How to grow a dragon bone plant in a pot? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
The dragon bone is a climbing shrub, with sword-like stems, huge flowers and fruits like balls of fire. Its stems are emerald green, its flowers are large and white, and its fruits are red as fire. It is widely planted in tropical regions, so when planted in the ground at the corners and edges of exhibition greenhouses, it can display a tropical rainforest scene. The highlight of tropical rainforest style is the varied forms, brilliant colors and expanse of verdant green, and the dragon bone happens to have emerald green stems and large, imposing flowers. Moreover, the dragon bone belongs to the cactus family, giving the impression that it grows in tropical desert places, so it truly shows the full tropical rainforest style.
In addition, the dragon bone is also suitable for European pastoral style. Although European pastoral style involves placing plentiful fresh flowers and plants in front of doors and outside windows, in order to create a more authentic feel, a pot of green vine plants is often placed at the top corner of a cabinet. The dragon bone can also be grown on a balcony, showing enthusiasm at once. When the dragon bone flowers bloom, it is like a great curtain of flowers descending from the sky, making the setting feel warmly cozy and full of vitality.
Generally speaking, the coordination of home style, especially the embellishment of plants, is indispensable. Otherwise, without these lively plants as decoration, it is hard for the family atmosphere to liven up, as if a natural scenery is missing, and it gives people a more lifeless feeling. So, how do you grow a potted dragon bone plant? Below is an introduction to the cultivation methods of the dragon bone plant for fellow plant lovers:
1. Soil
The dragon bone is extremely easy to keep alive and prefers loose, fertile sandy soil rich in humus. For potting soil, you can use a culture soil made by mixing 1 part leaf mold and 1 part coarse sand and adding a small amount of rotted chicken manure or cow manure. If it is difficult to find this kind of sandy soil, you can just find some relatively soft soil. The dragon bone does not have high soil requirements, and ordinary soil can keep it alive.
2. Light
It is suitable for growing under semi-shaded conditions. Although it is sun-tolerant, to avoid yellowing under strong light, shade measures should be taken in summer. In winter, place it in a spot with light to receive a certain amount of sunlight. Indoor plants are best placed on balconies, windowsills and other places where light can be seen.
3. Temperature
The dragon bone plant likes a warm environment, is not cold-tolerant, and fears frost. In winter, the temperature should be above 10°C so it can overwinter smoothly, and it should be given an appropriate amount of even light. It must not be lower than 7°C, so as to avoid frost damage.
4. Watering
In spring, do not water too much. Watering once every 10-15 days is enough, but the plant should be sprayed with water every day to increase air humidity. In summer, water once a day, preferably in the morning or evening. In winter, the potting soil should be kept moderately dry. The dragon bone plant is drought-tolerant, so watering should be moderate. In summer, watering once every five days is enough. If the potting soil stays too wet for a long time, it will cause root rot. During the winter dormant period, watering once every 1-2 months will not cause it to dry out and die.
5. Fertilizing
During the growing period, the dragon bone plant can be given a light fertilizer once every 15-20 days. It is best to use homemade fertilizer. Crush soybeans or peanuts and bury them in the flower pot, or soak soybeans or peanuts until soft and then bury them in the soil as fertilizer. Granular compound light fertilizer or homemade alum fertilizer water can promote plant growth. The main thing is not to apply fertilizer that is too concentrated, as it easily causes fertilizer damage and root rot problems.
6. Pruning
When newly cultivated plants grow to 10-15 cm, the tips can be removed. For new branches, only keep the 3 better-growing branches at the top of each angle. When the plant grows to 20-25 cm, remove the top again. After that, each time branches form, remove the top at 10 cm longer than the length kept the previous time. Note that the direction of retained branches should be determined according to the viewing angle. The dragon bone plant pruned in this way has a full plant shape and is highly ornamental.
In addition, to prevent the dragon bone plant from aging too early and to maintain vitality at its base, attention should also be paid to regular pruning. Cut off some old branches that do not bloom much, and also remove the weak buds growing below, so that the terminal buds develop fully and extend, producing more flowers.
7. Overwintering
You can use plastic film to wrap the pot for protection during overwintering. The overwintering cultivation environment should maintain both a relatively high temperature and relatively high air humidity. In winter, sufficient light is required. Place it in a sunny spot indoors, keep the temperature above 10°C, and rotate the pot at certain intervals. In the north, the dragon bone cannot be grown indoors, as it is prone to frost damage and freezing to death.
8. Pests
The dragon bone column has few pests. If indoor ventilation is poor, it is prone to red spider mite damage at the top. If the top of the branch is found to be reddish-brown with webbing, you can spray with omethoate at 1000 to 2000 times dilution. The amount used must not be too large, to prevent the top from rotting.