How to Care for Cornflowers in Spring
As a star plant in the spring garden, cornflowers are highly favored for their unique flower shapes and fresh colors. To enjoy a flourish of colorful cornflower seas in spring, scientific seasonal management is particularly crucial. This article analyzes the essential tips for spring cultivation from four core dimensions, helping you easily master the care essentials.
One: Pruning to Promote Growth
Pruning Timing and Methods
Early spring, when the plants start to bud, is the best time for pruning. Using a 45-degree oblique cut on the top of the main branches can effectively break the apical dominance. When thinning dense side buds, keep a spacing of 2-3 cm for strong buds, which can ensure ventilation and light penetration while concentrating nutrient supply.
Disinfection of Pruning Tools
Wipe pruning shears with 75% alcohol to avoid cross-contamination. After pruning, apply wood ash to the cut surfaces promptly to prevent the invasion of pathogens.
Two: Precise Fertilization to Prevent Fertilizer Damage
Difference in Management Between New and Old Plants
Newly planted plants should be fertilized with slow-release fertilizer pellets (NPK 10-10-10) and top-dressed every 30 days. For mature plants, water with diluted ripe soybean cake water (diluted 200 times) every 15 days, and combining foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.2% concentration) for better results.
Warning Signs of Fertilizer Damage
If the edges of the leaves become brown and the new buds turn black, stop fertilizing immediately and water the soil with clear water three times consecutively to dilute the fertilizer solution.
Three: Scientific Water Control to Maintain Soil Moisture
In early spring, follow the principle of "watering when dry and keeping the soil slightly moist." When the surface soil is dry for 2 cm, water thoroughly. In the late spring high-temperature period, implement the "morning and evening double watering method": water 60% in the morning and 40% in the evening, maintaining an air humidity of 60%-70%.
Four: Intelligent Light Management
Light Exposure Time Allocation
From March to April, provide full sunlight care. Starting in May, implement "staggered light exposure": receive direct sunlight before 09:00 and after 16:00, and use a shading net to filter 50% of the intense light at noon. Combine pot rotation, rotating the pot 180 degrees every 3 days to ensure even light exposure.
Supplemental Lighting Techniques
During consecutive rainy days, use a plant growth light to provide 2 hours of supplemental light daily (wavelength 450-650 nm) to maintain a stable light cycle.
Mastering these four core techniques and combining them with regular observation of the plant's condition will result in full and flowering cornflowers. It is recommended to take growth record photos every 10 days, adjust the care plan by comparison, and let the spring garden burst with the most vibrant blue scenery.