Does Evergreen (Rohdea japonica) Bloom? Here's the Answer
Rohdea japonica is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant that originally grew only in southern China and Japan, and especially in China, where it has a long history of cultivation. It is a very popular ornamental plant because its leaves look as fresh as spring all year round, and its leaves are emerald green, which is why it is called wan nian qing (evergreen). Now let's take a look at whether Rohdea japonica blooms!
Does Rohdea japonica bloom?
Rohdea japonica usually blooms from late May to June. When the flower stalk sends out a spike densely covered with small greenish-white flowers, the potting soil should be kept moderately moist, and it should be given a cool, ventilated environment sheltered from rain, and must not be exposed to strong direct sunlight or baking sun, otherwise the style will wilt and the flower buds will turn black and rot. During the flowering period, carry out artificial pollination, or encourage cross-pollination to increase the fruit-setting rate.
Is it good when Rohdea japonica blooms?
The flowers of Rohdea japonica are generally red, and red is a symbol of good fortune in China. Since ancient times, people have used it as a ceremonial decoration for all happy occasions such as building a house, moving home and weddings. Not only its leaves are ornamental, but its red berries also stay on the plant for a long time without falling, making it an excellent choice for indoor display, for decorating halls, living rooms and public places, and it carries the meaning of “good luck and happiness, everlastingly green”.
How to grow Rohdea japonica
1. Soil selection: For the growing soil of Rohdea japonica, you can mix humus soil, leaf mold, sandy soil, furnace cinders and fertilizer together. All five soil materials should be prepared in advance, spread out under strong sunlight to dry, then finely broken up and sifted before use.
2. Reasonable fertilizing: Rohdea japonica has thick, emerald green leaves, so it must be fertilized once every 15 days. After it grows normally outdoors in spring, apply a top dressing about once every 7 days. Stop top dressing before flowering, and after fruiting give it a large amount of fertilizer, applying top dressing every few days to make the fruit fuller.
3. Watering management: Rohdea japonica likes moisture but fears waterlogging, so it should not be watered too much, otherwise the roots rot easily. Water once every 2-3 days, and it is best to place a water tray under the flower pot so that water can seep into the soil through the small holes, keeping the potting soil constantly moist.
4. Temperature management: Rohdea japonica has strong vitality and can survive in both northern and southern regions. A temperature of 20-30°C is ideal, and in winter it is enough to keep it at around 7°C to ensure its safety.
5. Light control: Rohdea japonica likes moist soil and also likes to grow in an environment with weak light. In summer it should be placed in a spot without sunlight. As an ornamental flower at home, it can be placed under the balcony to avoid strong sunlight. If it is to be grown outdoors in summer, a shade frame needs to be set up to block the sunlight; when exposed to sunlight, the leaves easily turn greenish-white and the leaf edges also easily scorch.
6. Timely pruning: Rohdea japonica should be pruned in time, and this should be completed before the Start of Summer. When pruning, check it over carefully and cut off leaves that are aged, insect-damaged or cracked. In spring, the old useless leaves should be cut off, which can concentrate nutrients so that the plant sprouts new shoots and the flower buds differentiate. Pruning is an important task, otherwise it is difficult for it to bloom.