How to propagate lantern flowers through cutting
The main content of this article: how to propagate lantern flowers through cutting and the topic of knowing the cutting and potting methods of lantern flowers. Next, the editor will introduce.
Lantern flowers, also known as吊钟 crabapple or 倒挂金钟, belong to the genus Fuchsia in the family Onagraceae. They are annual or perennial flowers. Lantern flowers have unique shapes and bright colors. If the temperature is suitable, they can bloom from April to December. They are also easy to propagate, making them very popular among flower enthusiasts.
Not long ago, when a friend of Rongjie visited her from another city and saw the beautiful lantern flowers in Rongjie's house, she wanted to learn how to grow them. Rongjie taught her the method of cutting and potting lantern flowers and told her that early spring or autumn is the best time for cutting. Now Rongjie shares her method with more flower friends in need, hoping they can also grow beautiful lantern flowers.
How to propagate lantern flowers through cutting?
01 Choose the right time for cutting, which is the first step to successful propagation of lantern flowers: The best time for propagating lantern flowers is from February to March in spring or October in autumn, and the temperature should be around 18°C, as this is the optimal temperature for lantern flowers to germinate. If we propagate earlier, we can do it indoors, and after cutting, we can provide a支架 for the lantern flowers and cover them with a plastic bag to increase the temperature and maintain humidity.
Do not choose a temperature higher than 25°C for propagating lantern flowers, as temperatures above 25°C can cause slow growth and are not conducive to the survival of cut lantern flowers.
02 Choose a pot and soil: ① Soil: For propagating lantern flowers, we can use sandy soil or sand. Whichever soil is used, it needs to be sterilized by high-temperature roasting or sun-drying to prevent black rot. ② Pot: The pot used for propagating lantern flowers should have good drainage. After the cuttings take root and survive, they will need to be transplanted into a larger pot suitable for the growth of lantern flowers.
03 Choose cuttings: ① When propagating lantern flowers in spring, we can choose sturdy branches from spring growth or use branches from the previous year. In autumn, we can choose healthy branches of lantern flowers from the current year for propagation. ② After selecting the branches, cut them into segments 8-10 cm long, ensuring the top cuts are smooth and the bottom cuts are斜度 to increase soil contact and facilitate root growth. Make sure each cutting has 2-3 buds and remove the first 1-2 leaves to make cutting easier. ④ To increase the chances of successful propagation, we can cut the slanted end of the lantern flower and soak it in a potassium permanganate solution and root-promoting water for 30 seconds before planting.
04 Plant the cuttings:
After filling the pot with soil, use bamboo chopsticks to make small holes in the pot at the depth required for planting lantern flowers. Place the cut end of the lantern flower into the holes, about 1/3 of the length of the cutting. Cover with soil, water thoroughly, and place in a shady spot. Insert four sticks around the edge of the pot and cover it with a plastic bag to maintain moisture and temperature. In a shaded environment below 20°C, the cuttings usually take root within 15-20 days. You can also plant the cuttings directly into the soil after making holes with chopsticks and spray water frequently with a fine mist sprayer to keep the branches moist without making the soil too wet.How to propagate lantern flowers through cutting
After the lantern flowers have taken root, we can transplant them into pots
Pot: For planting lantern flowers, we can use a small hanging pot, which not only has a good blooming effect but also a good viewing effect. The pot can be made of terracotta, and the size can be about 3 inches. When the lantern flowers grow larger, we can replace them with a larger pot.
Soil: Lantern flowers prefer well-draining soil, as excessive moisture can cause root rot and death. The soil can be mixed with 4 parts garden soil, 2 parts decomposed leaf mold, and 1 part river sand, and then 2 parts decomposed manure can be added to promote robust growth.
Planting: ① After the cuttings of lantern flowers have rooted, we can transplant them into pots about 3 inches in size. The sand and sandy soil we use do not have enough nutrients for the growth of lantern flowers. ② Place a piece of window screen at the bottom of the pot, then add 2-3 inches of decomposed manure and cover it with a layer of prepared soil up to 1/3 of the pot. ③ Transplant the lantern flower seedlings with a toothpick and place them in the center of the pot. Then cover with soil, compact it, water thoroughly, and place it in a shady spot to harden off. It will be back to normal management in about 10 days. ④ When the lantern flowers have grown 3 pairs of leaves, we can repot them again. At this time, the lantern flowers grow faster, the roots are larger, and a larger pot is needed. We can use a 5-inch pot. Then pinch the top of the lantern flowers to promote more side branches.
How to manage lantern flowers to make them more beautiful?
Watering: Water lantern flowers frequently with a small amount of water, as too much water can cause root rot, and too little water can lead to drought and leaf drop.
Fertilization: Lantern flowers have a long blooming period and require more fertilization. We can fertilize every 10-15 days during the growing season. When the temperature is above 35°C, we should stop fertilizing or apply a dilute liquid fertilizer, as the lantern flowers are in a dormant state at this time.
Light: During the hot summer, lantern flowers need to be shaded appropriately and placed in a well-ventilated area. Otherwise, they may die due to high temperatures and strong sunlight.
Conclusion
The method of propagating lantern flowers through cutting is simple. Just choose sturdy branches from the current or previous year, cut them into sand or sandy soil, water thoroughly, keep the branches moist, maintain a temperature of about 18 degrees, and they will root in 15-20 days. Then choose a smaller, shallower pot to transplant and care for the lantern flowers.
The above is [www.lvzhimi.com]'s specific introduction on how to propagate lantern flowers through cutting and understand the cutting and potting methods of lantern flowers. Hope you all like it!