How to Propagate Blue Plumbago? A Detailed Introduction to Propagation Methods

Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is mostly propagated by cuttings, division, and sowing. Sowing blue plumbago is generally best done in spring, while cuttings can be taken in spring or in early or late summer. Here is a detailed introduction to the cutting and sowing propagation methods for blue plumbago.

Blue plumbago

I. Cutting Propagation

Blue plumbago cuttings can be taken in spring, early summer, or late summer. Each spring, take cuttings as part of repotting and pruning. For summer cuttings, select healthy, well-developed two-year-old young shoots or semi-mature branches 10-15 cm long and insert them into a sand bed. The best rooting temperature is 20-25°C. After insertion, spray with New High Lipid Film, and roots will form in about 20-30 days. After 3 weeks, they can be potted for growing on. The best rooting temperature is 20-25°C, and roots will form about 20-30 d after insertion.

II. Sowing Propagation

Blue plumbago is very easy to sow, and it can bloom in the same year. Plant a few little blue plumbago plants; not only are they not prone to pests, but they also have a long flowering period.

1. Plug tray specifications: 288, 200, 128, or 72-cell plug trays

2. Medium: Choose a light medium free of pests and diseases with good drainage. It can be made by mixing peat and vermiculite in a certain ratio, with a pH of 5.8-6.2 and an EC value of less than 0.75 mS/cm

3. After sowing, cover with coarse vermiculite. The suitable germination temperature is 22-23°C, and the suitable temperature for seedling growth is 18°C-21°C

4. Germination days: 4-6 days

5. Light: Light is not needed during the germination stage, but timely supplemental light after germination can effectively shorten the growing cycle

6. Moisture: Keep the medium moist during seedling raising to avoid wilting of the seedlings

7. Fertilizer: After the cotyledons emerge, begin applying 100 ppm fertilizer 1-2 times per week. Later, increase the nitrogen concentration to 150-175 ppm. Fertilizers with an N-P-K ratio of 13-2-13 or 14-0-14 and 20-10-20 can be applied alternately

8. Growth regulators: Not needed during the plug seedling stage

9. Plug seedling raising days: 6-8 weeks (288-cell plug tray)

How to Grow Blue Plumbago: Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago

Everyone knows blue plumbago, a very beautiful flower. But when it comes to growing blue plumbago, people do not necessarily fully master the knowledge required. What are the cultivation methods for blue plumbago? Here is a share of them below; those who are interested can try growing it at home.

I. Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago——Light

Blue plumbago is a perennial flower and loves ample sunlight most of all. When growing blue plumbago indoors, it needs to be placed in a spot with direct light as much as possible. However, when the direct sunlight in summer is too intense, it should be appropriately shaded.

II. Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago——Water

Watering blue plumbago is very important. The soil should be kept appropriately moist at all times without becoming waterlogged. In winter and summer, blue plumbago enters a dormant state, and at this time both the frequency and amount of watering should be reduced.

III. Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago——Fertilizing

Blue plumbago likes fertilizer. During the plant's growth period, a light fertilizer application is needed about every ten days, so the plant can get more nutrients. In summer or winter, fertilize as little as possible.

IV. Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago——Temperature

The temperature for blue plumbago should be kept warm; around 10°C is relatively ideal. Excessively high summer temperatures can also cause slow growth in blue plumbago, so it must not be too hot and must not exceed 30°C.

How to Grow the Olympic Decorative Flower - Blue Plumbago: Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago

As one of the ornamental flowers used to decorate the streets during the Olympic Games, blue plumbago gives people a noble and coolly elegant feeling. Its petals, white with a touch of blue, are truly a masterpiece of nature. This natural and refined color, just like its name, is like white snow stained with blue pigment, a particularly beautiful existence. First, let us get to know the basic facts about blue plumbago.

Blue plumbago

The genus Plumbago includes Plumbago zeylanica, Plumbago parviflora, Plumbago auriculata, Plumbago indica, and Plumbago minima. This elegantly colored blue plumbago is native to South Africa. It is a plant of the family Plumbaginaceae and the genus Plumbago, growing on flat land and the foothills of low mountains. It likes warmth and tolerates heat, but is not suitable for exposure to strong sun. It is mainly distributed in southern China, where it is cultivated in the open field, but because it is not cold-tolerant, in northern China it can only be cultivated in greenhouses. Blue plumbago is moderately drought-tolerant, and dryness is rather unfavorable to its growth, so it can grow better in a relatively humid environment. Its flowering period is generally in midsummer to early autumn, from July to September, and its fruiting period is from late summer to late autumn, in August to October. Fortunately, blue plumbago is less affected by pests, is relatively simple to care for, and has a long ornamental period, allowing flower lovers who cultivate it enough time to appreciate it slowly.

Now, after understanding the basic overview of blue plumbago, let us next learn about the cultivation methods and points to note for blue plumbago.

Cultivation Methods for Blue Plumbago

1. Temperature: It needs to be kept at around 17°C-26°C, and in winter the minimum temperature should be kept above 7°C.

2. Light: It is not suitable for exposure to strong sun, but it needs several hours of sunlight each day. Note that during its overwintering period, the duration and frequency of sunlight should be moderately increased.

3. Watering: During the flowering and growth period, it needs a large amount of water. To keep blue plumbago growing in a humid environment, you can spray it with water or place the pot directly on moist pebbles. In winter, however, the frequency of watering should be reduced, and it is enough to keep the potted plant in a slightly moist state.

4. Soil: Choose soil with a pH of 5.5-6.0, such as a mixed soil of peat + perlite + vermiculite + garden soil.

5. Fertilizing: During the spring and summer growing seasons, fertilize once a week.

6. Pot: Choose a pot with smooth drainage.

I believe that after reading this article, everyone has gained a general understanding of the cultivation methods for blue plumbago. So start now and grow a pot of coolly elegant blue plumbago to add a little color to your home.