The correct method for choosing potting soil for spider plant cultivation

Proposed mix: 3 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil, 3 parts sandy soil, 1 part decomposed cake fertilizer (or livestock and poultry manure); or 4 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil (peat soil), 2 parts river sand, 1 part decomposed cake fertilizer.

Repot every year in early spring from March to April; when repotting, lightly prune the excess fleshy roots, then plant into a new pot and place it in a shaded spot. Once the plant has resumed growth, carry out normal care and enjoyment.

Spider plant cultivation

(1) Soil for cultivation. For growing spider plants, it is best to choose a loose, fertile, humus-rich, highly permeable sandy soil. Garden soil, leaf soil and peat soil like those in the garden of our residential community will do. When growing, it is best to add a small amount of base fertilizer to the potting soil as a substrate.

(2) Light duration. Spider plants are very sensitive to light; in summer and autumn they must not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and wither. Spider plants prefer semi-shade, so it is best to place them in a cool, ventilated and humid environment for cultivation.

(3) Temperature. The most suitable growing temperature for spider plants is 15-25°C; if the temperature is too low or too high, it will affect the growth of the spider plant. Only by keeping it warm in winter and shading it in summer can the spider plant maintain bright leaf color for a long time.

(4) Watering frequency. During the vigorous growth period, spider plants have a very high water demand, generally reaching their growth peak from March to September. At this time we should water the spider plant every day to keep the potting soil moist. After entering winter, the spider plant is in its dormant period, so the frequency and amount of watering can be gradually reduced.

How to grow string of pearls and points to note in its cultivation

String of pearls is what gardening enthusiasts often call pearl spider plant; it gets its name because once grown it consists of strings of plump, full, emerald-green oval little leaves. String of pearls is good at purifying indoor air, so many people place a pot of it at home after renovating. So what is the method for growing string of pearls? Let us take a look.

[How to grow string of pearls]

I. Introduction to string of pearls:

String of pearls, also called jade bead, is a very common succulent plant. Apart from those with "variegation", there are generally two kinds on the market: one round and one teardrop-shaped. Because names differ from place to place, the common names are mainly "pearl spider plant, string of pearls, and lover's tears".

II. How to grow string of pearls

Detailed guide to growing string of pearls 1: Propagation method

The propagation method for string of pearls is mostly cuttings. You can trim the stems and leaves into segments of 8-10 cm each, then insert them into the potting soil, half-buried, with humidity controlled between 50% and 60%; they will take root in 10 days to half a month, and only with careful tending will they survive. At this time, strictly control the amount of watering and keep the potting soil in a state between dry and wet, which is most beneficial to plant growth.

Detailed guide to growing string of pearls: 2: Cultivation management

"Better dry than wet" is one key focus of growing string of pearls. In addition, "light fertilizer applied frequently" is also an extremely important point. The saying "better dry than wet" is because string of pearls, which comes from southern Africa, likes a warm environment and is relatively drought-tolerant but cannot tolerate waterlogging, so it is better to place it in a dry environment than to cause poor development through overwatering. "Light fertilizer applied frequently" means fertilizer should be applied often, but each time as a dilute fertilizer; do not apply too much at once, which would cause problems in its growth.

Detailed guide to growing string of pearls: 3: Pest prevention

String of pearls actually rarely suffers from pests, but such cases still occur. Generally speaking, the most common disease of string of pearls is aphid infestation, which occurs in spring. When this happens, use 500 times diluted omethoate to kill them. In summer, mites appear, and 1000 times diluted dicofol can be used to kill them. When pests occur, pay attention to increasing leaf surface humidity, which can reduce pests; in addition, ventilation facilities should also be in place.

[Points to note in growing string of pearls]

1. Because the leaves are fleshy and juicy, it is drought-tolerant. During cultivation, watering should be "better dry than wet"; this is one of the keys to success. When the weather is dry, spray more water on the leaves and vines to make up for the lack of moisture and keep the beads green and plump. It relatively prefers semi-shade; harsh sun exposure may scorch the beads, while too weak light will result in poor growth.

2. The root system of string of pearls is very shallow, so it can be planted in a shallow pot. Generally, use a tile to cover the bottom hole and spread a layer of coal cinder or coarse sand to increase aeration and drainage. The soil is best leaf mold mixed with a certain amount of sand, with a soil-to-sand ratio of about 1:3.

3. String of pearls likes warmth and humidity, is relatively cold-tolerant and heat-tolerant, and the most suitable temperature is around 20°C-28°C. Growth is slow at both high and low temperatures; especially in a high-temperature environment above 30°C it is almost dormant, so water and fertilizer should be reduced, otherwise root rot easily occurs -- this is also one of the keys to successful cultivation.

4. In spring and autumn, when string of pearls grows vigorously, "light fertilizer should be applied frequently". Often spraying 1-3‰ nitrogen fertilizer and potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaf surface helps make the beads greener and plumper and improves ornamental value.

5. String of pearls rarely has pests or diseases. Aphids in spring are one; remove them promptly or spray 1500 times diluted omethoate to kill them. Mites in summer and autumn are another; use 1000 times diluted dicofol to kill them. Pay attention to ventilation and increasing leaf surface humidity, which can reduce mite infection.

[How to place string of pearls]

Placing it in the kitchen

Many harmful gases may appear in the kitchen, and some toxic substances produced when cooking are released indoors. At this time, placing a pot of string of pearls can not only beautify the kitchen's monotonous layout but also purify the air -- truly killing two birds with one stone. Note that the placement position must be chosen facing north, which can reduce the cold. This shade-loving plant happens to suit the kitchen's layout.

Placing it in the bedroom

In the bedroom, the resting place is generally relatively quiet and cozy, so choosing string of pearls can help couples live in harmony and relax body and mind. Newly renovated houses contain formaldehyde, and spider plants are excellent at absorbing formaldehyde.