agriculture review

How To Plant, Grow & Care For Echium

by aditya abhishek

Introduction

Echium, also known as Viper's-buglosses, is a genus of around 70 species of flowering plants native to Africa, Europe to Central Asia, & the Macaronesian islands.

Climate

Various Echium can grow wide range of climatic conditions. However, they can not survive temperatures below -5 degrees Celsius. For germination, 13 to 16 degrees Celsius is ideal. 

Soil & Potting Mix

They prefer to grow well in well draining soil and hates waterlogged or soggy soil. Prepare potting mix with 50% sandy loam soil + 30% compost + 10% cocopeat + 10% perlite. 

Sunlight

Echium loves to grow well under bright direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours daily. Avoid growing them in low light. 

Watering

New planted Echium plant requires freqent watering. But after establishing, only water when top layer of soil seems dry.

Fertilizers

They are not heavy feeders. You can feed Echium plants with one handful of vermicompost + 1 tablespoon bonemeal once after every 30 days from April to September. 

Propagation

During late spring to early summer season you can propagate Echium plant by seeds. You can collect seeds from existing plants for next season. 

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