How to grow dusty miller? A care guide for the niche flower Snow Spirit
As we keep pursuing a better quality of life, many flower lovers no longer want only big, bright, showy blooms, but rather niche and unique flowers. Today the editor of Huinong Network would like to introduce a niche and unique flower, dusty miller, which is sure to catch your eye!
I. Introduction to dusty miller
Dusty miller is also called snow leaf chrysanthemum or white woolly cornflower. As its name suggests, both the front and back of its leaves are covered in small silvery-white hairs, and from a distance it looks like a vast expanse of pure white snow. Although it appears very "aloof", it is actually highly adaptable and likes to grow in areas bathed in sunlight. It is not only drought-tolerant but also cold-tolerant, and is often used at flower shows to pair with other brightly colored plants as decoration.
II. Care guide
1. Choose suitable soil
The soil suitable for growing dusty miller is nutrient-rich, low-density sandy soil or clay soil rich in organic matter.
2. Adjust to a suitable temperature
The environment suitable for dusty miller growth is humid and on the cool side. Of course, it also needs plenty of sunlight to promote growth, but be careful not to let it be scorched by harsh sun, otherwise the plant will become more and more listless. The optimal growing temperature range is 20°C-25°C.
3. Water in moderation
When watering dusty miller, follow the principle of "water when dry, let it dry between waterings". That is, after each watering, wait until the potting soil dries out (a qualified level of dryness is when the surface of the potting soil turns white), and then water again. Otherwise, its root system will rot or it will suffer from diseases.
4. During the seedling stage, pay special attention to shading
Dusty miller is relatively fragile during the seedling stage and needs protection. Especially in terms of light, it is necessary both to ensure a certain amount of sunlight and to avoid overexposure. In hot weather, shading and promptly removing standing water from the flowerpot are very important.
5. Pinch dusty miller twice
When the dusty miller seedlings grow to 6cm-10cm and have already grown some leaves, the tips need to be pinched off, and the leaves below the plant should be protected so the plant can branch. After about one month, pinch off the tips of the side branches while keeping the leaves below the side branches.
6. Apply light fertilizer frequently
Dusty miller relatively likes fertilizer. About half a month after potting, add some fertilizer water roughly every 10 days. The fertilizer chosen is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with a concentration of 1%-1.5% (the concentration should be on the lighter side in the early growth stage of dusty miller, and can be slightly stronger during the vigorous growth period). When fertilizing, try to apply it spot by spot and do not dirty the leaves.
The above is the care guide for dusty miller compiled by the editor of Huinong Network. Have you all learned it?
An excellent foliage plant - dusty miller
Dusty miller (CentaureaCineraria), also known as snow leaf chrysanthemum, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Centaurea in the Asteraceae family. The plant is much branched, generally 50-80 cm tall, with leaves once or twice pinnately parted, both surfaces covered with silvery-white soft hairs, and flower heads solitary at the tips of branches, with small yellow flowers. The flowering period is June-September, and the seeds begin to mature successively from July. Its silvery-white leaves look like a white cloud from afar, and when planted together with pure-colored flowers of other colors, the effect is excellent. It is an important foliage plant for flower beds. Dusty miller is native to southern Europe and is relatively cold-tolerant. It can overwinter in the open field in the Yangtze River basin. It is not tolerant of severe heat and easily dies under high temperature and high humidity. It likes a cool, humid, sunny climate and loose, fertile sandy loam or clay loam rich in organic matter. The most suitable temperature for growth is 20°C-25°C, and at 25°C its branching ability is strongest.Dusty miller is commonly propagated by seeds.
Generally, seeds are sown in an open-field seedbed at the end of August or the beginning of September, and they sprout uniformly in about half a month. Growth is slow during the seedling stage. When 4 true leaves have grown, transplant into 5-inch pots or into the field, and then plant them in pots after the following spring begins. During the growth period, the height can be controlled and the plant spread increased by pinching. Dusty miller is a fertilizer-loving plant. One or two weeks after potting, apply dilute manure or spray the leaves with 0.1% urea and monopotassium phosphate, and then apply fertilizer once a week. In cultivation, it has been found that dusty miller has no pest or disease problems.
Dusty miller can also be propagated by cuttings. Cut tender shoots of about 10 cm, remove the two leaves at the base, soak them in 250-times Shida rooting nutrient solution for about 30 minutes, insert them into a cutting bed mixed with perlite and vermiculite, and carry out full-light misting. Good roots form in about 20 days. Note that cuttings are not easy to keep alive under high temperature and high humidity. Through comparison, it has been found that cutting-grown seedlings are less vigorous than seed-grown seedlings, with a smaller spread and shorter plants.
What kind of flower plant is dusty miller? Dusty miller pictures and introduction
Chinese name: dusty miller
Alternative name: snow leaf chrysanthemum
Latin scientific name: Senecio cineraria
Family and genus: Asteraceae, genus Senecio
Place of origin and distribution: southern Europe
Dusty miller is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Senecio in the Asteraceae family. The plant is much branched, generally 50-80 cm tall, and likes a cool, humid, sunny climate and loose, fertile sandy soil or clay soil rich in organic matter. Its silvery-white leaves look like a white cloud from afar, and when planted together with pure-colored flowers of other colors, the effect is excellent. It is an important foliage plant for flower beds.