A Detailed Guide to Growing Baby Blue Eyes and the Meaning Behind Its Flowers
Whether judged by flower color, flower shape, or plant form, baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) is an excellent potted plant. It is deeply loved by gardening enthusiasts. So how do you grow a baby blue eyes plant? Here is a detailed introduction.
Growing Environment Requirements for Baby Blue Eyes
Soil requirements:
Because of its epiphytic nature, the potting medium should not be soil. Instead, use sphagnum moss, pumice, tree fern fiber, crushed charcoal, and the like, or simply fasten the seedlings onto a tree fern board (also called snake fern board) and let them attach and grow on their own. This cultivation method imitates its original natural habitat.
Humidity conditions:
Baby blue eyes likes a high-humidity, well-ventilated environment. The air humidity should be kept at 60%-80% at all times, and the air should keep circulating, ideally with a gentle breeze. Water must not accumulate excessively in the pot; if the roots are surrounded by liquid water for 6-8 hours, root rot easily occurs, so ventilation is the key to growing baby blue eyes well.
Light conditions:
Baby blue eyes dislikes direct scorching sun, otherwise large areas of leaves will be scorched. However, it also does not tolerate overly shady indoor conditions; an overly shaded environment leads to slow growth and is unfavorable for nutrient storage and flowering. It is best placed on a north- or east-facing balcony or beside a windowsill so that it receives scattered light; then it will grow vigorously with few diseases.
Watering method:
Baby blue eyes is not drought-tolerant, yet it also fears waterlogging. During the high-temperature period in summer, just keep the medium moist; the roots must not remain excessively wet and dark for long periods. In summer, water daily in an amount that can naturally air-dry the same day, alternating between dry and moist periods; this will greatly reduce the incidence of root rot and disease. In winter, water less and just keep the medium slightly moist.
Reasonable fertilizing:
The fertilizing principle for baby blue eyes is light fertilizer applied frequently; never apply overly concentrated chemical fertilizer. The concentration should be about 1 time more diluted than the concentration stated on the fertilizer packaging, that is, about 1500x-2000x, or you may use a special fertilizer for baby blue eyes. Apply nitrogen-potassium fertilizer during the growing period, and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer during the flowering-forcing period. Apply once a week or once every half month.
The Flower Meaning of Baby Blue Eyes
Baby blue eyes flower meaning: gratitude.
Baby blue eyes is the birth flower for February 21.
The Cultural Background of Baby Blue Eyes
Under a pale purple sky, baby blue eyes blanket the mountains and fields. The wind knows the scent of those flowers, like the fragrance of someone's hair, left on a pillowcase.
At the head of the bed, twenty-seven black chess pieces were placed, because she liked black, because I had once played chess with her, because their cold feeling pressed on the back of my hand. It makes me recall that rainy afternoon with tears, because she said sorry to me then, because she was not at fault, because of my selfishness, because I cared about her. Because I hurt her, because I feared she would change, because I have been repenting, because it seems no matter how hard I try I cannot make it up.
I am used to drinking a big cup of kuding tea before sleep, only wanting to dream after the tea that you are smiling, used to being by your side. I am used to taking off my coat and draping it over your shoulders, only wanting you not to catch a cold after the rain, used to your silence, like a spring in springtime, icy cold but also needed, used to your slap, landing on me, yet hurting your heart. I am used to all these things I am not used to, existing only because of being used to you.
Please forgive that purple sky; he does not understand because he is ignorant of your fragility. He swears to protect those kind baby blue eyes; her pink color under the purple sunlight makes them even more ignorant, but that color is truly beautiful.
Ecological Habits of Baby Blue Eyes
Suitable germination temperature: 20°C.
Growing temperature: 10-20°C.
Germination days: 10-14 days
Light-loving seeds
From sowing to flowering: about 13 weeks
On the plains of Taiwan, China, because the summer climate is hot, the growth vigor is poor, so the flowering of baby blue eyes is affected. September to October is the best sowing period, with flowering the following April to May. The suitable germination temperature is about 15-22°C, and the growing temperature is 5-28°C; it is more suitable for planting in cool weather. If you want to sow in spring, then at the end of spring and beginning of summer, when the weather gradually becomes hot, place it in a shaded, cool, ventilated spot with bright light, pay attention to watering, and avoid excessive drought; then you can also see it bloom in summer.
The above is the relevant introduction to growing baby blue eyes. I hope it is helpful to you.