HOW TO CULTIVATE HIGH-QUALITY, BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS
1. Choosing the Right Seeds
Avoid choosing seeds of traditional varieties; instead, select hybrid varieties. Hybrid varieties are bred to have uniform plant morphology and stable, reliable growth. Older varieties are prone to top-heavy growth and easily lodging in damp or windy weather, while hybrid varieties are selectively bred to have strong, robust stems that can support their large flower heads. Under ideal growing conditions, flowers can grow to 16 feet (approximately 4.9 meters) or even taller, producing large flower heads.
2. Soil Preparation
Flowers need plenty of sunlight; at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily—the more the better for them to reach their maximum growth potential. Therefore, it is best to choose a sunny, sheltered field for planting.
Flowers thrive in warm to hot climates and need plenty of sunlight during the day. The dry season is the ideal time to plant flowers.
Check the soil pH: Flowers prefer slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Although they are highly adaptable and can grow in almost all types of soil.
Choose a well-drained location and begin sowing only after the soil has fully warmed and the dry season has arrived.
When preparing the soil, dig an area with a perimeter of approximately 60-90 cm and a depth of approximately 60 cm.
Flowers require a large amount of fertilizer and consume more soil nutrients than many other crops—especially as they grow tall, requiring replenishment of nutrients each growing season.
3. Sowing and Thinning
For giant flowers with large spikes, the ideal row spacing is 50 cm. If planted too densely, the plants may be taller, but the spikes will be smaller. If planted too sparsely, the spikes may be larger, but they may be too heavy for the plants to bear.
When sowing, water the soil thoroughly and sow the seeds at a depth of 1.5 cm, in clusters of 5-6 seeds, with a plant spacing of approximately 15-20 cm. If possible, lightly cover the seedlings with netting to protect them from birds. If the soil is kept moist, the seedlings will germinate in 5-10 days.
When the seedlings reach 3 inches (about 7.6 cm) in height, keep 3-4 of the most vigorous plants. When they reach 1 foot (about 30 cm) in height, keep 2. When they reach 2 feet (about 60 cm) in height, select the best-growing, strongest one. This gradual thinning method ensures that even if other seedlings are attacked by predators, at least one healthy seedling will survive.
Remember, if you want to grow flowering plants, you must thin the seedlings down to just the best one. Leaving only a few seedlings will result in overcrowding and prevent your garden from producing flowering plants.
4. Fertilizing and Caring for Flowers
Fertilize frequently and water regularly. When the plant is small, water the soil around the roots 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm) weekly with about 2 gallons (7.6 liters) of diluted liquid fertilizer solution. For larger plants, dig a circular trench about 45 cm (18 inches) in diameter and 10 cm (4 inches) deep around the plant. Pour several gallons of diluted fertilizer into the trench weekly. The plant's roots can grow up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) deep.
*Tip: Avoid watering the stems directly with fertilizer, as this can cause them to rot.
Pay close attention to the weather forecast, especially when the plant is growing tall and top-heavy. If strong winds are forecast, postpone watering to reduce the risk of the plant being blown over. Flowers generally do not require supports, but supports can be helpful in areas with strong winds or when the plant must be planted in overcrowded or overly shady environments.
Other tips:
If space is limited, it's best to plant fewer flowers, as the more they compete for nutrients, the weaker each plant will be.
Soil type isn't a major issue for flowers. Well-drained soil rich in peat, compost, or manure will help them grow tall and strong.
Keep the area around the flowers weed-free, and avoid using chemicals or sowing grass seeds near them.