How to propagate lantern flowers
A small tip for life, introducing how to propagate lantern flowers and the knowledge of growing flowers such as cutting methods and timing. The following editor will provide you with detailed answers.
Is it possible to propagate lantern flowers in early June? Lantern flowers, also known as inverted bell flowers and hanging begonias, are semi-woody shrubs of the Onagraceae family. The height of potted plants is generally between 30 to 60 cm, with obvious semi-woody old stems, leaves opposite or whorled. The flowers mainly grow at the tips of the branches and in the leaf axils.
Lantern flowers prefer a cool and humid semi-shaded environment, do not tolerate strong sunlight and high temperatures, and the most suitable growing temperature is between 18 to 25 degrees. When the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, the plant grows very slowly and gradually enters a dormant period. When the temperature exceeds 35 degrees, the plant cannot tolerate the high temperature and gradually withers and dies. Lantern flowers are relatively tolerant to pruning. The main method of propagation is cutting.
From the growth habits of lantern flowers, we can see that they prefer cool temperatures, and the survival ambient temperature is basically the same as that of human living environment. The normal cutting time is generally between March to May or September to October. The temperature during these two periods is usually not very high, making it more suitable for the roots of cut branches to survive. By June, the outdoor ambient temperature often exceeds 30 degrees, and can even reach above 35 degrees. It is difficult for the plant itself to survive in such high temperatures, and the survival rate of cuttings will naturally be very low, or even zero.
However, when the outdoor temperature is high, if it is in a place with scattered light and air conditioning to cool down indoors, keeping the indoor temperature at around 25 degrees, it is also possible to propagate at this time. As long as the temperature, light, and humidity are suitable, and the management is kept up, the survival rate is still relatively high. Therefore, it can be said that in June, it is not very suitable for propagating lantern flowers in a natural environment. It is necessary to make the correct operational decisions based on one's own conditions and the plant's growing environment. As long as the temperature is right, propagation can be done in all seasons. You can cut strong branches and propagate them in a mix of coarse sand, vermiculite, or perlite, and they will root and survive in about half a month. Therefore, during the summer, it is best to place lantern flowers in an air-conditioned room with a temperature of about 25 degrees near the front window with sufficient sunlight.
The above introduction on how to propagate lantern flowers and the methods and timing of cutting, I hope everyone will like it!