How to grow Aeschynanthus? Growing methods and precautions

Summary Cuttings: In spring and autumn, select robust and thick branches for cuttings. Soil: Choose loose sandy soil and add an appropriate amount of superphosphate. Light: Shade is needed in summer; in other seasons, provide sufficient light. Temperature: The suitable growing temperature is around 15-25°C. Watering: Keep the soil moist, avoid waterlogging; March to September is the vigorous growth period, so water frequently and also mist appropriately to maintain air humidity. Pruning: After the flowering period, cut off the spent flowering stems.

I. Growing methods for Aeschynanthus

1. Cuttings: In spring and autumn, select robust and thick branches for cuttings, cutting every 7-10cm into 1 small segment. They can be inserted into loose sandy soil, or into a growing medium made of 20% perlite, 30% coarse sand, and 50% fine tree fern fiber. During this period, maintain appropriate humidity and provide about 50-60% sunlight. After 30-40 days, they will take root and become seedlings. Once the seedling root mass grows vigorously, transplant them into flower beds or pots for cultivation.

2. Soil: Aeschynanthus is suitable for growing in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. Potted plants are generally based on slightly acidic soil. You can also choose a growing medium made of sand, vermiculite, and peat soil, then add an appropriate amount of superphosphate.

3. Light: Aeschynanthus prefers a semi-shaded environment. Except for the strong midday light in summer, which needs appropriate shading, sufficient light can be given in other seasons. Especially in winter, if the light in the place where it is placed is too strong or insufficient, the leaves will turn light green or yellow-green, causing it to lose its ornamental value, and the plant may even dry up and die.

4. Temperature: The suitable temperature during the growth period is between 15-25°C. Aeschynanthus needs to be placed in a cool, ventilated place, and the environmental humidity must be maintained. It should not be kept for a long time in a place with high temperature and high humidity and poor drainage and ventilation, otherwise it is easy to cause root rot. Aeschynanthus is not cold-tolerant, so in winter it needs to be brought indoors for cultivation.

5. Watering: The potting soil for growing Aeschynanthus should often be kept moist, but there must never be too much standing water in the pot, to avoid causing root rot. March to September is the vigorous growth period of Aeschynanthus, so the water requirement is relatively large. Water and mist frequently to increase humidity. After the weather gradually turns cooler in autumn, appropriately reduce watering and fertilizing. In winter, the potting soil should be kept slightly dry.

6. Pruning: During the vigorous growth period of Aeschynanthus, appropriately pinch off the growing tips to promote branching. After the winter flowering period, promptly cut off the spent flowering stems, thereby saving nutrients to promote new branches, so that it produces more flower buds.

II. Precautions for growing Aeschynanthus

1. After planting Aeschynanthus, keep the potting soil moist, but it should not be too wet. Especially when the air permeability in the pot is poor, it is easy to cause leaf drop and root rot. During this period, frequently spray water mist on the leaves to maintain air humidity of about 80%.

2. In summer, Aeschynanthus can be placed under an outdoor shade shed, and also in a ventilated place in tree shade for cultivation, but the shading degree must be ensured at about 50%. Aeschynanthus can also be hung under a trellis on the balcony for cultivation. During this period, use bamboo blinds for shading, or hang the pot inside a south-facing door or window while ensuring sufficient side scattered light.

3. Aeschynanthus should not have its branches and tendrils blown by the wind, to prevent the drooping stems from being worn and broken by the edge of the pot. When the weather gradually turns cooler in autumn, appropriately reduce watering and fertilizing.

4. When caring for Aeschynanthus in winter, the potting soil needs to be slightly dry. Apart from applying a small amount of phosphorus-containing fertilizer solution before budding and flowering, generally less fertilizer or no fertilizer can be applied.