Blue Plumbago Growing Methods and Precautions
1. Light
Blue Plumbago is a plant that greatly loves light and will only bloom under long-day conditions. As long as a sufficient water supply is guaranteed, even the scorching sun of midsummer is no problem at all. Note that when light is insufficient, the amount of blooming will decrease noticeably, the branches will become thinner and softer, and leggy growth will occur.
2. Watering
The leaves of Blue Plumbago have very soft fine hairs, and when short of water they are easily scorched by the sun, so during cultivation a sufficient water supply must be ensured. If the pot is too small and the soil dries out too quickly, then besides repotting into a larger pot, you can also place a water-retaining tray under the pot.
3. Fertilizing
Because Blue Plumbago blooms year-round and produces a great many flowers, it needs a large supply of phosphorus fertilizer for blooming.
If you want to grow Blue Plumbago into a tall shrub or even a flower wall, choose a general-purpose fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If you want to control the plant's shape, choose a blooming-type fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium.
4. Pruning
Blue Plumbago is a particularly versatile plant; its branches are slender and soft and tolerate pruning well, so whether a cute little herbaceous flower or a dreamy large flower wall, it is very easy to shape. We need to promptly cut off spent flowers so the plant sends out new flowering branches faster. Cut away excess branches that exceed the size we want it to grow to, and keep shaping continuously.
Blue Plumbago Growing Methods and Precautions
Blue Plumbago Growing Methods
Temperature and Light
Blue Plumbago likes a warm environment with plenty of light and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature for growth is between 17°C and 25°C; in summer it should not exceed 35°C, and the winter overwintering temperature should be above 7°C. Blue Plumbago likes sunlight and is fairly shade-tolerant, and should be exposed to sufficient sunlight every day. However, in summer do not expose it to strong sunlight; note that it can be slightly shaded, and in winter make sure there is sufficient light.
Watering and Fertilizing
Blue Plumbago needs to be watered heavily during vigorous growth, and when temperatures are high, air humidity must be maintained by spraying water on the plant. In summer the water requirement is large, so it can be watered every day to replenish water in time, and watering should be thorough; in winter reduce watering, or even stop watering entirely.
During the growth period, Blue Plumbago needs large amounts of water and fertilizer, and in the spring and summer growing seasons it can be fertilized once a week. Liquid fertilizer is preferable, and during the bud stage some flower fertilizer can also be sprayed to make the flowers more vivid and extend the flowering period.
Soil and Repotting
Blue Plumbago should be repotted in spring, choosing a well-drained sandy soil when repotting. Take the plant out, prune it appropriately, and then repot it in fresh soil.
Precautions for Growing Blue Plumbago
Propagation Methods
Blue Plumbago is mainly propagated by cuttings, carried out in spring or summer.
While Blue Plumbago grows to the seedling stage, it needs pinching 2 to 3 times, and pinching can delay the flowering period by about 2 weeks.
Pests and Diseases
Blue Plumbago is susceptible to root-knot nematodes and scale insects, and can be controlled by spraying a diluted solution of 80% dichloropropane emulsion or by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 25% phosmet emulsion.
Pruning
Blue Plumbago should have its branches pruned in spring, cutting off thin and weak branches; new branches growing from old stems will soon bloom. For plants over 3 years old, cut off the old branches, and after flowering cut off the spent flowers.
Precautions for Growing Blue Plumbago
Blue Plumbago grows on small hillsides and flat ground, likes warmth, and is not cold-tolerant. In North China and other temperate regions it can be cultivated as a flowering plant. The suitable growth temperature is 25°C; it likes light but should not be exposed to the blazing sun, and in summer attention should be paid to appropriate shading. It requires a moist environment; dryness is unfavorable to its growth, and it is not drought-tolerant. It is best grown in humus-rich, well-drained sandy loam.
After reading this article, has Blue Plumbago captured your heart? Hurry and plant a few Blue Plumbago! After planting successfully, why not try the several propagation methods introduced above, and I believe you will surely succeed!