Six cold-hardy flowers that bloom into big flower balls no matter how cold the winter gets
Many of those flowers that look weak and listless in summer are now gradually thriving, and in winter they turn into blooming machines. And these blooming machines are very easy to grow. Before you know it, they bloom so much they burst out of the pot. Below, the editor will introduce them to you along with the secrets to making them bloom profusely.
1. Chrysanthemum. The chrysanthemum is one of China's top ten famous flowers and one of the Four Gentlemen among flowers. Chrysanthemums like sunlight and dislike shade; they are fairly drought-tolerant but afraid of waterlogging. To make chrysanthemums grow short and sturdy, with tight nodes, plump leaves and no bare stems at the base, controlling water is the only effective measure. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: pinch back the growing tips during the growth period; pinching causes the plant to branch. One month before buds appear, spray a monopotassium phosphate solution once every two weeks to encourage more and larger flowers.
2. Western azalea. It likes cool, humid conditions, tolerates cold but fears muggy heat, and fears drought and waterlogging. It requires acidic loam with good aeration and drainage and rich in organic matter. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: frequently spray the leaves with a foliar fertilizer.
3. Christmas cactus. The Christmas cactus is a flower deeply loved by gardeners. Its suitable growing temperature is 18-23°C, and the ideal flowering temperature is 10-15°C. It fears high temperatures and muggy heat, and its overwintering temperature needs to stay above 5°C. The Christmas cactus is a short-day plant, so it can only form buds and bloom under short-day conditions. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: mist it appropriately, and apply 1-2 additional doses of quick-acting phosphorus fertilizer before flowering to promote bud formation.
4. Kalanchoe. Kalanchoe is a short-day plant and is relatively sensitive to photoperiod. For a well-growing plant, giving it short-day treatment (8-9 hours of light per day) for 3-4 weeks will make flower buds appear and bloom. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: apply a dilute fertilizer once every half month during the growth period. To control plant height, pinch back the growing tips 1-2 times to encourage more branching and more flowers.
5. Cyclamen. Cyclamen likes warmth and fears heat; it grows better in a cool environment and in fertile sandy loam rich in humus. It is fairly cold-tolerant and can withstand low temperatures of 0°C without being damaged by frost. During the growth period, it needs a humid atmosphere and plenty of sunlight. Try to plant the tuber at a height level with the rim of the pot; this is not only to prevent water accumulation, but also to create better air circulation and let the leaves spread out more fully. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: give plenty of sunlight during the bud stage, place it in a sunny spot indoors, and apply phosphorus fertilizer once a week. Apply 2-3 times in a row.
6. Bougainvillea. Bougainvillea likes warmth and plenty of sunlight, and is suited to growing in fertile, loose, well-drained sandy soil. In heavy, alkaline, low-lying and easily waterlogged soil, it not only grows poorly but also easily suffers root rot and dies. Secret to a pot-bursting bloom: withhold water at the right time in autumn, and when a red flush appears at the tips of the branches, water thoroughly again; apply calcium phosphate once every two weeks, and in 40-50 days it will enter full bloom.