How to Grow Crabapple Flowers? A Full Guide to Care Methods and Blooming Time
The crabapple flower is one of China's native flower species, and it is known as the fairy among flowers, making it one of the most popular ornamental plants in daily life. Some friends now grow it as a potted plant at home, but without understanding its characteristics, they do not know how to care for it. Also, when does the crabapple flower generally bloom? Let us take a look together below.
1. How to grow crabapple flowers?
1. Soil selection
Just as a place's water and soil nurture its people, suitable soil is what allows begonia flowers to grow better and more vigorously. Crabapple flowers are suited to loose, well-draining, fertile soil rich in humus. The soil should be on the acidic side; alkaline soil easily causes poor growth and development of the plant.
2. Water moderately
Incorrect watering is one of the five major killers of flowers. Begonia likes a relatively moist environment, so gardeners should keep the potting soil moist and water in time. Generally speaking, in spring and autumn, water once every 3 days; in summer, if the temperature is too high, water once a day, but control the amount of water to avoid waterlogging and root rot; in winter, water once every half a month. In addition, the air should often be kept humid, and a fine mist of water can be sprayed appropriately on the plant's leaves.
3. Correct lighting
Begonia likes a semi-shaded environment and is very sensitive to light. If placed in direct strong light, it can easily scorch the leaves. Therefore, under the high temperatures of summer, begonia should be given appropriate shade and moved to a cool, ventilated place to get through midsummer. When the temperature is too low in winter, begonia can be given supplementary light by placing it in a bright spot indoors.
4. Control temperature
The temperature suitable for begonia flowers to grow is between 19 and 24°C; it is neither cold-tolerant nor heat-tolerant. Managing it through summer and winter is very important. In summer and winter, because of the influence of temperature, growth is slow, so fertilizer and water management need to be strengthened. In the peak heat of midsummer, measures should be taken to avoid strong direct light and lower the temperature, creating a small environment below 30°C for care, keeping the potting soil neither too wet nor too dry; too wet easily causes root rot, while too dry makes the leaves wilt, so slight moisture is enough. If too much fertilizer is applied during this period, it will cause the stems and leaves to become tender or lead to rot disease. In winter, as long as the temperature is kept above 10°C, the plant can overwinter safely. In summer and winter management, if the temperature can be controlled below 30°C and above 10°C, with watering kept appropriately dry and wet and fertilizer applied in the right amount, the plant will surely be robust and can bloom continuously through all four seasons.
5. Scientific fertilizing
Begonia needs sufficient fertilizer before blooming. During the growth period, apply a thin, fully rotted cake fertilizer solution once every half a month; fertilizer must not be applied in excess, as it will burn the plant's roots. Before and after begonia blooms, appropriately increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to promote blooming and post-bloom growth.
2. When does the crabapple flower bloom?
The exact time for crabapple flowers to bloom is between the 3rd and 5th months of the lunar calendar. Although the crabapple flower's blooming period starts in the 3rd month, friends who want to view crabapple flowers are advised to go in the 4th month instead, because at this time the crabapple flowers are at their most flourishing and the blooms are at their brightest.