What are the cultivation methods and precautions for the urn plant (Aechmea fasciata)?
The urn plant is a fairly common flower variety, and its greatest ornamental feature lies in its flowers. Its flowers are generally most commonly red, and their shape resembles a pagoda, which is how it got its name. Nowadays many people like to grow this flower, but before growing it, most people still want to know its cultivation techniques first.
How to grow the urn plant
1. Soil: The urn plant does not have high requirements for soil quality. A slightly acidic sandy loam rich in humus and with good drainage and aeration is best, but calcareous soil should be avoided.
2. Sunlight: The urn plant mainly lives in the sparse shade among shrubs or on the northwest side of hillsides, where it can receive partial, intermittent direct sunlight each day. So if it is placed in direct sunlight for care in summer, it will grow very slowly or enter a semi-dormant state, and the leaves will also be scorched and gradually turn yellow and fall off, so pay attention to shading 50% of the sunlight. In other seasons, because the temperature is not very high, the urn plant can appropriately be given direct sunlight to help it carry out photosynthesis and form flower buds and bloom.
3. Temperature: The urn plant is native to tropical or subtropical regions and likes a high-temperature, high-humidity environment, so the most suitable growing temperature for the urn plant is 18-30°C. When the summer temperature reaches above 35°C, it can also tolerate it, but growth will be temporarily hindered. However, when the temperature drops below 3-6°C in winter, it cannot overwinter safely.
Cultivation methods for the urn plant
1. Water: During the peak growth period, the urn plant needs more water, but the potting soil must not be too wet. Usually, in addition to watering to keep the soil moist, the central cup of the urn plant can also be filled with water. In winter, water less, and do not add much water to the central cup either; keeping it moist is enough. Normally, spray water around the plant frequently to maintain relatively high environmental humidity, and often wipe the leaf surface with a soft cloth to keep the leaves glossy and clean.
2. Fertilization: The urn plant has high requirements for fertilizer and water, but it is most afraid of careless fertilization, concentrated fertilizer, and one-sided application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. It should follow the fertilization (watering) principle of “apply dilute fertilizer frequently, use small amounts but many times, and provide complete nutrition.”
3. Pruning and repotting: Every year in early spring, repot once, and by the way cut off the old plants that have already bloomed, to encourage new shoots to sprout for use in propagation.
Precautions for growing the urn plant
The urn plant should stop fertilization during the flowering period, after flowering, and during the dormant period. The suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C. When the summer temperature exceeds 30°C, do a good job of ventilation and cooling. In winter, keep it above 15°C and let it receive more light to promote robust growth.
Pests and control methods of the urn plant
1. Caterpillars: The larvae of tussock moths and related moths are often called caterpillars, and they can damage leaves and flowers, eating them into notches or biting them off. Common organophosphorus or pyrethroid insecticides can be used to spray and kill caterpillars.
2. Snails: To control snails, quicklime powder can be scattered on the ground, or manual capture can be used, or leaves, weeds, vegetable leaves, etc. can first be made into lure piles. Before dawn, the snails hide under the lure piles, and then they can be captured in a concentrated way.
3. Tobacco cutworm: Its larvae mainly damage the flowers of bromeliads, feeding on petals, stamens, and pistils. Usually during the day they hide in dark places such as the potting soil and the bottom of the pot, and come out at dusk to feed, but on overcast and rainy days they can also feed outside during the day. Pesticides used to control caterpillars can all be used to control tobacco cutworm larvae.
4. Bagworms: When bagworms damage bromeliad leaves, they usually eat the leaf mesophyll, leaving only a layer of transparent lower epidermis. The lower epidermis dries up and falls off, becoming holes or gaps or breaking apart. There are many pesticides for controlling bagworms, such as trichlorfon, dichlorvos, dimethoate, omethoate, malathion, fenitrothion, etc.
The cultivation techniques for the urn plant can actually start from its growth habits. When growing it, attention must be paid to controlling light and temperature, and shade treatment must be done well in summer. Timely pruning and pest prevention are both necessary conditions to ensure its growth, so these aspects also need to be strengthened.