How to care for the air plant (Bryophyllum)? The latest care methods
Bryophyllum is an evergreen small shrub plant of the genus Bryophyllum in the Crassulaceae family, also known as Tusangi, leaf-rooting, undying, etc. It is native to South Africa. Its name is not elegant and comes from its morphological characteristics. Its ornamental value is very high. As a home ornamental plant, certain techniques need to be mastered during the cultivation process. Let us take a look together below at how to care for the Bryophyllum plant!
Growth habits of Bryophyllum
The Bryophyllum plant originates from South Africa. It is relatively drought-tolerant but not cold-tolerant. It greatly loves warm environments with sufficient sunlight, and it can also survive in semi-shaded environments. In winter, the survival temperature and environment must not be lower than 6°C. It often grows on hillsides and moist grasslands beside ditches and roadsides. It is often cultivated in greenhouses and gardens in various places. In China, it is mainly distributed in Fujian, Taiwan, China, southern Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places.
Ornamental value of Bryophyllum
Bryophyllum is the most common succulent plant, cultivated for ornamental use. Its leaves are thick and juicy, and neat and beautiful adventitious buds grow from the edges, shaped like a group of small butterflies. They fly down to the ground and immediately take root to breed offspring, which is quite fascinating. Used as a potted plant, it is a good material for windowsill greening, and it also adds elegance when decorating a study or guest room. Moreover, the whole plant of Bryophyllum is used as medicine, with the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, clearing heat and detoxifying. It mainly treats external bleeding, bruises, boils and carbuncles, breast abscess, breast cancer, erysipelas, ulcers, scalds, stomach pain, joint pain, sore throat, lung-heat cough and other conditions.
Propagation methods of Bryophyllum
Bryophyllum is commonly propagated by cuttings, adventitious buds and sowing. Cuttings are best taken in May to June. Place healthy leaves flat on a sand bed and close against the sand, maintain humidity, and after 1 week from insertion small plantlets can grow from the notches on the leaf margins. After they grow, cut them off and move them into pots. For stem cuttings, cut 8-10 cm long top branches, insert them into the sand bed after slightly drying, and rooting begins after 1 week; after 2 weeks they can be potted. Propagation by adventitious buds is even simpler. Peel off the larger adventitious buds growing on the leaf margins and they can be directly potted. Bryophyllum seeds are very small; after sowing, do not cover with soil. They germinate about 12-15 days after sowing, with a high germination rate.
Care methods for Bryophyllum
1. Soil: The Bryophyllum plant has strong adaptability and extensive cultivation management. When potting, use a mixture of 3 parts leaf mold and 1 part sandy soil as the substrate.
2. Watering: During the growing period, water Bryophyllum slightly more and keep the potting soil moist, but do not let it become waterlogged. When temperatures drop in autumn and winter, watering should be reduced. It blooms in winter, so watering should be strictly controlled, but do not forget to water.
3. Light: Because Bryophyllum relatively likes sufficient sunlight, when there is sunlight, everyone should place Bryophyllum on the balcony as much as possible for photosynthesis. However, it must not be fully exposed to the sun or direct sunlight, as this will also cause the branches and leaves of Bryophyllum to be scorched.
4. Fertilizing: During the growing period, fertilize Bryophyllum once a month. When stems and leaves grow too tall, pinch off the growing tips to lower the plant shape and encourage more branching. Repot and renew the soil every spring to maintain a beautiful plant form.
5. Pests and diseases: Bryophyllum is mainly harmed by gray mold and powdery mildew, which can be sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder. Insect pests include scale insects and aphids, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
6. Pruning: In order to let Bryophyllum have flourishing branches and leaves and at the same time grow more healthily, when pruning, it is best to maintain the original shape and only prune old and yellow branches and leaves. Do not prune too much at one time, as this will damage the Bryophyllum plant.
Precautions for caring for Bryophyllum
1. Pinching: For newly potted young Bryophyllum seedlings, pinch off the growing tips in time to promote branching. For older plants whose stems are semi-lignified, bare at the base and mostly curved rather than upright, reducing ornamental value, they should be cut back to stimulate new branch growth.
2. Light: In summer, Bryophyllum plants need shading. In other seasons, there should be sufficient light, otherwise the color of the leaf margins will disappear.
3. Repotting: When repotting a Bryophyllum bonsai, leave some old soil and then add some fresh soil. When fertilizing, not too much is needed. During the growing period, watering about 2 times a week is enough; do not water too much. However, in a high-temperature and humid environment, the frequency of watering needs to be too much; just spray some water mist on the branches and leaves to keep the living environment moist.