Key points of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) cultivation techniques: ten precautions to remember

The balloon flower has both ornamental and medicinal value, so it is well worth growing. So what do you need to pay attention to when growing balloon flower?

Growth habits: The balloon flower likes light and moisture and is cold-resistant, with wide adaptability. The germination rate of one-year-old seeds is 50%-60%, while that of two-year-old seeds can reach about 85%, and they sprout quickly and evenly.

Site selection and soil preparation: It is very cold-resistant, and the soil should have a deep, fertile layer with good drainage; sandy loam rich in humus is best. It should not be planted in low-lying, waterlogged places. Apply 3000kg of farmyard manure per mu, plus 20kg of superphosphate or 15kg of diammonium phosphate, spread evenly over the land, plow deeply 25-30cm, level and harrow fine, and make beds 1.2m-1.5m wide and 15cm high, with the length depending on the terrain.

Seed treatment: For balloon flower seeds, choose seeds from plants at least 2 years old that are not stale; the seeding rate is 1.5-2 kg per mu. Soak the balloon flower seeds in warm water at about 40°C, stirring constantly so the seeds are evenly heated; when the temperature drops to about 20°C, rinse with clean water to remove impurities. Then soak for 12 hours, or soak the seeds in a 0.3% potassium permanganate solution for 12 hours, then mix well with an appropriate amount of moist sand, pile them for a few days, and then sow; this can significantly increase the germination rate.

Timely sowing: For balloon flower, sowing in the Jiangnan region is best in April or September, and after sowing they bloom the following year. According to the experience of some growing units, April sowing is better, because the seedlings are slightly larger, which helps with overwintering management. After sowing, cover with 1cm of soil and keep it constantly moist; the suitable germination temperature is 15 to 20°C, and seedlings emerge in 15 to 20 days. When the seedlings are 3cm tall, thin them; at 6cm, transplant or pot them. For home growing, division is the easiest method, carried out in spring and autumn.

Weeding and loosening the soil: After the balloon flower seedlings emerge, you need to weed around them, and when the seedlings have 4 leaves, remove the weak seedlings; when the soil is dry or moist to a suitable degree, loosen the soil shallowly, and we should often keep the ground loose so that there are no weeds in the field.

Light and temperature: After flowering, it is best to shade appropriately to prolong the flowering period. For overwintering, cut off the aboveground parts and place them in a sunny spot that does not freeze in winter; next year new shoots will grow from the old roots.

Irrigation and drainage: In spring and autumn, water generally once every 3 to 4 days; in summer, water once daily after 5 p.m.; in winter, generally do not water. Balloon flower is planted at a relatively high density, so it is prone to waterlogging; therefore, during the hot, humid plum rain season we should drain the ditches in time to prevent root rot caused by waterlogging.

Moderate fertilization: Before flowering, apply superphosphate 1 to 2 times to make the flower color pure. After flowering, promptly apply one topdressing of decomposed soybean cake liquid fertilizer to promote root growth.

Flower removal and pruning: The flowering period of balloon flower can last as long as 4 months, and during flowering it consumes a large amount of nutrients and easily sprouts side branches, so removing flowers is an important measure for increasing balloon flower yield.

Pest and disease control: In dry weather there is damage from red spiders; spray with dimethoate diluted 2000 times.

The above ten points are the matters needing the most attention in the process of growing balloon flower. We hope that through the above introduction, everyone's confidence in growing balloon flower and growing it well can be improved.