How to grow umbrella papyrus? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions

Umbrella papyrus is what we commonly call water bamboo, a plant that grows in water and on land. Umbrella papyrus is a plant that was introduced to China from abroad for cultivation, and it is now distributed in many places across the country. Umbrella papyrus has a certain ornamental value, so many people want to grow it, but there are also many things to pay attention to when cultivating it.

How to grow umbrella papyrus

1. Choose a short plant (about 15-20 cm tall), a small seedling with mud, consisting of a clump of 5-7 stems, wash the soil off the roots of the umbrella papyrus with clean water, and place it in a water basin.

2. Use sand or pebbles to press down the roots of the umbrella papyrus so that it is fixed and does not fall over, then add clean water until the roots of the plant are submerged.

3. Never move it outdoors in winter, to prevent it from being damaged by freezing. Replace the water with warm water about once every half a month, or just add a little water when the water in the basin runs low.

4. Autumn is the growing season for umbrella papyrus; while new branches and leaves grow, the old branches turn yellow and dry up, and can simply be cut off. Change the water once every 3-5 days, or just add a little water when the water in the basin runs low.

5. Adding inorganic fertilizer to the basin 1-2 times a month is even better; it can keep the plant dwarf and a delightful emerald green.

Umbrella papyrus cultivation methods and precautions

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Light management. It is afraid of direct strong light, so it needs to be kept in a semi-shaded spot, or given 70% shade. If kept indoors, put it in as bright a place as possible, and every one or two months move it outdoors to a semi-shaded spot or keep it shaded for a month, so that it can accumulate nutrients and recover its growth vigor.

2. Humidity management. It likes a highly humid climate environment, and requires the relative air humidity of the growing environment to be 75-85%. When the relative air humidity is too low, the lower leaves turn yellow and the tips of the upper leaves dry up.

3. Temperature management. The optimum growth temperature is 18°C-30°C; it is averse to cold and frost, and the overwintering temperature needs to be kept above 10°C. When the winter temperature drops below 4°C it enters a dormant state, and if the ambient temperature approaches 0°C, it will die from cold damage.

II. Precautions:

During the winter dormant period, the main task is to control fertilizer and water well. Fertilizer and water management follows the cycle of “Huabao”——clear water——clear water——“Huabao”——clear water——clear water, with an interval of about 7-10 days. Water as far as possible at noon on sunny days when the temperature is higher. In summer, water in the morning or evening when the temperature is low, and also mist the plant frequently.

How to deal with yellowing leaves on umbrella papyrus

1. Strengthen management. Umbrella papyrus has high demands for water, and frequent water changes are a must; it is better to let tap water settle first before use, with a settling time of twenty-four hours being ideal. Water and fertilizer are very important for cultivating umbrella papyrus; apply fertilizer about once every fifteen days, otherwise it is prone to nutrient deficiency, which causes the leaves to turn yellow. The indoor temperature for growing umbrella papyrus must suit its growth, and a moderate amount of sun is still very necessary.

2. Prune in good time. When the leaves of umbrella papyrus first start to turn yellow, it is because the roots have not yet fully developed, and it is enough to cut off the yellowed leaves. After umbrella papyrus has been grown for two years, clean out the old dead roots, leaving just a little, so that the water bamboo grows new roots. This is done to prevent the leaves from turning yellow and the stems from becoming thin.

Common diseases of umbrella papyrus and their control

1. Anthracnose. Solution: spray the fungicide promptly when the disease occurs, and do not ignore that small scar on the leaf. Fungicides that can be used include thiophanate-methyl solution, sprayed once every 7-10 days. In addition, spray Bordeaux mixture once a month.

2. Root rot. Solution: do a good job of disinfection before planting umbrella papyrus, ventilate promptly, and drench the roots with Bordeaux mixture once a month to kill insect eggs. For severely infected plants, take them out of the pot in good time, cut off the rotten parts, change to new soil and a new pot, and replant after disinfection.

The cultivation method for umbrella papyrus is actually not difficult; when growing it, you can follow its growth habits. In particular, light and temperature must be properly managed. High summer temperatures and low winter temperatures are both unfavorable to its growth, so protective measures should be taken. In the later stages of cultivation, disease prevention and control also need to be carried out in good time.