How often should Crown of Thorns be watered, and is it suitable for indoor growing?
As a sprawling shrub plant, Crown of Thorns' growth habits and morphological characteristics make it very suitable as a garden plant and potted plant, and it has excellent ornamental value. But as a toxic plant, is Crown of Thorns suitable for indoor growing? How should it be grown at home and in the yard, and what should be noted?
How to water Crown of Thorns (how often to water)
Crown of Thorns is drought-tolerant. In spring and autumn, water according to the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings. In summer, water once a day; in the rainy season, prevent waterlogging; in winter, do not water unless the soil is dry, and the pot should not stay moist for long periods. During the flowering period, moisture must also be controlled, as too much water easily causes flower drop and root rot.
Is Crown of Thorns suitable for indoor growing
1. After the branches and trunk of Crown of Thorns are damaged, a white liquid substance flows out from the wound, and this liquid contains certain toxins.
2. As for the liquid secreted by Crown of Thorns, it can have a certain effect on the human body. Once a person touches this liquid, the skin will feel extremely itchy. If this liquid is accidentally ingested, it will cause symptoms of nausea and dizziness. If an accident occurs, medical treatment at a hospital is needed.
3. If there are children in the home, they must be supervised, and they must be forbidden to pick or handle Crown of Thorns. The sharp thorns that Crown of Thorns grows also serve to protect itself to a certain extent and prevent damage, so people generally rarely handle Crown of Thorns.
4. Because when Crown of Thorns is planted, carcinogenic substances are produced in the soil, and combined with many adverse factors, it is not recommended to keep it indoors for long periods.
How to propagate Crown of Thorns by cuttings
1. Cutting medium: This refers to nutrient soil, river sand, peat soil and other materials used for cuttings. For home cuttings, due to limited conditions, it is very difficult to obtain an ideal cutting medium. It is recommended to use a ready-mixed and sterilized cutting medium; medium-coarse river sand can also be used, but it must be rinsed several times with clean water before use. Do not use sea sand or river sand from saline-alkali areas, as they are not suitable for the growth of flowering plants.
2. Time and temperature for cuttings: In early spring or late autumn (when the highest midday temperature does not exceed 28 degrees C and the lowest nighttime temperature is not below 15 degrees C), during the peak growth season, cut off leaves or stems (with 3 to 4 leaf nodes), wait for the wound to dry, then insert them into the medium. Lightly mist the cuttings and medium. As long as the medium is not excessively dry or waterlogged, roots and new shoots can grow quickly.
3. Selection of cuttings and the cutting process: First, in combination with spring pruning, select mature, thick branches from the previous year from the mother plant, cut them into sections 10 cm to 12 cm long. Because white milky sap flows from the cut, after the cuttings are cut, they should immediately be rinsed clean with clean water or the cut should be dipped in plant ash. Let them dry slightly until the branches become slightly soft, then insert them into a sand bed at a spacing of 5 cm * 5 cm (the cutting medium is plain sandy soil or a mixture prepared from equal amounts of fine sand and rice husk ash) or into well-drained loam. The cuttings should be inserted to a depth of about 4 cm to 5 cm.
Notes on growing Crown of Thorns
1. Crown of Thorns grows for 1 to 2 years and needs timely repotting. Usually repot in spring each year, that is, in March to April. When repotting, keep part of the old soil around the roots, replace it with new soil, and replant. Be careful to cut off dead roots, injured roots and overly long main roots, and also properly prune overly dense branches and leaves.
2. Because Crown of Thorns is an upright vine plant, after it grows larger and taller, its branches and trunk easily fall over. It can be tied and supported with bamboo strips or other objects, or bamboo strips can be used to build a trellis and tie it into various landscape forms, such as spherical or animal shapes, which is even more interesting and ornamental.
3. Because Crown of Thorns likes a warm environment, the winter temperature must not be lower than 12 degrees C, and it should be moved indoors to a sheltered place for care as much as possible.
In the process of caring for Crown of Thorns at home, be sure to pay attention: although Crown of Thorns is very beautiful and easy to grow, if there are pets and young children in the home, be sure not to place it where pets and young children can easily reach it, to avoid poisoning from contact with the sap of Crown of Thorns.