How to grow Tradescantia? A full analysis of cultivation methods and precautions

Because of its long flowering period, upright stems, distinct nodes and leaf sheaths, Tradescantia has a peculiar and elegant plant shape and a full wild flavor. Planted in masses under trees, or combined with the long leaves of iris, its plant shape, flower buds and inflorescences are striking and full of charm. It works well for flower beds and mass planting along both sides of roads, and can also be potted for indoor display, or grown as a hanging plant.

Cutting propagation

The stem used for cuttings is called a cutting. Cut the stem into 5-8 cm long sections, each with more than three leaf nodes; the top shoot can also be used as a cutting.

After cutting, attention should be paid to management:

(1) Temperature: the optimum temperature for rooting of cuttings is 18°C-25°C. Below 18°C, rooting is difficult and slow; above 25°C, the cut surface of the cutting is easily infected by pathogens and rots, and the higher the temperature, the greater the proportion of rot. When low temperatures occur after cutting, the main measure for keeping warm is to wrap the pot or container used for cuttings with plastic film; when the temperature is too high after cutting, the main measure for cooling is to shade the cuttings, blocking out 50-80% of sunlight, and at the same time mist the cuttings 3-5 times a day; on sunny days with higher temperatures, mist more often, while on cloudy and rainy days with lower temperatures and higher humidity, mist less often or not at all.

(2) Humidity: after cutting, the relative humidity of the air must be kept at 75-85%. Humidity can be increased by misting the cuttings 1-3 times a day; on sunny days the higher the temperature, the more often you mist, while on cloudy and rainy days the lower the temperature, the less often you mist or you do not mist at all. But excessive misting makes cuttings prone to infection by pathogens and rot, because many kinds of pathogens exist in water.

(3) Light: cutting propagation cannot do without sunlight, but the stronger the light, the higher the temperature inside the cuttings, the more vigorous the transpiration, and the more water consumed, which is not conducive to the survival of the cuttings. Therefore, after cutting, 50-80% of sunlight must be blocked out.

Tradescantia is best propagated in autumn; the advantages of autumn propagation:

① Easy to survive, grows quickly, and can fill a pot in a short time.

② The growing stems are not tall, the leaves grow vigorously, and it is easy to grow in winter.

③ It blooms abundantly the next year, a feast for the eyes.

For autumn propagation, cuttings are preferable. Cut about 10 cm of old stem, cut flat below a node, insert half of it, and it will root after half a month and send out shoots from the side.

Cultivation methods and precautions for Tradescantia

Chinese name: Tradescantia

Other names: purple spiderwort, purple-leaf grass

Latin scientific name: Tradescantia albiflora

Family and genus: Commelinaceae, Tradescantia

Origin and distribution: Mexico

Because of its long flowering period, upright stems, distinct nodes and leaf sheaths, Tradescantia likes sufficient sunlight but can also tolerate semi-shade. It is robust and cold-tolerant, and can overwinter outdoors in North China. It has no strict soil requirements. Because of its peculiar and elegant plant shape and full wild flavor, planted in masses under trees, or combined with the long leaves of iris, its plant shape, flower buds and inflorescences are striking and full of charm. It works well for flower beds and mass planting along both sides of roads, and can also be potted for indoor display, or grown as a hanging plant. Flower language: reverence.

I. Growth habits

Tradescantia likes a warm, humid and semi-shady environment and is not cold-tolerant. Its optimum growth temperature is 18°C-30°C, and it fears cold and frost. It has no strict soil requirements, but grows more vigorously when planted in loose, fertile sandy loam.

II. Propagation and cultivation

Cultivation: propagation uses the cutting method. It should be kept under a shade shed. Apply a light fertilizer once every 20-30 days, and keep the potting soil moist. Pests and diseases are few.

III. Cultivation management

1. Cutting propagation: the stem used for cuttings is called a cutting. Cut the stem into 5-8 cm long sections, each with more than three leaf nodes; the top shoot can also be used as a cutting. After cutting, attention should be paid to management:

(1) Temperature: the optimum temperature for rooting of cuttings is 18°C-25°C. Below 18°C, rooting is difficult and slow; above 25°C, the cut surface of the cutting is easily infected by pathogens and rots, and the higher the temperature, the greater the proportion of rot. When low temperatures occur after cutting, the main measure for keeping warm is to wrap the pot or container used for cuttings with plastic film; when the temperature is too high after cutting, the main measure for cooling is to shade the cuttings, blocking out 50-80% of sunlight, and at the same time mist the cuttings 3-5 times a day; on sunny days with higher temperatures, mist more often, while on cloudy and rainy days with lower temperatures and higher humidity, mist less often or not at all.

(2) Humidity: after cutting, the relative humidity of the air must be kept at 75-85%. Humidity can be increased by misting the cuttings 1-3 times a day; on sunny days the higher the temperature, the more often you mist, while on cloudy and rainy days the lower the temperature, the less often you mist or you do not mist at all. But excessive misting makes cuttings prone to infection by pathogens and rot, because many kinds of pathogens exist in water.

(3) Light: cutting propagation cannot do without sunlight, but the stronger the light, the higher the temperature inside the cuttings, the more vigorous the transpiration, and the more water consumed, which is not conducive to the survival of the cuttings. Therefore, after cutting, 50-80% of sunlight must be blocked out.

2. Transplanting: when potting small seedlings, first place a 2-3 cm thick layer of coarse-grained substrate or clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, then spread a layer of fully decomposed organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer about 1-2 cm thick, then cover with a layer of substrate about 1-2 cm thick, and then place the plant in, so as to separate the fertilizer from the roots and avoid burning the roots. For the potting substrate, one of the following can be chosen. Garden soil: cinder = 3:1; or garden soil: medium-coarse river sand: sawdust (mushroom residue) = 4:1:2; or one of paddy soil, pond mud, or leaf mold. Or peat + perlite + clay pebbles = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part; garden soil + cinder = 3 parts + 1 part; peat + cinder + clay pebbles = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part; sawdust + vermiculite + medium-coarse river sand = 2 parts + 2 parts + 1 part. After potting, water thoroughly once and keep it in a shaded environment for care.

Cultivation methods and precautions for white-flowered Tradescantia

White-flowered Tradescantia (scientific name: Tradescantia fluminensis) is a perennial herbaceous plant that likes a warm and humid climate. It is native to South America, central Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

I. Morphological characteristics

White-flowered Tradescantia, also known as pale bamboo leaf and white-flowered purple spiderwort. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Tradescantia in the family Commelinaceae. Chromosome number 2n=60; stems creeping, with a purplish-red tinge, swollen at the nodes, rooting at the stem nodes that touch the ground. Leaves alternate, oblong, with pointed tips, about 4 cm long, with short petioles, green on the surface, with white stripes, glossy; when light is insufficient, the leaves turn green. Umbel inflorescence. Flowers small, white. With 2 broad lanceolate bracts. Flowering in summer and autumn. There is a variegated-leaf variety (var. variegata), with yellow and white markings on the leaves.

II. Growing environment

The suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C. It fears strong sunlight and is best grown in bright, scattered light; it has low soil requirements. White-flowered Tradescantia is simple to cultivate and manage; usually you only need to keep the soil moist and the ambient humidity high, and avoid direct strong sunlight, for it to grow well. Drought inhibits growth, making the leaves dry and lifeless, while too much shade makes the stems grow leggy and the markings of variegated varieties indistinct. Plants grown in the open in early winter die when frost comes, but the underground roots can still sprout the following year. Potted plants should be moved indoors, with the room temperature kept above 5°C, and the potting soil should not be too dry. Flowering in summer and autumn.

III. Main value

Landscape uses

1. Indoor potting: hairless Tradescantia has a long flowering period and bright flowers, and is suitable for potting. When potted, especially ensure sufficient light, otherwise it easily closes its flowers or grows leggy and lodges. After flowering for more than a month, it can be cut back to the ground. If light is insufficient, it should be moved in time.

2. Open-field application: hairless Tradescantia has bright flowers and a very long flowering period, tolerates different types of soil, is relatively tolerant of poor soil, and does not require overly meticulous management. It has a high propagation coefficient and can overwinter in the open, with wide adaptability, so it can be vigorously promoted and applied in urban and rural greening in Northeast, North, Central and East China. In greening, it can be used in flower beds, or planted in masses or strips, enclosed into circles, squares or other shapes, with shrubs, small trees or other flowers planted in the center.

Medicinal value

Activates blood, promotes diuresis, reduces swelling, dissipates nodules, and detoxifies. Treats carbuncles, swollen toxins, scrofula and tuberculosis, and gonorrhea.

IV. Propagation and cultivation

Propagated by cuttings. Keep the soil moist at all times and apply dilute liquid fertilizer; in summer, shade appropriately to prevent direct strong sunlight. For propagation of this plant, you only need to cut new shoots for cuttings during the growing season; cuttings taken especially during the plum rain season root even more easily.

It is a perennial herb of the family Commelinaceae, with creeping stems that root at the nodes where they touch the ground. It is often kept by flower growers as a potted hanging plant for display. A variegated variety is also commonly cultivated, with white stripes on the leaves; both grow robustly and are easy to cultivate.