How to Grow Ji Coral? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Coral is undoubtedly beautiful and precious, and "ji" was what people in ancient times called a beauty, so Ji Coral, as the beauty among corals, must surely be beautiful beyond compare. However, whether it truly deserves such a name is still something that awaits people's test. Now let's take a look together!

Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Ji Coral

1. Soil requirements

When cultivating, the potting soil should be a sandy soil with good drainage and aeration, rich in calcium. It can be prepared with 3 parts river sand, 2 parts shells, 2 parts coal cinder and 3 parts leaf mold (pond soil).

2. Planting method

Prepare a relatively large pot (a coarse clay pot is preferable), mix the soil well, and keep it slightly moist. Select some sturdier stem segments (one node is enough) and plant them in the pot, then spray with water so that the surface of the potting soil binds together, then place it directly under the sun to bake. Do not water frequently; keep the potting soil dry. After a period of time, some stems will begin to grow small golden-yellow spines on top, and the stems will begin to flatten slightly and widen, showing a tendency toward a pad-like shape.

You cannot water frequently; this is the method of forcing it to grow pad-shaped stem segments. If the subsequently newly grown stems are kept moist from the very beginning, then the new stems will not show a tendency toward a pad-like shape, but will instead grow in the appearance of the original plant. When the stem segments have grown to about 2 cm wide, they can be potted up.

3. Fertilization method

Ji Coral should avoid chemical fertilizers, as they easily cause root rot; it is better to apply little or none. In spring and from late summer to early autumn, you can apply two rounds each of well-rotted liquid fertilizer half a month apart. The potting soil should be dry rather than wet; if it stays too wet for a long time, the lower part of the plant will rot, and it will quickly spread to the whole plant.

4. Light requirements

If Ji Coral is placed indoors in insufficient light for a long time, it will become leggy; the new stems will be pale green and become very slender, and the whole plant will take on a different character. But if it is then moved outdoors, the newly grown stems will thicken again, and at this point it will seriously affect the overall shape of the plant. So do not change the light conditions of Ji Coral at will; keep the light relatively stable.

5. Precautions

In the second year after transplanting, change the potting soil once before the spring growing season; management remains the same. When the vigorous growth period arrives, it will grow fully pad-shaped stem segments, but at this time the stem segments are not very large and the plant is not tall. If you want larger stem segments, you have to remove some excess stem buds and let it "stand out as a single branch." In the third spring, change to a slightly larger pot. If managed properly, during the vigorous growth period it should grow its largest stem segments.

For a fully formed pad-shaped plant, extra care must be taken with watering and fertilizing; once it rots, it will be a great loss of several years of effort. The main points to note are: avoid concentrated fertilizer; prefer dry over wet; keep sunlight sufficient.

How to Grow Ji Coral

Ji Coral likes sunlight but avoids scorching sun. For home care, it can be placed in front of a window, on a balcony, or in other bright spots with scattered light. If there is insufficient light, leggy growth will occur; the new stems will appear pale green and become very slender, and the plant will be in another state.

During the winter and summer dormancy periods, water should be reduced and shade provided. During the spring and autumn growing periods, when watering, wait until the potting soil has dried out completely before watering, and when watering, soak the soil thoroughly.

The new stems of Ji Coral are very tender; in the wild they are easily gnawed on, and in home care they are also often gnawed on by pests such as snails. Pay attention to prevention and catch them promptly.

When Does Ji Coral Bloom

Starting from planting or from cuttings, Ji Coral must grow for three years before it blooms. If propagated from seeds, it takes five years to bloom, though if grown well it may bloom earlier.

The flowering period of Ji Coral is generally in midsummer, so the flowers then are truly beautiful and abundant.

The flowers of Ji Coral are yellow, fresh and delightful, with a faint delicate fragrance. The flowers open their petals and are reborn like lotus flowers, yellow from the inside out.

What to Do If Ji Coral Becomes Leggy

Generally, when a Ji Coral plant becomes leggy, growing tall and thin, you first need to find the cause. Basically, provide sufficient light. For indoor cultivation, it is best to place it in a bright spot, and it can often be moved outdoors to get more sun, which can make the plant thicken again, but it easily affects the plant's shape. Water and fertilizer must be controlled reasonably, and water less. Generally, with more sunlight and less watering, leggy growth can be suppressed.

For a Ji Coral plant that has already begun to grow leggy, if discovered early, it can be cared for as described above to suppress further leggy growth. A plant that has already grown very leggy is difficult to restore, and can only be slowly built up. You can also cut off the leggy branches and use them for cuttings to propagate new plants.

Anyone who knows Ji Coral will know that its beauty has layers, just like coral. So for those who grow this succulent, admiring Ji Coral in leisure time is indeed the best gift to life, and at the same time the highest evaluation and reward for Ji Coral.