How to grow potted balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus)? They need plenty of light; master the growing methods and precautions
The balloon flower is a flowering plant grown all over the world, with high ornamental value, and keeping one at home for decoration is a very good choice. How do you grow potted balloon flowers, and what are the growing methods and precautions? Let's take a look below.
1. How to grow potted balloon flowers / plenty of light
There are many points to pay attention to when it comes to growing potted balloon flowers. This plant is quite fond of light, so light is indispensable during cultivation; and of course, besides that, soil, watering and other aspects also need attention. The growing methods and precautions for balloon flowers are explained in detail below, so let's read on.
2. Growing methods and precautions for balloon flowers
1. Soil selection
Among the growing methods and precautions for balloon flowers, soil selection is a fairly important part. It is best to choose relatively loose soil, so that drainage is better and the balloon flower can absorb nutrients more effectively.
2. Environmental requirements
When growing balloon flowers, choosing a suitable environment is more conducive to their growth. It is best to grow them in a ventilated environment, with the ambient temperature kept at around 15-22°C, which is optimal; everyone should pay attention to this.
3. Watering requirements
Water is essential for plants during growth, and balloon flowers are no exception. In spring and autumn, when the weather is more suitable, you can choose to water once every 3-4 days; in summer, when the weather is hotter and water evaporates faster, we need to increase the watering frequency, generally watering every day.
4. Light requirements
The balloon flower is a plant that quite likes light. In spring and autumn, it can be grown outdoors to receive light for a long period; in summer, when the sunlight is too intense, it can be moved indoors to a semi-shaded spot for growing, but be sure to pay attention to ventilation.
5. Pest and disease control
During the growing process of balloon flowers, improper care can easily let pests and diseases take advantage of the situation. At this time, we need to carry out targeted control according to the different pests and diseases. For specific methods, everyone can refer to the article on pest and disease control for balloon flowers; I won't introduce too much here.
How to grow lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)? Growing methods and precautions for lisianthus
Lisianthus has rich flower colors, elegant plant form and fresh tones; used to decorate indoors, windowsills or balconies, it can present a fresh and elegant feel. Lisianthus is a perennial plant, and as long as it is cared for properly, it can bloom every year. So, how should lisianthus be grown? Below is an introduction to the growing methods and precautions for lisianthus:
Image: lisianthus
1. Growing methods for lisianthus
1. Temperature
The suitable growing temperature for lisianthus is 15℃—28℃; it can endure a low temperature of 0℃ for a short time. During the growing period, the nighttime temperature cannot be lower than 12℃. In winter, if the temperature is lower than 5℃, the leaf rosette of lisianthus will become rosette-shaped and it will be unable to bloom. In summer, if the temperature is higher than 30℃, the flowering time of lisianthus will be shortened.
2. Watering
Lisianthus likes a moist environment, but too much water will damage the roots of lisianthus and make it prone to disease, while too little water will weaken the plant's growth and advance the flowering period.
Therefore, watering should be moderate, and overwatering should be avoided.
3. Light
Lisianthus likes a warm environment with sufficient light. Long-term light helps stem and leaf growth and flower bud growth, so it is best to maintain 16 hours of light per day.
4. Soil
Lisianthus likes fertile, loose soil with good drainage. It is best to use improved garden soil with added peat soil, rice husk and a small amount of lime, etc.
Image: lisianthus
2. Precautions for growing lisianthus
1. Use drip irrigation for watering
Lisianthus has very strict requirements for water. Too much water will damage the roots, and too little will cause weak stem and leaf growth, so it is best to use drip irrigation watering measures, which is most beneficial to the growth of lisianthus.
2. Disinfect the potting soil
If lisianthus is to be grown in pots, then the substrate used needs to be treated with high-temperature steam or methyl bromide for disinfection. The soil pH is best maintained at 6.5—7.0.
3. Avoid high temperature and high humidity
After the flower buds form, it is necessary to avoid a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, otherwise it is very easy to cause fungal diseases.
4. Control the amount of fertilizer
Before planting lisianthus, add manure, bone meal, etc. to the soil as base fertilizer. Because lisianthus has a relatively large demand for fertilizer, topdressing should be done in time during the growth process.
How to grow lisianthus: growing methods for lisianthus
Lisianthus has rich flower colors and fresh, elegant tones, and is often grown in pots to decorate living rooms, balconies or windowsills. So how do you grow lisianthus? Next, Xiao Qi will share the growing methods for lisianthus.
1. How to grow lisianthus
The ecological conditions of the place of origin of lisianthus are a dry environment with annual rainfall of 300-800 mm, so lisianthus avoids waterlogging. Before flowering, it needs to go through a period of low temperature, and it usually blooms in summer. Seedlings are raised in autumn and winter, planted in February-March, and can bloom in June-July; sown in July, planted in autumn, and blooms from April to June of the following year. Temperature is an extremely important influencing factor in the growth and development of lisianthus.
There are many varieties of lisianthus, with about a hundred varieties. By flower color, there are white, pink, yellow, rose, purple, etc.; by flower shape, there are cup-shaped, bell-shaped, funnel-shaped, etc.; by petals, there are single-petaled, double-petaled, etc.; by growth period, there are early-maturing, late-maturing, mid-maturing, etc.
2. Planting methods for lisianthus
1. Light: Lisianthus is relatively sensitive to light, and long-day conditions will promote its stem and leaf growth and flower bud formation. Generally, 16 hours of light per day has the best effect. In winter and early spring, special attention should be paid to supplementary lighting, usually adding 2-4 hours at night.
2. Temperature: The suitable growing temperature for lisianthus is 20-24℃ during the day and 16-18℃ at night. Its growth rate, such as the degree of internode elongation, the speed of flower bud differentiation, and the length of the harvest period, is very easily affected by temperature and changes accordingly. Especially at the seedling emergence stage, high temperature will lead to a decrease in flower number, excessive elongation of upper internodes, weak flower stalks and low quality; but if the temperature is too low, growth will be delayed or it may even fail to bloom.
3. Fertilization: Lisianthus is a plant with relatively high fertilizer demand. If the base fertilizer is insufficient, topdressing is very important. In the middle and late stages of growth, if stems are easily broken or there is longitudinal splitting of stems, it may be caused by boron deficiency. Spraying the plants with a diluted boric acid solution can improve this phenomenon.
4. Watering: Lisianthus has strict requirements for water. Too much water will cause poor root growth and also make it prone to disease infection; too little water will make stems and leaves thin and weak and cause early flowering. Within one month after transplanting, the substrate must be kept moist, and drip irrigation can be used to control moisture. Especially after the flower buds form, a high-temperature and high-humidity growing environment should be avoided as much as possible.
5. Pests and diseases: Common diseases of lisianthus mainly include damping-off, gray mold, sclerotinia, etc. In addition to promptly removing diseased plants and removing diseased leaves and flowers, and applying pesticides such as kangkuning, wanmeiling and mancozeb for prevention and treatment, ventilation and air exchange should also be strengthened at ordinary times to reduce air humidity.
The above islisianthus growing methodsintroduced. I believe that after reading it, everyone will be clearer about how to grow lisianthus.