How to grow Lobelia erinus? A detailed guide to its growth habits and pot cultivation methods

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Lobelia erinus is also known as "jade butterfly flower", "mountain lobelia", "flower half-lotus" and so on. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Lobelia in the family Campanulaceae, with very high ornamental value. When in bloom, the whole plant takes on a swollen round shape, almost completely covered by flowers. It is suitable for flower beds, potted plants, hanging baskets and garden landscaping, and is widely loved by households in Europe and America

Growth habits of Lobelia erinus

Lobelia erinus is native to southern Africa, and is also widely distributed in China's Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places. Lobelia erinus only blooms under long-day, low-temperature conditions. It is not very cold-hardy, dislikes extreme heat, and prefers loose loamy soil rich in humus.

Propagation methods of Lobelia erinus

Lobelia erinus is sown from January to March and blooms after July. When sown from August to October, it blooms the following year. Seeds sown at 22°C can germinate after 20 days. It is generally commonly used as a potted or hanging basket plant or mixed with other flowers. The plant grows slowly, and the seeds are very tiny, so no covering is needed at germination. It does not adapt well to high temperatures and grows better at 12-15°C. It can bloom 65 days after sowing. Generally 8-12 seeds are sown per cell.

Cultivation methods of Lobelia erinus

1. Potting soil: Lobelia erinus needs loose, well-drained sandy soil rich in humus. Put the soil into a flowerpot about 10 cm to 15 cm in diameter and add some base fertilizer. 2-3 small seedlings can be planted in the pot, making the potted Lobelia erinus fuller and more vigorous when in bloom.

2. Light: Lobelia erinus is a long-day plant and needs to be guaranteed a relatively long period of light. It needs to receive long hours of sunlight every day. In winter and early spring, when daylight hours are shorter, supplementary artificial lighting is needed for Lobelia erinus to meet the light conditions for flowering.

3. Temperature: Lobelia erinus grows best in a low-temperature environment. The suitable growing temperature is between 15°C and 18°C. It has poor cold tolerance and is also not tolerant of extreme heat. In winter when the weather is cold, it does not necessarily need to be brought indoors to overwinter, but note that Lobelia erinus is not tolerant of frost, so it must be protected from freezing.

4. Water and fertilizer: During the growing period of Lobelia erinus, it can be watered once every 7 to 10 days, basically following the principle of watering thoroughly only after the soil has dried out. Fertilization should be carried out according to the growth needs of Lobelia erinus. During the growing period, to keep Lobelia erinus growing healthily, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied once a week.

5. Pinching: Pinching and pruning Lobelia erinus is a simple way to control its plant shape. Pinching during the growing period promotes the growth of lateral buds, resulting in more branches and therefore more flower buds.

6. Pests and diseases: During the growing period of Lobelia erinus, it is necessary to frequently observe the growth condition of the plants. Use some fungicidal and insecticidal agents to prevent and control damage from mold or red spider mites.

Lobelia erinus Thunb Lobelia erinus illustrated guide: how to grow Lobelia erinus / how to propagate Lobelia erinus

Lobelia erinus profile
Lobelia erinus Thunb
Aliases: jade butterfly flower, mountain lobelia, flower half-lotus, South African lobelia
Classification: annual herbaceous flower
Family and genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledons, Asterales, Campanulaceae, Lobelia
Full bloom period: spring
Lobelia erinus is a species under the genus Lobelia in the family Campanulaceae, also known as mountain lobelia. It belongs to the genus Lobelia in the family Campanulaceae. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, cultivated as an annual, semi-trailing, spreading over the ground, smooth or slightly hairy on the lower part, with slender branches; leaves opposite, numerous, lower leaves spoon-shaped with rounded teeth and blunt tips, upper leaves oblanceolate, and the leaves near the top broadly linear and pointed; raceme terminal, small flowers with long stalks. Lobelia erinus is generally used for flower beds and flower border edges, and also has certain medicinal value.

Cultivation methods and precautions for Lobelia erinus, an introduction to Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus is a species under the genus Lobelia in the family Campanulaceae, also known as mountain lobelia. It belongs to the genus Lobelia in the family Campanulaceae. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, cultivated as an annual, semi-trailing, spreading over the ground, smooth or slightly hairy on the lower part, with slender branches; leaves opposite, numerous, lower leaves spoon-shaped with rounded teeth and blunt tips, upper leaves oblanceolate, and the leaves near the top broadly linear and pointed; raceme terminal, small flowers with long stalks.
Lobelia erinus is generally used for flower beds and flower border edges, and also has certain medicinal value.

Morphological characteristics of Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus grows about 12-20 cm tall, with fine dense stems and branches. The upper stem leaves are smaller and lanceolate, while the leaves near the base are slightly larger and broadly spoon-shaped; the leaves are alternate. Flowers are terminal or axillary, the corolla tip is five-lobed, with the lower 3 lobes larger, shaped like butterfly wings spread open. Flower colors include red, peach red, purple, purple-blue, white and so on.
Ecological habits of Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus only blooms under long-day, low-temperature conditions.
Lobelia erinus is not very cold-hardy, dislikes extreme heat, and prefers loose loamy soil rich in humus.
Cultivation techniques for Lobelia erinus: temporary planting and care
When separating seedlings, the medium should not be too dry. Especially if the soil is somewhat compacted, the roots are easily seriously damaged during seedling separation.
First take the seedlings out of a cell tray and break them apart according to the situation, roughly dividing them into several piles, then gradually separate the small seedlings. Weaker plants can be removed.
This is how it looks after temporary planting; the seedlings are small and easy to handle. Generally, in the first few days after temporary planting, give appropriate diffused light and gradually transition. If the seedling roots are only slightly damaged, it can be exposed to sun for longer; if the roots are badly damaged, it needs a longer recovery time and can be exposed to sun later. In short, the key is to transition through the seedling recovery stage.
During the growth of temporarily planted seedlings, timely topping and pinching should be done, and the frequency of fertilizing the seedlings does not need to be too high. Generally at this time the temperature is 10-20°C, suitable for small seedling growth. With 1:800-1000 "Biwang", watering once every 7-10 days is very good. Watering should follow the principle of watering thoroughly only after the soil has dried out.
In order to control the reproduction of mold, consider using some fungicide together with one watering session for prevention, such as Jinggangmycin.
Pinching and branching
Use pinching to adjust the plant shape of Lobelia erinus. Usually the pinching height is 4-5 cm. Pinching can very effectively promote the sprouting of lateral buds, thereby obtaining more branches. In this way, more flower buds will differentiate later and the effect will be better. Planting out and pinching do not conflict: planting out is considered once root germination is good enough for potting, while pinching is determined according to growth conditions and must be done irregularly.
In this picture you can see the traces of pinching. Maintaining this height and using pinching to promote lateral bud sprouting will also make the spread wider. To make the difference clearer and the comparison more obvious, and to better let everyone see the growth changes of the seedlings after temporary planting, I took 1 seedling and temporarily planted it separately in a 10*10 square pot for illustration. This seedling was originally temporarily planted in an 8*8 round pot, and later I moved it to a 10*10 black square pot. This photo was taken just after changing to the temporary planting pot.
You can see that the seedling itself has not yet produced branches and is just a single stem standing alone.
Planting out and potting up
After the seedlings have grown for some time in the temporary planting pots and the root system has developed well, we can consider potting them up for final planting. For final planting pots, I generally commonly use the Chengxin wall-mounted 2986 model or other similar ones. According to the size of this model of pot, I still recommend adopting the single-plant planting method.
Base fertilizer can be considered and given appropriately; I do not recommend giving a lot, and later liquid topdressing can be considered to supplement it. For base fertilizer I am used to using Beilei's multi-functional fertilizer, which is not very strong. For potting up and final planting, choose a time when the medium moisture is maintained at 30%-50%. After potting, water thoroughly to settle the roots. For later watering, it is recommended to always water thoroughly only after the soil has dried out. Basically in winter very little fertilizer is applied, or fertilization is stopped when the temperature is low, waiting until the temperature warms up again before fertilizing.
Cultivation of Lobelia erinus: my personal suggestion is that Lobelia erinus does not need dense planting. A full plant shape depends on later pinching regulation and water and fertilizer management. Because from temporary planting to final planting, it is in a low-temperature environment, growth is relatively slow, but do not worry.
For root development, the medium should be pressed down appropriately firmly, so that when the seedlings are removed from the container for the next stage, the root ball basically will not fall apart. In this way, root damage later is especially small, and after planting the seedling recovery process can almost be ignored.
For trough planters, arrange the number of seedlings according to the container size. My personal suggestion is 2-3 plants. How much base fertilizer to give depends on personal habit; in common terms, just call it an appropriate amount. For a trough planter like this I also do not give much fertilizer; roughly converted, just a handful of compound fertilizer.
After the seedling root system stabilizes, fertilization can begin. I like to use "Biwang". The concentration used roughly depends on temperature: when it is colder in winter, use it more dilute, 1:1000; when the temperature is higher, use it more concentrated, 1:500-800. When the temperature is below 5°C, stop fertilizing.
The whole growth process actually looks very simple, but pinching control is indispensable. Before flower buds differentiate, pinching runs through the entire growth process.
The entire growth process of autumn-sown seedlings is very long and requires getting through the harsh winter. Under normal circumstances, if the outdoor temperature is within -3°C, you can consider not moving them indoors. I have tried -5°C outdoors. If there is snow or hail and other weather, it is recommended to move them indoors to avoid it, mainly for fear that the leaves will be frostbitten after getting wet.
In the cold season, it is recommended to stop fertilizing; growth itself is very slow and nutrient absorption is very little.
When the spring breeze blows across the land, Lobelia erinus growth will become rapid. Because the branches were grown under cold conditions, they will be relatively dense and compact. Once the pot is basically full, Biwang can be stopped and switched to Bikaihua to promote flower bud differentiation.
Shaping and blooming
Cultivation of Lobelia erinus: when the leaves begin to become pointed and linear, flower buds are beginning to appear. Look at the differentiated flower buds; they are clearly different from growth buds.
If flower buds differentiate in the later growth stage of the seedling but the overall plant shape has not yet reached the effect you are satisfied with, you can remove that part of the flower buds and at the same time apply growth fertilizer to adjust the plant's growth hormones.
For seedlings with inconsistent flower bud differentiation, you can still continue to use shaping techniques to handle them, until reviewing it from multiple angles, you are relatively satisfied. At this point, you basically do not need to manage it much anymore; just wait for the joy of harvest.
At the early flowering stage, you can continue with one application of Bikaihua, with a concentration ratio of 1:500-800. At the same time, you can try one application of fungicide and insecticide. Fungicides prevent the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria; for insecticides I mainly use avermectin-type agents to prevent red spider mite damage.
It is also recommended not to easily omit these two pesticide applications, because the flowering season happens to be between April and May. After the temperature rises, mold and pests reproduce relatively quickly. Preventing them before flowering can reduce a lot of trouble.
Basically at this stage, or after the flowers open, try to avoid direct heavy rain, otherwise it will have a relatively large impact on the overall flower shape and the visual effect will be discounted.

Cultivation methods of Lobelia erinus: sowing time
Through experimentation and exploration, I have concluded that the best sowing period in the Yangtze River basin (I myself am in Wuhan) is September 10 to September 20. Do not sow later than National Day, and do not sow earlier than September 1.
When sown in August, the seedlings will take shape very early and can bloom around late February to early March. However, due to climate conditions, it is difficult to guarantee the sunlight and temperature for flowering, so the flowering effect is not ideal and relatively sparse. As the temperature rises, the internodes of the branches become longer, and the flowering effect will be loose, unable to achieve a very full goal. Of course, if you like a very graceful trailing effect, then it is very ideal. Sowing early in this way also has a certain advantage: the flowering period is longer.
Sowing in September is the most suitable, especially under mid-month climate conditions. The flower density is good.
When sown in October, the temperature drops relatively quickly, the seedling stage is long, and growth is slow throughout the winter, so it tests the patience of gardeners. As the spring temperature rises, the seedlings gradually grow, leaving a relatively short time for pinching control, and the flower density will also be greatly reduced. Achieving a very good effect will be difficult.
Therefore, mastering the appropriate sowing time is the key to success.

Sowing and raising seedlings
For growing Lobelia erinus, I prefer to use the single-plant planting method.
Usually, the Lobelia erinus seeds purchased are pelleted cluster seeds. Sowing them easily produces a whole clump, so consider dissolving the pelleted seeds in water before sowing.
This picture was taken after germination. In the picture you can see that sowing after the pelleted seeds dissolve in water can separate the seeds as much as possible, making later thinning easier once they grow larger.
Fertilization
At the same time as final planting, add a slow-release fertilizer, then topdress again about every three weeks. Especially before the flowering period arrives, supplement a relatively large amount of phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering.
During the seedling stage, pay attention to loosening the soil and weeding. After planting, apply 1 application of dilute human manure and urine; after summer harvest, topdress once with livestock manure or ammonium sulfate, urea, etc.; in winter apply rotted fertilizer or compost. In dry seasons, irrigate and keep the soil moist economically to promote growth. At the same time as final planting, add a slow-release fertilizer, then topdress again about every three weeks. Especially before the flowering period arrives, supplement a relatively large amount of phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering.

Propagation methods of Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus can be sown in autumn, winter or early spring.
Sowing method
Note that the seeds of jade butterfly flower are tiny, so when sowing you can mix in some fine sand before sowing, or first raise seedlings and then transplant them into pots or cultivate them in flower beds when they have 6-8 true leaves; use a fine-nozzle watering can to water, and never use too much force, to prevent the seeds from being washed away. Sow from January to March and it blooms after July; sow from August to October and it blooms the following year. Seeds sown at 22°C can germinate after 20 days. It is generally commonly used as a potted or hanging basket plant or mixed with other flowers. The plant grows slowly, and the seeds are very tiny, so no covering is needed at germination. It does not adapt well to high temperatures and grows better at 12-15°C. It can bloom 65 days after sowing. Generally 8-12 seeds are sown per cell.
During the seedling stage, pay attention to loosening the soil and weeding. After planting, apply 1 application of dilute human manure and urine; after summer harvest, topdress once with livestock manure or ammonium sulfate, urea, etc.; in winter apply rotted fertilizer or compost. In dry seasons, irrigate and keep the soil moist economically to promote growth. At the same time as final planting, add a slow-release fertilizer, then topdress again about every three weeks. Especially before the flowering period arrives, supplement a relatively large amount of phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering.
Many gardeners do not know when to sow Lobelia erinus. As for the sowing time of Lobelia erinus, the best sowing period in the Yangtze River basin is September 10 to September 20. Do not sow later than National Day, and do not sow earlier than September 1.
When sown in August, the seedlings will take shape very early and can bloom around late February to early March. However, due to climate conditions, it is difficult to guarantee the sunlight and temperature for flowering, so the flowering effect is not ideal and relatively sparse. As the temperature rises, the internodes of the branches become longer, and the flowering effect will be loose, unable to achieve a very full goal. Of course, if you like a very graceful trailing effect, then it is very ideal. Sowing early in this way also has a certain advantage: the flowering period is longer.
Sowing in September is the most suitable, especially under mid-month climate conditions.
When sown in October, the temperature drops relatively quickly, the seedling stage is long, and growth is slow throughout the winter, so it tests the patience of gardeners. As the spring temperature rises, the seedlings gradually grow, leaving a relatively short time for pinching control. Seedlings sown in October can also be raised to maturity and can also bloom, but because the season suitable for growth already has relatively high temperatures, the internodes will be relatively long, and the flower density will also be greatly reduced.
Because this flower is relatively intolerant of heat, the flowering period is limited in many places, and you also would not want a plant you worked hard to raise for more than half a year to suddenly be gone.
Key points for sowing
Note that the seeds of jade butterfly flower are tiny, so when sowing you can mix in some fine sand before sowing, or first raise seedlings and then transplant them into pots or cultivate them in flower beds when they have 6-8 true leaves; use a fine-nozzle watering can to water, and never use too much force, to prevent the seeds from being washed away.
Sow from January to March and it blooms after July; sow from August to October and it blooms the following year. Seeds sown at 22°C can germinate after 20 days. It is generally commonly used as a potted or hanging basket plant or mixed with other flowers. The plant grows slowly, and the seeds are very tiny, so no covering is needed at germination. It does not adapt well to high temperatures and grows better at 12-15°C. It can bloom 65 days after sowing. Generally 8-12 seeds are sown per cell.

Distribution range of Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus is native to southern Africa, and is distributed in many provinces of China.
Lobelia erinus is also widely distributed in China's Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places.

Dietary or medicinal value of Lobelia erinus
The medical information and health dietary information on Hugarden are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problem should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting mission: love yourself, start from reality, and strictly follow a doctor's advice. Toward illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope; face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field in your heart with care.
Medicinal value
Venomous snake bites; carbuncles, swellings and boils; tonsillitis; eczema; athlete's foot; bruises and injuries; damp-heat jaundice; appendicitis; enteritis; nephritis; cirrhotic ascites and multiple types of cancer.
Treatment methods
1. To treat cold wheezing and asthma and the chills and fever of malaria: mountain lobelia and realgar 10 grams each. Pound into a paste, cover it in a bowl, wait until it turns greenish, and make pills with rice as large as Chinese parasol tree seeds. Take nine pills each time, swallowed with salt water on an empty stomach. (Shouyu Shenfang)
2. To treat venomous snake bites: First, soak mountain lobelia in spirits and apply it. (Lingnan Materia Medica Record) Second, fresh mountain lobelia 50-100 grams, pound and squeeze the juice, add 50 grams of sweet wine and mix to take. After taking it, cover with a blanket and sleep so as to produce a slight sweat. For severe poisoning, take it twice a day. Also apply pounded fresh mountain lobelia around the wound. (Jiangxi Folk Herbal Prescriptions)
3. To treat boils and all yang-type swellings and poisons: an appropriate amount of fresh mountain lobelia, add several grains of table salt and pound together, apply to the affected area. When yellow fluid seeps out, it gradually heals. (Jiangxi Folk Herbal Prescriptions)
Functions and uses of Lobelia erinus
The unique blue-flowered variety of Lobelia erinus is an important variety for spring flower beds.
When Lobelia erinus blooms, the whole plant takes on a swollen round shape, almost completely covered by flowers. It is suitable for flower beds, potted plants, hanging baskets and garden landscaping, and is widely loved by households in Europe and America.
Cultural background and documentary records of Lobelia erinus
1. Compendium of Materia Medica: To treat snake bites, pound and squeeze the juice to drink, and apply the residue around the wound.
2. Essentials of Raw Herbal Medicine: Apply to sores, reduce swelling and poison.
3. Lingnan Herbal Collection: To treat fish-mouth and stool poisons, bruises and blood stasis pain, malignant sores, and burn sores, pound and apply.
4. Chinese Medicinal Plant Record: To treat ascites from schistosomiasis.
5. Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine: Clear heat and detoxify, promote urination and reduce swelling.
6. Luchuan Materia Medica: Detoxify and reduce inflammation, promote urination, stop bleeding and promote tissue regeneration. To treat ascites, infantile convulsions, unilateral and bilateral tonsillitis, lacquer sores, traumatic bleeding, skin scabies and ringworm, snake, bee and scorpion stings, etc.
7. Nanning City Drug Record: Reduce swelling and detoxify. To treat malnutrition and the early stages of boils.
8. Chinese Medicinal Plant Illustrated Guide: Decoction taken orally to treat rheumatic neuralgia and dizziness.

Flower language of Lobelia erinus
Flower language of Lobelia erinus: pity, sympathy.
Lobelia erinus pictures

How to grow Lobelia erinus from seed: ensure a relatively long period of light

When Lobelia erinus blooms, the whole plant takes on a swollen round shape, almost completely covered by flowers. It is suitable for flower beds, potted plants, hanging baskets and garden landscaping, and is widely loved by households in Europe and America. Let us take a look together at how to grow Lobelia erinus from seed!

Cultivation methods of Lobelia erinus:

Growing habits of Lobelia:

Lobelia is native to southern Africa and is also widely distributed in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places in China. Lobelia only blooms under long-day, low-temperature conditions. It is not very cold-hardy, dislikes extreme heat, and prefers loose loamy soil rich in humus.

Propagation methods of Lobelia:

Lobelia is sown from January to March and blooms after July. If sown from August to October, it blooms the following year. The seeds germinate 20 days after sowing at 22°C. It is generally commonly used as a potted plant and hanging basket plant or mixed with other flowers. The plant grows slowly, and the seeds are very small, so no covering is needed at germination. It does not tolerate high temperatures and grows better at 12-15°C. It can bloom 65 days after sowing, and generally 8-12 seeds are sown per cell.

How to grow Lobelia erinus? A detailed guide to its growth habits and pot cultivation methods

Lobelia erinus Thunb Lobelia erinus illustrated guide: how to grow Lobelia erinus / how to propagate Lobelia erinus

How to grow Lobelia erinus from seed: ensure a relatively long period of light

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