What are the cultivation methods for Spiraea thunbergii? All the care essentials in one article
Spiraea thunbergii (bridal wreath spiraea) is a plant with leaves shaped like willow and flowers like snow. It is generally planted at lawn corners, forest edges, roadsides, beside buildings and other places, and is a very popular ornamental tree species. So,what are the cultivation methods for Spiraea thunbergii?
1. Soil
Spiraea thunbergii can grow normally in ordinary soil, but it grows better in moist and fertile soil. Therefore, the soil for growing Spiraea thunbergii should be somewhat fertile, and some base fertilizer can be added to the soil.
2. Temperature
Spiraea thunbergii likes a warm environment, and the suitable growth temperature is 18-32°C.
3. Light
Spiraea thunbergii is a plant that likes sunlight and has strong shade tolerance. During the growing period it requires sufficient light; giving it about 2 hours of sunlight in the morning is enough, and when the midday sun is too strong, it should be shaded appropriately.
4. Watering
Spiraea thunbergii likes a moist environment, but it should not be waterlogged for a long time. Normally it should be watered frequently, and water should often be sprayed around it. Especially in dry spring and summer seasons, the soil should be kept moist; before winter, water it thoroughly with winter water, while in seasons with a lot of rain there is no need to water.
5. Fertilizing
If Spiraea thunbergii is planted in a courtyard, apart from newly planted plants needing a small amount of base fertilizer, generally no fertilizing is necessary. You can apply decomposed farmyard manure in autumn, or apply a compound fertilizer once as a top dressing in early spring.
6. Pruning
Spiraea thunbergii grows relatively fast and has strong sprouting ability. Its branches need to be pruned 2 times each year, mainly cutting off remaining flower branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, old and weak branches, and overly dense branches, so as to facilitate ventilation and light penetration through the tree body, keep the plant shape neat, and avoid nutrient consumption.