Seed planting, pruning and price per jin of February orchid, also known as Zhuge cai

February orchid (Orychophragmus violaceus) belongs to the genus Orychophragmus in the Brassicaceae family and grows on plains, mountains, roadsides and field edges. It has low requirements for soil, light and other conditions, is cold- and drought-tolerant, has tenacious vitality, and is widely cultivated in China. So do you know what the seed planting methods for February orchid are? How do you prune it? How much does a jin of seeds cost? In the flower market we learned that the price of February orchid seeds ranges from 35 yuan to 180 yuan, and prices vary by region and quality.

I. Seed planting methods for February orchid

1. Propagation methods

Sowing begins in autumn, and cold protection measures must be taken in winter. February orchid has a certain cold tolerance, but during the seedling stage you still need to pay attention to keeping it warm to ensure the seedlings survive.

Before propagation, the soil should be worked to ensure it is loose and fertile, and watering should be increased according to seedling growth.

When the sprouts grow into seedlings, increase fertilization to provide the nutrients they need for growth, and during the growth of February orchid appropriately increase light exposure to boost photosynthesis and promote plant growth.

2. Sowing time

Sowing can be done in summer or autumn, but August to September is most suitable. Each gram contains 300 to 400 seeds, and the sowing rate is about 1 kg per mu. Calculated per square meter, this should be 1 to 2 grams per sq m. If the spray-sowing method is used, the amount per unit area should preferably be increased by 10 to 20%.

For the potting soil, mix garden soil, perlite and plant ash thoroughly in a ratio of 6:2:1. Apply sufficient base fertilizer when potting, and after the seedlings stand upright, move the pot to a sunny place for routine fertilizer and water management.

3. Fertilization

Fertilize 4 times a year. The flower bud fertilizer in early spring, the strengthening fertilizer after flowers fade, the fruit-strengthening fertilizer after fruit set, and the seedling-strengthening fertilizer before winter. If a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution is sprayed on the leaves once each during the flower bud stage and the young fruit stage, the flowers will be more colorful and the fruits will be fuller.

In winter, February orchid has lush green leaves, and in early spring its flowers bloom in sheets. If heavy frost occurs in winter, frost protection measures need to be strengthened. If it is grown for eating, divide the plants frequently to promote the sprouting of tender stems and leaves.

4. Pest and disease protection

The main pest and disease problem of February orchid is downy mildew: the leaf surface turns yellow-green with polygonal spots, and a white downy mold layer forms on the underside, causing swelling, curling and greening of the petals on stems and flowers. It mostly occurs on the lower leaves of February orchid. Cold, damp weather in April and overly dense planting can lead to this disease.

Treatment methods:

Pay attention to ventilation and light transmission, and do not plant too densely; you can also spray Yimeijing (phosethyl-Al).

5. Care

Compared with other flowers, cultivation management is relatively extensive and does not require much care. It has strong cold tolerance and shade tolerance, and can grow, bloom and set seed normally with a certain amount of scattered light.

It is best to choose loose, fertile and well-drained sandy soil. As long as you water and fertilize in time and give it a little management, it will grow vigorously.

6. Pruning

To make February orchid look good, do not let it set seed. During the seed-setting period, prune it to a height of 10 to 15 cm. When preparing the land for autumn sowing, clear away surface debris that hinders good contact between seeds and soil.

II. How to prune February orchid

1. Pruning time

It is best to prune February orchid during its growth, that is, during its fruiting period. Choose to prune at midday when it is relatively warm, and avoid pruning at night.

2. Pruning steps

Pruning is generally done during the seed-setting period, and a lawn mower can be used to cut the plants down to a height of about 15 cm.

During pruning, be careful to prune old branches, diseased and weak branches, and newly grown tender shoots to a certain extent, which is more conducive to plant growth, making the branches and leaves luxuriant, with more flowers and a longer flowering period.

When pruning, you can carry out some shaping according to the plant's growth form, so that February orchid has a more graceful appearance, improving its ornamental value and beautifying the space.

The general idea of pruning is to keep strong buds and cut off the withered and yellow branches and buds around the strong buds, as well as yellowing leaves, which helps accumulate nutrients and makes the plant grow faster.

3. Care after pruning

After February orchid is pruned, first dispose of the cut residual branches and leaves, and also remove the weeds in the pot soil;

After pruning, water it, but be careful not to let water touch the cut. You can wrap the cut with plastic film and remove it at night; this both prevents the cut from drying and shriveling and encourages it to grow and sprout again.

The pruned plant can then be placed in a lit place for normal care, but avoid direct strong light, pay attention to shading, and do not place it directly facing a draft.