A detailed introduction to common propagation methods for hosta
Hosta, also known as Yu Chun Bang, Egret Flower, etc., is a herbaceous perennial. Hosta is cold-resistant and prefers shady, moist environments, but it is not tolerant of strong sunlight. Artificial propagation of hosta generally uses division and sowing methods. The editor will introduce the common propagation methods for hosta; friends who like hosta can learn about them together.
Hosta
I. Division
The best time to divide hosta is after the soil thaws in early spring. The division method is to take the mother plant out of the flower pot, shake off excess potting soil, separate the tangled root system as much as possible, and cut it open into two or more plants with a sharp knife. Each divided plant must have a considerable amount of roots, and its leaves should be properly pruned. Soak the divided small plants in a 1500 times dilution of chlorothalonil solution for five minutes, then take them out and dry them in the shade before potting. Immediately after potting, drench the roots with chlorothalonil. After the divided plants are potted, drench the roots or water thoroughly once. Within 3 to 4 weeks, watering should be controlled to avoid root rot, but the leaves need to be misted 1 to 3 times a day. During this period, do not apply fertilizer, pay attention to excessively strong sunlight, and it is best to keep them in a shade shed for care.
II. Sowing
Hosta seeds mature in late autumn. After harvesting, dry them in the sun, and they can be sown between February and March of the following year. Generally, they can bloom after 2 to 3 years. The sowing method is the same as for other plants. The specific method is roughly as follows:
Substrate disinfection: Disinfect the substrate used for sowing. The best method is to put it in a pot and heat it by stirring until hot, so that any pests and diseases are killed by the heat (of course, this is not mandatory).
Stratification to promote germination: Soak the seeds in warm hot water (at a temperature similar to face-washing water) for 12 to 24 hours, until the seeds absorb water and swell. For very common seeds that germinate easily, this step can be skipped.
Sowing: For fine small seeds that are difficult to pick up with hands or other tools, moisten one end of a toothpick with water, stick the seeds one by one onto the surface of the substrate, cover with substrate 1 cm thick, then place the sowing pot into water. The depth of the water should be 1/2 to 2/3 of the height of the pot, allowing water to slowly seep up (this method is called the "pot immersion method").
For larger seeds that can be picked up with hands or other tools, place the seeds directly into the substrate and sow them in spots at a spacing of 3 x 3 cm. After sowing, cover with substrate to a thickness 2 to 3 times that of the seeds. After sowing, use a sprayer or a fine-hole watering can to wet the sowing substrate. Later, when the potting soil is slightly dry, water again. Still be careful not to water too forcefully, so as not to wash the seeds out.
How to grow variegated hosta
Variegated hosta, also known as wavy-leaved hosta, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Hosta in the lily family. When in bloom, it is full of delicate fragrance and can be potted to decorate indoor spaces. Its leaves and flowers are commonly used materials for cut flowers. Variegated hosta generally grows 20 to 40 cm tall, with leaves forming a clump at the base. The leaves are long ovate, with slightly wavy margins, and deep green. The middle of the leaf surface has creamy yellow and white longitudinal stripes and patches, very beautiful. It has a terminal raceme, with the flower scape emerging from the leaves, bearing 5 to 9 flowers, and the corolla is 6 cm long, dark purple. The flowering period is from late July to mid-August.How to grow variegated hosta
Variegated hosta prefers deep, fertile loam with good drainage, and a shady location is best. It avoids direct sunlight; if the light is too strong or the soil is too dry, the leaf color will turn yellow and even the leaf margins will dry up.
Variegated hosta is generally propagated by division. Because variegated hosta sprouts late, division is usually carried out in mid-to-late May. Shade work should be done well during division. Hosta is a shade plant, and exposure to strong sun can lead to poor growth.
When dividing variegated hosta, plants sprouted from 2- or 3-year-old old roots are generally selected. Because the old root clumps of variegated hosta are relatively large, cutting is needed during division. A sharp kitchen knife is generally used as the cutting tool. First choose the dividing point, then cut. Some hard tools can be used to assist division. After sprouting, division must be done very carefully to avoid bruising the sprouted buds. To ensure that the variegated hosta has a full plant shape when grown, each division should have 3-5 buds. After division, variegated hosta needs to be disinfected immediately. Soak the divided variegated hosta in a 1000 times dilution of Previcur disinfectant solution for disinfection, with a disinfection time of 10-15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take out the disinfected variegated hosta and dry it in the shade. At this point, it can be potted.
Transplanting variegated hosta means planting the divided variegated hosta into pots for cultivation and management. First, the substrate needs to be prepared.
Substrate: The materials needed to prepare the substrate for variegated hosta include peat, pine needles and perlite. Mix peat, pine needles and perlite in a ratio of 5:3:2, and add slow-release fertilizer at a ratio of 6 grams per kilogram of substrate. Slow-release fertilizer allows young seedlings to continuously obtain nutrients with each watering. Then add water to moisten the substrate and stir evenly.
Pot: Because the roots of variegated hosta are relatively large, an 18 by 18 cm pot is generally used.
Potting: When potting, first fill part of the substrate in the pot, place the divided variegated hosta into the pot, hold it steady with your hand, then slowly pour substrate along the roots. The planting depth is best such that the buds of the variegated hosta are 1-2 cm into the soil. Make sure the substrate fills fully with no gaps, and leave 2 cm of the pot rim for watering. After potting is completed, water thoroughly immediately.
How to grow coreopsis and points to note
Coreopsis is one of the introduced species, and its opposite yellow small flowers are very bright and beautiful. Coreopsis has strong growth and reproductive ability, and cultivation is also relatively simple. Next, Xiao Qi will shareHow to grow coreopsis and points to note。
I. How to grow coreopsis
1. Soil: It is best to plant coreopsis in loose, well-aerated soil rich in humus. Before planting coreopsis, loosen the soil. Loosening the soil after rain helps the roots of coreopsis breathe. During the rainy season, weed once a week.
2. Watering: Coreopsis is easy to cultivate. After planting, water thoroughly once, then control watering afterward to prevent the plants from growing leggy.
3. Light: Coreopsis likes direct sunlight, and in overly shady environments it tends to grow leggy. It is a short-day plant, and short-day conditions can ensure that coreopsis blooms brightly.
4. Fertilizing: Before planting coreopsis, rotten leaves can be used as base fertilizer in the soil (1 kg/sq m). When coreopsis transitions from the growth period to the flowering period, stop fertilizing, and apply topdressing after 4 flower buds have formed.
5. Pruning: When coreopsis grows to 6 cm tall, it needs to be pinched once. When the branches are 10 cm, pinch a second time, and remove willow buds promptly.
6. Pests and diseases: Common diseases of coreopsis include powdery mildew and black spot, caused by rain exposure and miscellaneous bacteria in the soil. Chlorothalonil and thiophanate-methyl can be used alternately, once every 10 days. Common pests of coreopsis include aphids, cutworms and white grubs. Omethoate and fenvalerate can be used alternately, once every 10 days.
II. Points to note when growing coreopsis
a. Coreopsis is commonly propagated by sowing. Sow in spring in April, with 420 seeds per gram. The suitable germination temperature is 13-16°C, and germination occurs 14-21 days after sowing. The germination rate is high, but germination is not uniform. Cuttings can also be done in summer, and division can also be done in autumn.
b. When sowing coreopsis, open the seed bag and directly scatter the seeds evenly into the pot, or mix the seeds with fine sand and then scatter them evenly into the pot. After sowing, cover with a layer of fine soil, then cover with newspaper or similar items, which can effectively reduce water evaporation. Before the seeds sprout, the soil needs to be kept moist, and of course the seedbed must not be allowed to alternate between dry and wet.
c. Coreopsis likes strong direct light, and overly shady conditions easily cause leggy growth; it is a short-day plant, and short-day conditions ensure cut flower quality. For off-season cultivation, sodium lamps are used to supplement light and delay flower bud differentiation (electric lighting for about 40 days; after stopping lighting when the plant height is 40-50 cm, it blooms after 70-80 days).
d. After coreopsis seedlings are planted, the soil should be loosened before new branches grow; loosening the soil after rain helps breathing; during the rainy season, weed once a week.
How to grow coreopsis and points to noteThat concludes the introduction. I hope it is helpful to everyone. Coreopsis has strong environmental adaptability and is very suitable for home cultivation.
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③ When does primrose bloom? Methods to extend the flowering period of primrose
④ How to grow hosta and points to note
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