How to grow Solanum nigrum

1. Maintenance methods

1. Temperature: The most suitable temperature range is between 22 and 30 degrees. However, if it is in the flowering and fruiting period, the temperature should be slightly lower, between 15 and 20 degrees. It is not good in a too hot environment, and more ventilation is needed.

2. Light: Solanum nigrum prefers light, but it also has a certain degree of shade tolerance. It just cannot be kept in a very dark place for a long time. During the flowering period and other growing seasons, good sunlight is essential, otherwise it will affect its flowering and fruiting. Too much direct light needs to be blocked.

3. Watering: Solanum nigrum has high requirements for water because it is afraid of waterlogging and cannot tolerate long-term drought. Therefore, the requirement for watering is to water in moderation, not excessively, and not to lack water for a long time. In winter, water needs to be controlled, especially when it is very cold.

4. Fertilization: Solanum nigrum is generally planted in large areas. Fertilize once a week or every ten days, mostly using foliar fertilizer. In addition, after harvesting, additional fertilizer application is required.

2. Breeding techniques

1. Reproduction: The sowing method can be used, generally for large-scale reproduction. Because its seeds are very small, you don’t need to sow the seeds directly. Instead, you can insert the seeds into fine sand first, mix them evenly, and then sow them together. After that, water it thoroughly and keep the substrate moist. After about five to seven days, the seedlings will emerge.

2. Pruning: First, when the plant grows to eight to ten nodes, you can pinch the top to promote branching, so that the fruit yield will be larger. When the side buds grow to 20 centimeters, they also need to be pruned, leaving only two or three nodes of about five centimeters. In addition, dry and aging leaves must be removed in time.

3. Problem diagnosis and treatment

1. Disease: The probability of disease occurring is not very high under normal circumstances, but it is best to pay a little attention to it. Too much watering can cause "root rot", so use medicine and control water at the same time.

2. Pests: There are not too many. Occasionally there are "scale insects", which are a type of pest we are more familiar with. They can be eliminated with quick-killing.

IV. Other issues

1. Toxicity: It is poisonous. Its juice contains a substance called "solanine" which is poisonous.

2. Can it be grown at home? Generally not, it is poisonous and is not an ornamental plant.