This flower is as white as jade, and when it blooms it is most alluring

Hosta, probably not often seen by many flower lovers. It is a fragrant flowering plant, with flowers as white as jade and a fragrance that carries for miles; it is a potted plant very suitable for decorating a courtyard or placing on a windowsill or desk. As long as the hosta blooms, the flowers hang in clusters all over the branches, and the flower color is most alluring.

Generally, when planting hosta, flower lovers had best choose clay pots or ceramic pots, usually with a diameter of about 20 cm. Hosta wants deep soil and well-drained, fertile sandy loam. Flower lovers can use fine sandy soil or leaf mold: sand mixed at 3:2, or garden soil: humus soil: river sand mixed at 5:4:1.

To plant hosta, first place a piece of tile over the drainage hole of the pot, then spread a layer of growing medium, then put the plant into the pot. The planting depth should be moderate: shallow enough not to expose the roots, deep enough not to bury the crown. After planting, water once thoroughly and place it in a shady spot to recover.

For hosta care, fertilizing should follow the principle of "light fertilizer applied frequently, small amounts but many times, complete nutrition." During the sprouting stage, apply fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen; during the bud-setting stage, apply a liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus.

Starting after new buds sprout, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer combining nitrogen and phosphorus once every 2-3 weeks. After summer begins, apply fertilizer mainly containing phosphorus and potassium, which can promote flower bud differentiation and also keep the flower color pure. Stop fertilizing during the flowering period. After autumn begins, continue applying liquid fertilizer until the aboveground parts wither, then stop. This ensures the roots absorb enough nutrients, can greatly enhance their cold resistance, and also benefits their growth the following year.

Hosta likes moisture and is not tolerant of drought. During the growing period, pay attention to watering, but it should not be too dry, nor should there be excessive water causing waterlogging; too much standing water can easily cause hosta death. The best time to water is generally at sunrise; at night the leaves should be kept dry to help prevent disease. If watering at sunset in the evening, spray some fungicide.

Do not water the plants at noon during high temperatures either, otherwise it can easily cause scorching and disease. Watering should be even and consistent to prevent some areas from being too dry or too wet; excessive moisture can easily cause root disease. After each fertilization, water the plant.

Hosta likes a brightly lit environment. In spring, autumn, and winter, because the temperature is not very high, it can be given direct sunlight, which is beneficial for photosynthesis and for forming flower buds, blooming, and setting seed.

In high-temperature summer weather, appropriate shading is needed, with a shading level of 50%. Otherwise, after the plant receives direct sunlight, it grows very slowly or enters a semi-dormant state, and the leaves will also be scorched and gradually turn yellow and fall off. When keeping it indoors, place it in a spot with bright light as much as possible.

Hosta likes a warm climate, but high temperatures and muggy heat in summer, especially in an environment with a temperature above 35°C and relative air humidity above 80%, are not favorable for plant growth. At this time, increase air circulation to help it carry out transpiration, help it lower its internal temperature, and also spray the leaves to cool them down. Winter temperature requirements are strict; the temperature must be above 10°C, otherwise below 10°C it will stop growing and cannot safely overwinter when frost occurs.

Hosta blooms from July to September. Before the hosta blooms, you can spray phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which can make the plant bloom beautifully. After the flowers open, you can appropriately shorten the light exposure, which can extend its flowering time. You can also lower the temperature appropriately to extend the flowering period.