Flower varieties suitable for growing in rural Hunan and how to care for them
Flowers have always been loved by people. Whether for home or office, placing a few pots of flowers can not only purify the air and beautify the environment, but also make people feel happy both physically and mentally. So what flowers are suitable for growing in rural Hunan? How should they be cared for and maintained?
1. Variegated Spider Plant
It is a perennial evergreen herb of the genus Chlorophytum in the Liliaceae family, a common ornamental plant that is now widely cultivated. It is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomes underground, slender linear-lanceolate leaves with yellow-white longitudinal stripes in the center, clasping at the base, and bright green in color.
Care methods:
1. Soil: It prefers loose, fertile, sandy soil.
2. Temperature: At a room temperature of 20°C, stems and leaves grow rapidly; winter temperatures should not be lower than 5°C.
3. Light: It is suited to growing long-term in a moist, semi-shaded environment; avoid intense sun in summer and pay attention to shading.
4. Water: Keep the potting soil moist at all times; in summer watering should be ample, and around noon and in the evening water should also be sprayed on the branches and leaves to prevent the leaves from drying out.
2. ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant gets its name from the shape of its leaves. Its leaves are shaped like the coins used in ancient times, and clusters of leaves look like strings of coins, so it is loved and grown by Chinese people who favor auspicious meanings.
Care methods:
1. Light: The ZZ plant is somewhat contradictory, liking light yet tolerating shade, so it is best to usually place it in a bright living room.
2. When choosing soil, you can use coarse sand, peat, washed coal cinders mixed with a small amount of garden soil, and adjust its pH to between 6 and 6.5 so that it is slightly acidic.
3. The ZZ plant is relatively drought-tolerant, so do not water too much normally; it is best to keep the potting soil on the dry side! Better dry than wet!
3. Dwarf Umbrella Tree
The dwarf umbrella tree is also known as the octopus tree, also called umbrella tree. A collective name for several tropical evergreen shrubs or trees in the Araliaceae family, it can tolerate low-light conditions and is widely grown as an indoor foliage plant.
Care methods:
1. Light: Avoid harsh sun exposure; in hot summer it can be appropriately shaded.
2. Water: It likes a warm and humid environment; during the growing season ensure a water supply and keep the potting soil moist regularly. If water is insufficient, it will cause leaf drop.
4. Agave
Agave, also known as dragon's tongue and sisal hemp, is a perennial evergreen large herbaceous plant of the genus Agave in the Agavaceae family. Because its leaves are firm and stay evergreen through the four seasons, the flowers are yellow-green, and after flowering very few bulbils form on the inflorescence.
Care methods:
1. Soil: It is better suited to a dry environment and should use sandy soil with good drainage.
2. Temperature: It can endure relatively harsh environments, tolerating both high and low temperatures, but when the outdoor temperature in winter is below 7°C, it is best to move the agave indoors.
3. Light: It adapts to an environment with abundant sunlight.
4. Water: It is not demanding about water; during the growing season it is best to have sufficient water, and in winter do not water frequently.
5. Aloe
Aloe is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family, with leaves clustered, large and thick, arranged in a rosette or growing at the top of the stem; the leaves are often lanceolate or short and broad, with sharp tooth-like spines along the edges. The inflorescence is umbellate, racemose, spicate, paniculate, etc., in colors of red, yellow, or with reddish spots, with six petals and six pistils. The base of the perianth is mostly fused into a tube shape.
Care methods:
1. Soil: It requires good water and air permeability and fertile soil.
2. Temperature: Below 0°C, the leaf flesh of aloe will wilt and die.
3. Light: It likes light, and can also tolerate a semi-shaded environment.
4. Water: Aloe needs sufficient water during the growing season, but normally it should not be watered too frequently.
6. Chinese Rose
The Chinese rose is called the queen of flowers, also known as “monthly red”. It is an evergreen or semi-evergreen low shrub that blooms in all four seasons, generally red, or pink, occasionally white and yellow. It can be used as an ornamental plant and also as a medicinal plant.
Care methods:
1. Soil: It is not strict about soil; sandy loam rich in organic matter and with good drainage is best.
2. Temperature: It likes warmth; generally at temperatures of 15°C to 25°C it blooms easily.
3. Light: It likes sunlight and needs sufficient sunshine, otherwise it does not bloom easily.
4. Water: Do not water when not dry; when watering, water thoroughly; do not let water accumulate in the pot.
7. Wax Begonia
Wax begonia, also known as perpetual begonia, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Begonia in the Begoniaceae family. Wax begonia is the most common and most widely cultivated species among begonia plants.
Care methods:
1. Temperature: Wax begonia fears cold; before frost, move the pot indoors to protect it from freezing and keep it warm. If the indoor temperature stays above 15°C, it can still continue to bloom.
2. Watering: In summer, water in the morning and evening; in winter, water around noon. Do not water too much, and by all means do not let the soil become waterlogged, otherwise excessive moisture will cause root rot and the leaves will turn yellow.
3. Light: Wax begonia likes sunlight and should be placed in a sunny, well-ventilated spot. If light is insufficient, growth will be poor and the flower color will not be bright enough.
8. Baby's Breath
Baby's breath blooms with small white flowers in early summer, with flower clusters continuing without end; the flowers are lush and delicate, evenly distributed, like a sky full of stars, hazy and charming, clear and lovely, and also like morning mist and evening rosy clouds, hence it is also called “mist grass”.
Care methods:
1. Propagation: Baby's breath can be propagated by sowing seeds, which can be done in autumn or early spring, or by cuttings, selecting mature branches and inserting them into a sand bed, where they will take root in about a month.
2. Soil: Generally, slightly alkaline calcareous soil or gravelly loam with good drainage is best.
3. Watering and fertilizing: Like other flowers and plants, baby's breath has a relatively high demand for fertilizer and water, but because baby's breath has a weak plant form, concentrated fertilizer should not be applied; follow the principle of applying light fertilizer frequently, with small amounts and more frequent applications, and watering should also follow the principle of not watering when not dry and watering thoroughly when watering.