I. Plant Overview

As one of China’s traditional famous flowers, Chinese Pink is cherished for its compact low-growing habit (20-40 cm tall), slender tough stems, and elegant linear leaves. Its distinctive funnel-shaped or bell-shaped flowers feature delicately serrated petals in a rich palette of red, pink, white, purple, and bicolor shades—some varieties even emit a faint fragrance. Exceptionally adaptable, it tolerates cold, drought, and poor soil, making it a versatile choice for balconies, gardens, and public landscapes. With abundant blooms and a long flowering season, it balances ornamental and practical value perfectly, remaining a popular gardening favorite.

II. Morphological Characteristics

Chinese Pink forms dense clumps with a compact, graceful shape and high ornamental value:

• Stem: Erect or ascending, 20-40 cm tall, cylindrical with distinct nodes, smooth or slightly pubescent, green or pale purple. Strong branching ability forms a compact plant shape.
• Leaves: Opposite, linear-lanceolate or strap-shaped, 3-5 cm long and 0.3-0.5 cm wide, with smooth margins and glossy emerald green surfaces. Parallel veins, clasping the stem at the base, with strong drought resistance.
• Flowers: Solitary or clustered at stem apices, 2-5 cm in diameter. Calyx is tubular (1.5-2.5 cm long) with 5 lobes; 5 fan-shaped or elliptical petals with irregular serrated or fringed edges. Flower colors include bright red, pink, white, purple, pale purple, and red-white bicolor—some varieties have spotted or striped petals. 10 stamens and 1 pistil with 2-lobed stigma.
• Fruit: Capsule, oblong or cylindrical, dehiscing at the top when mature, containing numerous small seeds. Seeds are black or dark brown, flattened orbicular with fine textures, 1000-seed weight 0.5-0.8 grams, germination rate lasts 3-4 years.

III. Growth Habits

Chinese Pink is a typical sun-loving, cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and poor-soil-tolerant plant, preferring cool dry climates and avoiding high temperature, high humidity, and waterlogging:

• Temperature: Optimal growth temperature 15-25℃; seed germination requires 15-20℃ (best at 18-20℃). Extremely cold-hardy—most varieties tolerate -10℃, some hardy types withstand -15℃. Poor heat tolerance: growth slows above 30℃ in summer; provide shade to prevent leaf yellowing and reduced flowering.
• Light: Absolutely sun-loving, requiring 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Sufficient light promotes more branches, abundant blooms, and vibrant colors; insufficient light causes leggy growth, weak stems, sparse flowering, and dull colors—even no flowering.
• Soil: Undemanding, preferring loose, well-drained, humus-rich slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.5), ideally sandy loam or humus loam. Tolerates poor soil and grows in ordinary garden soil but intolerant of heavy, waterlogged soil. Compacted or waterlogged soil easily leads to root rot and death.
• Water: Drought-tolerant, intolerant of waterlogging. Follow the principle of “water only when dry, water thoroughly when watering”—slightly dry soil is optimal. Keep soil slightly moist during seedling stage to promote root development; strictly control water for mature plants.适当 increase watering frequency in hot summer but avoid waterlogging; reduce water in winter to keep soil slightly dry for frost protection.
• Special Characteristics: Fast growth rate—2-3 months from sowing to flowering; strong tillering ability forms clumping plants; long flowering period with frequent blooms—pruning promotes secondary flowering; resistant to harmful gases (sulfur dioxide, chlorine), suitable for urban greening.

IV. Core Values

1. Ornamental Value: Vibrant Colors & Long Flowering Season

With a compact low-growing habit, rich vibrant colors, and unique serrated petals, Chinese Pink is highly ornamental. It produces abundant blooms over a long period (spring to autumn), making it a key flowering plant in landscapes. Whether as balcony potted plants, garden clumps, flower bed plantings, or border edgings, it creates a colorful, lively scene with exceptional ornamental value.

2. Practical & Economic Value: Versatile Uses

Chinese Pink is an excellent cut flower with slender stems and long vase life (7-10 days), suitable for bouquets, flower baskets, and floral arrangements. Some fragrant varieties are used for essential oil extraction in aromatherapy and perfumes. Its compact size makes it an ideal potted flower with high market demand and economic value. Additionally, the entire plant is medicinal, with effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and activating blood circulation.

3. Ecological Value: Air Purification & Greening

Chinese Pink has strong resistance and adsorption capacity for harmful gases (sulfur dioxide, chlorine), improving air quality when planted in gardens, parks, or urban green belts. Its well-developed root system and strong tillering ability provide good coverage, making it suitable as a groundcover to prevent soil erosion. With abundant nectar-rich blooms, it serves as an important nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting ecological balance.

V. Scientific Cultivation Guide

1. Planting Time Selection: Spring & Autumn Optimal

Chinese Pink prefers cool dry environments; plant in spring or autumn for optimal growth and flowering, avoiding extreme heat and cold:

• Spring Planting: Southern regions (Yangtze River Basin and south) can sow or transplant in February-March; northern regions (Yellow River Basin and north) in March-April. Stable temperature rise and sufficient light facilitate seedling acclimation and vigorous growth—blooms in summer.
• Autumn Planting: Southern regions can sow or transplant in September-October; northern regions complete by August-September to allow plants to form robust growth before winter, improving cold resistance—abundant blooms in next spring.
• Seedling Cultivation: For seed propagation, start seedlings indoors in February-March (temperature 18-20℃) or direct sow outdoors in April-May. Seedlings emerge in 10-15 days; transplant when 4-6 true leaves form.

2. Soil Preparation: Loose & Well-Drained

Chinese Pink adapts to various soils, but well-prepared soil promotes vigorous growth and abundant flowering:

1. Soil Ratio: Recommended formula: 4 parts garden soil + 3 parts leaf mold + 2 parts river sand + 1 part perlite. Mix well and expose to sun for 3-5 days to disinfect, killing insect eggs and pathogens.
2. Soil Improvement: For heavy clay soil, increase river sand/perlite ratio to improve drainage; for poor soil, mix in decomposed organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer to enhance fertility.
3. Base Fertilizer Application: Mix decomposed organic fertilizer (10-15 kg per mu) or compound fertilizer into soil before planting, ensuring full mixing to avoid root burn. For potted plants, place ceramsite or gravel at the bottom to enhance drainage.

3. Planting Methods: Sowing, Cuttings, Division

Chinese Pink can be propagated by sowing, cuttings, or division. Sowing is simple for home cultivation; cuttings and division preserve parent plant traits:

1. Sowing Propagation: Soak seeds in 30℃ warm water for 4-6 hours, dry and evenly spread on seedling medium, cover with 0.3-0.5 cm thin soil. Keep medium moist at 18-20℃; seedlings emerge in 10-15 days. Thin seedlings at 2-3 true leaves, transplant at 4-6 true leaves (1-2 plants per pot/hole, spacing 15-20 cm).
2. Cutting Propagation: Conduct in April-May (spring) or August-September (autumn). Select healthy current-year shoots, cut into 8-10 cm cuttings, remove lower leaves, retain 2-3 top leaflets. Soak lower part in rooting solution for 5-10 minutes, insert into river sand/perlite medium (1/3-1/2 depth). Keep moist at 20-25℃; roots form in 15-20 days.
3. Division Propagation: Optimal in March-April (spring) or September-October (autumn). Dig up healthy mother plants, gently separate clumps, each retaining 3-5 buds and complete roots. Trim rotten roots and overlong branches, transplant and water thoroughly—blooms in the same year.
4. Potted Plant Note: Choose 20-25 cm diameter pots with drainage holes, plant 1-2 plants per pot to avoid poor ventilation.

4. Seedling Stage Management: Acclimation & Growth Promotion

The seedling stage (1-2 months after transplanting) is crucial for adapting to the environment and forming a robust plant shape:

• Acclimation Management: Place transplanted seedlings in cool well-ventilated area for 3-5 days to acclimate, avoiding direct sunlight. Gradually increase light until full sun after leaves regain turgidity.
• Water Control: Keep soil slightly moist during seedling stage, strictly prohibit waterlogging. Water in the morning with a spray bottle or along pot edges, avoiding wetting leaves and flowers.
• Fertilizer Management: No fertilization during seedling stage. After acclimation (1 month after transplanting), apply dilute NPK compound fertilizer (1000x concentration) to promote foliage growth—avoid excessive nitrogen which causes leggy growth.
• Weeding & Loosening Soil: Regularly remove weeds to avoid nutrient competition; loosen soil 1-2 times a month to promote root respiration and prevent compaction.

5. Growth Period Management: Water, Fertilizer & Pruning

From acclimation to budding (2-3 months), Chinese Pink grows rapidly—strengthen management to promote branching and flowering:

6. Flowering & Post-Flowering Management

• Light Management: Ensure 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily during flowering period. Sufficient light ensures vibrant colors and abundant blooms—provide supplementary light if insufficient.
• Water Control: Keep soil slightly moist during flowering to avoid flower wilting from drought and root rot from waterlogging. Water in the morning or evening.
• Auxiliary Pollination: Chinese Pink is cross-pollinating; outdoor plants rely on bees and other insects for natural pollination. For closed home environments, gently shake flower clusters to assist pollination and improve seed setting rate.
• Post-Flowering Recovery: Promptly cut off spent flowers and 1-2 pairs of lower leaves after blooming to reduce nutrient consumption; apply dilute phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to promote plant recovery and reserve nutrients for secondary flowering; remove diseased and withered leaves to maintain ventilation and light penetration.

7. Pest & Disease Control

Chinese Pink is adaptable with few pests and diseases. Common issues and control methods:

(1) Diseases: Root Rot, Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew

• Prevention: Water reasonably to avoid waterlogging; maintain ventilation and light penetration; avoid overcrowding.
• Control: Spray 800x carbendazim or 1000x thiophanate-methyl at early stage, once every 7-10 days for 2-3 times. For root rot, dig up plants, cut off rotten roots, disinfect, and replant.

(2) Pests: Aphids, Spider Mites, Cabbage Worms

• Aphids: Spray 1500x imidacloprid solution.
• Spider Mites: Spray 1000x abamectin solution, focusing on leaf undersides.
• Cabbage Worms: Handpick or spray 1000x lambda-cyhalothrin solution.
• Ecological Control: Interplant with pest-repellent plants such as mint and garlic.

8. Harvesting & Utilization

1. Harvest Time: Ornamental flowers—harvest when fully open and most vibrant; cut flowers—harvest at semi-open stage for longer vase life; seeds—harvest when capsules mature and dehisce, collect promptly to avoid scattering.
2. Harvest Method: Cut cut flowers at stem base with scissors on sunny mornings after dew dries; pick mature capsules for seeds, dry and rub to collect seeds.
3. Processing & Utilization: Fresh cut flowers have 7-10 day vase life for floral arrangements; dry seeds for next year’s sowing; harvest entire plant during flowering, wash and dry for medicinal use.
4. Seed Preservation: Select healthy plants with beautiful flowers and vibrant colors for seed saving. Collect and clean seeds, remove impurities and shrunken grains, store in sealed containers in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place.