How to Propagate Verbena? A Detailed Guide to Two Propagation Methods

Verbena has fairly strong adaptability and a very long flowering period, making it a rare gem among flowering plant varieties. Although verbena is not difficult to cultivate, growing it from seed is still very challenging, so verbena is usually propagated by cuttings.

Verbena

I. Sowing

For tiny seeds that are hard to pick up with your fingers or other tools, you can dip one end of a toothpick in water and stick the seeds one by one onto the surface of the growing medium, then cover them with 1 cm of medium. After that, place the seed tray into water, with the water depth at 1/2 to 2/3 of the height of the pot, and let the water soak up slowly (this method is called the "bottom-watering method"). For larger seeds that can be picked up with your fingers or other tools, simply place the seeds into the medium and sow them in spots at a spacing of 3 x 3 cm. After sowing, cover with medium to a depth 2 to 3 times the size of the seeds. After sowing, you can use a spray bottle or a fine-holed watering can to moisten the sowing medium. Later, when the potting soil is slightly dry, water again, but still be careful not to water too forcefully, so as not to wash the seeds out.

Management after sowing: after sowing in autumn, if a cold wave or low temperatures occur, you can wrap the pot in plastic film to help keep it warm and moist. After the seedlings emerge, remove the film promptly, and let the seedlings receive sunlight before 9:30 every morning or after 3:30 in the afternoon, otherwise the seedlings will grow very weak and spindly. After most of the seeds have sprouted, thin the seedlings appropriately: pull out the diseased and unhealthy seedlings so that the remaining seedlings have some space between them. When most of the seedlings have grown 3 or more leaves, they can be transplanted into pots.

II. Propagation by Cuttings

Cutting medium: this refers to the nutrient soil, river sand, peat soil and other materials used for rooting cuttings. For home propagation, it is often hard to obtain an ideal cutting medium due to limited conditions, so it is recommended to use a pre-mixed and sterilized cutting medium. Medium-coarse river sand also works, but it should be rinsed several times with clean water before use. Do not use sea sand or river sand from saline-alkaline areas, as they are not suitable for the growth of flowering plants. Selection of cuttings: the branches used for cuttings are called cuttings. Usually, in combination with pinching, the thick, pest- and disease-free shoot tips that are pinched off are used directly as cuttings.

How to Propagate Verbena: Verbena Cutting and Seed Propagation Methods

Verbena can be propagated by sowing and cuttings. Gardeners can choose the appropriate propagation method based on their own conditions. Below is a summary of the sowing and cutting propagation methods for verbena.

Verbena is generally sown in spring, and after sowing it usually blooms around July. However, with the sowing method, the seed germination rate of verbena is relatively low, at around 50%, and germination is slow and uneven. At a temperature of 15-17°C, seedlings only begin to emerge two to three weeks after sowing.

As long as the temperature is suitable, verbena cuttings can be taken year-round. First select slightly woody branches, cut them into 5-6 cm long sections as cuttings, and insert them into a wet sand bed. Immediately after, shade them, and after 2-3 days they can receive a little morning and evening sunlight to promote growth. After about two weeks, new buds and roots will emerge.

The suitable time for verbena cuttings is from November to March of the following year, when the survival rate of cuttings is as high as 100%; the next best time is September to October, when the survival rate of cuttings is 80-85%; the lowest survival rate of cuttings is from May to August, at 10-25%. Based on observations over the past year and combined with its growth characteristics, take corresponding measures and choose a suitable time for cuttings.

How to Propagate Verbena: Verbena Propagation Methods

Verbena is a perennial herbaceous plant, loved for its graceful form and rich flower colors. In the process of cultivating verbena, how to propagate it becomes a rather puzzling matter for many. Let us learn about the propagation methods of verbena together.

Growth Habits of Verbena:

Verbena likes sunlight and is not tolerant of shade. It is relatively cold-tolerant, poor in shade tolerance, and not drought-tolerant. In the north, it is mostly grown as an annual herbaceous flower, and it can bloom normally in hot summers. It grows in sunny, loose and fertile soil, where it blooms profusely. It likes a warm and humid climate, likes sun, and is not tolerant of drought. It is not strict about soil requirements, but in loose, fertile, and relatively moist neutral soil, it can root at every node, grow robustly, and bloom profusely. In Shanghai, in areas with a warmer microclimate, it can overwinter outdoors.

Propagation Methods of Verbena:

1. Seed propagation: verbena can be propagated by sowing in both spring and autumn, mainly by sowing indoors in pots. Choose seeds at 350 to 390 seeds per gram, and keep the temperature between 20 and 22°C, which is suitable for germination. Before sowing, mix the seeds with New High Lipid Film. After sowing, no soil cover is needed; sprinkle a shallow layer of vermiculite, which both retains moisture and allows light through, then spray with New High Lipid Film to retain moisture, which can increase the seedling emergence rate of the seeds.

After 14 to 20 days, verbena begins to germinate. During the seedling stage, field management should be strengthened, and after 30 days the seedlings can be transplanted. After transplanting, spray the seedlings promptly with New High Lipid Film to prevent above-ground water evaporation. If the moisture in the seedling body does not transpire, it can isolate pests and diseases, shorten the seedling recovery period, help the plant quickly adapt to the new environment, and grow healthily.

2. Cutting propagation: this propagation method is best done from May to July. Cut slightly mature branches from the plant, 8 to 10 cm long, and insert them into a sand bed. Before cutting, spray the plants with a cutting seedling treatment for disinfection and sterilization. After cutting, move them indoors, keep the temperature at 15 to 18°C, and provide slight shade.

After 14 to 21 days, the plants begin to root, and after 30 days they can be transplanted into pots. After transplanting, also spray promptly with New High Lipid Film to prevent above-ground water evaporation. The moisture in the seedlings can also be effectively prevented from transpiring, thereby isolating pests and diseases, shortening the seedling recovery period, and helping the plant quickly adapt to the new environment.

If verbena is watered repeatedly after sowing, its germination rate will be reduced, so it is best to water the soil thoroughly before sowing, and after sowing just maintain soil moisture and air humidity. In winter, the plants can be moved indoors to overwinter, and the following year they can serve as mother plants for cuttings.

Spring and autumn are the peak growing seasons for verbena. In summer, when temperatures are high, it often enters a dormant state and has low requirements for fertilizer and water, so in summer, fertilizer and water should be controlled. On cloudy and rainy days or in low-temperature weather, the watering interval can be longer or watering can be skipped. Watering should be done as much as possible in the morning when the temperature is lower, and the leaves should be kept dry at night.

Through the above introduction by the editor, I wonder whether everyone has gained an understanding of verbena propagation methods. I hope it can help everyone!