How to extend the blooming period of Cineraria
Abstract: This article explains how to extend the blooming period of Cineraria and provides detailed information on the correct care methods for maintaining the plant's flowering period. Let me introduce you to this topic.
Cineraria is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Cineraria in the Asteraceae family. Its leaves are deep green, large, and have distinct white spots, resembling the leaves of watermelons. The flowers have delicate and slender petals, with exposed centers and a rich variety of colors, including not only common colors like red, pink, and white but also rare colors like deep purple, blue, and bicolors, making it highly ornamental.
The natural blooming period of Cineraria is from January to April. In the wild, the flowers will wither after April. However, for potted Cineraria indoors, we can extend the blooming period by artificially manipulating environmental factors such as light and temperature. Today, I will share four tips that can help extend the blooming period of Cineraria by more than half a month.
1. Use high-quality soil
The roots of Cineraria are typical capillary roots that are susceptible to both drought and soil waterlogging, making the use of high-quality soil very important. Potted Cineraria requires a well-draining, fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. Some nurseries use poor-quality yellow soil to save costs, but after buying and acclimating the seedlings, remember to repot and change the soil. Good soil will make the roots stronger, increase the number of flowers, and extend the blooming period.
For those who prefer convenience, they can buy bagged nutrient soil from the flower market or online stores for repotting. Alternatively, you can consider mixing your own soil. Here is a simple recipe: mix three parts of peat soil, one part of perlite, and a small amount of slow-release fertilizer, and use the mixture as nutrient soil. When repotting, you can place some ceramic stones or coarse sand at the bottom of the pot to increase aeration and drainage.
How to extend the blooming period of Cineraria
2. Watering properly
Cineraria has large leaves like watermelon leaves. The larger the leaves, the more water is needed for photosynthesis. The more lush the Cineraria grows, the faster the potting soil dries out. To meet the plant's growth needs and extend the blooming period, we need to supply enough water without causing waterlogging, as waterlogging can lead to root rot.
In spring, the temperature difference between day and night is significant, with slower evaporation in the cold mornings and evenings and faster evaporation in the warmer afternoons. Before watering, check the soil surface of the Cineraria pot. Only water when the soil surface is white and dry. The best time to water is at noon when the weather is warm, and the plant's roots absorb water more quickly.
3. Control lighting
Cineraria flowers consume a lot of energy. By controlling lighting properly, you can replenish energy and extend the blooming time. When the temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius in spring, it is the best growth state for Cineraria. Move the pot to the place with the best light, and if possible, you can move it outdoors. Ensure that Cineraria gets more than 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.