Sweet alyssum seed prices, sowing seasons, planting methods and main values
Sweet alyssum is also known as carpet-basket, little white flower, jade butterfly ball and so on. It is distributed along the Mediterranean coast. In China's Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, ** and other provinces and regions, it is cultivated in parks and flower nurseries for ornamental purposes. So, how much does sweet alyssum seed cost per jin? When is the sowing season? How is it planted? What are its main values? According to the flower market, sweet alyssum seed prices are around twenty to thirty yuan per jin; prices vary from region to region, and the local price should be taken as the standard.
When is the sowing season for sweet alyssum?
In northern regions, spring sowing is more common; generally in March seeds are sown in greenhouses to raise seedlings. Sweet alyssum seeds germinate faster than ordinary flower seeds and emerge neatly. The suitable germination temperature is 20°C, and seedlings emerge in about 5 days. When 3 to 4 true leaves have formed, they are planted out into pots and bloom in June. When the summer heat arrives, growth becomes poor and there are few flowers; at this time the spent flowering branches should be cut off and fertilizer and water management strengthened, and in autumn it will bloom again. In North China and southern regions, autumn sowing is more common, overwintering in cold frames or protected ground; in March of the following year they are potted or planted out, and they bloom in April.
How is sweet alyssum planted?
1. Transplanting
After sowing, it can be transplanted after 20 to 25 days (generally transplanted when 3 to 4 true leaves have grown) into seedling pots, and after "May Day" it is planted out into flower beds. When moving sweet alyssum into a flower pot, a 2 to 2 cm thick layer of coarse-grained substrate or ceramsite should be placed at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, and some organic fertilizer scattered in the middle as a base fertilizer.
2. Temperature
It is slightly cold-tolerant and prefers a cool climate. The suitable growing temperature is 13 to 21°C. In courtyards, sweet alyssum grows very well in spring and early summer; in the hot summer it will not bloom, and when temperatures drop it will bloom again. If the temperature exceeds 30°C, it easily dies, so in summer the most suitable temperature for sweet alyssum growth is 15 to 25°C. Therefore, if you want to grow sweet alyssum, it is best to choose to sow in autumn or winter.
3. Soil and light
It prefers sunny and loose soil, and is also slightly shade-tolerant.
4. Watering
After planting out, water thoroughly to settle the plants; afterward water as needed according to whether the soil is dry or moist, but avoid waterlogging.
5. Fertilizing
It likes fertilizer. During its growing period, apply organic liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times as a top dressing; after flowering, cut off the flowering branches and apply top dressing to ensure continued flowering in autumn. When fertilizing sweet alyssum, the requirements are to follow "apply dilute fertilizer frequently, use small amounts but more often, with complete nutrition" and "alternate dry and wet; when dry, dry thoroughly; do not water if not dry. At night, the flowers and leaves must be kept dry."
6. Pest and disease control
Damping-off is prone to occur; attention should be paid to ventilation to reduce humidity, and fungicides should be used regularly. Spray 2000 times diluted decis or 1000 times diluted dichlorvos once every 10-15 days to prevent insects. Spray 700 times diluted carbendazim or chlorothalonil once every 7-10 days for sterilization.
7. Garden uses
When sweet alyssum blooms profusely, it gives off waves of fragrance; whether arranged in gardens, flower beds and other places, it is also a good choice for potted ornamental viewing.
What are the main values of sweet alyssum?
Sweet alyssum is short with many branches; the petals are light purple or white and give off waves of delicate fragrance, attracting large numbers of bees. It is an excellent flower for arranging rock gardens, and also an excellent edging material for flower beds and flower borders; potted ornamental viewing is also very good.
Sweet alyssum grows in a creeping manner and has a pleasant delicate fragrance; it is also suitable for planting along the edges of rock garden walls, and can also be potted or used as ground cover.