How to Grow Malus micromalus (Xifu Begonia)? Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Malus micromalus is a plant endemic to China, also known as Haihong, Zimu Begonia, Xiaoguo Begonia, etc. It is a small tree of the genus Malus in the rose family (Rosaceae), named because it grows in Xifu (present-day Baoji City, Shaanxi Province). Its form is elegant and its blossoms are like brocade; since ancient times it has been a famous flower appreciated by both refined and common tastes, and has long enjoyed the reputations of "immortal among flowers", "imperial consort of flowers" and "national beauty". Now let us take a look together at the cultivation methods for Malus micromalus!
Growth Habits of Malus micromalus
Malus micromalus is produced in Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Shaanxi, Gansu, Yunnan and other places. It likes light, is cold-tolerant and relatively drought-tolerant, but fears waterlogging. It is not strict about soil, but grows best in fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam. During growth, watering, fertilizing and pruning should be managed together as a whole.
Propagation Methods for Malus micromalus
1. Grafting: Grafting of Malus micromalus is divided into bud grafting and scion grafting, and the rootstock is mostly seedlings of the same genus. Bud grafting of Malus micromalus is best done in August, and scion grafting is best done in spring.
2. Division: Division of Malus micromalus is best carried out in early spring in March, before the buds sprout. Small seedlings sprout around an older Malus micromalus; cut the seedlings off from the mother plant together with their roots and transplant them.
3. Root burial: In early spring, in February to March, cut the roots of a mature begonia into lengths of about 15 cm, lay them flat and bury them in the soil, cover with 7-8 cm of soil, water thoroughly, and thereafter keep the soil moist regularly.
Cultivation Methods for Malus micromalus
1. Planting: Malus micromalus is generally planted in the ground, and the time is best before bud break in early spring or after leaf fall in early winter. Keeping the root system of the seedling intact when it leaves the nursery is the key to survival. Generally, large seedlings should be kept with a soil ball, and small seedlings should retain some native soil depending on the situation. After planting, tending and management should be strengthened, and the soil should be kept loose and fertile regularly.
2. Watering: During the spring and summer growing season, Malus micromalus needs appropriately more water. In the heat of midsummer, watering should be timely and sufficient; if water is lacking, the leaf margins tend to scorch. After the weather turns cool in autumn, gradually reduce watering, and after leaf fall in winter water even less to prevent root rot. However, since Malus micromalus is a deciduous tree species, it is not advisable to spray water on the branches and leaves too much.
3. Fertilizing: Malus micromalus likes fertilizer and can be given appropriately more, and attention should be paid to using nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in combination. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is used, it easily causes lush branches and leaves but sparse flowering. After flowering in spring, mainly apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote the growth of branches and leaves. In summer and autumn, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to favor flower bud differentiation and ensure abundant flowers and vivid colors. Fertilizers can include cake fertilizer, human manure and urine, bone meal, chicken manure, fishy water, etc.
4. Pruning: Malus micromalus has strong sprouting ability and grows quickly, so attention should be paid to shaping and pruning it. From after leaf fall in winter to before sprouting in spring, dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, thin and weak branches, crossing branches, overlapping branches, overly dense branches and other messy branches can be cut off. After flowering in spring, according to shaping needs, overly long branches can be appropriately shortened to promote lateral branching and increase the number of flower buds, ensuring abundant flowering the following year. In addition, after sprouting in spring, excess, overly dense and poorly positioned buds can be removed.
5. Pests and diseases: For Malus micromalus, attention should be paid to controlling pests such as scarab beetles, leaf rollers, aphids, bagworms and red spiders, as well as diseases such as rot and red star disease. Control can involve removing diseased trees and burning diseased branches to reduce sources of pathogens, spraying lime sulfur in early spring or brushing lime agent on the trunk. At the initial onset of disease, cuts about 0.5 cm apart in a crisscross pattern can be made on the diseased spots, reaching deep to the xylem, and then a fungicide can be sprayed on.