Summer care methods and precautions for household potted flowers
Suitable light and preventing sunscald
Light is the energy source for flowers to manufacture nutrients, so many flowers can only bloom abundantly and grow lushly under conditions of sufficient light. However, different flowers, or the same flower at different growth stages, have different light requirements, hence the gardening saying: "shade-loving camellia, sun-loving peony, and the four-season orchid preferring half shade and half sun."
Generally, flowers that prefer ample light, such as Chinese rose, pomegranate, osmanthus, jasmine, plum blossom, peony, poinsettia, croton, chrysanthemum, dahlia, Milan, white orchid, hibiscus, crape myrtle, kumquat, aquatic flowers, cacti, etc., should be placed in a sunny spot for care after being moved outdoors in spring. But in midsummer, they also need to be moved to a slightly shaded place to prevent intense sunlight and sunscald.
Generally shade-loving or strongly shade-loving flowers, such as orchids, Monstera deliciosa, spider plant, asparagus fern, camellia, azalea, ivy, gardenia, lucky bamboo, begonia, palm grass, nandina, Aspidistra, ferns, and clivia, should be kept in summer under conditions of good ventilation and 50-80% shade. If exposed to direct strong light, their branches and leaves will turn yellow and wither, or even die. For such flowers, in summer it is best to place them on an east- or north-facing balcony or windowsill; or place them indoors in a well-ventilated spot with bright scattered light for cultivation; or use reeds or bamboo blinds to build a shade shelter and place the flower pots under it for care. This can reduce light intensity and promote healthy growth of the flowers.
Lowering temperature, increasing humidity, and paying attention to ventilation
Temperature is an essential condition for flower growth. Due to the long-term influence of the natural climate conditions of their places of origin, different flowers have formed their own optimum, maximum, and minimum temperatures. For most flowers, the suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. In most regions of our country, the maximum summer temperature can reach above 30°C. When the temperature exceeds the maximum limit for flower growth, the normal life activities of the flowers will be hindered, resulting in stunted plants, localized leaf scorch, reduced flower quantity, and shortened flowering period. For many kinds of flowers, blooming less or not blooming at all in summer is largely due to the impact of high temperature on their normal growth.
Flowers native to tropical and subtropical regions, such as banana shrub, camellia, azalea, orchid, etc., have long grown under warm and humid oceanic climate conditions, and during their growth have developed a special ecological requirement for humid air. They generally require air humidity of no less than 80%. If this air humidity requirement can be met during care, they will grow well; otherwise, poor growth, dry leaf edges, and scorched young leaves are likely to occur.
Under household conditions, the methods for lowering temperature and increasing humidity in summer mainly include the following 4:
(1) Spraying water to lower temperature. In summer, while watering normally, according to the different air humidity requirements of different flowers, spray water on the branches and leaves 2-3 times a day, and at the same time sprinkle water on the ground around the flower pots 1-2 times.
(2) Spreading sand to lower temperature. Spread a thick layer of coarse sand on a north- or east-facing balcony, then place the flower pots on the sand surface. In summer, sprinkle clean water on the sand surface 1-2 times a day. By using the moisture contained in the sand to absorb heat from the air, the purpose of lowering temperature and increasing humidity can be achieved.
(3) Using a water trough to lower temperature. Place a piece of hard miscellaneous wood or a cement precast slab on top of a trough filled with cold water, then place the flower pots on the wooden board or cement slab. Add water once a day. As the water is heated and continuously evaporates, it can both increase air humidity and lower air temperature.
(4) Place the flower pots indoors in a well-ventilated spot with scattered light, spray clean water 1-2 times a day, and use an electric fan to blow air for cooling.
Reasonable watering and proper fertilizing
In summer, the temperature is high, evaporation is fast, and plant transpiration is also strong. Flowers need more water, so for most flowers, a sufficient water supply should be provided. As for how to manage the amount of watering in summer, it should be determined according to the flower species, plant size, and the actual wetness of the potting soil. Generally, herbaceous flowers themselves contain more water and have high transpiration intensity, so they should be watered more; woody flowers can be watered appropriately less. Under normal circumstances, most flowers should be thoroughly watered 1-2 times a day. Never give half-watering, otherwise the leaves will often curl and turn yellow, and over time the whole plant will wither and die.
In summer, it is best to water flowers with rainwater, or first let tap water stand for 1 to 2 days. The best time to water is in the morning and evening. Avoid watering with cold water at noon, because at this time the temperature is very high, and the outside temperature can often reach around 40°C. Not only is transpiration strong, but water also evaporates quickly. A sudden shock of cold water can cause the leaf surface cells to change from a turgid state to wilting, making the leaves scorched. In severe cases, it can cause the entire plant to die. This phenomenon is especially obvious in some herbaceous flowers. If cold water is poured at noon in hot summer during the early stages of flower bud formation, flowering, and fruit setting, it can also easily cause bud drop, flower drop, and fruit drop.
What needs special mention here is: in hot summer, because the soil temperature is high, after a shower it is necessary to water in time to remove the high humidity and stuffiness in the potting soil and lower the potting soil temperature; if water accumulates in the pot after a heavy rain, it should be poured out immediately, or use a bamboo stick to poke several small holes in the potting soil (be careful not to damage the roots) so that water can flow out from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, to avoid root rot.
For fertilizing potted flowers in summer, the principle of "light fertilizer applied frequently" should be followed. If the fertilizer concentration is too high, it is easy to cause root rot. For generally vigorously growing flowers, apply a thin liquid fertilizer about once every 10-15 days. Fertilizing should be done on sunny days when the potting soil is relatively dry, because fertilizing in wet soil easily causes root rot. The best time to fertilize is in the evening after it has gradually cooled. The next day after fertilizing, water once. The type of fertilizer varies with the flower. Acid-loving flowers, such as camellia, azalea, white orchid, gardenia, jasmine, etc., avoid alkaline fertilizers and should be given acidic or physiologically acidic fertilizers, such as superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and ferrous sulfate. When flowers enter the stages of flower bud differentiation and bud formation, it is appropriate to apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote more blooming. For foliage-oriented flowers, it is appropriate to apply more nitrogen fertilizer to promote lush green leaf color. For bulbous flowers, more potassium fertilizer should be applied to help the bulbs become plump. For large-flowered and long-flowering plants such as dahlia, during the bud formation and flowering period, an appropriate amount of complete fertilizer is needed so that all flowers can open and be beautiful in shape and color. For fruit-oriented flowers, during the flowering period fertilizer and water should be properly controlled, and during the fruit-swelling period sufficient complete fertilizer should be applied, so that the fruits will be large and plentiful.
During the care of potted flowers, if the plant is found to be short and weak, with small branches and pale yellow leaves, this indicates nitrogen deficiency, and nitrogen fertilizer should be supplemented in time; if the plant grows slowly, the leaves curl, the plant is short, and the root system is underdeveloped, this is mostly caused by phosphorus deficiency, and fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus should be supplemented. If the leaf edges and leaf tips turn yellow (old leaves first, then new leaves) and then turn brown and fall off, and the stems are soft and easy to bend, this is mostly caused by potassium deficiency, and potassium fertilizer should be applied.
Helping dormant flowers pass the summer safely
Some flowers, such as cyclamen, fuchsia, four-season begonia, narcissus, geranium, caladium, clivia, freesia, gloxinia, tulip, night-blooming cereus, etc., enter a semi-dormant or dormant state when the high-temperature season arrives in summer, showing slowed or paused growth so as to resist the harm of unfavorable external environmental conditions. To help such flowers safely pass the summer dormancy period, corresponding measures must be taken for careful care according to their physiological characteristics during dormancy. The main measures are:
(1) After early summer, move dormant flowers to a cool and ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and preventing rain, otherwise root rot and even death are likely to occur;
(2) Strictly control watering. During dormancy, too much watering and long-term wet potting soil can very easily cause root rot, while too little watering and overly dry potting soil can easily cause the root system to shrink. Therefore, watering should be done so as to keep the potting soil slightly moist. However, it is necessary to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves and sprinkle water on the ground around the flower pots, so as to form a moist and cool microclimate, which is beneficial for dormancy. However, for flowers such as gloxinia whose leaves have dense fuzz, and cyclamen whose flower buds are sensitive to moisture, it is not suitable to spray water on the leaf surface or the center of the leaves;
(3) Stop applying any fertilizer. Because during dormancy the physiological activities of flowers are extremely weak, fertilizer is not needed. If fertilized, it can also easily cause root rot, bulb rot, and even the death of the whole plant.
Pruning and shaping to prevent leggy growth
After many flowers enter summer, they often tend to grow leggy, affecting flowering and fruiting. In order to maintain a beautiful plant shape and produce many flowers and abundant fruit, pruning and shaping are needed. Summer pruning generally mainly includes measures such as pinching, bud removal, leaf removal, bud thinning, and fruit thinning.
(1) Pinching. For some herbaceous flowers, such as four-season begonia, fuchsia, scarlet sage, chrysanthemum, Aster novi-belgii, early small chrysanthemum, etc., when they grow to a certain height, pinch off the top to encourage more branching and more blooming. For some woody flowers, such as kumquat, when the current-year branches grow to about 15-20 cm, they should also be pinched to promote more fruit.
(2) Bud removal. In summer, many flowers often sprout adventitious buds from the stem base or branches, which should be removed in time to avoid consuming nutrients and disrupting the plant shape.
(3) Leaf removal. For some foliage flowers, old leaves should be properly cut off to promote new leaves, so the leaf color will be even more beautiful.
(4) Bud thinning and fruit thinning. For flower-oriented flowers such as dahlia, chrysanthemum, Chinese rose, etc., excess flower buds should be removed in time; for fruit-oriented flowers such as kumquat, pomegranate, fingered citron, etc., when the young fruit grows to the size of a soybean, excess young fruit should be thinned; for some flowers that cannot set seeds or for which seeds are not going to be collected, the residual flowers should be cut off in time after flowering.
(5) Shaping. For flowers such as poinsettia, plum blossom, ornamental peach, and crown of thorns, the side branches are often bent and shaped in summer to make the plant shape full and beautiful.
Comprehensive prevention and control of diseases and pests
In summer, high temperature and high humidity favor the massive occurrence of diseases and pests. The policy of "prevention first, comprehensive control" should be implemented, and in the spirit of "treat early, treat small, treat thoroughly," do a good job in prevention and control to ensure the healthy growth of flowers.
(1) Common diseases in summer include powdery mildew, anthracnose, gray mold, leaf spot, nematode disease, bacterial soft rot, etc. Powdery mildew mainly harms Chinese rose, plum blossom, peony, chrysanthemum, dahlia, begonia, cineraria, fuchsia, etc. After being damaged, the plant is short, the young shoots bend, and the leaves are uneven or curled. On young buds, young leaves, young shoots, and flower buds, it is as if covered with a layer of white powder and many small black spots grow. In severe cases, the leaves shrink and dry up, and even the whole plant dies. Anthracnose mainly harms orchids, white orchid, Milan, plum blossom, rubber tree, cactus, etc. After most flowers are infected by the pathogen, nearly round lesions appear on the leaf surface, mostly with purple-brown or dark brown edges and light brown or grayish white centers; on the lesions, small black spots arranged in concentric rings often grow. When the disease is severe, the leaves wither and die. Gray mold mainly harms peony, Chinese peony, cyclamen, begonia, fuchsia, etc. The affected parts of leaves, stems, flowers, etc., appear brown or purple-brown and rotten; when the weather is humid, gray mold-like substances grow on the lesions, and in severe cases the whole plant dies. To control the above three diseases, the following methods can be used: ① In early spring, thoroughly remove dead branches and fallen leaves, and promptly cut off diseased branches, leaves, buds, etc., and destroy them centrally to reduce sources of pathogens; ② Strengthen cultivation management, fertilize and water reasonably, pay attention to ventilation and light transmission, so that the plants grow robustly and improve disease resistance; ② In the early stage of disease, spray 50% carbendazim or 50% thiophanate-methyl 500-800 times solution.
(2) Common pests in summer include two major categories: piercing-sucking mouthpart pests and chewing mouthpart pests. The former mainly include aphids, red spiders, whiteflies, scale insects, etc. These pests often gather in groups on leaves, tender stems, flower buds, branches, etc., and use needle-like mouthparts to pierce into the flower body and suck sap, causing leaves to turn yellow and curl, leading to leaves withering, yellowing, and falling off. For control, spray 50% dichlorvos emulsion 1000-1500 times solution. This pesticide easily causes phytotoxicity to plum blossom, cherry blossom, azalea, elm-leaved spirea, and other ornamental trees and shrubs, so it must not be used on these plants. The latter mainly include moth and butterfly larvae, various beetles, and underground pests, etc. These pests eat leaves, bite roots, and cause plants to wither and die. For control, spray 50% dichlorvos emulsion 1000-1500 times solution, or use 500-800 times solution to irrigate the root zone. In summer, the temperature is high, pesticides volatilize easily, and in high temperatures the human body's emission function is enhanced and skin absorption increases, so toxic substances can easily enter the human body and cause poisoning. Therefore, when applying pesticides in summer, it is best to move the flower pots outdoors and do it in the morning and evening.
Summer flowers and plants are at their most beautiful. Pay attention to which poisonous flowers and plants
In this season, oleander in bloom can be seen in some parks, streets, and residential communities in Wuxi. The flowers are very beautiful, but this beautiful plant is poisonous. Recently, a two-year-old child felt numb fingers after breaking oleander by the roadside, but fortunately it was discovered in time and no major disaster occurred. The reporter learned that many plants grown in citizens' courtyards and indoors have a certain degree of toxicity. Landscape experts remind that these poisonous flowers and grasses must not be touched!
[Be careful on the street]
Although the flowers by the roadside are beautiful, you should not pick them. Oleander in the green belt is poisonous.
Summer is the season when oleander grows vigorously and blooms. Recently, oleander on the streets of Wuxi has been growing luxuriantly. Red, white, and various colors of oleander flowers are very beautiful. However, oleander sap is poisonous. Once there is "close contact," it can cause skin itching, pain, and allergies in mild cases, or poisoning in severe cases. In recent years, oleander poisoning incidents have occurred repeatedly. Last year, a child playing near Xicheng Road felt unwell after accidentally eating oleander leaves, frightening his mother who was running a stall. There was also a migrant worker who used oleander twigs as chopsticks and was reminded by coworkers to stop using them in time, but it still caused physical discomfort.
It is understood that oleander is also called willow-leaf oleander. Its flowers, leaves, branches, and bark are all poisonous. The toxicity of fresh bark is stronger than that of leaves, the toxicity weakens after drying, and the toxicity of flowers is relatively weak. The milky white sap secreted by oleander contains a toxic substance called oleandrin, and accidental ingestion can also cause poisoning.
According to the municipal greening department, oleander "settled" in Wuxi in the last century, and a large number were planted. They can be seen everywhere on roads, in communities, and in public green spaces. Since it is so toxic, why is it still widely planted? Greening expert He Zhikun introduced that whether oleander should be planted had already aroused controversy as early as the last century, but considering that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages, oleander should still be used as an urban greening tree species. "Oleander has the effect of resisting smoke, dust, and toxic substances and purifying the air, especially it has a strong resistance to and adsorption effect on toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and chlorine gas. In the landscape field it is called an environmental guardian. Planted on highways and by rivers, it can play a very good isolation role. Moreover, oleander has a very good landscape effect, and its flowering period can last from May to October." He Zhikun said that although oleander is a toxic plant, if people do not touch or break it in normal times, people and plants can coexist peacefully.
The "beauty" can only be admired from afar and cannot be eaten
Ivy is a climbing plant, generally crawling along walls. It can be seen everywhere on the walls of some communities and on riverside railings. The most commonly seen by citizens should be on bridges, where it is used as vertical greening. For example, on the walls of Qingqi Elevated Road, Jianghai Elevated Road, Zhanjiang Overpass, etc., a lot of ivy has been planted, making the concrete bridge piers covered with green shade and lush branches and leaves. Whether walking under the bridge or driving on it, what you see is scenery all the way. However, such "green clothing" is also poisonous. Landscape experts say that the fruit, seeds, and leaves of ivy are all poisonous. Accidental ingestion can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and in severe cases can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, coma, and even difficulty breathing. But the toxic substances in ivy will not spread through the air, and the toxin amount is very small, so it will not pose a threat to the human body.
There is also a kind of flower whose name is beautiful and whose appearance is also beautiful, but this "beauty" is highly poisonous. It is the corn poppy. Corn poppies are very common in the major parks of Wuxi and were introduced for planting many years ago, but in the past they were mainly displayed in parks and relatively rarely used in road greening. In the past two years, the municipal landscaping department has vigorously implemented greening renovation and upgrading of urban roads. Considering that corn poppies are bright in color and highly ornamental, and that corn poppies are self-sowing plants that can sow, grow, and reproduce on their own, corn poppies began to be planted on Zhenze Road two years ago. However, the whole corn poppy plant is poisonous, especially the fruit, which is the most toxic. Accidental ingestion can cause central nervous system poisoning, and in severe cases can lead to danger to life. Greening experts remind that although they are somewhat toxic, they are also of great benefit to the greening environment. As long as they are not eaten and there is no excessive intimate contact, they will not cause harm to the human body.
[Indoors is also dangerous]
Potted plants may look "cool," but they cannot be placed "as you please"
At the beginning of summer, placing a pot of jasmine in the bedroom, smelling its elegant fragrance and looking at its graceful flowers, is indeed a pleasant thing for many citizens in summer. The reporter learned from the flower market at Nanchan Temple that it is now the season for jasmine blooming, and naturally many citizens come to buy it. In addition to jasmine, various mosquito-repellent grasses, pothos, and other plants are also popular among citizens. "Summer is here. Placing some green plants indoors makes you feel calm and cool!" Grandma Zhang told the reporter that for decades she has kept the habit of buying plants at the beginning of summer.
When placing flowers in the bedroom, the "amount" must be well controlled
"55 yuan for three plants, 20 yuan for a small plant. Jasmine is selling very well now." Boss Tang introduced, "Most citizens who come to buy it want to put it in the bedroom for fragrance. The light fragrance is especially pleasant." According to the introduction, placing jasmine in the bedroom is quite suitable because the fragrance helps relax the nerves and promote sleep. "Jasmine flowers can be directly brewed as tea. There is no way they have any toxicity. They can be safely kept in the bedroom." Boss Tang said.
But can jasmine really be placed in the bedroom? The reporter consulted He Zhikun of the Wuxi Greening Management Station, and the answer received was negative. "No flower is suitable for keeping in the bedroom." He Zhikun told the reporter that although the fragrance of jasmine is elegant, after smelling it for a long time it may cause hair loss. In addition, narcissus, Chinese rose, and lily, which the public generally likes to grow, actually all have a certain degree of toxicity and are not suitable for placing in the bedroom. The head of narcissus (bulb) contains lycorine, which is a toxic substance. After poisoning, vomiting and abdominal pain occur. In addition, the fragrance of narcissus can also cause discomfort in the nervous system. Over time, especially when inhaling its fragrance during sleep, some people will feel dizzy. The fragrances of lily and Chinese rose can also make some frail citizens overly excited or cause panting and irritability, thereby causing a certain degree of discomfort.
Qiang Xiaoke, a staff member of the horticulture section of Xihui Park, also said that when growing flowers indoors, attention must be paid to the amount. "Usually placing one or two pots of flowers in the bedroom is not a problem, but if the amount is large and the time is long, then there may be certain problems."
Leafy plants grown at home should not be touched casually
Recently, a news item in Moments about "eating the tuber of Alocasia macrorrhizos as taro and suffering acute poisoning" attracted public attention. The message said: Ms. Gong in Haishu District, Ningbo, mistakenly thought the tuber of Alocasia macrorrhizos was "taro." After just one bite, her mouth went numb and her throat tightened, and she was sent to the hospital. He Hequn, deputy director of the emergency department of Ningbo First Hospital, immediately said that the rhizome of Alocasia macrorrhizos contains an irritating toxic component called saponin toxin. After poisoning, the main symptoms are local symptoms in the oral cavity and throat. In severe cases, laryngeal edema may occur, causing airway obstruction and death by suffocation.
The reporter walked around the flower market at Nanchan Temple and found that every flower shop sold Alocasia macrorrhizos. Depending on the size of the plant, prices ranged from dozens of yuan to several hundred yuan, and sales had always been good. "Is Alocasia macrorrhizos toxic?" The reporter asked several flower shop owners, and they all said, "How could an ornamental plant have any problem?"
"Is Alocasia macrorrhizos a poisonous plant?" The reporter consulted Qiang Xiaoke, a staff member of the horticulture section of Xihui Park, who said: In fact, all plants themselves have a certain degree of toxicity. According to him, Alocasia macrorrhizos is also called "drip lotus" and "Buddha's hand lotus." It grows luxuriantly and has lush green leaves. Because its flowers resemble Guanyin and because its leaf edges drip water when humidity is very high, it is called Alocasia macrorrhizos. However, the white sap in the rhizome of Alocasia macrorrhizos is poisonous. Accidental contact with or ingestion of its sap will cause discomfort in the throat and mouth, and in severe cases can also cause suffocation and lead to death from cardiac paralysis. In addition, the water it drips is harmful to the eyes and skin. "Some children think it is fun and put the dripping water into their eyes or on their skin, and even feel it is cool. In fact, eye contact with the sap can cause severe conjunctivitis, and even blindness. Some people's skin will also itch or be strongly stimulated after contact with its sap."
In addition, Qiang Xiaoke also gave reminders about pothos and spider plant, the two indoor leafy plants that citizens most like to buy. Pothos belongs to the Araceae family, the same family as Alocasia macrorrhizos, and most plants in this family are toxic. The sap of pothos contains calcium oxalate crystals. Contact with the skin will cause redness and itching, and accidental ingestion will cause throat pain, posing a certain harm to the human body. As for spider plant, Qiang Xiaoke said that spider plant is not toxic, but at night it still releases carbon dioxide, so it is best to place it indoors during the day and move it out of the room at night.
Common organic fertilizers for household potted plants and flowers
Organic fertilizer is very beneficial to the growth and development of flowers and trees. In addition to being decomposed by microorganisms to release nutrient elements that can be absorbed by the root system, it can also improve soil structure and increase the soil's ability to retain water and fertilizer and its permeability. There are many kinds of organic fertilizers, usually divided into two major categories: animal-based organic fertilizers and plant-based organic fertilizers.
The main several organic fertilizers are introduced as follows:
First, barnyard manure: that is, livestock manure, mixed with leftover forage or feed. It contains more nitrogen and also a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium.
Second, chicken and duck manure: chicken and duck manure and other poultry manure are the main source of phosphorus fertilizer. They are suitable for all kinds of flowers, especially suitable for fruit-oriented flowers.
Third, plant ash: the ash formed by burning dead branches and weeds, etc. It contains more potassium and is the main source of potassium fertilizer. It belongs to alkaline fertilizer.
Fourth, peanut bran or peanut cake: contains more nitrogen and also contains phosphorus and potassium. It is cleaner and more hygienic than animal manure.
Fifth, bone meal: it is one of the main sources of phosphorus fertilizer.
For household flower growing, especially in cities, some flower growers often feel that they cannot get organic fertilizer. In fact, as long as attention is paid to frequent and timely collection, organic fertilizer can be made. For example, vegetable leaves, bean shells, and melon and fruit peels can be put into a vat or jar, covered and sealed, and after 2-3 months of fermentation and decomposition, they become very good fertilizer. Spoiled soybeans, peanuts, etc. after being cooked, as well as fish viscera, fish bones, etc., placed in a vat with water and fermented and decomposed, can also become high-efficiency, high-quality organic fertilizer with not-low nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content. Be sure to use them only after they are thoroughly decomposed. (In summer at noon the soil temperature is high, and fertilizing easily damages roots.) Third, avoid sitting on fertilizer. When planting flowers, if base fertilizer is applied at the bottom of the pot, do not place the roots directly on the fertilizer. Instead, add a layer of soil on top of the fertilizer, and then plant the flowers into the pot.