Herbal flowers play a significant role in enhancing the beauty of gardens, streets, public squares, floral arrangements, flower beds, and both indoor and outdoor spaces. In this article, we will focus on several commonly used flowering plants such as red flowers, marigolds, national day chrysanthemums, zinnias, petunias, cockscombs, asters, and clover. We'll explore the process of plug propagation, which is an efficient method for growing these herbaceous flowers.
Traditionally, herbaceous flowers are grown from seeds using pots or direct sowing. However, this approach often requires a large quantity of seeds, makes it difficult to control soil temperature, leads to uneven germination, and increases the risk of pests and diseases, resulting in lower seedling survival rates. In recent years, plug propagation has become a popular alternative. This technique helps save seeds, simplifies management, produces stronger seedlings, eliminates the need for transplanting, and reduces the overall production time.
Here are the key steps involved in plug propagation:
1. **Seed Preparation**: Select high-quality seeds that are full and have a high germination rate. For example, red flower seeds should be soaked in warm water (around 60°C) for 20–30 minutes before sowing. Afterward, they should be rinsed thoroughly, cleaned, and dried. Alternatively, you can soak them in trisodium phosphate or gibberellin solution, then rinse and air dry.
2. **Substrate Selection**: The ideal growing medium typically includes peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. These materials should be free from pathogens and pests. A common mix is two parts peat moss to one part vermiculite, after being sifted. You can also make your own mix using composted organic fertilizer, ash, and garden soil, but avoid adding any inorganic fertilizers.
3. **Choosing the Plug Tray**: The size of the tray depends on the size of the seeds. Common commercial sizes include 72-cell, 128-cell, and 288-cell trays. For small seeds like red flowers, marigolds, and zinnias, a 72-cell tray is suitable. Larger seeds like petunias, cockscombs, and asters may require a 128-cell tray. If reusing trays, they must be cleaned, disinfected, and dried before use.
4. **Sowing the Seeds**: Fill the plug tray with the prepared substrate. Use a flat board to level the surface, then gently press down the substrate to ensure good contact with the seeds. The depth of the press should be about 1–3 mm, depending on the seed size. Place one seed per cell, and cover it lightly with fine soil.
5. **Watering**: Water the plugs until the moisture reaches the bottom and starts to drain out. For very small seeds like petunias, do not cover them with soil and avoid watering from above. Instead, water from below. To prevent the seeds from being washed away, place a white sheet of paper over the tray. Once the seeds begin to germinate, the paper can be removed without affecting the sprouting process.
6. **Germination and Seedling Care**: After sowing, move the trays into a greenhouse for germination. Ensure proper shading to maintain high humidity and temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. Relative humidity should remain above 95%. Germination times vary by species. Once the seedlings emerge, they can be moved out of the greenhouse and allowed to grow for 7–10 days. When the seedlings reach 5–6 cm in height, they can be transplanted into pots or nutrient bowls for further growth.
This method not only improves efficiency but also ensures healthier and more uniform seedlings, making it a preferred choice among growers.
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