How to Make长春花 (Periwinkle) Bloom More
As an ornamental plant that blooms throughout the year, periwinkle is deeply favored by gardening enthusiasts for its colorful and vibrant flowers. To achieve a flourishing bloom, one needs to master scientific care techniques; pruning after flowering is essential to maintain plant health and promote reblooming. This article will systematically analyze the care secrets for continuous blooming of periwinkle, from soil preparation to light management.
Ⅰ. Three Elements for Bloom Explosive Cultivation of Periwinkle
1. Scientific Soil Mixture and Fertilization Plan
The ideal substrate formula is peat soil: perlite = 3:1, ensuring a balance between drainage and water retention, as well as nutrient retention. It is recommended to mix slow-release fertilizer granules (5g per liter of soil) before planting and alternate every 10 days between nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio 15-30-15 water-soluble fertilizer and decomposed organic liquid fertilizer. Adding phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the bud differentiation stage can effectively increase flower density.
2. Full日照 Light Environment Control
Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, and shade 30% of the intense midday sunlight in summer to prevent burns. Rotate the pot (180° every week) to evenly distribute light and prevent biased growth. In winter, set up supplementary lights to maintain a 12-hour/day light cycle, which can extend the flowering period by 2-3 months.
3. Precise Temperature and Humidity Management
Maintaining a day temperature of 25-28°C/night temperature of 18-22°C is most conducive to blooming, with air humidity controlled between 50-65%. In winter, use double-layer insulation greenhouses or move to the south window indoors to ensure a temperature above 12°C. Using a micro-spray system to cool during high temperatures can increase flower diameter by 15%.
Ⅱ. Post-Flowering Pruning and Care Transition
1. Three-Level Pruning Method
Immediately after the flowers fade: Level one pruning removes the faded flowers and the two pairs of leaves below; level two pruning cuts the excessive growth branches by 1/3; level three pruning thins dense branches to maintain a 30% light transmission rate. Tools need to be disinfected with 75% alcohol, and the cut surfaces should be coated with wood ash to prevent infection.
2. Care Points After Pruning
Stop fertilizing for one week after pruning, and then switch to a high-nitrogen fertilizer (20-10-10) to promote branching after new buds sprout. In combination with pinching, the number of flowers can be increased by 40%. Keep the substrate slightly moist and avoid waterlogging that can lead to root rot.
Through systematic care and management, periwinkle can achieve an ornamental effect of over 200 days of flowering per year. Mastering the golden triangle of soil improvement, light adjustment, and scientific pruning, even beginners can create a flourishing periwinkle landscape. It is recommended to keep records of plant growth data regularly and gradually establish a personalized care plan.