A Detailed Guide to Pruning Branches and Leaves and Watering Methods for Jerusalem Cherry
If you could grow a potted plant at home covered in bright red fruits, what a beautiful sight that would be. Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) is one such delightful plant; it is a potted plant grown mainly for its fruit, and its round fruits are very cute. However, Jerusalem cherry grows quickly, so in the daily care of Jerusalem cherry you need to regularly pay attention to pruning its branches and leaves.
How to Prune the Branches and Leaves of Jerusalem Cherry
1. Pruning methods
The bright red fruits of Jerusalem cherry are its most important ornamental part, so after Jerusalem cherry has set fruit, pruning should further highlight the fruits. We can cut off the branches and leaves at the upper end of the fruiting branches, so that the fruits of Jerusalem cherry become more prominent, with bright fruits covering the branches, looking very beautiful.
After the Spring Festival has passed, the fruiting period of Jerusalem cherry is also over. At this time we can prune the old branches of Jerusalem cherry short, and we should also cut off the previously diseased branches, pest-damaged branches, and relatively weak branches. This can encourage the growth of new branches and leaves. Branches that are growing relatively densely should also be slightly thinned out to make them more ventilated and breathable, which is beneficial to the growth of Jerusalem cherry.
2. Pruning precautions
The tree shape of Jerusalem cherry is very elegant and graceful; even without pruning it already has very strong ornamental value. If the Jerusalem cherry we plant was just transplanted or propagated by cuttings in the current year, it is a current-year Jerusalem cherry. Such a Jerusalem cherry plant is still relatively weak and not very robust, so at this time Jerusalem cherry cannot be pruned, nor can it be pinched back; the first priority is to let it grow healthily. After Jerusalem cherry has been grown relatively robustly, generally after the second year, we can then prune Jerusalem cherry.
How to Fertilize Jerusalem Cherry
1. Just after transplanting: the best choice is natural animal manure. However, if conditions do not allow it, cake fertilizer can also be applied. Any kind of fertilizer is fine, but after transplanting remember that fertilizer must be replenished.
2. During the growing season: just after the plant has been successfully cultivated and survived, a diluted liquid fertilizer can be applied about once every half month; if the plant has already grown to a certain height, some fertilizer can be sprayed on, which can eliminate "apical dominance" and prevent crazy growth at the top from inhibiting the growth of flower buds.
3. When the plant is before the flowering period: use nutrients rich in phosphorus for topdressing, to provide the necessary nutrient foundation for flower development. When it enters the bud-forming period, an appropriate amount of (KH2PO4) solution can be added to the organic fertilizer being applied, or some fertilizer that helps thicken the fruit stalk can be sprayed, which can prevent flowers and fruits from dropping. Fertilization must be strictly avoided during the flowering period. When the fruits have grown a little larger, fertilization can be resumed, and in the later stage phosphorus fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, etc. can be applied as topdressing two or three times; doing so is beneficial for the fruits to grow quickly.
How to Water Jerusalem Cherry
1. Water requirements
The water requirements of Jerusalem cherry can be considered relatively demanding among plants; it is neither drought-tolerant nor tolerant of waterlogging. Therefore, growers must pay special attention to water when raising Jerusalem cherry.
2. Watering at different stages
Jerusalem cherry just after transplanting: water is essential; water an appropriate amount, and at the same time pay attention to drainage.
During the peak growing season: when the branches continue to grow rapidly, you can appropriately water a little more, but avoid water accumulation.
Just entering the flowering period: do not water excessively; only keep the soil slightly moist. At the same time, spraying water should also be avoided as much as possible, because this is the pollination period. To avoid the loss of pollen or even the dropping of flowers, water should not be sprinkled either. Wait until the flowers have bloomed abundantly and small green fruits are faintly appearing on the branches; then you can appropriately increase the amount of watering, and you can also spray a little water on the branches and leaves, but still do not use too much.
Propagation Methods for Jerusalem Cherry
1. Propagation by sowing
Sowing of Jerusalem cherry is generally carried out in spring, roughly between March and June each year. The seeds of Jerusalem cherry mature in winter. After collecting the mature seeds of Jerusalem cherry, we should rinse them and dry them in the air, and they can be planted around Qingming the following year.
Of course, we can also directly buy treated Jerusalem cherry seeds and sow them directly. When sowing, evenly scatter the Jerusalem cherry seeds on the prepared soil, then cover with a thin layer of soil, water thoroughly, and when necessary add a layer of plastic film to retain moisture and encourage the Jerusalem cherry seeds to sprout. Seed germination takes about one week. After cultivation until new leaves grow, the seedlings can be separated and transplanted.
2. Propagation by cuttings
Jerusalem cherry can also be propagated by cuttings, and cutting propagation is mainly carried out in spring and autumn. However, when cutting propagation is carried out during the summer growing season, the survival rate is instead very high. The advantage of autumn cuttings is that you can enjoy the fruits of Jerusalem cherry in the current winter.
When taking cuttings, we first need to prune a terminal branch of Jerusalem cherry about 8 cm to 10 cm long. If there are flower buds, remove the flower buds, then insert the trimmed branch into the soil, keep the soil moist, and regularly spray water mist on the tender buds and leaves at the top of the branch. If the temperature can be maintained between 18°C-28°C, the cutting branch will take about ten days to survive.
In fact, many flowers are like Jerusalem cherry; frequent pruning of the plant is also a very critical step in the process of growing flowers. Jerusalem cherry has green leaves and red fruits, and its tree shape is also very elegant. Pruning it appropriately can not only maintain its ornamental value, but also reduce some unnecessary nutrients.