How to propagate lantern flowers by cuttings?

The lantern flower , whose scientific name is Fuchsia, is a perennial herbaceous flower . It is called "lantern flower" because its flowers look like hanging lanterns. However, the lantern flower hardly produces seeds, so it often relies on cuttings for reproduction. So how do you propagate lantern flowers by cuttings? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Cutting selection

Choose branches of the current year, about 10-15 cm in length, remove all the leaves at the bottom, and keep 1-2 leaves on the top. Then soak the branches in potassium permanganate solution for 30-60 seconds. After disinfection, place them in a cool place and let the wound dry.

2. Cutting medium

The best medium for cuttings is fine river sand that can be sifted through a sieve, or you can use special nutrient soil. Before cutting, be sure to wash it with boiling water to disinfect it. The tools for cuttings are relatively casual, small flower pots, plastic boxes, and disposable lunch boxes can all be used.

3. Cutting time

Lantern Festival has strong adaptability and can be propagated by cuttings all year round, but it is best to do it in spring because spring is the season when it grows most vigorously and the temperature is neither cold nor hot, so the survival rate of cuttings is also the highest.

4. Cutting method

When taking cuttings, you can first use a wooden stick to poke a small hole of about 5 cm in the substrate, and then put the cuttings directly into it. The cutting depth should be 3 to 4 cm, and the spacing between cuttings should be kept at about 8 cm.

5. Maintenance after insertion

After the cuttings are done, water them thoroughly and cover them with plastic sheeting to maintain the humidity of the cutting bed. It usually takes about 25 days to take root in winter and about 20 days in spring. Then, place it in a ventilated place with diffused light, avoiding direct sunlight. After about 2-3 weeks, the cuttings will begin to take root.

6. Potting in the later stage

After the roots of the branches have germinated and grown to a certain extent, they can be planted in pots . When potting, you can use a small shovel to gently scoop out the seedlings, being careful not to damage their roots. Then put them in the new pot, fill it with sandy soil and fix it, then water it thoroughly and finally put it in a cool place for maintenance.

The above is an introduction to the cutting method of lantern flower. By following these conditions and steps, you can effectively guarantee the survival rate of cutting propagation, thereby increasing the number of plants and maintaining their ornamental value.