How to Grow a Croton? Cultivation Methods and Points to Note
The croton we commonly call "sajinrong" is known as the garden croton (Codiaeum variegatum), a shrub plant from tropical regions that was later introduced to our country and has also won the favor of many flower lovers. The branches and leaves of the croton grow in a distinctive way, growing diagonally upward, so the whole plant gives people a very upright and tall impression. So how do we need to plant crotons in daily life?
How to grow a croton
1. Seed selection
Choose seeds that have not been attacked by pests, and try to choose fresh seeds. No matter what kind of plant it is, the longer the seeds are kept, the harder they are to germinate. When selecting seeds, choose plump, full ones as the best. After selecting the seeds, the seeds and the container for cultivating the croton must be disinfected before germination and sowing can be carried out.
2. Germination
Soak the flower seeds in warm water close to human body temperature for about one day. However, this step can be skipped, because croton seeds germinate easily.
3. Sowing
Do not sow too many seeds in one place, but the seeds of this plant are extremely small. So we can use some tools to slowly place them on the soil one by one. Do not cover the seeds with too much soil either; 1 cm is enough. It is worth noting that the soil chosen for sowing crotons should preferably be soil with a certain amount of nutrients necessary for plant growth. After sowing, if you choose to sow in early spring or another relatively cold season, then when the temperature is low you can move the plant indoors or wrap a plastic bag or the like around the paper to protect it from the cold.
3. Repotting
If the seedling has grown more than three tender, healthy leaves, it can be moved to a pot. After the plant matures a bit more, simply repot it regularly every year.
Croton cultivation methods and points to note
I. Croton cultivation methods
1. Choice of growing soil
The soil required for croton growth needs to be fertile and have good moisture-retaining ability. When potting, either potting soil or leaf mold can be used, so that the croton will absorb the nutrients in the soil, which helps its growth.
2. Growing temperature and humidity
The croton is a plant that likes high temperatures and humidity. When cultivating crotons, make sure the temperature is appropriate. Generally, in spring and summer, the temperature should be kept between 20°C and 30°C. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 15°C, otherwise the croton's leaves will turn yellow and suffer cold damage, and in severe cases the leaves will fall off. Crotons like humidity and are afraid of drought, so they must be given sufficient water, and the leaf surfaces should also be sprayed with water frequently to keep them glossy and bright. Note that in winter, reduce the amount of watering; the growing soil can be half dry and half wet, or kept dry.
3. Growing light
Crotons like sunlight, so their growth also requires sufficient sunlight. Ensuring sufficient light will make the leaves grow luxuriantly and their colors bright and vivid. Lack of light will cause the leaves to turn yellow, become dull, and even fall off.
II. Points to note when cultivating crotons
1. Pay attention to the watering process when cultivating crotons
During the croton's growing period, because the leaves grow rapidly, they need more water, so water thoroughly. In winter, pay attention to reducing the frequency and amount of watering.
2. Pay attention to fertilizing
During the growing period, crotons should be fertilized once a month, and fertilizing should stop in winter.
3. Pay attention to pruning
Croton pruning should be carried out during the winter dormant period. The parts to be pruned are those with pests or diseases, dead and dry areas, or places where the branches are too dense. Cut these parts away to ensure the healthy growth of the whole plant.
What common diseases do crotons have
1. Black mold disease
Black mold disease is also called sooty mold or sooty blotch. It mainly harms the plant's leaves. Imagine that on the beautiful leaves of your treasured croton at home, the deep green or golden yellow is no longer there, replaced by a layer of black mold. What a disappointing thing that would be.
2. Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a type of disease that frequently occurs in garden plants. It mainly harms the plant's leaves, and sometimes also harms the stems and tender branches. In severe cases, it may cause more than half of the leaves to wither and blacken, and even cause the plant to die.
What is going on when a croton drops its leaves
1. Croton leaf drop is caused by improper temperature
When cultivating crotons, you need to give it a warm environment. Crotons like warmth and are not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature for their growth is between 20°C and 30°C. In winter, the ambient temperature should preferably not be too low either. In winter, if the croton's temperature is kept at around 10°C for a short time, it will cause its leaves to become dull in color and lack luster. If the maintenance temperature is 4°C to 5°C, the croton will suffer cold damage and its leaves will freeze. This causes it to drop a large number of leaves, and it may even freeze to death.
2. Croton leaf drop is caused by insufficient watering
Crotons are plants that like humidity. When cultivating them, you must give them sufficient water, and you need to spray water on the croton plant frequently to increase air humidity. However, in winter, because the temperature is relatively low, it needs to be kept dry. At this time the plant has already entered a semi-dormant state. If too much water is given, it will cause the croton to drop its leaves. When watering crotons, be sure to note that in winter, you cannot water too much.
3. Croton leaf drop is caused by insufficient light
Crotons are plants that like light. When cultivating crotons, you must satisfy their demand for light during their growing period; only then will they grow well. However, when cultivating them indoors, the light conditions may not be very good. If there is insufficient light for a long time, the croton's leaves will become dull in color, lack luster, and even drop. So when cultivating crotons, the light must be sufficient, and indoors they should also be placed in a spot where they can receive sunlight for care.
In the text above, the editor introduced the planting methods and points to note for crotons. Do you feel more confident about planting crotons now? If you encounter the phenomenon of leaf drop while planting crotons, you can try the solutions introduced by the editor.