Detailed Explanation of the Planting and Propagation Methods of Marvel-of-Peru
Marvel-of-Peru, also known as rouge flower, pink bean flower, wild clove, scholar flower, etc., is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Mirabilis in the family Nyctaginaceae, native to tropical America. It is often cultivated in both northern and southern parts of our country as an ornamental flower, and sometimes escapes to the wild. Its roots and leaves can be used medicinally, with effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, invigorating blood and regulating menstruation, and nourishing. Let us take a look at the planting methods of Marvel-of-Peru below!
Growth Habits of Marvel-of-Peru
Marvel-of-Peru prefers mild and humid climatic conditions and is not cold-tolerant. In winter, the aboveground parts wither and die, while in the Jiangnan region the underground parts can safely overwinter and become a perennial herbaceous flower, sending up new plants the following spring. Open-field cultivation requires deep, loose and fertile loam; for pot cultivation, general flower culture soil can be used, and it grows even better in slightly shaded areas. 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 the scorching sun of midsummer, leaf drop often occurs. It likes a well-ventilated environment and has a mosquito-repellent effect in summer.
Propagation Methods of Marvel-of-Peru
1. Sowing: Marvel-of-Peru is propagated by seeds. It is best to sow and raise seedlings in March to April. When the seedlings grow 2 to 4 leaves, transplant them, with a plant spacing of 50 to 80 cm being suitable. After transplanting, pay attention to shading. Marvel-of-Peru is easy to manage and grows readily; just pay attention to appropriate fertilization and watering. Marvel-of-Peru is a wind-pollinated flower, and different varieties cross easily. If variety characteristics are to be maintained, isolated cultivation should be used.
2. Cuttings: For cutting propagation of Marvel-of-Peru, heel shoots, terminal buds, axillary buds, etc. can be used as cuttings. Among them, heel shoots have the strongest growth vigor, are less prone to variety degeneration, and have strong disease resistance. Sand, furnace slag, garden soil, etc. can be used as the substrate. After cutting, control the temperature at about 20°C, and roots will form in 10 days. After rooting, move them into containers to grow into seedlings.
3. Tuberous roots: The tuberous roots of old Marvel-of-Peru plants can be repeatedly propagated and used for 3 to 5 years, and generally after the 2nd year the variety characteristics gradually decline. South of the Yangtze River, the tuberous roots can safely overwinter and become bulbous flowers. In areas where they cannot overwinter, after frost, cut the plants off 3 to 5 cm above the ground, dig out the tuberous roots, dry them in the sun until the surface is dry, then place them in a dry place not exposed to direct sunlight, without watering throughout the winter, with the temperature controlled at about 10°C. After replanting the following year, they will send up new plants again.
Planting Methods of Marvel-of-Peru
1. Soil: For household pot cultivation of Marvel-of-Peru, fertile sandy and semi-sandy soil is best. When planted in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5, the root system is dense and growth is vigorous. If the soil is heavy clay, lacks organic matter, has low fertility, and has poor aeration, then the root system will be sparse, the plant short, the stems and leaves slender, and the flowers few and small.
2. Watering: Marvel-of-Peru is not drought-tolerant, but it also dislikes waterlogging. In the rainy season, promptly pour out accumulated water in the pot, otherwise the leaves tend to turn yellow. In hot sunny summer days, water twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If the leaves are found to curl and droop, spray water on the leaves to promote growth. In the rainy season, loosen the soil frequently so that water does not accumulate in the pot. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly once every few days. In winter, just keep the pot soil moist; too much watering will cause the roots to turn black and rot, and the leaves to wither and fall off.
3. Light: Marvel-of-Peru is a light-loving plant. Its growth and development require sufficient light, and long-day direct light is even more favorable for its growth and development. With strong light, the leaf color is deep green, the branches are thick and strong, there are many flower buds, the coloring is good, and the fragrance is strong. If 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 poor.
4. Temperature: Marvel-of-Peru is relatively sensitive to temperature. It requires a warm, humid climate and can adapt to relatively high temperatures. It is not tolerant of low temperatures and has poor cold resistance. Below 10°C, growth is extremely slow, or even stops. At about 19°C it can sprout, and only above 25°C does it produce flower buds. At 30 to 40°C, flower bud formation and development are better, and the suitable temperature for mature opening is 32 to 38°C.
5. Fertilization: The hot midsummer season is the peak growth period of Marvel-of-Peru. Apply more organic fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, such as peanut cake powder, bone meal, superphosphate, and multi-element flower fertilizer, twice a month. During the summer growth period, Marvel-of-Peru often shows lush branches and leaves but no flowering. The main reason is applying too much nitrogen fertilizer, causing excessive vegetative growth. In such cases, control fertilizer and water, increase phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, and promote flower bud formation. At the same time, be sure to move Marvel-of-Peru to a place with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation.
6. Pests and diseases: Marvel-of-Peru is often harmed by moth larvae, scale insects, and red spiders, with July to September being the most serious period. They often bore into and feed on flower buds. Spray with all-purpose powder or fenvalerate diluted 200 times with water, once every half month. Even if pests and diseases have not occurred, spraying should still be carried out to achieve prevention first. The suitable spraying time is 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on sunny days. Do not spray under the fierce midday sun to prevent pesticide damage.
7. Pruning: Marvel-of-Peru grows very fast in summer and should be pruned in time. For potted Marvel-of-Peru, pruning should retain 10 cm to 15 cm of the base to promote the emergence of many sturdy new shoots. If the new shoots grow very vigorously, pinch them when they reach 10 cm to promote secondary shoots, resulting in more flowers and a compact plant shape. After the flowers fade, promptly cut off the flowering branches to reduce nutrient consumption, and also to promote new shoots, making the branches dense, the buds numerous, and the flowers abundant.