Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Growing Potted Flowers

Potted flowers can be moved freely according to courtyard landscaping and indoor needs. However, because their growth is constrained by the flower pot, they require relatively meticulous care and management.

1. Transplanting within the Pot

For young seedlings sown in pots, a first transplanting sometimes needs to be carried out in the sowing pot. A sowing pot with a diameter of 30 cm can accommodate about 60 transplanted seedlings. The medium is similar to the sowing culture soil.

If the sown seedlings are too crowded, transplanting is generally done when : true leaves appear, or right after the cotyledons have unfolded. The spacing between seedlings is 1-2 cm. Use a pointed bamboo chopstick to dig out the seedlings, then use it to poke holes and plant the seedlings into the holes.

The planting depth should be appropriate, so as not to bury the cotyledons and the growing point. Then spray water with a fine sprayer, or use the bottom-watering method, until the soil in the flower pot is completely soaked through, then take it out and place it in a semi-shaded spot. Before using the bottom-watering method, the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be covered properly and the medium pressed firm; otherwise, when soaking, the medium will loosen and spill out through the pot hole.

2. Potting Up of Potted Flowers

(1) Prepare the Workroom

The workroom should have a workbench, shelves for storing culture soil and flower pots, and a cart for transporting potted flowers, so as to

improve work efficiency. Also prepare in advance broken pot shards for covering the drainage holes at the bottom of the pots.

(2) Operation

① Covering the pot: Place broken pot shards (at least 3 pieces) over the drainage hole with the concave side facing down, so that the drainage hole is blocked while soil does not clog the drainage hole, and water in the pot can drain out slowly. When using a water-absorbing rim or a similar bottom-watering irrigation method, there is no need to cover the bottom of the pot; instead, simply place a layer of material at the bottom of the pot that can both absorb water and prevent soil from spilling out, such as sphagnum moss.

② Potting-up process: In the pot with the tile shards already placed, first add coarse-grained medium to ensure smooth drainage, then hold the seedling with one hand, straighten the plant, stand it in the center of the pot and control the planting depth; with the other hand add the culture medium, filling the gaps around the roots until the pot is full. The planting depth should suit the size of the seedling.

Then shake the flower pot and press the medium firm with your fingers, so that the medium surface is 1-2 cm below the pot rim. After potting up, water thoroughly immediately, to the extent that water drains from the bottom hole; after the water has been absorbed, water once more. Newly potted seedlings must be shaded; generally only after 3-7 days can they resume growth.