How to propagate Turk's cap mallow? Mastering these propagation key points is crucial
Turk's cap mallow (Malvaviscus arboreus) is commonly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, and its hanging flowers are its greatest feature. The flowers resemble wind chimes and are very beautiful when in bloom, making it a rare and excellent potted plant. Artificial propagation of Turk's cap mallow can be done by cuttings, grafting or air layering. Let me briefly introduce the propagation methods of Turk's cap mallow.
Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow can be propagated in summer and autumn by cutting robust, plump semi-lignified young shoots 10-15 cm long and inserting them into a sand bed, keeping them moist; they generally root 20-25 days after insertion.
In production, cutting propagation is mainly used for raising seedlings. As for the season for cutting Turk's cap mallow, except for low temperatures in winter when it is unsuitable, it can be done in all three seasons of spring, summer and autumn, but March to May is the most suitable; seedlings cut at this time can be planted out the following year. Both old branches and young branches can be used as propagation material, but 1-2 year old branches give the highest seedling rate. Cuttings are cut to about 10 cm long and can be inserted into a sand bed or vermiculite bed without any treatment; keep them moist frequently, and in about 1 month they will sprout leaves and roots, with a general survival rate of over 80%. When the cuttings have 3-5 roots about 3 cm long, they can be moved to the nursery for planting out; pay attention to watering to keep them moist, manage them according to conventional seedling methods, and they can leave the nursery the following year.
Turk's cap mallow Malvaviscus arboreus Cav Turk's cap mallow illustrated guide: how to grow Turk's cap mallow / how to propagate Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow profileTurk's cap mallow Malvaviscus arboreus Cav
How to grow Turk's cap mallow and points to note; introduction to Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow is an evergreen small shrub, slightly resembling Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) in appearance, 30-60 cm tall, with bright red flowers that are rather unusual; it blooms year-round and produces many flowers. Turk's cap mallow is robust, preferring high temperatures, high humidity and a sunny environment. It is native to Mexico to Peru and Brazil, and is now distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including southern China. It often escapes into the wild, and in South China it is mostly planted in courtyards. The flowers resemble wind chimes, beautiful and lovely, making it a rare and excellent potted plant.
Turk's cap mallow is commonly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and includes many ornamental plants as well as quite a few fiber plants; therefore, taxonomic research on the Malvaceae family is of great significance. When examining anatomical diagrams, one should first note that the staminal tube of the monadelphous stamens surrounds the style, which is an important feature of the Malvaceae family. Secondly, one should note the morphology and structure of the bracts, calyx and corolla, which are the basis for distinguishing genera and species.
Plant species name: Turk's cap mallow
Aliases: South American hibiscus, lantern hibiscus, Da Hong Pao, curled-petal hibiscus
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Malvaviscus
Features: Evergreen shrub, slightly resembling Chinese hibiscus in appearance, but with narrower and darker green leaves; the flowers do not fully open like other hibiscus types; the bright red petals curl spirally, forming a bell shape, with the stamens and pistil slender and protruding beyond the petals; the flower bud has petals slightly twisted to the left, not opening but remaining in a bud-like state, fish-red in color; leaves broadly heart-shaped, shallowly two-lobed or angular. The downward-hanging flowers are its greatest feature.
Leaves: Leaves have petioles, alternate, clustered at the ends of the plant, oblong-elliptic, apex gradually pointed, coarsely blunt-serrate margins, main veins palmate, with five to seven veins. Green. Leaves emerge year-round, especially abundantly from March to August.
Origin and distribution: Native to Mexico, Peru and Brazil in South America; now distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world
Flowers: Flowers solitary, emerging from the leaf axils, with six to eight bracteoles; calyx five-lobed, petals five, spiral-shaped, slightly twisted to the left, petals not spreading, in a bud-like state, stamens and pistil both protruding beyond the petals.
Flower color: Bright red
Flowering period: Blooms year-round, especially in full bloom from late September to late December
Fruit: Almost never sets fruit.
Propagation method: Mainly by cuttings
Light: Sun-loving, slightly shade-tolerant
Uses: Courtyard landscaping, hedges, large potted plants, ornamental plant.
Cultivation difficulty: Easy
Morphological characteristics of Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow is an evergreen shrub, slightly resembling Chinese hibiscus in appearance, but with narrower and darker green leaves; the flowers do not fully open like other hibiscus types; the bright red petals curl spirally, forming a bell shape, with the stamens and pistil slender and protruding beyond the petals; the flower bud has petals slightly twisted to the left, not opening but remaining in a bud-like state, fish-red in color; leaves broadly heart-shaped, shallowly two-lobed or angular. The downward-hanging flowers are its greatest feature.
Turk's cap mallow is 30-60 cm tall, blooms year-round and produces many flowers. Leaves alternate, ovate or ovate-oblong, simple, sometimes shallowly lobed, with considerable variation in leaf shape, leaf surface with stellate hairs. Flowers red, usually solitary in the upper leaf axils, drooping, corolla funnel-shaped, 5-6 cm long, the five petals slightly twisted to the left forming a tube and not spreading, style slightly longer than the corolla. Corolla 3-5 times longer than the calyx, involucre-like bracteoles spoon-shaped, about equal in length to the calyx. Petal bases have prominent ear-like appendages, stamens united into a column, longer than the petals, petals only slightly spreading at the upper part, almost never setting fruit.
Turk's cap mallow has leaves ovate-lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, apex long-acuminate, base broadly cuneate to nearly rounded, margins with blunt teeth, both surfaces nearly hairless or only the veins with sparse stellate soft hairs, with 3 main veins; petiole 1-2 cm long, upper surface with long soft hairs; stipules linear, about 4 mm long, early deciduous. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, pedicel about 1.5 cm long, covered with long soft hairs; bracteoles spoon-shaped, 1-1.5 cm long, margins with long stiff hairs, bases connate; calyx bell-shaped, about 1 cm in diameter, lobes 5, slightly longer than the bracteoles, covered with long stiff hairs; flowers red, drooping, tubular, only slightly spreading at the upper part, about 5 cm long, staminal column about 7 cm long; style branches 10. Fruit not seen.
Turk's cap mallow has bright red flowers, orange-red, with red vein lines, rather unusual; in tropical regions it blooms continuously year-round, with late September to late December being the peak blooming period. Turk's cap mallow can be said to be a hibiscus that does not bloom, but in fact, rather than saying it does not bloom, it is better to say its petals do not open. To judge whether it is blooming, just look at whether the stamens and pistil protrude beyond the corolla; from when the stamens and pistil emerge from the corolla until they wither, it counts as blooming.
Turk's cap mallow can bloom all year round, and the orange-red flowers have very tasty nectar that is sweet. Its most distinctive feature is that its petals do not open, with only the stamens and pistil protruding beyond the petals; the whole flower looks like a shy maiden tightly wrapped in a red robe, so it is also called Da Hong Pao or curled-petal hibiscus. The pistil splits into many small stigmas, which are sticky on top; when the wind blows, it blows pollen onto the stigmas, completing their task. The flower form is unusual, with bright red petals spirally curled, and the stamens and pistil slender and protruding beyond the petals, seemingly in bud; some people call it "the flower that never opens."
Turk's cap mallow's flowers resemble wind chimes, beautiful and lovely, making it a rare and excellent potted plant.
Leaves: Leaves have petioles, alternate, clustered at the ends of the plant, oblong-elliptic, apex gradually pointed, coarsely blunt-serrate margins, main veins palmate, with five to seven veins. Green. Leaves emerge year-round, especially abundantly from March to August.
Flowers: Flowers solitary, emerging from the leaf axils, with six to eight bracteoles; calyx five-lobed, petals five, spiral-shaped, slightly twisted to the left, petals not spreading, in a bud-like state, stamens and pistil both protruding beyond the petals.
Flower color: Bright red
Flowering period: Blooms year-round, especially in full bloom from late September to late December
Fruit: Almost never sets fruit.
Ecological habits of Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow prefers high temperatures, high humidity and a sunny environment; it is not cold-tolerant, is moisture-tolerant, slightly shade-tolerant, and is best grown in fertile, loose, well-drained slightly acidic soil; the winter temperature should not be lower than 8°C.
In tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa it often escapes into the wild, and in South China it is mostly planted in courtyards. Turk's cap mallow is not strict about soil requirements, has good moisture tolerance, and blooms year-round, but produces fewer flowers in winter.
Turk's cap mallow is robust, preferring high temperatures, high humidity and a sunny environment; it is heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, poor-soil-tolerant, not tolerant of cold or frost, moisture-tolerant, slightly shade-tolerant, dislikes waterlogging, and grows quickly. It is best grown in fertile, loose, well-drained slightly acidic soil, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 8°C. In midsummer, keep the soil moist and provide plenty of sunlight, but protect it from scorching sun exposure. It is tolerant of pruning and resistant to smoke, dust and harmful gases. It can be used for greening in polluted areas of factories and mines.
Cultivation techniques of Turk's cap mallow: field management
Turk's cap mallow should be repotted every spring with added leaf mold; the potting soil should be fertile, loose, well-drained slightly acidic sandy soil rich in humus. With sufficient sunlight, the plant grows faster, with denser stems and leaves and more flowers; in shaded places flowering is poor, buds easily drop, or flowers become smaller and colors dull. Avoid watering onto the petals to prevent white spots. During cultivation, when branches are sparse, prune the branches to encourage more lateral branches; cut off overly long, messy branches as well as weak and diseased branches to promote new growth, thereby achieving more branching and more flowers. Mature plants should be regularly pruned and shaped once every spring; when the plant ages, heavy pruning is needed to promote dense branches and leaves. Pruned branches can be directly inserted into hedgerows as cuttings and will take root and grow.
Use 20 cm pots for potted plants, with 1 plant per pot. For flower beds and hedges, plant at a row spacing of 25*30 cm.
During the growing season, fertilize once every half month. In midsummer, keep the soil moist and provide plenty of sunlight, but protect it from scorching sun exposure; spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening. When the weather turns cool in autumn, move it indoors, stop fertilizing, control watering, and maintain ventilation.
Cultivation key points
Repot every spring, add leaf mold, and prune and shape to encourage more branching. During the growing season, fertilize once every half month. In midsummer, keep the soil moist and provide plenty of sunlight, but protect it from scorching sun exposure; spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening. When the weather turns cool in autumn, move it indoors, stop fertilizing, control watering, and maintain ventilation.
Propagation methods of Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow is mainly propagated by cuttings, and can also be propagated by grafting or air layering.
In summer and autumn, cut robust, plump semi-lignified young shoots 10-15 cm long and insert them into a sand bed, keeping them moist; they generally root 20-25 days after insertion.
In production, cutting propagation is mainly used for raising seedlings.
As for the season for cutting Turk's cap mallow, except for low temperatures in winter when it is unsuitable, it can be done in all three seasons of spring, summer and autumn, but March to May is the most suitable; seedlings cut at this time can be planted out the following year. Both old branches and young branches can be used as propagation material, but 1-2 year old branches give the highest seedling rate. Cuttings are cut to about 10 cm long and can be inserted into a sand bed or vermiculite bed without any treatment; keep them moist frequently, and in about 1 month they will sprout leaves and roots, with a general survival rate of over 80%. When the cuttings have 3-5 roots about 3 cm long, they can be moved to the nursery for planting out; pay attention to watering to keep them moist, manage them according to conventional seedling methods, and they can leave the nursery the following year.
Disease control of Turk's cap mallow: diseases
Turk's cap mallow often suffers from leaf spot and powdery mildew, which are fungal diseases caused by fungi. Fungi are a class of lower organisms that lack chlorophyll, vary in individual size, and mostly can only be seen clearly under a microscope. [3]
Control methods: First, in late autumn or early spring, clear away dead branches and fallen leaves and promptly cut off diseased branches and leaves to burn; second, before disease onset, spray 65% zineb wettable powder 600 times dilution for protection; third, fertilize and water reasonably, and ensure ventilation and light; fourth, in the early stage of disease, spray 50% carbendazim, or 50% thiophanate 500-600 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil 600-800 times dilution.
Pests
Turk's cap mallow is affected by aphids, scale insects and leaf-rolling moths, etc.
Control method: Spray with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times dilution to kill them.
Variety classification of Turk's cap mallow: commonly cultivated varieties of Turk's cap mallow
①Small Turk's cap mallow
Malvaceae evergreen shrub; flowers similar to Turk's cap mallow, but the flowers face upward and do not droop; corolla pale red, petals only 3 cm long, the staminal column long and protruding beyond the petals, shaped like a small firecracker. Also called small Turk's cap mallow, Chongtian hibiscus or small red robe.
②Pink Turk's cap mallow
Corolla pink, drooping
Distribution area of Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow is native to Mexico, Peru and Brazil in South America, and is now distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Turk's cap mallow is native to Mexico to Peru and Brazil, and is now distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the vast areas of southern China. It is an evergreen small shrub. In tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa it often escapes into the wild, and in South China it is mostly planted in courtyards. Turk's cap mallow is not strict about soil requirements, has good moisture tolerance, and blooms year-round, but produces fewer flowers in winter.
Uses and functions of Turk's cap mallow: potted plants
Turk's cap mallow can bloom all year round, and the orange-red flowers have very tasty nectar that is sweet. Its most distinctive feature is that its petals do not open, with only the stamens and pistil protruding beyond the petals; the whole flower looks like a shy maiden tightly wrapped in a red robe, so it is also called Da Hong Pao or curled-petal hibiscus. The pistil splits into many small stigmas, which are sticky on top; when the wind blows, it blows pollen onto the stigmas, completing their task. The flower form is unusual, with bright red petals spirally curled, and the stamens and pistil slender and protruding beyond the petals, seemingly in bud; some people call it "the flower that never opens."
Turk's cap mallow's flowers resemble wind chimes, beautiful and lovely, making it a rare and excellent potted plant.
Applications
Courtyard landscaping, hedges, large potted plants, ornamental plant. Turk's cap mallow is beautiful and never opens its petals, is very easy to cultivate, and is a valuable ornamental plant. The flowers of Turk's cap mallow droop, the petals wrap around each other and open slightly, with the style exposed; the flowers are red or white.
Turk's cap mallow is an evergreen small shrub with bright red flowers that are rather unusual; in tropical regions it blooms continuously year-round and is suitable for planting in courtyards and scenic areas. In the Nanjing area it is often grown in pots for indoor viewing.
Greening
Turk's cap mallow is an evergreen small shrub with strong adaptability, bright red flowers that are rather unusual, and in tropical regions it blooms continuously year-round. It is not only suitable for mixed planting in courtyards, green spaces and street trees, but can also be planted in rows as flower borders, flower hedges or in naturalistic plantings, and can also be pruned and shaped for potted viewing. In the Nanjing area it is often grown in pots for indoor viewing. Turk's cap mallow has a long flowering period and is suitable for landscaping in tropical and subtropical regions. In temperate zones and the northern subtropics, it can be grown in pots in greenhouses for viewing. Most valuably, it can be used for greening in polluted areas of factories and mines.
Landscape uses of Turk's cap mallow
Turk's cap mallow is beautiful and never opens its petals, is very easy to cultivate, and is a valuable ornamental plant.
Turk's cap mallow is an evergreen small shrub with strong adaptability, bright red flowers that are rather unusual, and in tropical regions it blooms continuously year-round. It is not only suitable for mixed planting in courtyards, green spaces and street trees, but can also be planted in rows as flower borders, flower hedges or in naturalistic plantings, and can also be pruned and shaped for potted viewing. In the Nanjing area it is often grown in pots for indoor viewing.
Turk's cap mallow has a long flowering period and is suitable for landscaping in tropical and subtropical regions. In temperate zones and the northern subtropics, it can be grown in pots in greenhouses for viewing. Most valuably, it can be used for greening in polluted areas of factories and mines.
Flower language of Turk's cap mallow
The flower language of Turk's cap mallow is: overflowing with talent
Turk's cap mallow pictures
Brief introduction to how to grow Chinese lantern flower
How to grow Chinese lantern flower
Basic information on Chinese lantern flower
Scientific name: Abutilon striatum Aliases: golden bell flower, wind chime flower, striped flowering maple, net-veined flowering maple, lantern hibiscus, China lantern flower, veined-petal Turk's cap mallow, wind chime hibiscus, red-veined flowering maple.
Family and genus: Malvaceae, Abutilon.
Evergreen shrub, with a rather sprawling tree habit, 1-3 m tall. Leaves alternate, palmately 3-5 lobed, broadly ovate, with long petioles. Blooms from June to November, and can bloom year-round when temperatures are suitable. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils of the middle and upper parts of the main and branch stems; pedicels slender and drooping; calyx green, cup-shaped; petals 5, not spreading, petal tips curved inward, in a semi-spreading state, orange-yellow, with orange-red or red vein lines; staminal column orange-red, protruding beyond the corolla.
Chinese lantern flower has soft branches, a flowering period lasting as long as half a year, and brilliant flower colors; the hanging flowers sway in the wind, as if they were tinkling wind chimes, and also like round lanterns hanging high among the branches, creating an auspicious and lively atmosphere. In South China it is often planted in courtyards, while in the north it is mostly grown in pots for viewing.
[Chinese lantern flower propagation] Cuttings, layering.
(1) Cuttings: Can be done in spring, the plum rain season and autumn, with plum rain season cuttings being best. For spring and autumn cuttings, select one-year-old robust branches as cuttings; for plum rain season cuttings, cut robust semi-mature branches as cuttings, about 15 cm long; after insertion keep moist and provide shade, and after 20-30 days they can root and survive. Those that root and survive from cuttings in late June can bloom the same year.
(2) Layering: Use the air layering method, carried out in May-June.
[Key points for growing and caring for Chinese lantern flower]
(1) Temperature: Prefers warmth; the most suitable temperature for growth is 15-28°C. It is more cold-tolerant than Chinese hibiscus and can endure short periods of 3°C low temperature. Low temperatures cause leaf drop, but after the warmth of the following spring it can still sprout branches and leaves. The overwintering temperature should be kept above 5°C. If the room temperature can be kept at 18-30°C in winter, it can continue to bloom continuously.
(2) Light: Prefers ample sunlight; although it can tolerate partial shade and can grow in slightly shaded places, plant growth and flowering are best under full sun, so it must be placed in a sunny location.
(3) Watering: Prefers a moist soil environment and is not drought-tolerant. During the growing period, water adequately to keep the potting soil moist but not dry. After entering the flowering period in June, the water requirement is greater, so increase watering to meet the plant's needs for growth and flowering. However, it also dislikes waterlogging, so watering should not be too wet; during the plum rain season, promptly pour off accumulated water in the pot after rain. In winter, watering must be moderated, especially after leaf drop at low temperatures, when watering should be further reduced so that the potting soil is not too wet.
(4) Fertilizing: Prefers fertilizer; after the plant begins to grow in spring, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once every half month to promote strong branch and leaf growth. In late May, when the plant is about to enter the vigorous period of growth and flowering, nutrients should be supplied in time, applying a fertilizer combining nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every half month to promote more lateral branches, continuous flowering, and to keep the flowering vigor from fading. Avoid applying only nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise branches and leaves grow vigorously but flowering is sparse; only when the plant is clearly deficient in nutrients and leaves become thin, small and yellow should nitrogen fertilizer be appropriately applied. In September, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer twice and stop applying nitrogen fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in winter.
(5) Pruning: Young trees should be tipped more to encourage branching. After being brought out of the shed in spring, prune the plant in conjunction with repotting; besides cutting off thin, weak branches and overly dense branches, also shorten the retained one-year-old branches to dwarf the plant, encourage branching and increase flowering. For plants that have aged and whose growth vigor has deteriorated, increase the pruning intensity, otherwise the plant grows weakly, easily drops buds, and blooms sparsely.
(6) Repotting: Repot once every spring; it prefers fertile, moist, well-drained sandy loam; the substrate can be prepared from materials such as leaf mold, peat soil, garden soil, perlite or coarse sand.
(7) Pest and disease control: There are diseases and pests such as leaf spot, anthracnose and red spider mites, aphids, scale insects, etc.
[Common problems in growing and caring for Chinese lantern flower]
Common problems Causes
Leaf drop in winter Usually caused by low temperatures
Lush branches and leaves but few flowers ① Poor light; ② Potting soil too dry or too wet; ⑤ Lack of fertilizer; ④ Too little pruning when repotting