Strawflower cultivation and care management tips: easily grow brightly colored flowers
Strawflower is one of the many varieties of chrysanthemum. Its biggest features are its rich flower colors and the fact that it can be dried into dried flowers. It can be planted on a balcony or in a garden, and its ornamental value is very high. Below are strawflower cultivation and care management tips for all friends who love plants and flowers to refer to.
Environment
Strawflower loves light and prefers a warm, humid environment. It is not cold-tolerant and fears summer heat. Its suitable growing temperature is 15 to 25 degrees. In the south, when planted in the ground, it needs a sunny position, and overly wet ground is not suitable for shallow planting. In the cold north, choose potted planting.
Soil
Strawflower is not picky about soil. Sandy soil that is loose, fertile, breathable and well-drained is best. For potted planting, you can mix leaf mold, garden soil, vermiculite and plant ash thoroughly.
Temperature
The growing temperature for strawflower is 15-25 degrees. When the summer temperature is higher than 34 degrees, growth is slow and flowering is reduced, so shade is needed. When planting, pay attention to the indoor temperature.
Sunlight
For strawflower, provide appropriate shade at midday in spring, summer and autumn. It does not like direct strong light, and water can be sprayed to lower the temperature. In winter, it can receive full sun.
Watering
During the growing period of strawflower, keep the potting soil moist. In hot summer weather, water once in the morning and once in the evening, and drain promptly during the rainy season. Water accumulation in the soil or excessive drought will affect plant growth. Remember that water accumulation causes root rot. In autumn, appropriate watering helps the fruits become plump. In winter, control water to prevent cold damage.
Fertilizing
During the growing period, apply a diluted phosphorus-potassium water-soluble fertilizer once a month to strawflower. After flower buds appear, fertilize less to avoid dull flower colors. At the same time, apply insecticide to prevent aphids, leaf roller caterpillars and underground pests from damaging the plant.
Management
① Pinch the tips of strawflower seedlings to promote branching. When the plant height is 60-70 cm, insert stakes to prevent lodging. In spring and after the flowers and fruits fade, prune away unwanted old branches and diseased branches, which helps the plant send out new branches and produce more flowers.
② When strawflower seeds mature, harvest them promptly. Keep harvesting every day on sunny days to avoid losses caused by seeds falling off.
In fact, strawflower is a flower native to Australia, but because of its beautiful flower form, it has now been introduced and planted in many regions of China. In the editor's opinion, this flower is truly beautiful. Friends who like it can try planting it according to the method shared by the editor.
Cultivation and management methods for strawflower
Strawflower prefers a warm environment with plenty of sunlight. It is not cold-tolerant and avoids extreme heat. It grows well in moist, fertile, loose soil with good drainage. Because it prefers dry sandy soil, sunlight must be sufficient, and overly wet ground is not suitable for shallow planting. Transplant when the seedlings are 4-6 cm tall, with a plant spacing of 20 cm × 30 cm. Use diluted human waste or soybean cake water as fertilizer, applying once every 20-30 days.
Pinching
Before flowering, generally pinch twice to encourage more flowering branches to sprout: one to two weeks after potting, or when the seedlings are 6-10 cm tall and have more than six leaves, remove the top shoot and keep the lower 3-4 leaves to encourage branching. Three to five weeks after the first pinching, or when the side branches grow to 6-8 cm long, carry out the second pinching, that is, remove the top shoots of the side branches and keep the 4 leaves below the side branches. After strawflower is pinched twice, the plant shape will be more ideal and the number of flowers will also be greater.
Humidity management
It likes relatively high air humidity. If the air humidity is too low, individual flowers will fade faster. It also fears rain, and the leaves need to remain dry at night. The most suitable relative air humidity is 65-75%.
Temperature management
It likes a warm climate and avoids extreme heat. When the summer temperature is above 34°C, growth is obviously poor; it is not frost-tolerant, and when the winter temperature is below 4°C, it enters dormancy or dies. The most suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C. Generally sow in autumn or winter to avoid high summer temperatures.
Light management
In spring, summer and autumn, it needs to be maintained under shaded conditions. When the temperature is relatively high (daytime temperature above 25°C), if it is placed in direct sunlight for maintenance, the leaves will noticeably become smaller, the internodes of the branches will shorten, the lower leaves will turn yellow and fall off, and growth will be very slow or it will enter a semi-dormant state.
In winter, because the temperature is not very high, it should be given direct sunlight to help it carry out photosynthesis and form flower buds, bloom and bear fruit. After maintaining it indoors for a period during the flowering stage (10-15 days), move it outdoors to a place with shade (and insulation) for a period of maintenance (about one month), and alternate back and forth in this way to help the plant accumulate nutrients and continue flowering.
Fertilizer and water management
Like other herbaceous flowers, it has relatively high fertilizer and water requirements, but the fertilizing (and watering) principle of “apply dilute fertilizer frequently, use small amounts more often, and provide complete nutrition” should be followed, and after fertilizing, keep the leaves and flowers dry at night:
Spring and autumn These two seasons are its peak growing seasons. Fertilizer and water management follows the cycle of Flower Treasure——Flower Treasure——clear water——Flower Treasure——Flower Treasure——clear water (at the very least, ensure Flower Treasure twice a week). The interval is about 1-4 days for outdoor maintenance. During sunny days or high temperatures, the interval is shorter; during cloudy and rainy days or low temperatures, the interval is longer or do not water. For indoor maintenance, it is 2-6 days. During sunny days or high temperatures, the interval is shorter; during cloudy and rainy days or low temperatures, the interval is longer or do not water.
Summer
During the high-temperature period in summer, it often enters a dormant state and has low fertilizer and water requirements, and may even need fertilizer and water control. Fertilizer and water management follows the cycle: Flower Treasure——clear water——clear water——Flower Treasure——clear water——clear water. The interval is about: 3-5 days for outdoor maintenance. During sunny days or high temperatures, the interval is shorter; during cloudy and rainy days or low temperatures, the interval is longer or do not water. For indoor maintenance, it is 4-7 days. During sunny days or high temperatures, the interval is shorter; during cloudy and rainy days or low temperatures, the interval is longer or do not water.
Try to schedule watering in the morning when the temperature is lower, and keep the leaves dry at night. Also spray the plant frequently.
Winter
During the winter dormant period, the main task is to control fertilizer and water well. Fertilizer and water management follows the cycle of “Flower Treasure”——clear water——clear water——“Flower Treasure”——clear water——clear water. The interval is about 7-10 days. During sunny days or high temperatures, the interval is shorter; during cloudy and rainy days or low temperatures, the interval is longer or do not water. Try to schedule watering at noon on sunny days when the temperature is higher.
Pruning
Every two months, prune branches with old leaves and yellow leaves once. As long as the temperature is suitable, it can bloom in all four seasons.
When does strawflower bloom? Which months are the flowering period of strawflower?
As the name suggests, strawflower is a kind of chrysanthemum, also known as beixigong. Strawflower is somewhat similar to most chrysanthemums, with delicate, beautiful and colorful petals growing around the yellow center, small and beautiful, and deeply loved by everyone. Strawflower is an ornamental flowering plant, so do you know roughly which month strawflower blooms?
When does strawflower bloom?
The flowering period is July to September. Strawflower, also known as waxflower and beixigong, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Australia and widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States. It loves light and prefers a warm, humid environment. It is not cold-tolerant and avoids extreme heat. Propagation by sowing, cuttings and layering is all possible. It blooms in autumn. Its taste is sweet and bitter, slightly cold. The dried petals are golden yellow, and the flower color is bright and does not fade for a long time. Because the flowers do not fall after drying and look as if made from wax, they are a good material for making dried flowers and are a unique natural “handicraft” in nature.
Which months are the flowering period of strawflower?
The flowering period of strawflower is concentrated in July to September each year, generally blooming in autumn. If strawflower is planted in the south, its flowering period may also be earlier. When the flowering period of strawflower ends, it will bear fruit. The fruit ripening period is September to October each year. After the fruit matures, it produces seeds, and the seeds can be used for sowing and propagation.
How to grow strawflower
1. Temperature management
Strawflower likes a warm climate. The most suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C. It is not cold-tolerant and avoids extreme heat. The summer temperature should not be higher than 34°C. When the winter temperature is below 4°C, it enters dormancy or dies.
2. Light management
In spring, summer and autumn, strawflower needs to be maintained under shaded conditions. When the temperature is relatively high and sunlight is direct, the leaves will noticeably become smaller, the internodes of the branches will shorten, the lower leaves will turn yellow and fall off, and growth will be very slow or it will enter a semi-dormant state.
In winter, because the temperature is not very high, it can receive direct light.
3. Water and fertilizer management
Like other flowers, strawflower has relatively high water and fertilizer requirements, but the watering and fertilizing principle of “apply dilute fertilizer frequently, use small amounts more often, and provide complete nutrition” should be followed.
Spring and autumn are the peak growing seasons for strawflower, and its demand for water and fertilizer is relatively large. During the high-temperature period in summer, it enters a dormant state, has low fertilizer and water requirements, and may even need fertilizer and water control. Try to schedule watering in the morning when the temperature is lower, and keep the leaves dry at night. Also spray the plant frequently. During the winter dormant period, the main task is to control fertilizer and water well. Try to schedule watering at noon on sunny days when the temperature is higher. Pay attention to cloudy and rainy weather; strawflower should be watered less or not at all.
How to sow strawflower
1. Sowing time
The sowing period for strawflower is from April to June. Generally, it can be sown in a greenhouse from March to April. In warm regions, it can be sown in autumn, in September. You can choose a suitable sowing time according to the actual situation, but if you choose autumn sowing, you need to consider the wintering problem of strawflower.
2. Soil
Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil for the bed. It is best to mix organic compost into the soil.
3. Seed harvesting
Strawflower seeds are collected after the fruit matures. When collecting seeds, try to choose flower heads with deep flower colors and pick them by hand in the early morning to prevent the seeds from scattering. The collected seeds should be dried in a cool place, put into gauze bags, and stored in a low-temperature, dry place.
4. Sowing steps
From sowing to flowering of some plants, strawflower needs about 3 months. For ease of management, it is best to sow in a seedling tray. Put seedbed soil in the seedling tray, press it lightly, scrape it level, apply a certain amount of base fertilizer and water it, then sow the seeds.
Maintain a suitable temperature after sowing, and seedlings will generally emerge within one week. Transplant when there are 7-8 true leaves, and pay attention to controlling water and fertilizer. Before flowering, it can be pinched several times.
As mentioned above, the flowering period of strawflower is relatively long, lasting several months. It is very beautiful and elegant, and is a good choice for decorating a room or courtyard. Moreover, strawflower is robust by nature and has very good adaptability. It is a flower that is very easy to grow!