How to keep baby's breath

Habits

Gypsophila prefers a warm, humid and sunny environment. It is relatively shade-tolerant and cold-resistant. It grows best in well-drained, fertile and loose loam. The best soil for cultivation is slightly alkaline calcareous loam, with good drainage and sunshine. When the plant height is over 20 cm, the amount of irrigation should be reduced appropriately. A slight drought can promote flowering. Especially after flowering, if the drainage is poor or it is exposed to rain for a long time, the roots are prone to rot. It likes warmth and avoids high temperature and humidity. The suitable temperature for growth is 10-25℃.

Reproduction method

Gypsophila is mainly propagated by cuttings. In spring, hardwood cuttings are carried out. Cut 10-15 cm long mature branches from the previous year and insert them into the sand bed. They usually take root in about 30 days. During the rainy season, you can use softwood cuttings. Select the top softwoods of the year for cuttings, and they will take root 2-3 weeks after cutting. When repotting in spring every year, add fresh fertile soil, keep the soil moist during the growing season, and fertilize once every two weeks to promote more branches and leaves and luxuriant flowering. Pay attention to pruning the entire plant in autumn to maintain a good plant shape. The main disease and pest of baby's breath is leaf spot disease, which can be sprayed with 600 times diluted 65% mancozeb wettable powder. Insect pests include aphids and red spiders, which can be killed by spraying with 1000 times diluted 40% oxydemeton-methyl emulsifiable concentrate.

Pest control

The fatal disease of the star of heaven requires the soil to be disinfected with formaldehyde solution before planting. The main insect pests are mites and aphids, which can be killed by spraying with 1000 times diluted trichloronate and 1500 times diluted cypermethrin.