The Planting Method and Precautions of Echinacea
This article provides a detailed explanation of the knowledge about planting Echinacea and the precautions for plant care. Our site editor will introduce the following content to you.
Echinacea is commonly used as an ornamental plant for borders and flower beds, can be potted and placed in courtyards for appreciation, and can also be used as cut flower material. Echinacea is not only ornamental but also has medicinal value. It contains various active ingredients that can stimulate the activity of immune cells in the human body, thereby enhancing immunity. So, how should Echinacea be cared for?
The Planting Method and Precautions of Echinacea
Echinacea can be propagated by three methods: seeding, dividing, and cutting. If propagating by seeding, it is generally done in April of spring or September of autumn. The seeding method takes a relatively long time, or you can directly purchase potted Echinacea seedlings. After receiving the potted seedlings, it is recommended to manage the following four points.
1. Acclimatization and Potting
Upon receiving the Echinacea seedlings, they should be acclimatized in the original pot. Place the seedlings in a gently lit area, water thoroughly, and maintain good ventilation. After acclimatizing for 3 days, if the seedlings are in good condition, they can be repotted with the original soil.
Echinacea is not picky about soil. For potted plants, a general nutrient-rich soil can be used, or a mixture of 5 parts peat soil, 3 parts decomposed leaf soil, and 2 parts perlite can be used. 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 gently lit area. After 1-2 days of acclimatization, light exposure can be gradually increased.
2. Fertilization and Watering Management
Echinacea grows slowly during the seedling stage and should be mainly fertilized with nitrogen during the early growth stage. High-nitrogen fertilizer or pure nitrogen fertilizer can be applied once a week. When the seedlings are ready to bloom, the use of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be strengthened, applying monopotassium phosphate fertilizer every 5-7 days to promote bud growth.
Echinacea is drought-tolerant and does not tolerate excessive moisture. Apart from keeping the soil moist after transplanting, watering should follow the principle of thorough watering when dry, avoiding excessive watering that could cause root rot.
3. Light 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 robust and flowering abundantly, it is important to ensure adequate lighting. Insufficient light can result in reduced flowering.
In addition to sufficient light, it is necessary to prune the spent flowers in time. Echinacea produces seeds, and seed development requires a lot of nutrients. If Echinacea uses too many nutrients for seed production, it won't have enough to continue flowering. Therefore, spent flowers should be pruned promptly after they fade.
4. Disease and Pest Control
Echinacea is prone to wilt disease, which manifest as rot starting from the base of the stem and then causing the entire plant to wilt. Wilt disease is often caused by infections during transplanting or by underground pests eating the roots. Therefore, it is recommended to drench with carbendazim or metalaxyl once during transplanting. During routine care, it is also important to prevent diseases, remove yellow leaves from the bottom, and regularly drench with microbial agents.
The above points about the planting method and precautions of Echinacea provide a comprehensive introduction to the essential aspects of Echinacea care. I hope this brings some related knowledge about green plants to plant enthusiasts.