How to Propagate Obedient Plant? Master These Key Points

Obedient plant is widely used in gardens and green spaces, suitable for mass planting in flower beds and lawns, and can also be grown in pots for ornamental display. Besides its ornamental value, obedient plant also has certain medicinal value, which is why it is loved by many flower enthusiasts.

Obedient Plant

Artificial propagation of obedient plant generally uses division or cuttings. Spring and autumn are the suitable periods for division; simply cut off the young plants or underground rhizomes growing from mature plants and replant them separately. You can also take healthy new shoots in autumn and insert them into a well-drained sand bed as cuttings, then transplant after roots develop.

Because the seed-setting rate is low and seeds are scarce, root division is mostly used for propagation. Root division is done in early spring or after flowering; dig out vigorously growing plants and plant the underground creeping rhizomes separately. Due to its strong tillering ability, it survives very easily after division. When seedlings grow 4 to 5 leaves, pinch once; after pinching, apply a light fertilizer to encourage axillary buds to sprout into branches. When the axillary buds grow to 5 cm to 6 cm tall, pinch again. After two pinchings, the plant height can be reduced and the fullness and neatness of potted plants increased. During the hot summer season, pay attention to timely watering to keep the potting soil moist. Apply a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer once every half month to make the flowers larger and more numerous. Generally, it will bloom at around ten pairs of single leaves. To make it bloom earlier, forcing cultivation can also be used. The method is: when potting in spring, plant 3 seedlings per pot; when they grow to 3 pairs of single leaves, pinch once, leaving 2 nodes high; when they grow to 5 pairs of single leaves, subject them to extended daylight (more than 12 hours per day) and high temperature treatment above 25°C; after 20 days of treatment, they will bloom. In late autumn and early winter, cut off the branches of the current year that have yellowed after flowering, move them into a greenhouse to overwinter, and then carry out root division planting again in the following spring.

Key Cultivation Points for Obedient Plant

Obedient plant has bright flower colors and is not difficult to cultivate and manage, making it very suitable for large potted plants or cut flowers. Planted in groups in flower borders and flower beds, it has a distinctive charm. Since the flower color of obedient plant is light purplish-red, which belongs to the cool color range, it is very suitable for planting together with warm-colored plants such as scarlet sage (details) and red cockscomb.

Obedient Plant

Obedient plant prefers loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam, and grows poorly in dry summer conditions. The flowering period is from July to September. Mature plants grow in clumps, and the blooming flower spikes sway in the wind with graceful elegance. It is robust by nature, and the underground creeping stems easily produce young plants. After cultivating 1 plant, it often self-propagates into countless young plants.

1. Soil: The requirements for cultivation soil are not high, but it grows best in well-drained, fertile sandy loam.

2. Light: The cultivation site needs good sunlight; plants in shaded areas tend to grow leggy and bloom poorly.

3. Fertilizer: For cut flower cultivation, the plant spacing is 30 cm. When preparing the land, mix in decomposed compost in advance as base fertilizer. After the plants survive transplanting, pinch once to encourage more branching. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium topdressing once a month. A slightly higher proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can promote flowering.

4. Humidity: Spring to summer is the peak growth period. The cultivation site should maintain sufficient humidity; do not let it dry out, which would affect growth and flowering. Prune old plants once in winter or early spring, and plants over 3 years old should be replanted for renewal.

5. Potting: Large pots should be used; plant 2 to 3 plants per 8-inch pot. More potting soil helps root expansion. After 1 to 2 years, forced division and repotting should be carried out. Tall plants easily lodge; for cut flower cultivation, set up stakes or use nylon netting to secure the branches when necessary. It prefers warm to high temperatures, with an optimal growing temperature of 18 to 28°C.

Lamiaceae Obedient Plant

Chinese scientific name: Obedient plant

Other names: false dragonhead, Physostegia, false dragonhead, sesame flower, tiger tail flower, yipinxiang

Family: Lamiaceae

Genus: Physostegia

Distribution area: North America

Obedient plant has elegant leaves and brilliant flowers, suitable for large potted plants or cut flowers. Cultivation and management are simple, and it is suitable for flower borders, flower bed backgrounds, or group planting in wild-style gardens. It prefers loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam, and grows poorly in dry summer conditions. The flowering period is from July to September. Mature plants grow in clumps, and the blooming flower spikes sway in the wind with graceful elegance. It is robust by nature, and the underground creeping stems easily produce young plants. After cultivating 1 plant, it often self-propagates into countless young plants. It can also be propagated by division or cuttings. Spring and autumn are the suitable periods for division; simply cut off the young plants or underground rhizomes growing from mature plants and replant them separately. You can also take healthy new shoots in autumn and insert them into a well-drained sand bed as cuttings, then transplant after roots develop.

Key Cultivation Points

Soil

The requirements for cultivation soil are not high, but it grows best in well-drained, fertile sandy loam.

Light

The cultivation site needs good sunlight; plants in shaded areas tend to grow leggy and bloom poorly.

Fertilizer

For cut flower cultivation, the plant spacing is 30 cm. When preparing the land, mix in decomposed compost in advance as base fertilizer. After the plants survive transplanting, pinch once to encourage more branching. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium topdressing once a month; a slightly higher proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can promote flowering.

Humidity

Spring to summer is the peak growth period. The cultivation site should maintain sufficient humidity; do not let it dry out, which would affect growth and flowering. Prune old plants once in winter or early spring, and plants over 3 years old should be replanted for renewal.

Potting

Large pots should be used; plant 2 to 3 plants per 8-inch pot. More potting soil helps root expansion. After 1 to 2 years, forced division and repotting should be carried out. Tall plants easily lodge; for cut flower cultivation, set up stakes or use nylon netting to secure the branches when necessary. It prefers warm to high temperatures, with an optimal growing temperature of 18 to 28°C.