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Crossandra Foliar Spray for Flower Increase: A Complete Guide
Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is a beautiful flowering plant native to India, which has become increasingly popular in gardens and landscapes around the world due to its vibrant orange or apricot flowers that bloom throughout the year. Crossandra plants are usually grown as perennials in warm, humid climate zones, and can grow up to 3 feet tall or more, depending on the variety.
One of the main challenges of growing crossandra plants is to stimulate them to produce more flowers, especially during their active growing season. Luckily, there is a simple and effective way to achieve this: using a foliar spray with the right nutrients and growth regulators that can enhance the plant’s flowering capacity and overall vigor.
What is a foliar spray and how does it work?
A foliar spray is a liquid solution that is applied to the leaves of a plant, that is absorbed and distributed by the stomata and the cuticle of the epidermis. Foliar sprays contain a combination of macro and micronutrients, hormones, and other organic or synthetic compounds that can improve the plant’s photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and growth, depending on the specific formulation and dosage.
Foliar sprays are commonly used in agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping, as they represent a fast, efficient, and convenient way to address specific plant deficiencies or stress factors, such as low soil fertility, pests, diseases, drought, heat, or cold. Foliar sprays can also be customized to meet the specific needs of different plant species, growth stages, and environmental conditions, making them a versatile tool to optimize plant health and performance.
What are the benefits of using a crossandra foliar spray?
Using a crossandra foliar spray can have several benefits for the plant, such as:
1. Increasing flower bud formation and development: Foliar sprays containing phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium can enhance the plant’s reproductive capacity by promoting the formation and development of flower buds. These nutrients are also essential for the synthesis of sugars, starches, and proteins that are necessary for cell division, elongation, and differentiation, which are crucial for flower growth and quality.
2. Improving nutrient uptake and utilization: Foliar sprays can provide a quick and easy way to deliver nutrients to the plant, bypassing any soil deficiencies or imbalances that may limit their availability or absorption. By improving the plant’s nutrient status, foliar sprays can also enhance the efficiency of photosynthesis and respiration, which can result in higher yields, better quality, and stronger plants overall.
3. Stimulating root growth and development: Foliar sprays can contain growth regulators such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins that can increase the root mass, length, and branching of the plant. This can improve the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, as well as to anchor itself more firmly, resulting in a more resilient and vigorous plant.
4. Reducing stress and damage: Foliar sprays can include organic or synthetic compounds such as amino acids, humic acid, chelated micronutrients, and antioxidants that can help the plant to cope with adverse environmental conditions such as high temperature, drought, salt, or UV radiation. These compounds can increase the plant’s tolerance and resistance to stress factors, as well as to mitigate any damage that may have occurred.
How to prepare and apply a crossandra foliar spray?
To prepare a crossandra foliar spray, you will need:
– A clean spray bottle or pump sprayer
– Water, preferably filtered or dechlorinated
– A balanced fertilizer with a higher concentration of phosphorus and potassium, such as 10-10-10 or 15-30-15
– A plant growth regulator containing cytokinins or gibberellins, such as 6-benzylaminopurine or ga3.
Follow these steps to make and apply the spray:
1. Mix the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
2. Add the plant growth regulator to the fertilizer solution, following the recommended dosage, usually 1-2 drops per gallon.
3. Stir or shake the solution well to blend the ingredients, and avoid clogging the sprayer.
4. Choose a cool, cloudy day or early morning to apply the foliar spray, and avoid spraying in direct sunlight or high temperatures, as this may cause leaf burn.
5. Spray the solution uniformly on the foliage of the crossandra plant, making sure to cover both sides of the leaves, stems, and buds.
6. Avoid spraying excessively or dripping the solution onto the soil or nearby plants, as this may cause fertilizer or chemical runoff or toxicity.
7. Repeat the foliar spray once every 2-4 weeks, depending on the growth stage and plant response, and adjust the dosage or frequency as needed.
Conclusion
Using a crossandra foliar spray can be a simple and effective way to boost the plant’s flower production and overall health. By providing the right nutrients, growth regulators, and stress mitigating compounds, foliar sprays can enhance the plant’s photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and growth, resulting in more vibrant, abundant, and long-lasting flowers. However, it is important to choose the right ingredients, prepare and apply the spray correctly, and avoid overuse or misuse, to prevent any negative effects on the plant and the environment. With proper care and attention, your crossandra plant can become a true gem in your garden or landscape.