How to cultivate the balloon flower
A collection of life's little knowledge, discussing how to cultivate the balloon flower and the method of growing potted balloon flowers, related experience in flower planting, let's take a look together!
The balloon flower is a highly ornamental plant, in addition to this, it also has strong efficacy, as its roots can be used as medicine, making it very popular among consumers. Many people like to keep some at home, and when cultivating it, it is necessary to learn many skills to ensure its growth.
Method of growing potted balloon flowers
1. Seed selection. Choose seeds of the same size, plump, and pure color from 2-year-old balloon flowers. Place the selected seeds in the sun for 1-2 days to help release dormancy and kill surface寄生 fungi.
2. Seed treatment. To further improve seed germination rate in pot cultivation, the selected seeds are treated with 100mg/L GA3 or 20% PEG6000, soaked for 10 hours, then removed, wrapped in gauze, and germinated in the dark at 25 degrees Celsius for 10 hours before planting.
3. Potting and fertilizing. Pot size: diameter by height of 33cm by 28cm, to meet the root development requirements of the balloon flower plant. Mix the screened organic matter-rich, unpolluted sandy loam soil thoroughly and fill each pot with a measured amount. Since balloon flower seeds are tiny and not drought-resistant in the early stages of planting, the soil in the pot should be sieved fine before planting to improve water and fertilizer retention capacity and root development. First, place a layer of small stones at the bottom of the pot and wrap them with newspaper, then insert a hard plastic tube along the edge of the pot into the newspaper. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, with phosphorus fertilizer applied at one time, and nitrogen and potassium fertilizers used in proportion, with topdressing applied in the later growth stages according to growth conditions. The initial base fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed into the soil in the pot.
When do balloon flowers bloom
Balloon flowers bloom late, with 1 or several blue or blue-purple flowers appearing at the top of the stem from July to September. When the bud swells, it looks like a balloon. The corolla is bell-shaped, with five lobes at the top, and when hanging down, it resembles an ancient bell, hence the name bell flower. Fruits appear from August to October.
Precautions for growing potted balloon flowers
1. Timely replacement of potting soil: Before repotting the balloon flower, do not water it 1-2 days in advance, which helps the potting soil to detach from the pot wall. When repotting, remove the plant from the pot, shake off 20%-50% of the old soil from the roots, cut off the withered and rotten roots, add a small amount of aloe vera residue to the bottom of the new pot, place the prepared soil in the center of the pot, and then fill the pot with new soil.
2. Control the temperature: Before and after blooming, it is appropriate to provide some shade to extend the blooming period. After the flowers fade and before winter, cut off the above-ground part to reduce nutrient consumption and place it in a sunny and slightly warmer location. Avoid letting the roots of the balloon flower freeze. Next year, the old roots will continue to sprout new branches.
Control of pests and diseases in balloon flowers
1. Pests: Balloon flowers at home rarely suffer from pests, but in case of sudden changes in the environment, such as humidity, dryness, or stuffiness, pests can easily find their way in. Root nematode disease, root knot nematodes mainly concentrate on the roots, feeding on the stems, when pest damage occurs, there are symptoms of bumps on the roots and early withering of the above-ground stems and leaves. When root knot nematodes are found, there is no need to spray pesticides; instead, bury cake fertilizer in the soil to increase soil fertility, which can reduce the harm to some extent. If the pest infestation is severe, it is recommended to remove the plant from the pot outdoors and replace all the soil with new soil. Striped ground beetle also harms the plant's roots, usually appearing from March to April, and it is advisable to spray 800 times the solution of diazinon for control. Also, be careful when opening windows for ventilation to prevent pests from flying in from outside.
2. Diseases: Purple pattern disease is severe in mid-September and the roots rot in October. Initially, the affected plant's roots turn red and gradually form a network of reddish-brown mycelium, which is underground in the early stages. Later, there will be protrusions on the soil surface, with purple菌核 the size of mung beans, and the stems and leaves will gradually die. Control methods: Repot and replace the soil every year and disinfect promptly. Once the disease is found, remove the affected plant and pour a 5% lime solution for disinfection.
The method of growing potted balloon flowers is relatively simple, first disinfect the seeds and pot, then add fertilizer at the appropriate time. When growing potted balloon flowers, it is important to control the temperature to ensure a high survival rate.后期还要进行虫害防治，以免让桔梗花受到了虫害的侵袭。
The above-mentioned sharing of how to cultivate balloon flowers and the explanation of the method of growing potted balloon flowers, hoping it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!