Planting method of torch flower
The leaves of torch flower are similar to orchid, 30 ~ 60 cm long, clustered near the base, evergreen all the year round. From the first ten days of May to the middle of June, the flower stems are extracted from the base of leaf clumps, 60-90 cm in height, and 16-28 cm of fiery red racemes grow on the top of the stems.
Each inflorescence consists of more than 200 small cylindrical flowers arranged in tile shape, which opens successively from bottom to top. Each inflorescence can open about two weeks. When it is in full bloom, it is sweet and fragrant, the nectar overflows, and the bees fly and the butterflies dance.
Sowing or ramet propagation. Sowing can be carried out in spring, summer and autumn, but spring sowing is the best. The best ramets were in the first and middle of September.
Torch flower is native to South Africa. It is distributed in the high mountains of 1800-3000 meters above sea level and on the rocky peat layer along the coastline. Strong and slightly cold resistant, wintering minimum temperature should not be lower than - 10 ℃, the requirements of sufficient sunshine, avoid low waterlogging water.
It is not strict for soil, but it is suitable for clay loam with rich humus and good drainage, and it is resistant to slightly alkaline soil. The planting site should be high and dry, leeward and sunny. Before planting, more mature organic fertilizer should be applied, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be added.
The height of the seedlings is about 10 cm, and the spacing between plants and rows is 30 cm × 40 cm. After planting, the seedlings are watered twice, and then the cultivation, loosening the soil and crouching the seedlings are carried out to promote the development of new roots. If sufficient water supply and topdressing are needed in summer, it will grow rapidly. Under the condition of 25 ~ 28 ℃ and sufficient sunshine, the flower can be heading and flowering in about 5 months. When the flower stem appears, the root dressing of potassium dihydrogen phosphate should be applied 2 ~ 3 times, with the interval of 7 ~ 10 days, and the concentration of 0.1%; or 1% ~ 2% of calcium superphosphate is used as soil topdressing once, which can increase the firmness of flower stem and prevent bending.
After flowering, the remaining branches should be cut off as soon as possible so as not to make them bear fruit, so as not to consume nutrients. In autumn, the plants should be irrigated with water before transplanting, and the plants should be covered with hay or fallen leaves to prevent death due to drying and freezing. Remove the cold cover in early spring, pay attention to the attack of cold in late spring to prevent the plant from being damaged.
Maintenance methods of torch flower
In order to promote the growth of new roots and improve the absorption capacity of roots, it should be replanted every 2-3 years. The best time was from late September to early October. It can be cultivated in open field or potted.
The plant of torch flower is strong, the floret is drooping, and the whole inflorescence is like a torch. Because of its strong adaptability and no choice of soil, it can be widely used in gardens, not only in the roadside, Street Park cluster planting or strip planting, but also in slope land planting. For vase and flower basket decoration, the ornamental effect is excellent.
