How to grow platycodon
An article on tips and knowledge, introducing how to grow platycodon and the method of cultivating potted platycodon, including the following specific content:
Platycodon is an extremely ornamental plant, and in addition to this, it has strong medicinal properties. Its roots can be used as medicine, making it very popular among consumers. Many people like to grow some at home, and when doing so, it's necessary to learn many skills to ensure its healthy growth.
Method of growing potted platycodon
1. Seed selection. Choose seeds of the same size, plump, and pure color from 2-year-old platycodon. Place the selected seeds in the sun to dry for 1-2 days to help break dormancy and kill surface寄生菌.
2. Seed treatment. To further improve the germination rate of seeds in potting, soak the selected seeds in 100mg/L GA3 or 20% PEG6000 for 10 hours. After soaking, remove the seeds, wrap them in gauze, and germinate in the dark at 25°C for 10 hours in an incubator, then prepare for sowing.
3. Potting and fertilizing. Pot size: diameter by height of 33cm x 28cm, to meet the requirements for the root system development of platycodon plants. Mix the sifted sandy loam soil with high organic matter content and no pollution thoroughly, and fill it quantitatively into each pot. Since platycodon 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 and benefit root development. First, lay a layer of small stones diagonally 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, in which phosphorus fertilizer should be applied all at once, while nitrogen and potassium fertilizers should be used in proportion, and topdressing can be applied according to growth conditions in the later stage. The initial base fertilizer should be mixed thoroughly into the potting soil.
When does platycodon bloom
Platycodon 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 buds swell, they look like balloons. The corolla is bell-shaped, with five lobes at the apex, and when inverted, it looks like an ancient bell, hence also known as the bell flower. Fruits from August to October.
Points to consider for potted platycodon cultivation
1. Timely replacement of potting soil: Before repotting, do not water the plant 1-2 days in advance to help the soil separate 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 rotting 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 finally fill the pot with new soil.
2. Controlling temperature: Before and after flowering, appropriate shading should be provided to extend the blooming period. After the flowers fade and before winter, cut off the above-ground parts to reduce nutrient consumption and place them in a sunny, slightly warm position. Try to prevent the roots of platycodon from freezing. Next year, the old roots will continue to sprout new branches.
Prevention and control of platycodon pests and diseases
1. Platycodon pests: Actually, platycodon at home rarely suffers from pests, but sudden changes in the environment, such as humidity, dryness, or stuffiness, can easily allow pests to exploit. Root nematode disease, root-knot nematodes mainly concentrate on the roots, feeding on the stem, and when pests appear, there are symptoms of bumps on the roots, and the above-ground stems and leaves wither early. 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. The false wireworm also harms the plant roots, appearing from March to April. Spray 800 times the solution of diazinon for control. Also, be careful to ventilate the windows and avoid letting pests fly in from outside.
2. Platycodon diseases. The purple纹羽 disease is severe in mid-September and the roots rot in October. Initially, the affected plant roots turn red, gradually forming a network of reddish-brown mycelium underground. Later, bumps appear on the soil surface, with purple sclerotia the size of mung beans, and the stems and leaves gradually die. Control methods: Repot and replace the soil every year and消毒 it in time. Once symptoms are found, remove the diseased plants and pour 5% lime water for disinfection.
The method of growing potted platycodon is relatively simple, first disinfect the seeds and pot, then add fertilizer at the appropriate time. When potting platycodon, it is important to control the temperature to ensure a high survival rate.后期还要进行虫害防治，以免让桔梗花收到了虫害的侵袭.
The above introduction on how to grow platycodon and the method of cultivating potted platycodon, hoping it will be helpful to green plant enthusiasts!