The cleome my father planted bloomed when I came home.

When I was little, the yard at home was filled with flowers and plants planted by my father, and he did not even spare the flat roof. To take care of these flowers and plants, he even built a small glass greenhouse at home. In late autumn, he would move the flowers in the yard into the greenhouse, and when it got colder, he would light the stove to warm the greenhouse and protect the flowers and plants through the cold northern winter. The black smoke coming from the chimney was the best guide for relatives and friends coming to visit.

Work has not been busy lately, so I took three days off plus Saturday and Sunday, five days in total, just to make a trip back to my hometown. With love and expectation, I set out on that most beautiful road, heading toward my warm hometown. Three days before setting out, I talked with my father on the phone, and before hanging up, my father said that the cleome planted at home would bloom when I came back.

Sharing cleome care experience

It blooms in the evening and withers during the day the next day, so it is also called the flower of summer nights. Its petals are elegant and light, and when in full bloom they look like butterflies dancing, attracting attention. Cleome can be grown in pots or planted in courtyards. Below I will share my father's experience of successfully growing cleome; flower lovers with the right conditions can try it themselves.

Cleome

Starting from sowing

Seeds can be purchased online. Before planting, soak the seeds in warm water (preferably 25-30°C) for 3-10 hours. Wait until the seeds absorb water and swell (the seeds are very small), then use disposable chopsticks or toothpicks to place the seeds one by one on the prepared base surface, cover with 1 cm of base soil, and water with a low-pressure spray bottle, watering several times until thoroughly soaked.

Growing environment

Cleome has strong adaptability and does not demand much from the environment. It likes warm, humid places with plenty of light. It is not afraid of heat but is afraid of cold, so cleome is especially common in southern China.

Cleome

Soil requirements

Cleome can grow vigorously in loose, breathable, well-drained acidic soil, sandy soil, and clay soil. For potted plants, it is best to use a prepared humus soil.

Watering method

During the growing period, water thoroughly once a day. In hot summer, water thoroughly once in the morning and once in the evening. Do not allow waterlogging.

Light duration

It likes sunlight and is not afraid of heat. The suitable temperature is 20-32°C. During the growing period, the plant can be placed in the sun. Cleome planted outdoors in the ground begins to wither after the first frost.

Cleome

Fertilizing the plant

Cleome has very low fertilizer requirements. When planting, just put some nutrient soil at the base.

Pruning (pinching)

During the growing period, pinch the tips several times (at least 2 times) to encourage more flowering branches to grow. Pinching can be done when the plant grows to 10 cm. After flowering, the spent flowers should be cut off promptly to reduce unnecessary consumption of the plant's nutrients.

Collecting seeds

When cleome seeds turn from green to yellow, they can be collected. After the seeds are air-dried, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator. Sow them in early spring the following year.

Regarding cleome, if flower lovers have other questions, they can leave a comment.

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