How to Propagate Schizanthus? A Complete Guide to Propagation Essentials
Sowing Time
Schizanthus is best sown in autumn, generally from August to October each year. Sown at this time, the plants will have a higher survival rate and grow more vigorously!
Sowing Soil
Schizanthus has certain requirements for soil when sowing: it needs loose, breathable soil with good drainage. Generally, we can mix this kind of soil ourselves by combining rice husk ash, leaf mold and garden soil in a certain ratio to get the soil needed for growing Schizanthus. If you find this method troublesome, you can buy special soil for Schizanthus at a flower shop. Before sowing Schizanthus, water the soil thoroughly first, then sow, so the seed germination rate will be higher.
Propagating Schizanthus by Sowing
Propagation Essentials for Schizanthus
Sowing Time
Propagating Schizanthus by sowing is mainly done in autumn, from late August to early October.
Sowing Soil
For propagating Schizanthus by sowing, you can choose a soil mixed from leaf mold, garden soil and rice husk ash as the seedbed medium for sowing. Before sowing Schizanthus, water the seedbed thoroughly and wait until the water has seeped through before sowing.
Propagating Schizanthus by Sowing
How to Sow
Evenly scatter the prepared Schizanthus seeds over the prepared soil, then sprinkle a layer of soil over the seeds. Because Schizanthus seeds are relatively large, the final covering of soil should also be thicker, no less than 3mm.
Post-Sowing Care for Schizanthus
When propagating Schizanthus by sowing, seedlings generally emerge about a week after sowing. Before emergence, a shade net needs to be set up over the seedbed for shading, which can lower the temperature and retain moisture. After emergence, remove the shade net so the Schizanthus seedlings get sufficient light. In the early stage of seedling growth, watering needs to be controlled. Thin out the seedlings in time and control the height of Schizanthus plant growth.
Transplanting and Planting Out
Basically, when the Schizanthus seedlings have grown 3-4 leaves, they can be thinned and transplanted. First use smaller pots for raising seedlings, keep them shaded at first, and give normal light after the seedlings recover.
When the Schizanthus seedlings have grown to 6-7 leaves, they can be potted up. Generally choose a flower pot with a diameter of about 15cm, and it is best to keep the original soil when transplanting.
When to Plant Schizanthus and How to Propagate Schizanthus
Schizanthus likes a growing environment with sufficient light and cool conditions, and usually blooms with gorgeous flowers in spring. It is very exotic and is often used as cut flower material. If you want more of these beautiful flowers, besides mastering its planting methods, you also need to be familiar with its propagation methods. Only by combining the two can you have more beautiful flowers.
When to Plant Schizanthus
Schizanthus is generally sown in autumn, using soil mixed from leaf mold, garden soil and rice husk ash, sown from late August to early October.
Propagation Methods for Schizanthus
I. Propagation Essentials
1. Sowing Time
Propagating Schizanthus by sowing is mainly done in autumn, from late August to early October.
2. Sowing Soil
For propagating Schizanthus by sowing, you can choose a soil mixed from leaf mold, garden soil and rice husk ash as the seedbed medium for sowing. Before sowing Schizanthus, water the seedbed thoroughly and wait until the water has seeped through before sowing. II. Propagation Methods
3. How to Sow
Evenly scatter the prepared Schizanthus seeds over the prepared soil, then sprinkle a layer of soil over the seeds. Because Schizanthus seeds are relatively large, the final covering of soil should also be thicker, no less than 3mm.
4. Post-Sowing Care
When propagating Schizanthus by sowing, seedlings generally emerge about a week after sowing. Before emergence, a shade net needs to be set up over the seedbed for shading, which can lower the temperature and retain moisture. After emergence, remove the shade net so the Schizanthus seedlings get sufficient light. In the early stage of seedling growth, watering needs to be controlled. Thin out the seedlings in time and control the height of Schizanthus plant growth.
5. Transplanting and Planting Out
Basically, when the Schizanthus seedlings have grown 3-4 leaves, they can be thinned and transplanted. First use smaller pots for raising seedlings, keep them shaded at first, and give normal light after the seedlings recover.
When the Schizanthus seedlings have grown to 6-7 leaves, they can be potted up. Generally choose a flower pot with a diameter of about 15cm, and it is best to keep the original soil when transplanting.
How to Control the Plant Shape of Schizanthus
1. Spacing Out the Pots
When growing Schizanthus, pay attention to controlling the distance between potted Schizanthus plants according to their growth conditions. A certain distance between potted Schizanthus plants can increase air circulation between the plants, relatively reduce humidity, and give Schizanthus sufficient growing space. The growth of Schizanthus plants will then be relatively better, and the incidence of various pests and diseases will also decrease.
2. Use of Growth Retardants
When growing Schizanthus, if it happens to be the season when Schizanthus grows very vigorously and there is continuous rainy weather, then under conditions of high humidity and very low light, the branches and leaves of Schizanthus will grow leggy, which will ruin the plant shape of Schizanthus. In this case, we should appropriately use growth retardants. The use of growth retardants can control the leggy tendency of Schizanthus and maintain a better plant shape.
3. Ventilation and Air Exchange
If Schizanthus grows in a poorly ventilated and airtight environment, it is also very prone to leggy growth, which likewise ruins the plant shape of Schizanthus, making the plant form appear messy and disordered. To prevent this from happening, we must ventilate and let air through at all times. Because the suitable growing temperature for Schizanthus is relatively low, ventilation for the Schizanthus growing environment should also be started slightly earlier.
Introduction to Schizanthus
1. Alternative Names
Schizanthus is also called moth butterfly grass, common people's orchid, butterfly grass, butterfly flower, shepherd's purse flower, etc.
2. Growing Habits
Schizanthus likes sunlight and a cool growing environment. Its cold tolerance is not strong, and it also dislikes high temperature and high humidity. In the hot and rainy summer season, it needs ventilation and cooling. It likes loose, fertile soil and requires good drainage.
3. Origin and Distribution
Schizanthus is native to Chile and is also grown in Japan, Korea and other places. In our country it is mainly concentrated in the southwest and south China regions, and can be cultivated in greenhouses.
4. Propagation Methods
Schizanthus is mostly propagated by sowing. Schizanthus sown in spring can bloom in summer.
When Schizanthus is in full bloom, it looks like butterflies dancing gracefully, very endearing. Schizanthus is suitable both for being placed in parks and along roadsides for people to admire, and is actually also a very good choice for growing at home as an indoor potted plant.