How to grow Marvel of Peru (four o'clock flower)? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions
Light
Marvel of Peru loves sunlight very much. During the growing season, the plant should be given enough light to maintain its normal growth, but in summer, the hot weather combined with intense sunlight means the plant cannot be placed in the light, otherwise the leaves may be scorched, so we need to shade the plant so it can grow healthily.
Temperature
Marvel of Peru likes to grow in a warm environment and has very poor cold tolerance, so in the northern regions of our country, if you grow Marvel of Peru, it will wither in winter due to excessively low temperatures. So at this time we should dig the plant's roots out of the soil, place them indoors, and maintain a good temperature so it can safely overwinter.
Water and fertilizer management
Marvel of Peru has strong adaptability, so its management is relatively extensive and its requirements for water and fertilizer are not very high. Marvel of Peru has good drought tolerance, so generally you just need to spray the plant with water on sunny days. But note that because the climate in summer and autumn is relatively hot, you should water the plant more to replenish the water it loses. Also, when the plant is being established, apply some base fertilizer in the soil first, and afterwards during the growing season also fertilize the plant regularly; some organic liquid fertilizer is sufficient, generally once a week.
The above is an introduction to the question of how to grow Marvel of Peru. Next, let us learn about the precautions for Marvel of Peru.
How to grow Marvel of Peru: introduction to Marvel of Peru prices
The common name of Marvel of Peru is rouge flower, also called wild jasmine. In fact, the appearance of Marvel of Peru is not at all like jasmine, but it has a faint jasmine fragrance, and the word "wild" is fully deserved, because if you casually drop a few seeds into the soil, Marvel of Peru will grow vigorously into a large clump, and year after year expand its territory. So, what is the price of Marvel of Peru?
I. Introduction to Marvel of Peru
Marvel of Peru, also called grass jasmine, rouge flower, landmine flower, and pink bean flower, is a perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Mirabilis in the family Nyctaginaceae. It is named for its purple-red flowers and jasmine-like fragrance, and is a common ornamental flower. Marvel of Peru is named for its purple-red flowers, but its flower colors are rich; common ones include red, yellow, white, and variegated. When it blooms in summer, a single plant is densely covered with many Marvel of Peru flowers of different colors, very cute and beautiful. Marvel of Peru flowers are delicate and charming with a pleasant light fragrance, often planted in flower beds and along roadsides for ornament, and can also be made into bonsai to place at home for viewing.
Marvel of Peru grows robustly and is extremely easy to keep alive. It also has resistance to sulfur dioxide, so it can be planted whether on residential balconies or in industrial and mining pollution areas. When growing it at home, if you occasionally water it with water used to wash meat or fish, or with rice-washing water, the flowers will bloom more vigorously and the colors will be more brilliant. Rouge flower is not only fragrant, but its seeds and leaves also have the effects of beautifying, clearing heat, and detoxifying. When the seeds mature, they look black and spherical on the outside and white inside. For beauty purposes, you can take some mature seeds, grind them into powder, remove the outer skin, and apply the powder to the face; it can remove facial spots and so on, making the face smooth and fair, achieving a beautifying effect.
II. Growth habits of Marvel of Peru
It likes mild and humid climate conditions, is not cold-tolerant, and its aboveground parts die in winter. In the Jiangnan region, the underground parts can safely overwinter and become a herbaceous perennial, sending up new plants in the following spring. Open-ground cultivation requires deep, loose, fertile loam soil, while pot cultivation can use general flower potting soil. It grows even better in slightly shaded places. The flowers open from evening to early morning and close under strong light. In summer, if there is tree shade, it grows and blooms well; under intense summer heat and blazing sun, it often drops leaves. It likes a well-ventilated environment and has a mosquito-repelling effect in summer. Marvel of Peru has rich flower colors, strong resistance, and can self-sow and propagate. The flowers open at night and close during the day, and the blooming is fragrant, so it is suitable for placement in places where people cool off in the evening or at night, adding much charm.
Marvel of Peru is not tall. If the temperature is suitable, it can bloom all year round. It is a perennial plant, and its flower shape resembles a morning glory. The calyx is the most beautiful part, appearing corolla-like. Because its fragrance is elegant and subtly similar to the fragrance of jasmine, and because its color is purple, it is called purple jasmine. However, its flower color is not fixed; the ordinary flower color is purple, and there are also many other colors, such as white and yellow. There is also a kind whose color is red and, because its petals are doubled, is called "lou shang lou," with very high ornamental value. As a plant that is relatively easy to keep alive in the south, Marvel of Peru is also planted by many people in courtyards or flower pots for viewing. But growing Marvel of Peru also requires certain skills; before growing it, only by understanding its habits can you cultivate it better.
III. Prices of Marvel of Peru
Marvel of Peru is native to tropical America. It likes a warm and humid climate, is not choosy about soil, and is not cold-tolerant. In North China it is cultivated as an annual, and south of the Yangtze River it is a perennial. It likes light, and grows better in slight shade. Marvel of Peru is robust, grows fast, and is easy to manage. It is suitable for clump planting in front of and behind houses and beside hedges and sparse woods. Its seed endosperm can be made into cosmetic fragrant powder. Because of differences in region and variety, their prices also differ. Potted courtyard ornamental plant flower landmine flower seeds 0.5 yuan, colorful fragrant purple jasmine flower seeds 1.5 yuan, South American Marvel of Peru 9 yuan, white double-petaled fragrant jasmine fresh-scented plant potted Marvel of Peru 7.5 yuan.
Finally, besides being ornamental, the roots, leaves, and flowers of Marvel of Peru can be used as medicine to treat dysentery. The leaves and endosperm can be made into cosmetic fragrant powder. The roots and leaves can be used medicinally and have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, activating blood and regulating menstruation, and nourishing. The white powder of the seeds can remove facial spots, moles, and acne. So no matter how expensive it is, it is reasonable.
How to grow Marvel of Peru: cultivation methods and precautions for Marvel of Peru
Because Marvel of Peru likes to bloom at night, it is also called "night flower" by people. It is a plant with high ornamental value, and generally the purple flowers are more common. At present, Marvel of Peru is very popular, and many people want to buy it and take it home to grow. However, when growing it, there are also many places that need attention.
How to grow Marvel of Peru
1. Marvel of Peru is a light-loving plant, and its growth and development require sufficient light. Long-day direct light is even more favorable for its growth and development. With strong light, the leaf color is deep green, the branches and stems are thick and strong, there are many flower buds, the coloring is good, and the fragrance is strong. If the light is insufficient or it is too shaded, the leaf color is pale green, the leaves are large and thin, photosynthetic products decrease, physiological activities are inhibited, the plant develops poorly, and flower yield is low and quality is poor.
2. Marvel of Peru flowers are relatively sensitive to temperature. They require a warm, humid climate and can adapt to relatively high temperatures, but are not tolerant of low temperatures and have poor cold resistance. When the temperature is below 10°C, growth is extremely slow, or even stops. Around 19°C it can sprout, and only above 25°C does it produce flower buds. At 30-40°C, flower buds form and develop relatively well, and the suitable temperature for mature blooming is 32-38°C.
Cultivation methods for Marvel of Peru
1. Soil. For growing Marvel of Peru, the soil should be loose, fertile, and deep; loam or sandy loam rich in humus is better.
2. Light and temperature. Marvel of Peru likes sunlight, but in summer, when the sunlight is too strong, it can cause the Marvel of Peru plant to wilt, so in summer it should be moderately shaded. Marvel of Peru likes a warm environment and is not cold-tolerant. In the north of our country, Marvel of Peru will wither in winter. Therefore, you can dig out the roots of Marvel of Peru and place them indoors so they can safely overwinter.
3. Water and fertilizer management. Marvel of Peru has very strong adaptability, management is relatively extensive, and its requirements for water and fertilizer are not high. Marvel of Peru is relatively drought-tolerant. Generally, you just need to spray some water on the Marvel of Peru plant when the weather is clear. But note that in the high-temperature seasons of summer and autumn, water a bit more to replenish lost water. Also note that when planting, apply some base fertilizer first, and during the growing season frequently fertilize Marvel of Peru; organic liquid fertilizer is sufficient, once a week.
4. Propagation methods. Marvel of Peru is mostly propagated by sowing. In fact, Marvel of Peru can sow itself; as long as the seeds fall to the ground, the next year you will see a large patch of Marvel of Peru. In addition, Marvel of Peru can also be propagated by cuttings, and the old roots dug out can also be used repeatedly for propagation.
Precautions for Marvel of Peru
1. Marvel of Peru actually has relatively few pests and diseases, but dry weather makes it prone to aphids; paying attention to moisture retention can prevent pest damage.
2. During the plant's growth period, pinch the tops of Marvel of Peru. This can make Marvel of Peru branch more, tidy the plant shape, and make it bloom more.
Diseases of Marvel of Peru and their control
1. The relatively common disease of Marvel of Peru is leaf spot. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that mainly harms the leaves of Marvel of Peru, causing localized lesions and even necrosis on the leaves. Leaf spot occurs in Marvel of Peru mainly in July in North China and Northeast China.
2. When Marvel of Peru develops leaf spot, certain measures need to be taken to control it. First, you can remove the diseased parts of Marvel of Peru to prevent the damage from continuing to spread. In the early stage of the disease, you can spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 800 times dilution or 50% hymexazol wettable powder at 1000 times dilution for control, and it needs to be sprayed 2 to 3 times before it takes effect. In daily fertilization, you can apply some potassium fertilizer or phosphorus fertilizer to improve the disease resistance of Marvel of Peru. As for watering, note that the amount of water should also be appropriate; avoid flood irrigation, keep the soil free of standing water at ordinary times, and do good drainage work in rainy weather.
The cultivation methods for Marvel of Peru are actually not difficult; you can start from its growth habits. When growing it, you must control water, fertilizer, and light well. Purple rice grains are not tolerant of strong light, so in summer you must do a good job of shading. When growing Marvel of Peru, you also need to do good disease prevention and control work, so as to ensure its growth.