What are the propagation methods for daisies?
Zouju
Zouju, also known as spring chrysanthemum and sun chrysanthemum, originated in Europe. In earlier years people regarded Zouju as a weed, but later it was discovered by humans to be a perennial herbaceous plant that blooms in spring, and it is currently the national flower of Italy. In China, the cultivation rate of Zouju has kept increasing, so do flower lovers know the propagation methods of Zouju?
I. Growth habits of Zouju
Daisies like cool climates and dislike heat. They like light and also tolerate partial shade, and they are not strict about the soil of the cultivation site. The suitable temperature for seed germination is 22-28°C, and the suitable temperature for growth is 20-25°C. The southwestern region is suitable for planting medium- and small-flowered single or semi-double cultivars. Medium- and large-flowered double cultivars grow weakly and set seed poorly.
II. Propagation methods of Zouju
A variety of methods can be used, including division, cuttings, grafting, and sowing. The grafting method and the sowing method have high technical requirements and relatively cumbersome propagation processes. Without superb cutting and grafting skills as well as the selection of good seeds, artificial pollination, and other techniques, it is very difficult to propagate successfully. These two propagation methods are also only carried out in nurseries when large numbers of seedlings are needed. For home chrysanthemum growing, division and cuttings are generally used for propagation.
1. Seed propagation
In the south, sowing is mostly done in autumn from August to September, and spring sowing is also possible, but growth is often poor in summer. In the north, sowing is mostly done in spring, and autumn sowing is also possible, but in winter the flower seedlings need to be moved into a greenhouse for cultivation and management. Because daisy seeds are relatively small, broadcasting is usually adopted. However, seedling plants often cannot maintain the characteristics of the mother plant. Before sowing, apply sufficient decomposed organic fertilizer as base fertilizer, and plow deeply and harrow finely to make flat beds. Mix the seeds evenly with fine sand and broadcast them, then cover with fine soil about 0.5 cm thick. After sowing, cover with a shade net and water thoroughly. After sowing, maintain the temperature at about 28°C. In early spring, when it is cold, cloudy, and rainy, cover with plastic film to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Watering should be done with a fine spray to prevent the soil surface from crusting. After about 10 days the seedlings emerge; remove the shade net or plastic film, and when the seedlings have 2-3 leaves they can be transplanted to the field. Chrysanthemum greens can be direct-sown; in southern China they can be sown in February, while in cold northern regions they can only be sown in early April, with about 0.2 kg of seed per mu.
2. Division propagation
Because seedling plants vary greatly, division can be used to propagate some superior cultivars, but the growth vigor is not as good as that of seedling plants, and seed setting is poor. In mid-to-late March, the old chrysanthemum greens stubble can be dug out to expose the root crown, and the lateral buds that already have roots can be cut off together with the old roots and transplanted into the field. Division propagation is more suitable when new shoots are sprouting.
Zouju
3. Cutting propagation
Cutting propagation can be carried out throughout the growing season, with the highest survival rate for cuttings taken from April to June. The seedbed is best made with new soil mixed with composted and decomposed organic fertilizer. Cut branches with 3-5 nodes and a length of 8-10 cm, remove the basal leaves, and insert them to a depth of 1/3-1/2 of the cutting length. After cutting, keep the bed moist and avoid waterlogging. Shade is needed in high-temperature seasons, while in cooler temperatures a plastic-film arched shed can be built to keep warm and retain moisture. Generally after 15 days they can be transplanted to the field.
Daisies have strong growth vigor and are easy to cultivate. The daisy flower stalks are moderate in height, the flowers are neat, and the colors are bright and plain. They can be potted to beautify courtyards and balconies, and can also be used for garden ornamentation, potted plants, flower borders, cut flowers, and so on. The flowering period is long and the cold tolerance is strong, making it the first choice for early-spring groundcover flowers. As a groundcover flower for street green spaces, daisies have strong appeal and can be planted together with pot marigold, pansy, rhododendron, and red-leaf barberry.
Zouju is not only ornamental; it is also commonly seen in some Chinese herbal medicines and has high medicinal value. However, home-grown plants must not be taken casually; it must go through professional processing procedures before it can be used as medicine.
How to propagate Zouju: propagation methods for Zouju
Zouju is also known as matou orchid, yanming chrysanthemum, spring chrysanthemum, sun chrysanthemum, and so on. It is a kind of plant in the Asteraceae family and a perennial herbaceous plant. How is Zouju propagated? Let us take a look at the propagation methods for Zouju below.
1. Seed propagation
In the south, sowing is mostly done in autumn from August to September, and spring sowing is also possible, but growth is often poor in summer. In the north, sowing is mostly done in spring, and autumn sowing is also possible, but in winter the flower seedlings need to be moved into a greenhouse for cultivation and management. Because daisy seeds are relatively small, broadcasting is usually adopted. However, seedling plants often cannot maintain the characteristics of the mother plant. Before sowing, apply sufficient decomposed organic fertilizer as base fertilizer, and plow deeply and harrow finely to make flat beds. Mix the seeds evenly with fine sand and broadcast them, then cover with fine soil about 0.5 cm thick. After sowing, cover with a shade net and water thoroughly. After sowing, maintain the temperature at about 28°C. In early spring, when it is cold, cloudy, and rainy, cover with plastic film to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Watering should be done with a fine spray to prevent the soil surface from crusting. After about 10 days the seedlings emerge; remove the shade net or plastic film, and when the seedlings have 2-3 leaves they can be transplanted to the field. Chrysanthemum greens can be direct-sown; in southern China they can be sown in February, while in cold northern regions they can only be sown in early April, with about 0.2 kg of seed per mu.
2. Division propagation
Because seedling plants vary greatly, division can be used to propagate some superior cultivars, but the growth vigor is not as good as that of seedling plants, and seed setting is poor. In mid-to-late March, the old chrysanthemum greens stubble can be dug out to expose the root crown, and the lateral buds that already have roots can be cut off together with the old roots and transplanted into the field. Division propagation is more suitable when new shoots are sprouting.
3. Cutting propagation
Cutting propagation can be carried out throughout the growing season, with the highest survival rate for cuttings taken from April to June. The seedbed is best made with new soil mixed with composted and decomposed organic fertilizer. Cut branches with 3-5 nodes and a length of 8-10 cm, remove the basal leaves, and insert them to a depth of 1/3-1/2 of the cutting length. After cutting, keep the bed moist and avoid waterlogging. Shade is needed in high-temperature seasons, while in cooler temperatures a plastic-film arched shed can be built to keep warm and retain moisture. Generally after 15 days they can be transplanted to the field.
More informationThe flower language of Zouju: cultivation methods and precautions for daisies
Daisy is a kind of plant in the Asteraceae family, also known by the alternative names changming chrysanthemum and yanming chrysanthemum. Today we will share the flower language of Zouju as well as the cultivation methods and precautions for daisies.
The flower language of Zouju:
Daisies have many flower meanings, but the most important ones are secret love, happiness, and parting. Since ancient times, people have often used daisy petals to divine love. In addition, the daisy flower language also (Daisy`sSong) is a humanistic naturalist cosmetic carefully developed by Shanghai Yaju Cosmetics Co., Ltd. through a profound understanding of nature. Daisies also represent purity and innocence.
Cultivation methods for daisies:
1. Light regulation: Daisies also like sunlight, including during the growing period and the flowering period. Sufficient light can promote plant growth, make the leaves tender green, and increase the number of flowers.
2. Temperature control: They like cool and humid conditions, tolerate cold but not intense heat. The most suitable temperature is 18-22°C. Daisies can bloom normally at 10-25°C. When the temperature is below 10°C, growth is relatively slow. If the temperature is above 25°C, the flower stems will elongate, and both growth vigor and flowering will decline.
3. Water and fertilizer management: Daisies like fertile soil. Apply fertilizer once every 7-10 days. Flower fertilizers such as 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 can be used, and compound fertilizer can also be applied in spots or dissolved in water for irrigation, at a concentration of 200-250 ppm. Giving sufficient water and fertilizer during the growing season makes them grow lushly and also extends the flowering period.
4. Cultivation management: Daisies are relatively tolerant of transplanting, and transplanting can make them produce more roots. They do not need shaping pruning or pinching to control the flowering period. Those that have been transplanted once or twice in autumn can be directly planted in flower beds in spring when flowers appear. Those that have been divided in autumn but not transplanted between beds should, in spring, be maintained in beds with sufficient base fertilizer until they take shape, and then planted in flower beds or shipped out for market.
5. Pests and diseases: The main diseases of daisies include damping-off at the seedling stage, gray mold, brown spot, anthracnose, and downy mildew (control can be done with chlorothalonil at 800-**** times and metalaxyl at 1000-1500 times); pests include aphids and so on.
Precautions for cultivating daisies:
When planting, apply leaf mold fertilizer or barnyard manure as base fertilizer, with a plant spacing of 15 cm. After planting, water once every 7-10 days. Fertilizing does not need to be too frequent; apply dilute manure water once every 2-3 weeks, cultivate the soil once a month, and stop fertilizing after flowering in February.
During the growing period, daisies like sufficient sunlight and do not tolerate shade. After autumn sowing has strengthened the plants, if they have not been divided and transplanted, the seedlings can be lifted at the end of October, separated, with the root clumps retaining a little original soil, and then grab a handful of the previously prepared moist, fertile soil that is rich in humus and slightly sticky.
Daisies bloom poorly during the hot summer period and are prone to dying. If they are dug up and transplanted to a cool place, they can still bloom again in autumn.