How to grow Weigela florida? Care methods explained in one article

1. Soil.

Weigela florida likes fertile soil. When cultivating, choose a sandy soil with good drainage, loose and airy texture as the substrate, and it can also be mixed with nutrient-rich peat soil. After sowing, spread a layer of fine sand 1-2 cm thick, which can help the seeds germinate better.

2. Fertilizing.

When cultivating Weigela florida, a small amount of barnyard manure can be added to the substrate as a base fertilizer to supply nutrients for early growth. When planting, nutrient-rich compost or humus fertilizer can be added, applied once a month during the growing season. After transplanting into the garden, generally once every 2-3 years during the dormant period, dig a trench at the roots and apply fertilizer once.

3. Watering.

During the spring growing season, Weigela florida should be watered more to keep the soil moist. In summer drought, in addition to watering, it should also be moved to a semi-shaded, humid place for care. In winter, reduce watering appropriately; potted plants can be moved indoors to avoid frost damage.

Difference between Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis, and how to grow Weigela florida

Weigela florida is also known as the color-changing flower. Its flowers change with the light, like colorful pearls, dazzling and brilliant. So what is the difference between Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis? How do you grow them? Next, let's look at the difference between Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis and the cultivation methods for Weigela florida.

I. Difference between Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis

Both are ornamental flowering shrubs in the genus Weigela of the honeysuckle family, and Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis are similar in overall plant form. How to tell them apart? In landscape dendrology, there is a simple saying to distinguish these two plants: "Weigela coraeensis connects halfway, Weigela florida splits to the bottom," meaning that the calyx lobes of Weigela coraeensis are united below the middle, while the calyx lobes of Weigela florida split all the way to the base, allowing these two plants to be quickly identified during the flowering period. In addition, Weigela florida seeds have wings, while Weigela coraeensis seeds are almost wingless, which can also be regarded as an identifying point between the two plants.

Weigela florida picture

Weigela coraeensis picture

II. Cultivation methods for Weigela florida

1. Growth habits: Weigela florida is a temperate tree species and is now cultivated in various places. It grows quickly, has strong sprouting ability, likes light, is cold-resistant, slightly shade-tolerant, is not strict about soil requirements, and can tolerate poor soil. It grows better in deep, fertile, moist places, but fears waterlogging.

2. Propagation methods

Weigela florida can be propagated by cuttings, sowing, layering, and division.

① Cuttings: From May to September, select semi-lignified new branches of Weigela florida for cuttings, cut them 15-20 cm long as cuttings, water thoroughly after inserting, and shade them. In the same year they can reach 40-50 cm in height; using automatic misting with leaves still attached makes rooting even easier. In autumn, select one-year-old mature branches for cuttings, pay attention to protection in winter, and enclose them with a plastic arch shed; the survival rate can reach more than 90%, and they can grow 50 cm in a year.

② Sowing: Collect fruit from Weigela florida in October, dry it in the shade and store it, and sow in the following spring. First soak the seeds in cold water for 2-3 hours, take them out and place them in a cattail bag, rinse with water 2-3 times a day, keep them warm for 6-7 days, then sow, cover with 1 cm of soil, and cover with a plastic film arch shed. After the seedlings emerge completely, remove the shed and gradually expose them to light, strengthen fertilizer and water management, protect against cold in winter, transplant seedlings the next year, and they can bloom in 3 years.

③ Layering: Weigela florida can be layered during the peak growing season, in June when temperatures are higher; rooting is easy, and they can be separated from the mother plant in the same year.

④ Division: For Weigela florida, dig up and transplant in early spring before the buds sprout.

3. Cultivation management: Weigela florida is mostly transplanted in early spring with a soil ball and is easy to establish; fertilize once each year before sprouting in early spring, and apply additional fertilizer 2-3 times during the growing season to promote growth. Also prune old, weak, and dead branches in early spring to ensure flower bud formation on 1-2 year old branches. After flowering, promptly remove the inflorescences so that flowering on 1-2 year old branches is abundant the following year. Carry out renewal pruning once every 2-3 years, appropriately cutting away branches more than 3 years old to promote vigorous growth of new branches.

The above is an introduction to the difference between Weigela florida and Weigela coraeensis and the cultivation methods for Weigela florida. We hope it is helpful to everyone, so that while distinguishing Weigela florida from Weigela coraeensis, you can better grow Weigela florida.

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Cultivation methods for Weigela florida

Weigela florida can be layered during the peak growing season, in June when temperatures are higher; rooting is easy, and they can be separated from the mother plant in the same year.

Cutting propagation

From May to September, select semi-lignified new branches for cuttings, cut them 15-20 cm long as cuttings, water thoroughly after inserting, and shade them. In the same year they can reach 40-50 cm in height; using automatic misting with leaves still attached makes rooting even easier. In autumn, select one-year-old mature branches for cuttings, pay attention to protection in winter, and enclose them with a plastic arch shed; the survival rate can reach more than 90%, and they can grow 50 cm in a year.

Sowing propagation

Collect fruit in October, dry it in the shade and store it, and sow in the following spring. First soak the seeds in cold water for 2-3 hours, take them out and place them in a cattail bag, rinse with water 2-3 times a day, keep them warm for 6-7 days, then sow, cover with 1 cm of soil, and cover with a plastic film arch shed. After the seedlings emerge completely, remove the shed and gradually expose them to light, strengthen fertilizer and water management, protect against cold in winter, transplant seedlings the next year, and they can bloom in 3 years.