How to grow potted plum blossoms? Master these care methods
Plum blossoms can be said to be a historical witness of our country's culture, and the many varieties of plum blossoms are all very popular. As people learn more about plum blossoms, they can now be seen not only in gardening and landscaping, but can also be grown as potted plants to enjoy at home. So what care methods should be noted for potted plum blossoms?
Plum blossom
Apart from large trees planted in the ground, plum blossoms are usually grown in pots, cultivated as bonsai, and can even be trained into gnarled old plum trunks. Plum blossoms have one characteristic: the more withered and old the branches and trunk, the more they display a rugged, marvellous appearance. The care methods for potted plum blossoms differ from those of other potted plants, and cultivation and management should follow their characteristics. After flowering, prune and shape immediately: on the branches that have flowered, keep 2 to 3 buds and remove the rest, then place the pruned plum trunk in sunlight for 5 to 7 days, paying special attention to exposing the roots to the sun. After sunning, pot it up; when potting, dip the part with the soil ball in dilute human urine and manure before planting.
For the potting soil mix, combine 1/3 rice husk ash with 2/3 river mud, add human urine and manure and mix well, expose to sunlight, then sift and set aside for use. Line the bottom of the pot with tile shards and stones to aid drainage, then add coarser soil, plant the plum trunk, and firm the soil around the roots.
When potting, do not water; after 3 to 4 days, water once; after 7 to 10 days, water once a day; once established, water 1 to 2 times a day from May to August. The soil should not be too wet, and waterlogging must be strictly avoided.
Plum blossoms like fertile soil. During the branch and leaf growth period, nitrogen fertilizer is preferable. In August to September, a complete fertilizer is suitable; after October, apply more phosphorus fertilizer, concentrated at the roots every half month, to promote flowering.
Growing plum blossoms in pots at home is not difficult, but to make them bloom profusely and with vivid colour year after year, you must master the following care tips.
1. Placement. Plum blossoms like sun, so they must be placed in a spot with ample sunlight and good air circulation.
2. Watering. Plum blossoms greatly fear waterlogging, so the amount of water should be adjusted flexibly according to weather changes and growth conditions. Generally, the principle is to keep the potting soil moist, and not to water until it is dry.
3. Fertilizing. Plum blossoms like fertilizer; after the flowers fade each year, organic fertilizer should be placed at the bottom of the pot. During the growing period, apply a thin fertilizer once every half month to promote strong growth. Before flower buds form, it is best to apply more phosphorus fertilizer.
4. Pruning. Plum blossoms form flower buds on new growth of the current year, so after the flowers fade each year, prune promptly: cut the old flowering branches short, keeping only 2 to 3 buds, and make sure the buds grow outward. Cut away crossing branches, parallel branches, overlapping branches, opposite branches and water sprouts that spoil the tree's appearance, as well as overly dense and weak branches.
5. Repotting. Plum bonsai are generally repotted once every 1 to 2 years, and the best time is after flowering. When repotting, remove about 1/3 of the old soil, cut off dead roots, shorten overly long old roots, and replace with humus-rich leaf mould mixed with rice husk ash and sandy soil, so that the potting soil is both fertile and loose and drains well.
In fact, potted plum blossoms are not very difficult; as long as you understand the habits of plum blossoms and add scientific cultivation methods, your potted plum blossoms can also produce beautiful flowers.
Plum blossoms and how to grow potted plum blossoms
China Landscape Web, September 26 news: This article mainly introduces how to grow plum blossoms and how to grow potted plum blossoms. The plum blossom is the longest-lived woody flowering plant among China's traditional famous flowers. Quite a few ancient plum trees still survive in the country; they are a historical witness to the splendid culture of the motherland. There are many varieties of plum blossoms, including purple plum, red plum, white plum, Jiang plum, double-petalled plum, potted plum and tall plum trees, more than two hundred kinds in all.
For plum propagation, seeds are often sown to raise seedlings, which are then grafted; methods such as cuttings and layering can also be used. Cutting propagation is carried out in spring: cut vigorous two-year-old branches as cuttings and insert them in sandy soil, keeping the cutting medium moist; the survival rate can reach over 90%. For layering propagation, in spring select a branch near the ground, girdle the bark and bury it in the soil, keeping the soil moist; once the girdled part has rooted, cut it from the parent plant and plant it out. Air layering can also be used for propagation.
Apart from large trees planted in the ground, plum blossoms are usually grown in pots, cultivated as bonsai, and can even be trained into gnarled old plum trunks. Plum blossoms have one characteristic: the more withered and old the branches and trunk, the more they display a rugged, marvellous appearance. The care methods for potted plum blossoms differ from those of other potted plants, and cultivation and management should follow their characteristics. After flowering, prune and shape immediately: on the branches that have flowered, keep 2 to 3 buds and remove the rest, then place the pruned plum trunk in sunlight for 5 to 7 days, paying special attention to exposing the roots to the sun. After sunning, pot it up; when potting, dip the part with the soil ball in dilute human urine and manure before planting.
For the potting soil mix, combine one third rice husk ash with two thirds river mud, add human urine and manure and mix well, expose to sunlight, then sift and set aside for use. Line the bottom of the pot with tile shards and stones to aid drainage, then add coarser soil, plant the plum trunk, and firm the soil around the roots.
When potting, do not water; after 3 to 4 days, water once; after 7 to 10 days, water once a day; once established, water 1 to 2 times a day from May to August. The soil should not be too wet, and waterlogging must be strictly avoided.
Plum blossoms like fertile soil. During the branch and leaf growth period, nitrogen fertilizer is preferable. In August to September, a complete fertilizer is suitable; after October, apply more phosphorus fertilizer, concentrated at the roots every half month, to promote flowering.
Growing plum blossoms in pots at home is not very difficult, but to make them bloom profusely and with vivid colour year after year, you must master the following care tips:
Placement: Plum blossoms like sun, so they must be placed in a spot with ample sunlight and good air circulation.
Watering: Plum blossoms greatly fear waterlogging, so the amount of water should be adjusted flexibly according to weather changes and growth conditions. Generally, the principle is to keep the potting soil moist, and not to water until it is dry.
Fertilizing: Plum blossoms like fertilizer; after the flowers fade each year, organic fertilizer should be placed at the bottom of the pot. During the growing period, apply a thin fertilizer once every half month to promote strong growth. Before flower buds form, it is best to apply more phosphorus fertilizer.
Pruning: Plum blossoms form flower buds on new growth of the current year, so after the flowers fade each year, prune promptly: cut the old flowering branches short, keeping only 2 to 3 buds, and make sure the buds grow outward. Thin out crossing branches, parallel branches, overlapping branches, opposite branches and water sprouts that spoil the tree's appearance, as well as overly dense and weak branches.
Repotting: Plum bonsai are generally repotted once every 1 to 2 years, and the best time is after flowering. When repotting, remove about one third of the old soil, cut off dead roots, shorten overly long old roots, and replace with humus-rich leaf mould mixed with rice husk ash and sandy soil, so that the potting soil is both fertile and loose and drains well.
How to grow potted plum blossoms
Plum blossom (méi huā), the flower of the plum tree, is a plant of the subgenus Prunus mume in the rose family. It opens before the leaves in deep winter, with five petals in various colours such as white, red and pink. The leaves are broadly ovate to ovate. It is a famous ornamental plant and is the city flower of Nanjing, Wuhan, Wuxi, Meizhou and other places. It is mainly divided into two types: flowering plum and fruiting plum; it can be planted singly, in clumps, in groups, or in pots. It has good medicinal value: the flower buds can stimulate the appetite and relieve stagnation, promote fluid and resolve phlegm, invigorate the blood and remove toxins; the roots ground into powder can treat jaundice. The flower language of the plum blossom is “strong, loyal, elegant”.
Potted plum blossoms are mainly grown by grafting, commonly cleft grafting and bud grafting. The rootstock is wild peach, mountain peach or apricot. Old apricot trees have red bark, so grafting red plum onto them gives coordinated bark and flower colours. Cleft grafting: cleft grafting mostly uses one- to two-year-old rootstocks. At the end of March (in a cold room) or the beginning of April (in the open), cut off the upper part of the rootstock 3—5 cm above the ground. Use vigorous one-year-old branches as scions, cut into lengths of 5—6 cm, keeping at least 3 buds. On both sides of the outermost side of the lowest bud, cut downward at a slant into a duck-bill shape. Make a 3 cm long cut on one side of the rootstock. Insert the scion into the cut in the rootstock so the two are closely joined, then bind with plastic film tape. Or use polyester tape to stick it tight. Finally, cover the scion with a small plastic bag, tying the bag opening below the join; you can check through the film from time to time. Once it has taken, remove the binding. Bud grafting: bud grafting is carried out in August to September, generally using the “T” shaped method. First make a horizontal cut 1—1.5 cm above the bud on the scion, then from 1 cm below the bud cut forward and downward in a flat slice, gently peel off the wood from the inside of the removed bud's bark layer (in recent years bud grafting with a little wood attached has been used) and hold it in the mouth. Make a horizontal cut on the rootstock 5 cm above the soil surface, then make a cut downward from the centre of the cut, forming a “T” shape, then gently peel back the bark and insert the prepared scion into the bark of the “T” opening. The grafted bud must fit snugly, with its upper end closely joined to the upper end of the “T” opening on the rootstock, and finally bind well with plastic film strips or polyester adhesive tape. Check for survival after one week: if the leaf stalk falls off at a touch and the bud point is green and plump, it has taken. The following spring, cut off the top of the rootstock 5—6 cm above the join, and the scion will sprout quickly; afterwards, pay attention to removing rootstock sprouts. When changing pots or potting up, plant somewhat deeper so that the join is as low as possible, and tie and train according to growth to create a graceful shape.
For potted plum blossoms, pay attention to three aspects: watering, light and fertilizing. Trace elements such as ferrous sulfate can be supplemented in appropriate amounts to prevent yellowing of the leaves caused by iron deficiency. Watering
Watering should follow the principle of "dry then wet, do not water until dry, and when you water, water thoroughly". In rainy weather, tip the pot promptly to avoid water accumulation. When new branches grow to 20-25 cm, take care to withhold water appropriately, keeping the potting soil on the dry side to inhibit elongation of new shoots and promote flower bud differentiation. Watering during the dog days is key; at this time, insufficient watering easily causes leaf drop and affects flower bud formation. During the vigorous growth period, water once a day. After the autumn cool sets in, gradually reduce the amount of water to help the branches mature.
Temperature and light
Plum blossoms like a sunny, well-ventilated environment and cannot tolerate long periods of shade. Only by giving ample light, so that they can carry out photosynthesis, can they obtain sufficient nutrition, and thus grow robustly and produce abundant, large, brightly coloured flowers.
Fertilizing
Plum blossoms do not like heavy fertilizer. When new shoots grow to about 5 cm, apply once a diluted fertilizer water of crushed bone and sesame paste to promote robust branch growth. When leaves emerge, fertilizer and water should be ample, generally applying a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month to promote luxuriant branches and leaves. When the branches grow to 20-25 cm, restrict fertilizer and water. At the end of summer and beginning of autumn, apply 2 top-dressings to promote flower bud differentiation. After each fertilizing, water promptly and loosen the soil to keep the potting soil loose and aid root development.
During the growing season, if yellowing of the leaves caused by iron deficiency is found, water with a 0.1% ferrous sulfate solution along with watering.
Points to note when growing potted plum blossoms
1. For potted plum blossoms, clay pots and earthenware pots with good permeability are best, and purple clay pots are also acceptable. Line the bottom of the pot with a layer of crushed charcoal pieces or crushed hard plastic foam pieces. The growing medium is best a fertile, lightly clayey soil; you can mix old mountain soil, pond mud and vegetable garden topsoil as the potting mix, and when planting add a little bone meal and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer to the soil as a base fertilizer. Plant shallowly without exposing the roots; deep planting makes flowering difficult. After planting, place in shade and water once thoroughly, then switch to normal management after 10 days. Repot and change the soil once every 2 to 3 years after flowering.
2. Plum blossoms like moisture and fear waterlogging, so watering must be timely and moderate. In winter and early spring during the flowering period, it is best to keep the potting soil slightly moist at all times. After all the flowers have faded, water once thoroughly, then do not water until dry, and often spray water on the branches and leaves and the nearby ground in the evening. During the plum rain season, strictly control water: wait until the edges of the old leaves curl slightly and the young branches wilt a little before watering, repeating this several times to force the new shoots to stop growing, which helps flower bud differentiation. Once the dog days arrive, drain and prevent waterlogging on rainy days; on clear days water once in the morning, and in the evening water again if the soil is dry, to prevent excessive dryness and leaf drop. After September, gradually reduce the amount of water, watering once in the afternoon every 1 to 2 days. In October, flower buds begin to swell into flower buds and the leaves have fallen, so the water requirement is not great; water when the soil is dry, and slightly dry, slightly moist potting soil is fine.
3. Plum blossoms like fertilizer and also tolerate poor soil. Do not fertilize during the flowering period. After the flowers fade, apply once a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer to help them recover. When new shoots grow 3 to 5 cm, do not fertilize if growth is good; if growth is poor, apply once a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer. When new shoots reach about 18 cm, stop fertilizing. In late June and early July, spray once each time with a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to promote flower bud differentiation. In late autumn, after the leaves fall and buds appear, apply once a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer or 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to promote flower bud development and opening.
4. The plum blossom is a sun-loving plant and should be placed in a sunny, well-ventilated spot, avoiding draughty openings. It likes warmth and tolerates cold; in winter it needs low-temperature stimulation to flower and leaf abundantly. Where the lowest winter temperature stays above -12℃, it need not be brought indoors for the winter; placing it in a sheltered, sunny spot is enough. If you want it to bloom at Spring Festival, move it 20 days before the festival to a low-temperature room at 5 to 10℃ and place it inside a south- or west-facing window where it gets plenty of light. After flowering, move it to a spot at 0 to 5℃, where it can stay open for 1 month; too high a temperature makes it fade early.
5. Plum blossoms sprout and branch vigorously and tolerate pruning, and old trees are easy to rejuvenate. After flowering, cut back the branches that have flowered, keeping only 2 to 3 buds at the base, cut away all weak, diseased and dead branches, cut off one of each pair of crossing and overlapping branches, and thin out overly dense areas. When new shoots reach 20 cm, pinch out the tips to control growth and concentrate nutrients on flower bud differentiation; overlong new shoots actually reduce flowering. Pruning not only makes the plant beautiful in form but also improves ventilation and light penetration, making it less susceptible to pests and diseases. 6. In mid-to-late June, during high temperature and drought, plum blossoms may develop anthracnose; in July, with high temperatures, high humidity and poor ventilation, powdery mildew may occur. Attention to ventilation and light penetration can prevent both diseases. If diseased branches and leaves are found, cut them off and burn them, and spray with thiophanate or carbendazim for treatment. The main insect pest of plum blossoms is aphids, which can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold solution of 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate or by burying furadan in the soil so the plant takes up the toxin. It is worth noting that plum blossoms are allergic to phosphorus-containing pesticides, which should be avoided. They also have poor resistance to toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide, and in places with severe air pollution they grow poorly and may even die.
This concludes the introduction to how to grow potted plum blossoms. If netizens have better additions, please add them in the comments.