How to grow Moluccella laevis? A step-by-step guide to the planting method
Moluccella laevis, also known as shell flower, collar flower and elephant's ears, is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Moluccella in the Lamiaceae family. Its flower shape is unusual, with a lipped corolla, simple and elegant, and the flowers resemble shells. Various garden cultivars are now available. It is commonly used as a filler flower in floral arrangements, and can also be made into dried flowers. Growing it in pots is also a good choice. Let's take a look below at how to grow Moluccella laevis well!
Growing habits of Moluccella laevis
Moluccella laevis is a foliage and flowering plant, distributed in western Asia and Syria and other places. It likes sunlight and well-drained soil, with fertile, loose, well-drained loam being best. The suitable sowing temperature is 15-25°C.
Propagation methods of Moluccella laevis
Moluccella laevis is propagated by sowing, which can be done in spring, summer and autumn. The suitable sowing temperature is 15-25°C, and it sprouts in about one week. It can be transplanted when it has 5-6 true leaves. For ornamental purposes, sowing can be done in stages and in different proportions.
How to grow Moluccella laevis well?
1. Flower pot: When growing Moluccella laevis, the size of the pot needs to be determined according to the condition of the plant. Generally, for sowing, 10 to 15 seeds can be planted in a pot with a diameter of 15 cm.
2. Soil: Growing Moluccella laevis requires fertile, well-drained soil. It should not be too sticky, otherwise it will affect the growth of the plant. Garden soil with good drainage is sufficient.
3. Light: Moluccella laevis likes sunlight and prefers a relatively warm living environment. During care, sufficient light needs to be maintained, but do not expose it to blazing sun in summer to avoid scorching.
4. Temperature: The suitable sowing temperature for Moluccella laevis is 15-25°C. Generally, Moluccella laevis will sprout in about one week to half a month. The suitable growing temperature is 15-30°C.
5. Fertilizing: Moluccella laevis can begin to be fertilized after transplanting and surviving. Usually it can be fertilized once or twice a month, but stop fertilizing after flowering. To encourage branching, pinching can be done.
6. Watering: During the seed germination period of Moluccella laevis, water can be given once a day. After the seeds germinate and sprout, the watering time should be adjusted according to soil moisture. Do not water if the soil is not dry; when watering, water thoroughly.
7. Pests and diseases: Moluccella laevis grows vigorously and rarely suffers from pests and diseases, but attention should be paid to leafminer damage. Grasp the peak emergence period of adults, spray pesticide in time to control the adults, and prevent the adults from laying eggs.