Rose monthly bloom explosion, all thanks to these 10 ultimate tips

Interview Episode 1

Tongxin Shijie, currently living in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, grows flowers and plants in her own small yard after retirement.

"Flowers are my emotional support."

-- Tongxin Shijie

1

Huahua: When did you start growing flowers?

Tongxin: I started growing flowers with my father since I was a child. When I was little, I just kept a few pots of flowers. After I grew up and had my own family, the number of flowers I grew gradually increased. Now that I am retired, I grow flowers in my own small yard.

2

Huahua: You grow so many flowers. Which one is your favorite?

Tongxin: I like ones with fragrant flowers, large blooms, double petals, and woody ones. If I have to name specific varieties, it would be Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis), rose, jasmine, Aglaia odorata, camellia, tree peony, herbaceous peony, orchid, and the like.

3

Huahua: I can see your Chinese roses are grown very well. Do you have any special tricks?

Tongxin: I learned everything about growing flowers from Huahua. I read Yanghua Daquan every day. I am a loyal fan of Huahua. As for the specific method, it is all about fertilizing. Using fruit peels, fish intestines, soybeans, bones, and eggshells to make compost, and watering with rice-washing water are all very good. If there is dog poop near my home, I pick it up and bury it next to the flowers nearby.

4

Huahua: Thank you, Tongxin, for your recognition of Huahua. Your home is in Northeast China, so what do you do with the flowers in winter?

Tongxin: My tree peonies, herbaceous peonies, and Chinese roses are generally planted in the ground. Small potted flowers are moved indoors in winter, and those planted in the ground are covered with plastic bags, with soil covering the roots. To be honest, my Chinese roses that overwinter indoors are not as good as those outdoors.

5

Huahua: Many flower enthusiasts like cuttings. Have you also tried cuttings?

Tongxin: I also do cuttings, but I do it according to the type. Flowers like wax plant (Hoya), fig, begonia, and gardenia are suitable for water propagation cuttings, but for Chinese roses, jasmine, Aglaia odorata, and osmanthus, vermiculite cuttings have a higher survival rate.

6

Huahua: Could you explain the steps of cuttings in detail?

Tongxin: Take Chinese rose as an example.

1. Before cutting, sterilize the small knife first, and cut at a spot less than 1 cm from the node

2. Soak in rooting powder, then insert into vermiculite. The rooting water can be poured directly into the soil. Cover with a plastic bag, place on the balcony, and just ensure ventilation every day.

7

Huahua: Some flower enthusiasts say that after cuttings, their flowers do not survive easily. How do you ensure the survival rate?

Tongxin: The key to cutting survival is to sterilize the soil. If the soil is not sterilized, not a single one will survive. Sterilization is very important, not only the soil, but the knife also needs to be sterilized. In addition, you must make sure the branches are fresh.

8

Huahua: What sign do you use to check whether the cuttings have survived?

Tongxin: If after about 20 days the stem has not turned black, then it has pretty much survived. After another period of time, once small buds grow out, then it is definitely fine. Only then do I dare to move them into pots.

9

Huahua: What points should flower enthusiasts pay attention to when moving them into pots?

Tongxin: I usually wait until 2-3 leaves have grown and the root system is relatively developed before I dare to pot them. In Northeast China, it takes about 2 months. After potting, you must cover with a plastic bag, place in a shady spot, and remove the bag after half a month.

10

Huahua: The growth of Chinese roses is inseparable from pruning. Do you have your own method for pruning?

Tongxin: I usually prune heavily in winter and after flowering. Only with heavy pruning can large buds burst out. For pruning, cut until each branch has only about 3 leaves left. Do not be reluctant to cut. Do not waste the cut flowers either; put them in a vase.

11

Huahua: Few people put flowers in vases, right? Everyone seems to just wait for the flowers to naturally fade.

Tongxin: I have been scared by people taking the whole thing. Early last year, the first flowers were stolen. So I simply cut them all off and put them in a vase, enjoying them all by myself.

12

Huahua: With so many flowers at home, did you buy them all yourself?

Tongxin: Some were bought, and some were asked from others. The roses at home were given by someone.

13

Huahua: Speaking of buying flowers, do you have any experience?

Tongxin: It is best to buy flowers at physical stores or from flower enthusiasts. If you really want to buy online, be sure to check the shop's address. Of course, you can also buy discounted seedlings. The 1-yuan Chinese roses I bought were all true to type. Besides, even if they were not true to type, I would not feel bad about it. However, orchids are best not bought online, as the variety is easily incorrect.

14

Huahua: So you have also had experiences of being cheated?

Tongxin: I can be considered a graduate of Suqian University. I have been cheated many times too. I still have a small rose at home, but I plan to make good use of it: grow it strong and graft Chinese rose onto it to make a lollipop shape.

15

Huahua: Finally, do you have any advice for beginners?

Tongxin: Take Chinese roses for example: water less, give appropriate light, increase ventilation, the soil should be loose and breathable, be willing to prune branches, and fertilize appropriately. The most important thing is still to understand your own flowers' habits!

Tongxin Shijie's message

I am a loyal viewer of Yanghua Daquan, and I really look forward to the update at 10 every night. Through Yanghua Daquan, my flower-growing skills have improved a lot, and I have also gotten to know some flower enthusiasts. In the future, I will also cheer together with Huahua for the great cause of growing flowers!

Just as Tongxin said,

If I treat flowers well, the flowers will repay me.

Growing flowers requires care,

However much you put in, that is how much you will harvest...

Image source: Liao  Tongxin Shijie