How to plant firecracker flower to make it bloom
For many girls, the introduction of how to plant firecracker flowers to make them bloom, as well as the cutting and timing methods for green plants and flowers, is as follows:
Firecracker flower is a vine plant of the Bignoniaceae family and the Pyrostegia genus, also known as yellow eel vine, firecracker vine, golden coral, torch flower, dense flower, and flame vine. Firecracker flowers are mostly planted in courtyards, as well as in fences, trellises, or used for vertical greening. The flowers of firecracker flowers are like strings of firecrackers, making them very good ornamental flowers. The flowering period of firecracker flowers usually opens from January to June every year, and sometimes the flowering period can last for more than half a year. The flowers are very beautiful, with orange-red flowers that are very lush. During the full bloom period of firecracker flowers, it can be described as a vibrant and beautiful scene. Firecracker flowers are important climbing trees in the South China region. In the northern regions, dwarf varieties can be chosen, coiled into patterns, and cultivated as pot plants. In Hainan, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, it has been widely cultivated as a courtyard ornamental vine plant.
Firecracker flowers are native to Brazil in South America, with 3-forked filiform tendrils. Leaves are opposite; the stamens are attached to the middle of the corolla tube, with filiform filaments and forked anthers. The ovary is cylindrical, densely pubescent, with a thin style and a flat, ligulate stigma. Both the style and the filaments extend out of the corolla tube. The fruit valves are coriaceous, boat-shaped, containing multiple rows of seeds with wings and membranous. The flowering period is long, and firecracker flowers have a strong vitality, grow vigorously, and are relatively easy to cultivate. They prefer a sunny growth environment and require ventilation. They like high temperature and humidity, with acidic, well-drained sandy soil being the best. They thrive in sunny environments and fertile, moist, acidic soil. They grow rapidly and can maintain green leaves in the South China region, capable of overwintering outdoors. Since the tendrils are mostly found at the nodes of the upper branches, the entire plant can anchor itself on other objects to grow.
I. Propagation methods of firecracker flowers: The main methods of propagation are layering and cutting.
1. Layering propagation: Low layering and high layering propagation are usually used. Low layering propagation involves selecting branches close to the ground in early spring, making a 1 cm incision with a knife (the position of the incision should be buried in the soil when the branch is pressed into the ground), burying the incised part in the soil, pressing it down with stones, and keeping the branch tip upwards without swaying. When it's time to plant, dig up the soil to check and cut off the layered branches from the side close to the mother plant, separating them to become planting seedlings.
The other method of layering propagation is high layering, which involves using branches close to the ground but not many, so it is necessary to use branches from higher places. High layering, also known as aerial layering, involves selecting 2-4-year-old vines that are growing vigorously, making a ring-shaped incision at a distance of 20-30 cm from the base, wrapping the wound with fertile soil in a ball shape, and covering it with plastic film to keep it moist. The high layering is usually done in early spring (February to March), and by August to September, white roots can be seen growing through the plastic film. The layered branches are then cut off 3-5 cm below the ball and must be immediately planted in a false bed. Generally, the roots can grow in about 3 months after high layering.
2. Cutting propagation method: This is done before the buds sprout in early spring, using strong vines free of diseases and pests, about 1 cm in diameter, cut into 8-15 cm cuttings, and planted in a prepared bed. On the seedbed, draw lines at a spacing of 15-20 cm and make holes every 3-5 cm with a small stick. Then insert half to two-thirds of the cutting obliquely into the holes and press the soil firmly. Water once after planting. After planting, keep the bed shaded and moist. Growth hormones can be used to treat the cuttings to promote root growth. Common growth hormones include indole butyric acid, indole acetic acid, naphthylacetic acid, 2,4-D, and rooting powder, all of which have a good effect on promoting root growth.
II. Cultivation: In the southern regions, ground planting is used, while in cold climates, pot cultivation can be adopted.
1. Ground planting: Choose a sunny and ventilated location in the courtyard. Firecracker flowers are not strict about soil, but they grow stronger in fertile soil rich in organic matter, well-drained, and deep. The planting holes for firecracker flowers should be appropriately large and deep, generally about 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep, with sufficient base fertilizer, such as decomposed manure and a moderate amount of cake fertilizer or bone meal. In April to May, when the temperature rises, plant the cuttings or rooted seedlings into pots, cutting off the broken, cracked, damaged, and overly long roots before planting. Then fill in the cultivation soil, place the firecracker plant in the center of the pot, and straighten the roots. Fill the soil to half the depth of the planting hole, then gently shake the plant to compact the soil, making sure not to plant too deep or too shallow. After planting, water thoroughly.
2. Pot cultivation: There are limitations to growing firecracker flowers in pots, as pots create a special small environment. No single type of soil can meet all the requirements of potted plants, so artificial soil preparation is necessary to replace natural soil and keep the plant fixed in the pot with good water retention, drainage, and aeration, rich in humus and not too alkaline. The cultivation soil for firecracker flowers usually consists of 40% garden soil, 40% yellow sand, and 20% leaf mold or household waste.
Apply a small amount of base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot when potting. In April to May, when the temperature rises, plant the cuttings or layered seedlings into the pot, cutting off the broken, cracked, damaged, and overly long roots before potting. First, place broken tiles at the bottom of the pot, then add some mature composted cake fertilizer, bones, fish bones, etc., as base fertilizer, then fill in the cultivation soil, place the firecracker plant in the center of the pot, and straighten the roots. Fill the soil to half the depth of the pot, then gently shake the plant to compact the soil. Do not plant too deep or too shallow. After planting, water thoroughly. After potting, keep the plant in a shaded environment for about a week, then move it to a sunny place after the roots have recovered.
III. Daily management: Firecracker flowers require a lot of fertilizer and water. They grow quickly, bloom profusely, and have a long flowering period, so they need sufficient fertilizer and water. During the growing season, apply a top dressing once a month. Use decomposed thin cake fertilizer water or compound fertilizer to promote lush growth and full blooms. Keep the soil moist, with watering frequency depending on soil moisture. In hot summers, water the plant and spray water on the leaves and surrounding ground 2-3 times a day to increase humidity. In autumn, during the bud differentiation period, reduce watering and switch to phosphorus-based fertilizers. Generally, apply a thin liquid fertilizer with a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus every 2 weeks during the growing season. Apply a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer during the bud formation period to promote flowering and plant growth. Watering should be done when the soil is dry, avoiding waterlogging. In summer, when temperatures are high, water abundantly and sprinkle water around the pot to increase humidity. In autumn, start reducing watering to control nutritional growth and promote bud differentiation.
In winter, firecracker flowers can still be grown outdoors in the southern regions, while in cold northern regions, they need to be moved indoors or into greenhouses. Firecracker flowers moved indoors need to be placed in a sunny location and maintain a room temperature above 10°C.
Pruning firecracker flowers. Vines that have bloomed will not bloom again, so after the flowers fade, it is necessary to prune these old branches to promote the growth of more branches and ensure continuous blooming. When the branches reach a certain height, they need to be topped to promote the growth of lateral branches and more blooms. Old and weak branches should be pruned in time to avoid nutrient consumption and affect blooming. Pot-grown firecracker flowers should be especially careful with pinching, pruning, and shaping into patterns to dwarf the plant. In winter, move the firecracker flowers indoors or into greenhouses, and keep them in a sunny location with a room temperature above 10°C, controlling watering.
The above is an introduction to how to plant firecracker flowers to make them bloom and the cutting and timing methods, which can be used as a reference.