How to grow sweet alyssum (Cruciferae) seeds? Value and per-plant price analysis

Sweet alyssum, of the Cruciferae family, is a low-growing plant with many branches; its flowers bloom in a mass of white and give off waves of delicate fragrance. It is cultivated in parks and flower nurseries in many regions of China and is deeply loved by people. So do you know what methods there are for growing sweet alyssum seeds? What value does it have? How much does one plant cost? In the flower market we learned that sweet alyssum is generally sold as seeds, priced at 20 to 30 per jin; when buying you can look at several sellers, as prices differ between merchants in different regions.

I. Methods for growing sweet alyssum seeds

Sweet alyssum can be propagated by seed or by cuttings, but seed propagation is generally used more often. In northern regions it is mostly sown in spring, usually sown in a greenhouse in March to raise seedlings. Sweet alyssum seeds germinate faster than ordinary flower seeds and emerge uniformly; the suitable germination temperature is 20°C, and they emerge in about 5 days. When they have 3 to 4 true leaves, plant them out into pots, and they bloom in June. When the summer heat arrives, growth becomes poor and there are very few flowers; at this time cut off the spent flowering branches and strengthen fertilizer and water management, and they will bloom again in autumn. In North China and southern regions it is mostly sown in autumn, overwintered in a cold frame under protection, potted up or planted out in March of the following year, and blooms in April.

In northern regions it is mostly sown in spring, usually sown in a greenhouse in March to raise seedlings. Sweet alyssum seeds germinate faster than ordinary flower seeds and emerge uniformly; the suitable germination temperature is 20°C, and they emerge in about 5 days. When they have 3 to 4 true leaves, plant them out into pots, and they bloom in June. When the summer heat arrives, growth becomes poor and there are very few flowers; at this time cut off the spent flowering branches and strengthen fertilizer and water management, and they will bloom again in autumn. In North China and southern regions it is mostly sown in autumn, overwintered in a cold frame under protection, potted up or planted out in March of the following year, and blooms in April.

Temperature:

The optimum temperature for rooting of cuttings is 18°C to 25°C. Below 18°C, the cuttings root with difficulty and slowly; above 25°C, the cut ends of the cuttings are easily infected by pathogens and rot, and the higher the temperature, the greater the proportion that 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 to 80% of the sunlight, and at the same time mist the cuttings 3 to 5 times a day; on sunny days when the temperature is higher, mist more often, and on cloudy and rainy days when the temperature is lower and humidity is higher, mist less often or not at all.

Humidity:

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

Light:

Propagation by cuttings cannot do without sunlight, but the stronger the light, the higher the temperature inside the cuttings, the more vigorous the transpiration of the cuttings, and the more water they consume, which is not good for the survival of the cuttings. Therefore, after cutting, 50 to 80% of the sunlight must be blocked, and after the roots have grown, the shade netting is gradually removed: on sunny days remove the shade netting at 4:00 p.m. each day, and put it back before 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Potting up or transplanting:

When potting up the seedlings, first place a 2 to 2 cm thick layer of coarse-grained substrate or expanded clay at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, sprinkle a layer of fully decomposed organic fertilizer on top as a base fertilizer, about 1 to 2 cm thick, then cover with another layer of substrate about 1 to 2 cm thick, and then place the plant in, so as to separate the fertilizer from the roots and avoid burning the roots.

II. What value does sweet alyssum have

Sweet alyssum is low-growing with many branches; its petals are light purple or white and it gives off waves of delicate fragrance, attracting large numbers of bees. It is an excellent flower for rock gardens and also an excellent edging material for flower beds and flower borders, and it is also very good for potted display.

Sweet alyssum grows prostrate and has a pleasant delicate fragrance; it is also suitable for planting along rock garden walls, and can also be potted or used as ground cover.