The planting methods and timing of Echinacea
Today, the editor will elaborate on the planting methods and timing of Echinacea, as well as the techniques and measures for cultivating this plant in the field of green plants and flowers. Keep reading for more information!
Echinacea is commonly used as an ornamental plant for borders and flower beds, can be potted for courtyard display, and also serves as a cut flower material. Echinacea is not only ornamental but also has medicinal value, containing various active ingredients that can stimulate the activity of immune cells in the human body, thereby enhancing immunity. So, how should Echinacea be maintained?
Maintenance methods and precautions for Echinacea
Echinacea can be propagated using three methods: seeding, dividing, and cutting. If propagating by seeding, it is generally done in April of spring or September of autumn. The seeding propagation process tends to be longer, and one can also purchase potted Echinacea seedlings directly. After receiving the potted seedlings, it is recommended to manage the following four points.
1. Acclimatization and repotting
After receiving the Echinacea seedlings, they should be acclimatized in the original pot, placing the seedlings in a place with soft lighting, watering thoroughly once, and maintaining good ventilation. Allow the seedlings to acclimatize for 3 days. If the seedlings are in good condition, they can be repotted with the original soil.
Echinacea is not particular about soil, and potted plants can be grown in general nutrient soil or a mixture of 5 parts peat soil, 3 parts decomposed leaf soil, and 2 parts perlite. When potting, add a sufficient amount of base fertilizer.
Echinacea seedlings are not very tolerant to transplanting, so it is important to repot with the original soil. After repotting, water thoroughly and place in a location with soft lighting. After 1-2 days, gradually increase the lighting.
2. Fertilization and watering management
Echinacea grows relatively slowly in the seedling stage, and nitrogen fertilizer should be used in the early growth stage, such as high-nitrogen fertilizer or pure nitrogen fertilizer, applied once a week. When the seedlings are ready to bloom, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be strengthened, applying potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer every 5-7 days to promote bud growth.
Echinacea is drought-tolerant but does not like excessive moisture. Other than immediately after transplanting, watering should follow the principle of thorough watering when the soil is dry, avoiding excessive watering that could cause root rot.
3. Lighting and pruning management
The natural flowering period of Echinacea is from May to September. With a suitable environment and sufficient fertilization and watering, it can continue to bloom until October. To keep Echinacea strong and produce more flowers, it is important to ensure adequate lighting. Insufficient lighting can lead to reduced flowering.
In addition to sufficient lighting, it is also necessary to prune spent flowers promptly. Since Echinacea produces seeds,孕育 seeds requires a lot of nutrients, which would otherwise be used for continued flowering. Therefore, spent flowers should be pruned after they fade.
4. Disease and pest control
Echinacea is prone to wilt disease, which starts with rotting at the rootstock and then leads to the entire plant wilting. Wilt disease is often caused by infection during transplanting or by underground pests eating the roots. Therefore, it is recommended to apply carbendazim or metalaxyl to the roots once during transplanting. During regular maintenance, it is important to prevent this by removing yellow leaves at the base and regularly applying microbial agents to the roots.
The above sharing on the planting methods and timing of Echinacea, as well as the techniques and measures for cultivating Echinacea, is hoped to bring a little help to your life!