How to propagate the Melastoma? Detailed introduction to propagation methods

The Melastoma is a plant of the genus Melastoma in the family Melastomataceae, with a flowering period from May to July, and is a relatively common flower in acidic soil. Artificial propagation of the Melastoma can be done by sowing and cuttings, generally best carried out around the Spring Festival.

Melastoma

Since the Melastoma prefers a warm and humid climate, and is slightly drought-tolerant and tolerant of poor soil. Therefore, it is best cultivated in sunny, loose soil rich in humus. The Melastoma is widely distributed in the wild hillsides, thickets beside mountain roads, and under sparse forests across most provinces and regions south of the Yangtze River. It prefers shade, is suitable for growing in acidic soil, tolerates poor and thin soil, and has good resistance to pests and diseases, requiring only extensive management. After flowering, it needs timely pruning to control plant height and shape. It can be planted alone or in clumps under the forest. Seedlings grow slowly; cuttings are best done in spring and summer, and they root quickly.

The Melastoma is propagated by seed. Sow in late March to early April in spring, mix the seeds with plant ash or fine soil, evenly broadcast them on the seedbed, cover with 2cm of fine soil, then cover with grass and water. The sowing rate per 1h㎡ is 22.5-30kg. When the temperature is above 25°C, seedlings emerge in about 20d; after emergence, remove the covering grass. When the seedlings are about 15cm tall, open holes at a row spacing of 40cm×40cm and plant 3 plants per hole.

Cultivation methods of the Melastoma. Differences between the Melastoma and the peony

The Melastoma is a shrub of the genus Melastoma, with corymbose inflorescences borne at the tips of branches, and petals in rose red or pink. So what is the difference between the Melastoma and the peony? How do you cultivate it? Next, let's look at the cultivation methods of the Melastoma and the differences between the Melastoma and the peony.

I. Cultivation methods of the Melastoma

1. Planting: The cultivation soil for the Melastoma should be loose and fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline. Cut off the broken and diseased roots of the Melastoma seedling to be planted, soak it in insecticide and fungicide, and place it into a previously prepared pot or pit. After planting and before the rows close, loosen the soil and weed once every other month.

2. Watering: After planting the Melastoma, water thoroughly once. The peony dislikes waterlogging, so water as appropriate during the growing season. In arid northern regions, generally water before flowering, after flowering, and before freezing.

3. Fertilizing: One year after planting the Melastoma, fertilizing can be done in autumn, mainly with decomposed organic fertilizer. It can be applied in combination with loosening the soil, by broadcasting, or by hole application. In spring and summer, chemical fertilizers are mostly used, applied with watering as pre-flowering and post-flowering fertilizer. For pot cultivation, liquid fertilizer can be applied with watering. Cultivation management is extensive; apply human waste or compound fertilizer once each in spring, summer, and autumn, and apply compost or plant ash in winter, followed by earthing up after topdressing.

4. Temperature: The Melastoma likes high temperatures, is extremely cold-tolerant, and has a wide range of temperature adaptability.

5. Light: The Melastoma is a sun-loving plant and must be planted in a sunny place with sufficient light.

6. Pruning: In the year of planting, the Melastoma is often cut back to the ground. After sprouting in spring, keep about 5 branches and remove the rest, concentrating nutrients so that the flowers in the second year are large and brightly colored. In autumn and winter, along with clearing the garden, cut off dried flower stalks, thin and weak branches, and non-flowering branches. For pot cultivation, trim it into whatever shape you like as needed.

7. Repotting: After the Melastoma has grown in a pot for three or four years, it needs to be repotted in autumn into a larger pot with added fresh fertile soil, or divided and replanted separately.

8. Spraying: Spray lime sulfur mixture on the Melastoma before bud break in early spring, and use a mixed solution of insecticide and fungicide in summer, once every 2 weeks depending on the condition. Combined with fertilizing, chemical fertilizers and growth regulators, etc., may also be added.

II. Differences between the Melastoma and the peony

The Melastoma is a shrub of the genus Melastoma in the family Melastomataceae. The peony is a plant of the genus Paeonia in the family Ranunculaceae, and is a perennial deciduous small shrub.

The petals of the Melastoma are rose red or pink, obovate, with a flowering period from May to July. The peony has 5 petals, or double petals, in rose, purplish red, pink to white, usually with great variation, obovate. Its flowering period is May.

The capsule of the Melastoma is urn-shaped and spherical, with a fruiting period from October to December. The peony's follicles are oblong, densely covered with yellow-brown stiff hairs, with a fruiting period in June.

Cultivation methods and precautions for the multifloral Melastoma

Cultivation methods of the multifloral Melastoma

Soil

To cultivate the multifloral Melastoma, the soil is required to be loose, fertile, well-drained, and neutral or slightly alkaline, with sandy soil or leaf mold being best. Before planting, the small seedlings of the multifloral Melastoma need their roots trimmed, disinfected, and treated for insects, then placed into a flower pot. Spread the root system out and fill in the soil.

Temperature and light

The multifloral Melastoma likes a warm climate, and the suitable temperature for growth is between 15°C and 20°C, though its adaptability to temperature is still relatively wide. The multifloral Melastoma is a sun-loving plant and can be planted in a sunny place with sufficient light; either partial sun or full sun is acceptable.

Watering and fertilizing

The multifloral Melastoma likes a humid environment, and after planting it can be watered thoroughly once. However, it dislikes water accumulating in the pot, so during the growing period it needs to be watered as appropriate. The multifloral Melastoma needs topdressing, but it is relatively tolerant of poor soil; generally, organic fertilizer or farmyard manure is applied in spring, summer, and autumn, and some plant ash can be scattered in winter. Before and after flowering, fertilizing should be done in combination with watering.

Precautions for cultivating the multifloral Melastoma

Pruning

The multifloral Melastoma needs pruning during the growing period. During growth, it needs pinching, keeping a few branches and pruning off the other branches, so as not to waste nutrients. In autumn and winter, you can prune the dead branches, diseased branches, and thin and weak branches of the multifloral Melastoma, etc., to help it grow well, and you can also prune the plant shape according to your own preferences.

Repotting

For potted multifloral Melastoma, repotting needs to be done as the plant grows. Generally, after the multifloral Melastoma has grown for 3-4 years, it needs to be moved in autumn into a somewhat larger flower pot, or divided and propagated in combination with repotting.

Pests and diseases

The multifloral Melastoma has relatively few pests and diseases. During the growing period, prevention is the main approach, spraying some fungicide.