, use fertilized growing soil with 50 grams of crushed hoof pieces placed underneath as a base fertilizer, and repot into a two-gangzi pot for care;

If blooming is wanted for New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, take 10 cm long softwood cuttings in August, place them in a shallow pot filled with plain sandy soil, and keep them in a cool, ventilated, moist environment. They will root after 15 days; in October move them indoors and transfer them into a two-gangzi pot placed near the front vent of the greenhouse, with a room temperature of around 15°C during the day and around 10°C at night. Light must be adequate, and the temperature must not be too high, to prevent leggy growth. Water thoroughly once when repotting, then replenish water at the right time when loosening the soil, keeping the potting soil just moist; do not let water accumulate or stay wet for long. Every 10 days, alternately apply a chemical fertilizer solution and organic fertilizer water once;

For potted nasturtium wanted to bloom in autumn, in September to October, sow in early June; during the hot midsummer period it must be kept in a slightly shaded, ventilated, cool environment, and when the autumn cools it will grow vigorously, with abundant flowers and lush foliage.