CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What types of flowers are suitable for pinching?

1. What types of flowers are suitable for pinching?

In the cultivation and management of herbaceous flowers, pinching plays an important role. It can effectively control the height of the plant and make the plant dwarf; promote the germination of side branches and increase the number of flower branches; delay the flowering period and ensure uniform flowering. Herbaceous flowers are generally pinched 1 to 3 times. Pinching starts after planting and stops one month before the buds form.

The types of flowers suitable for pinching include zinnia, sage, globe amaranth, snapdragon, marigold, nasturtium, etc. The types that do not need to be pinched include aster, cockscomb, violet, poppy, etc. During the growth period, thinning is combined with shaping, that is, removing overcrowded branches, thin branches, diseased and insect-infested branches to improve ventilation and light transmission conditions, promote even distribution of branches, concentrate nutrients on flower branches, and reduce the occurrence of diseases and insect pests. Therefore, in the practice of flower gardening, technical measures such as pruning, pinching, bud removal, bud stripping (i.e. bud thinning), and column mounting are usually adopted to prune and shape the plants to obtain a beautiful plant shape and promote the cultivation effect of luxuriant flowering.

2. Where is the origin of snapdragon?

It is native to the Mediterranean coast and cultivated all over the world. It is relatively cold-resistant but not heat-resistant; it likes sunlight and can tolerate partial shade; it likes fertile, loose and well-drained slightly acidic sandy loam; it is not sensitive to the length of light; the optimal growth temperature is 16-26℃

Snapdragons are common garden flowers in China. Dwarf species are often used for flower beds, flower borders or roadside cultivation. Potted species can be placed on balconies, windowsills, etc. for decoration. Tall species are often used as cut flowers and can also be used as background materials. The whole plant is used as medicine, which has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, and reducing swelling.

Snapdragon, also known as dragon head flower, is a perennial herb of the Scrophulariaceae family, but is often cultivated as a 1-2 year old flower. Due to different varieties, it is divided into large flower tall stem varieties, medium stem varieties, and dwarf varieties. The flowers are rich and colorful, very beautiful, and the flowering period is long. It is suitable for both ground planting and flower bed arrangement, and also very suitable for potted viewing; among them, the large flower tall stem variety is also an excellent material for cutting flowers.

Snapdragons are native to the Mediterranean. They are relatively cold-resistant, not heat-resistant, prefer sunlight, and can tolerate partial shade. They are suitable for loose, fertile, well-drained soil, and can also grow normally in calcareous soil. Whether potted or planted in the ground, it is advisable to apply some pig or chicken manure as base fertilizer.

The main method of reproduction of snapdragon is sowing. Sowing is carried out between August and October. In pots, at 15 degrees, the seeds will germinate in about 10 days. After the seedlings emerge, pay attention to thinning. When the seedlings grow 4 to 5 true leaves, they should be transplanted once. When the seedlings are about 10 cm tall, they can be planted.

Snapdragon is a kind of flower that likes fertilizer. Because its seedlings grow slowly and its flowering period is relatively long, it has high requirements for soil fertility. Potted plants should use leaf mold with appropriate amount of sand and wood ash as culture soil. The flower pots used should be slightly larger. In addition to using animal manure as base fertilizer, some decomposed cake fertilizer and a small amount of bone meal can also be added as base fertilizer. After planting, in order to ensure the normal development of the plant, topdressing should be applied frequently, generally once every 10 days during the growth period. Nitrogen-containing mixed fertilizer can be used, and the concentration is preferably 0.01%. Usually, loosen the pot soil frequently, water it appropriately, and control watering in winter, so that the plant can grow strong and have many colorful flowers.

In terms of cultivation technology, for some medium and high-sized varieties, in order to make them have more branches and more flowers, they need to be topped when the seedlings are 13 cm tall, and then topped again when they are about 20 cm long. In this way, the plants can be dwarfed, with more branches and more flower spikes. If you want to make the plant into a thick and fat inflorescence, you can only toppick once or not, but you must remove the side buds. The main trunk will not be able to support itself if there are few branches. As the plant grows bigger, you need to insert poles in time to support it and prevent it from falling.

If the plant is not used for seed preservation, the flower spikes should be cut off immediately after flowering. This will allow the plant to continue flowering. If the plant is to be used for seed preservation, the seeds can be harvested when most of the capsules on the inflorescence turn brown.

3. Can snapdragons survive by planting?

Snapdragons can be grown by cuttings. Before cuttings, cut off the tender branches with 4-6 true leaves on the top of the main stem as cuttings. Then mix 2 parts of sandy loam and 1 part of wood ash to make culture soil. When cuttings, first use a thin bamboo stick to make small holes in the substrate, then cut the bottom of the Snapdragon cuttings obliquely and insert them into the small holes. Finally, compact the soil and water it sufficiently.

Can snapdragons be grown by cuttings? Yes, snapdragons can be grown by cuttings. Before cuttings, you should choose suitable cuttings to increase the survival rate of the cuttings. Usually, cuttings are taken when pinching the plant, or young branches with 4-6 true leaves on the top of the trunk are cut for cutting propagation.

Preparing the substrate for snapdragon When grafting snapdragon, you can mix 2 parts of sandy loam and 1 part of wood ash together, stir thoroughly and filter with a fine sieve to prepare a nutrient substrate with sufficient fertility. This type of substrate has strong air permeability and drainage, which is conducive to the survival of the cuttings.

When propagating snapdragon by cuttings, first use a thin bamboo stick to make small holes in the substrate, then cut the bottom of the cutting diagonally and insert it into the small hole, and gently press the nutrient soil at the base of the cutting with your fingertips, and finally place it in a cool place for maintenance.

How to manage snapdragon after cuttings: After the snapdragon cuttings are completed, you need to spray the cuttings with water once in the morning and evening every day to keep the substrate moist for a long time, and the maintenance temperature should be controlled between 15-20 degrees. In a warm and humid environment, wait for about 10 days for the snapdragon cuttings to take root and sprout.