A Brief Discussion on Forget-Me-Not Propagation Methods and Pest and Disease Control Techniques
Forget-me-not, as its name suggests, gives people a romantic impression. It is not only beautiful in flower form but also romantic in flower language, and is much loved by young women in daily life. Below are the propagation methods and pest and disease control techniques for forget-me-not. Those who like it, save it quickly.
I. Propagation Methods
Forget-me-not is mainly propagated by two methods: sowing and tissue culture.
1. Propagation by Sowing
As long as the temperature is suitable, it can be done all year round. Since the optimal germination temperature for seeds is 15-20°C, when grown as an annual in cool summer regions, it can be sown in early spring; when grown as an annual in hot summer regions, it is mostly sown in autumn. Because its seeds have a shell and a low germination rate, they need to be rubbed before sowing to thresh them, which can increase the germination rate. For sowing, it is best to mix 4 parts leaf mold soil, 4 parts garden soil, and 2 parts sandy soil evenly. Since the seeds are photophobic, cover with soil after broadcasting, with the soil covering just enough that the seeds are not visible. Under the optimal temperature of 15-20°C, maintaining sufficient moisture, they can germinate after 10-15 days. After the sprouts emerge, attention should be paid to ventilation. When the seedlings grow more than 5 true leaves, they can be planted out.
2. Tissue Culture
The explants used for tissue culture of forget-me-not include young inflorescences, sterile young shoots, etc. The medium for shoot induction can be MS+2.0 mg/L BA+0.2 mg/L NAA, and the rooting medium is 1/2 MS+0.5 mg/L NAA. The suitable substrate for transplanting test-tube plantlets is peat soil:perlite = 1:1. When the test-tube plantlets have 4-6 leaves, they should be planted out.
II. Cultivation Techniques
1. Cultivation Substrate
Forget-me-not has low soil requirements, and loose, breathable sandy loam is best for cultivation. Base fertilizer accounts for 70% of the total fertilizer amount. Base fertilizer is generally compound fertilizer and decomposed organic fertilizer. When cultivating, level the soil and make beds, with a bed height of about 20 cm. Seedlings should not be planted too deep; the planting depth should be level with the root crown and the soil surface. After planting, water thoroughly in time.
2. Fertilizer and Water Management
When the seedlings survive and begin to grow, apply topdressing every 10 days along with irrigation, supplementing the water with a mixed solution of 200 mg/L nitrogen fertilizer and 100 mg/L potassium fertilizer. During the seedling stage, the soil needs to be kept moist, and frequent hoeing and weeding are needed to promote robust root development of the seedlings. About 2 months after the seedlings are planted out, they begin to send up flower stems. When entering the flowering period, water and fertilizer must be sufficient, otherwise the flower stems will be short and small and the flowers will not be luxuriant. A mixed solution of 200 mg/L nitrogen and potassium can be added to the irrigation water, fertilizing about once every 10 days. This can improve the yield and quality of forget-me-not cut flowers.
3. Temperature Management
Forget-me-not prefers a cool environment and fears high temperatures. The best temperature during cultivation is 12-20°C.
4. Light Regulation
Forget-me-not likes to grow under sunlight. If the environment is shaded, it will produce fewer flower stems. Therefore, ensuring full sun will result in better growth. When light is insufficient, supplemental lighting is needed.
5. Flower Stem Support, Shaping, and Pruning
To produce high-quality forget-me-not cut flowers, netting is usually used to support the flower stems. The specific method is to stretch a layer of netting 20-30 cm above the ground before the plants bolt, and after the plants grow flower stems, put up a second layer of netting 45 cm above the ground. As the flower stems grow, guide and support them into the netting in time to keep the flower stems upright.
During the growth period of forget-me-not, the flower stems produced should be treated differently according to the size of the seedlings. For plants that have already grown larger and whose leaves between plants basically close the rows, keep 4-5 flower stems per plant to grow and bloom; for smaller seedlings, the flowering stems can be removed to inhibit flowering for the time being, allowing the plants to grow fully and laying the foundation for producing high-quality cut flowers, and letting them enter the flowering stage after the plants have grown sufficiently. During this period, newly produced thin and weak flower stems should also be regularly removed to concentrate nutrients for the flowering stems and improve ventilation and light conditions inside the plants, reducing the number of blind flowers in the middle and lower parts of the plants and improving the quality of individual flower stems. After the cut flower amount exceeds 50%, begin cultivating flower stems for the next crop. The method is to keep a small number of newly produced flower stems during this period. After all flowers of the previous crop have been cut, the retained flower stems have already grown to a certain height, thereby effectively shortening the time between the two crops and enabling forget-me-not to bloom continuously and supply the market.
6. Pest and Disease Control
Forget-me-not diseases include gray mold, powdery mildew, viral disease, etc. Gray mold can be controlled by spraying 800-1000 times chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl 3-4 times continuously. Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying fenarimol, etc. For viral disease, the main measures are timely removal and burning of diseased plants and spraying insecticides to prevent insect transmission.
Scale insects are the most common pest of Monstera deliciosa. When few, they can be cleaned with an old toothbrush and then sprayed with 1000 times 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
7. Cut Flowers and Marketing
When the petals on each small flower branch have opened to 30% and the entire inflorescence has colored, they can be harvested and cut. When harvesting flowers in the morning or evening, cut from the base of the plant. Especially at the initial stage of harvesting, cut above one large leaf of the flower stem, which can promote the germination of axillary buds on the plant. After cutting, immerse the base of the flower stems in preservative solution so the flower stems remain fully hydrated for market. Forget-me-not cut flowers can be stored for 2-3 weeks at about 2°C.
Forget-me-not is a common cut flower on the flower market and sells very well. It can be planted on a large scale and also grown in pots. Those who like flowers and plants can try cultivating it themselves!
Forget-Me-Not Pest and Disease Control
Forget-Me-Not Root Rot
Symptoms
In fact, many flower lovers grow flowers to admire the aboveground parts. As for what the underground roots and stems look like, it seems unrelated to you, but root growth is closely related to the flowers, stems, and leaves aboveground. Once forget-me-not is infected with root rot, the roots gradually turn black and rot, their absorption capacity decreases, they cannot take in nutrients, and even more cannot transport nutrients to the stems and leaves, causing the plant to gradually wilt and turn yellow.
Control Methods
If the root rot is not serious, take the plant out of the pot, cut off the rotted parts, then soak it in potassium permanganate solution and replant it. Then spray with 500 times 60% fosetyl-aluminum wettable powder.
Forget-Me-Not Brown Spot
Symptoms
The common leaves of forget-me-not are not obvious; they look small and inconspicuous, but leaves are indispensable. Forget-me-not brown spot mainly harms the leaves, causing brown spots on the leaves, yellowing and dropping, affecting ornamental value. In serious cases, it harms the stems, causing spots on the stems and even rot.
Control Methods
Strengthen maintenance, avoid excessive watering, strengthen ventilation, and reduce humidity.
Remove diseased leaves promptly when found to avoid further infection.
In the early stage of the disease, spray with 600-800 times 65% zineb wettable powder or 600-800 times 50% carbendazim wettable powder.
Forget-Me-Not Pest Control
Forget-me-not pests mainly gather underground. Common ones include black cutworms, mole crickets, and white grubs, but in households, mites are the most serious. In addition to directly sucking plant sap and causing damage, they mainly transmit viral diseases. Therefore, early detection and early treatment are necessary, and fungicides should be applied by drenching in time to avoid the occurrence of viral diseases.
What Are the Control Methods for Forget-Me-Not Pests and Diseases?
During the growth process of forget-me-not, controlling forget-me-not pests and diseases is very crucial. So what are the control methods for forget-me-not pests and diseases?
I. Control Methods for Root and Stem Base Rot
① Spray with 500 times 60% fosetyl-aluminum wettable powder;
② 500 times 58% metalaxyl-mancozeb;
③ 500 times 64% oxadixyl wettable powder, etc.
II. Control Methods for Brown Spot
① Avoid excessive watering, strengthen ventilation, and reduce humidity;
② Remove diseased leaves and residual plant material;
③ Spray with 600-800 times 65% zineb wettable powder or 600-800 times 50% carbendazim wettable powder.
III. Control Methods for Underground Pests
During the seedling stage, forget-me-not is mainly harmed by underground pests, such as black cutworms, mole crickets, and white grubs, which can be controlled by drenching with phoxim, betacyfluthrin, etc. Aphids, thrips, and mites can sometimes also cause serious damage. In addition to directly sucking plant sap and causing damage, they mainly transmit viral diseases. Pest control should follow the principle of timely control when a small amount of damage is found, so as to avoid a major outbreak of viral diseases.
Further Reading:
Forget-me-not Fertilization Techniques, Pest and Disease Control, How to Grow It? Cultivation Methods and Precautions