What are the propagation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green'? Cuttings and division have high survival rates
Philodendron 'Imperial Green' not only has high ornamental value, it can also absorb many harmful substances, which is why so many people grow it. In the cultivation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green', besides understanding techniques for soil, temperature, light, fertilizer and water, there is one point that should also be well known, and that is propagation
Philodendron 'Imperial Green' not only has high ornamental value, it can also absorb many harmful substances, which is why so many people grow it. In the cultivation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green', besides understanding techniques for soil, temperature, light, fertilizer and water, there is one point that should also be well known, and that is propagation. How does Philodendron 'Imperial Green' propagate? The editor will introduce two main propagation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green'.
How Philodendron 'Imperial Green' propagates
There are actually three commonly used propagation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green', namely seed sowing, cuttings and division. Since collecting seeds from potted Philodendron 'Imperial Green' is not easy, and seed sowing is more suitable for large-scale propagation, plants kept at home generally use cuttings and division. Below, these two methods are described in detail.
I. How to take cuttings of Philodendron 'Imperial Green'
1. Time selection
There are no strict rules for the cutting time of Philodendron 'Imperial Green'. As long as the temperature is suitable, cuttings can be taken all year round. However, for most flower enthusiasts, the best time is spring and autumn; for example, May to September is ideal. Before March, fertilizer and water can be increased to make the plant more robust, so selecting branches becomes easier.
2. Operation method
(1) From the mother plant of Philodendron 'Imperial Green', select relatively healthy and thick branches, then cut them into segments of 12-15 cm each. Try to cut them off in one cut to ensure the cut surface is smooth and flat, then place them in a shady place for later use.
(2) Mix garden soil and river sand to make a cutting substrate and put it into a flower pot. The day before preparing to take cuttings, the substrate can be disinfected, for example by spreading it in the sun to dry or soaking it with a disinfectant solution.
(3) Take out the branches that have dried naturally, then insert them into the substrate, generally to a depth of 4-6 cm, and water thoroughly immediately. If water flows out from the bottom of the flower pot, it means it has been watered thoroughly. After that, place the flower pot in a semi-shady, ventilated place.
(4) After that, pay attention to checking the soil moisture. If the soil is relatively moist, there is no need to water. You can spray water on the leaves every day, and make sure the temperature is around 20 degrees. After waiting 3-4 weeks, roots will grow. After new leaves grow, they can be transplanted or directly maintained.
II. Division propagation of Philodendron 'Imperial Green'
1. Determine the time
Among the propagation methods for Philodendron 'Imperial Green', division is relatively simple, and its time is generally May to July. However, preparation can be done in early spring, and care management can be done in advance to make the plant grow healthier, so survival after division is also easier.
2. Operation method
(1) When using division, how does Philodendron 'Imperial Green' propagate? First, take a 2-3 year old Philodendron 'Imperial Green' out of the flower pot, then clean off the old soil around the roots, and cut off the messy and excess fibrous roots. During this process, avoid damaging the roots.
(2) Use a tool to cut vertically from the base of the plant, dividing the mother plant into several small plants, then place the small plants in a shady place and wait for the cuts to dry naturally.
(3) As with cuttings, use fertile soil as the substrate, then plant the small plants in the substrate, press the soil firm and water. At this time, no fertilizer is needed. After new leaves grow, pruning and shaping can be done, and then normal care can follow.
[Flower Time] Common indoor flower cultivation methods
AnthuriumCharacteristics: the flowering period can reach 6 weeks, it is evergreen all year round, and can bloom throughout the year.
Care: be careful not to spray the leaf surface in the evening, and be sure to ensure there are no water droplets on the anthurium leaf surface at night. In hot seasons, water usually once every 2-3 days, and at noon also use a sprinkler system to spray water on the leaf surface to increase indoor relative humidity. In cold seasons, watering should be done between 9 a.m. and before 4 p.m. to avoid freezing the roots.
Radermachera sinica
Alias: Radermachera sinica
Temperature: Radermachera sinica likes warm and hot environments, and the suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. During overwintering, the minimum must not be lower than 5°C, so as to avoid cold damage to leaves or leaf drop.
Light: Radermachera sinica is a light-loving plant, and can also tolerate slight shade. Full sun and semi-shady environments are both acceptable. During indoor display, it should be placed by a window with sufficient light or indoors.
Water: for potted plants displayed indoors, in addition to keeping the potting soil moist, in hot seasons the plant should also be sprayed with water 2-3 times a day. For plants placed indoors in winter, every 2-3 days around noon on clear days, spray the plant once with slightly warm clean water, to maintain its elegant appearance and also increase environmental humidity.
Phalaenopsis
Growing medium: common growing media for Phalaenopsis are mainly sphagnum moss and moss.
Temperature: when growing Phalaenopsis at home, the first thing to ensure is temperature. Phalaenopsis likes a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and the suitable growth temperature is 16°C to 30°C.
Watering: Phalaenopsis originates from primeval forests, where there is more mist and higher temperatures, and it is suitable for cultivation and care in a ventilated, high-humidity environment. The suitable air humidity for Phalaenopsis growth is 50% to 80%. In summer, when the plant grows vigorously, water once each at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day. In winter, with weak light and low temperature, watering once every other week is enough, and it is best done before 10 a.m. But note that when spraying water during the flowering period, do not spray mist onto the flowers. Tap water should be stored for more than 72 hours before watering.
Light: although Phalaenopsis prefers shade, the orchid plant still needs to receive some light. Generally, it should be placed indoors in a spot with scattered light, and do not let sunlight shine directly on it.
Ventilation: the normal growth of Phalaenopsis requires flowing fresh air, especially during the high-humidity period in summer. Good ventilation must be used to prevent heat damage, and it can also avoid infection by pests and diseases.
Fertilization: Phalaenopsis should be fertilized throughout the year. Winter is the flower bud differentiation period for Phalaenopsis, and stopping fertilizer can easily lead to no flowers or few flowers. Spring and summer are the growth period, and a dilute liquid fertilizer can be applied once every 7 to 10 days. In autumn and winter, during the flower stem growth period, phosphorus fertilizer can be used, but it must be dilute, applied about once every 2 to 3 weeks.
Areca palm
Alias: Zi kui, Arecaceae, Dypsis. Native to Madagascar, cultivated in Guangdong and Guangxi in China, and often planted in flower clusters in courtyards.
Propagation: at home, division can be used for propagation in spring, summer and autumn. Garden soil mixed with some sand can be used as potting soil
Cultivation: likes warmth, and has good shade tolerance, but indoors it grows better if placed in a bright spot. Its cold tolerance is not strong, and in winter the temperature should preferably be kept above 8°C. Usually keep the soil moist, and water as soon as the surface soil dries. In winter, water can wait until 2/3 of the potting soil is dry. During dry weather, it is easy to spray water on the leaf surface. In spring, summer and autumn, apply a compound fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer once a month. In addition, when placed indoors as a potted plant, the flower pot needs to be rotated regularly, because the plant has phototropism, so that the plant grows evenly and beautifully all around.
Cultivation key points:
1. Temperature. The minimum winter temperature is 16-18°C. Below this temperature, leaves turn yellow and fall off; below 10°C, it is easy for it to die.
2. Light. Areca palm is a strongly sun-loving plant, and in places such as Hainan Island it is planted in the open field. But this plant has relatively strong shade tolerance, and can be enjoyed indoors in a weak-light place for 2-4 weeks continuously. After that, place it in a strong-light place.
3. Water. During the high-temperature growth period, there must be sufficient water; but its drought tolerance is relatively strong, and it will not be harmed if not watered for several days. However, avoid water accumulation in the pot. Reduce watering in winter.
4. Air temperature. During the growth period, it likes relatively high air temperature; a small amount of water can often be sprayed on the leaf surface.
5. Repotting. Repotting can be done in spring as needed.
Pachira aquatica
Hand tree, commonly known as Pachira aquatica, is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pseudopanax in the Araliaceae family. This flower is native to Australia and some islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is suitable for warm, humid and well-ventilated environments. It likes sun and also tolerates slight shade, and grows best in loose, fertile soil with good drainage.
Potted hand trees should be repotted once every 1-2 years, carried out in spring when they are moved out, and yellow leaves and weak thin branches, etc., should be pruned as necessary to promote the sprouting of new shoots.
Watering: watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In spring and autumn, control the frequency of watering according to sunny or rainy weather, dry or wet conditions, etc. Generally water once a day. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, water at least twice a day. During the growing season, apply fertilizer twice a month. For newly grown leaves, also pay attention to spraying water to maintain relatively high environmental humidity; from June to September, shade is needed, maintaining 60%-70% light transmittance or placing it in a place with bright scattered light. After bringing it indoors in winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C, and keeping it around 10°C is better. Water once every 5-7 days, and be sure to provide relatively sufficient light.
Ventilation: during the growing season, if ventilation is poor, red spider mites and scale insects are likely to occur, so pay attention to observation. If pests are found, remove them promptly or spray pesticide.
African jasmine
African jasmine is an evergreen (climbing) shrub or small tree of the genus Fagraea in the Loganiaceae family, native to southern China and Southeast Asian countries.
African jasmine is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It likes warmth and sunlight, but requires avoiding direct strong sunlight in summer; it likes environments with high air humidity and good ventilation, and cannot tolerate cold, dry freezing, or sharp drops in temperature; it grows best in loose, fertile loam with good drainage; its sprouting and tillering ability is strong, and it is especially tolerant of repeated pruning.
Light: African jasmine likes sunlight. Its native environment is mostly semi-shady, so in spring and autumn it can receive full light, while in summer it requires a shade frame or being moved under the dense shade of a large tree, and at least avoiding direct sunlight for several hours around noon;
Water: whether planted in the ground or in pots, it requires sufficient water, but the roots must not accumulate water, otherwise root rot easily occurs. In spring and autumn, watering should be based on keeping the potting soil moist; in the plum rain season, be careful to prevent water accumulation; in the scorching summer, spray water once in the morning and once in the afternoon to increase humidity and lower temperature; in winter, for indoor potted plants, keeping the potting soil slightly moist is appropriate, and around noon when the temperature is relatively higher, spray an appropriate amount of water on the leaf surface.
Soil: use fertile loam or sandy loam as the cultivation soil.
Ventilation: maintaining good ventilation can avoid pests.
Queensland umbrella tree
Alias: Queensland umbrella tree, Queensland shade tree, Australian ivy palm, commonly known as money tree
Family and genus name: woody foliage plant of the genus Schefflera in the Araliaceae family. It is suitable for warm, humid and well-ventilated environments, likes sun and also tolerates shade, and grows well in loose, fertile and well-drained soil.
Soil: for potted umbrella trees, garden soil mixed with leaf mold can be used as the substrate. March to October is its vigorous growth period, with relatively large growth. Generally apply fertilizer once a month, while keeping the soil moist, ensuring sufficient water, and frequently spraying the leaf surface, so as to avoid dry air and leaf chlorosis and yellowing.
Light: indoor display should be placed in a spot with some diffused light, and attention should be paid to ventilation.
In late autumn and winter, reduce the amount of watering and control the amount of fertilizer; in late autumn, foliar fertilization can be carried out by spraying 0.3-0.5% monopotassium phosphate and other phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, to promote the aging of branches and leaves and improve cold resistance in winter. Under conditions of high temperature and high humidity and poor ventilation in greenhouses and indoors, anthracnose or damage by scale insects and red spider mites may occur, so pay attention to observation and timely control.
Sacred fig
The sacred fig is a plant of the genus Ficus in the Moraceae family. Its trunk is straight, and its bark is gray. Its crown is wavy and round, with hanging aerial roots. The sacred fig has many aliases: Sal tree, Aridora, Indian sacred fig, yellow horn tree, thinking tree, pippala tree, bodhi tree, and it has deep ties with Buddhism. The original Sanskrit name of the sacred fig is "pippala tree". Because the founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni, attained enlightenment under the sacred fig, it was named the sacred fig, and "Bodhi" means "enlightenment". Buddhism has always regarded the sacred fig as a holy tree. In jungle temples across India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, sacred figs are widely planted, and India has designated it as its national tree.
The sacred fig is native to India and is regarded as a sacred Buddhist tree. It is said that in the first year of the Tianjian era of Emperor Wu of Liang (502), the Indian monk Zhiyao Sanzang introduced the sacred fig from India and planted it in front of the altar at Guangxiao Temple in Guangzhou. Since then, sacred figs have grown in Guangdong and Yunnan in China.
Cultivation method: the care method for the sacred fig is basically the same as that for general flowers and trees, with nothing special. It requires fertile soil, good aeration, and sufficient sunlight. Watering should follow "water when dry, wet when watered," and water thoroughly at one time. In summer, water again after the soil has dried thoroughly for two or three days; in winter, water once a week. Potted plants should be repotted once every two years. The soil can use field soil with leaf mold, or pine needle soil.
Calathea orbifolia
Calathea orbifolia, also known as round-leaf calathea, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Calathea in the Marantaceae family. It is named for its huge leaves, clear green leaf color, and round leaf shape that resembles an apple.
It is native to tropical American countries such as Brazil, and was selected and bred by Europeans (Belgium, the Netherlands) from the original species of round-leaf calathea. It likes high-temperature and humid semi-shady environments, fears cold, and avoids strong light. The suitable growth temperature is 18°C to 30°C. It requires relatively high air humidity and avoids dry potting soil and environment.
Temperature: Calathea orbifolia likes warm and mild environments, cannot tolerate intense heat, fears high temperatures, and has relatively poor cold tolerance. Its suitable growth temperature is 18°C to 30°C.
Light: Calathea orbifolia likes semi-shade and avoids strong light exposure. Potted plants usually placed indoors for display and appreciation should be placed in a spot with sufficient scattered light or by a window.
Water: Calathea orbifolia likes moisture and avoids drought. Dry air easily leads to leaf edge scorching and poor growth. During the growing season, in addition to watering once a day, leaf surface and environmental spraying should also be strengthened, so that relative air humidity is kept above 85% to 90%.
Soil: Calathea orbifolia likes slightly acidic to acidic leaf mold or culture soil that is well drained and loose and fertile. Potting soil should preferably be mixed with humus soil, compost plus one third river sand or wood shavings, and the pH value should preferably be maintained between 5.5 and 7.2. When the pH value is above 7.5, its leaves easily show iron deficiency chlorosis or yellowing and scorching at the leaf edges.
Fertilizer: during the growth period of Calathea orbifolia, apply dilute organic fertilizer once a week.
Large-flowered cymbidium
Alias: hybrid tiger orchid, tiger orchid, Cymbidium, cicada orchid
Large-flowered cymbidium is a ground-planted and semi-ground-planted variety of the large-flowered and medium-flowered strains in the genus Cymbidium. It likes mild, high-humidity, well-lit, and well-ventilated environments.
1. Temperature. Large-flowered cymbidium likes mild winters and cool summers. Large-flowered cymbidium has relatively strong adaptability to temperature and can grow at 10-35°C, and can resist short periods of ultra-high temperature of 48°C and short periods of low temperature of 0°C. The suitable growth temperature is 10-25°C.
2. Humidity. Large-flowered cymbidium requires sufficient water and relatively high air humidity during the vigorous growth season. Generally, it requires air humidity to reach 75%-90% for vigorous growth.
3. Light. Light is an important factor affecting the growth and flowering of large-flowered cymbidium. Shade degree is about 70%.
4. Water. Large-flowered cymbidium has relatively high requirements for water quality and likes slightly acidic water. As for calcium in water,
5. Keep indoor ventilation.
Belgian azalea
Belgian azalea is also called Belgian rhododendron, or Western azalea for short. Belgian azalea is one of the excellent varieties of rhododendron, and was first bred in Western Europe. It has many varieties, bright flower colors, rich variation, dense flowers, and a long flowering period, with extremely high ornamental value.
Its flower characteristics are: likes cool and humid conditions, fertilizer should be applied lightly rather than heavily, and it tolerates cold but fears stuffiness and heat.
Its flowers are best repotted in spring and autumn, once every two years, using ordinary clay pots. The soil should preferably be high-quality mountain soil. Watering (tap water) is sufficient. Shanghai's water and soil are somewhat alkaline, so it is best to apply ferrous sulfate once a month to keep the flowers and leaves evergreen all year round. Fertilization must be done in spring and autumn. In spring, after the flowers finish blooming, in April and May; in autumn, before flowering, in October to December. In spring, fertilization should mainly be nitrogen fertilizer; in autumn, it should mainly be phosphorus fertilizer. The management of Belgian azalea mainly requires care in summer. Especially in high-temperature weather, it must be placed in a cool and ventilated place, watered once or twice a day, and it is enough to keep the flower pot from drying out.
Snake plant
Snake plant is also called tiger skin sansevieria and thousand-year orchid. It is a perennial herbaceous foliage plant of the genus Sansevieria in the Liliaceae family. Snake plants are relatively drought tolerant. No matter what flower it is, watering must adhere to the principle of "do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when watering."
Its suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 10°C.
Snake plants can be propagated by division and cuttings. For golden-edged and variegated leaf varieties, small seedlings propagated by leaf cuttings are green seedlings, and the golden edge and variegated patterns disappear, reducing ornamental value. Potted snake plants can use equal parts leaf mold and garden soil mixed with a small amount of decomposed base fertilizer as the substrate. It grows well under conditions of sufficient light. Except in midsummer, when direct sunlight must be avoided, it should receive more sunlight in other seasons; if placed indoors for a long time, it should not suddenly be moved directly into sunlight, so as to avoid leaf scorching.
Watering should be moderate, and the principle of preferring dryness over wetness should be grasped. It does not have high fertilizer requirements. During the growing season, apply dilute liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month to ensure the leaves are verdant and thick.
Alocasia
Alocasia is a commercial name, and its real name is taro - a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Alocasia, native to the subtropics. It likes warm and humid semi-shady environments and is not cold tolerant.
Soil: taro does not have high soil requirements, but it grows best in sandy loam or humus loam with good drainage and organic matter. Generally, potting soil mostly uses a mixed soil of leaf mold, peat soil and coarse sand at 2:2:1. During the growing season of taro, be sure to keep the potting soil moist, and apply dilute liquid fertilizer with N, P and K mainly based on N once or twice a month. In summer, place it in a semi-shady and ventilated place, and frequently spray water around it and on the leaf surface, to increase air humidity, lower leaf temperature, and keep the leaves clean.
Temperature: Alocasia likes warm and humid environments and slightly shaded conditions, but during the flowering period it needs sufficient sunlight, and must ensure 3-5 hours of light per day, otherwise the leaf stalks will elongate and affect ornamental value.
Fertilization: Alocasia likes moist and fertile soil, that is, what is often called "heavy fertilizer and heavy water." For topdressing, liquid fertilizers such as decomposed bean cake water can be applied alternately with chemical fertilizers (compound fertilizer or diammonium phosphate), applying topdressing once every 2 weeks. When applying liquid fertilizer, never let the fertilizer water pour into the leaf sheaths, so as to avoid rot.
Philodendron 'Imperial Green'
Philodendron 'Imperial Green' and Peperomia obtusifolia belong to the same genus, and their care methods are similar. It likes warm and humid environments, but the potting soil must not be too wet. In winter, water once every two weeks; in summer, water can be daily. Do not let the summer sun scorch it, otherwise the leaves easily develop scorched spots. Also, if watered too frequently in winter, it easily loses leaves and easily rots stems. Remember this. Philodendron 'Imperial Green' is an evergreen plant of the Araceae family.
In winter care, it needs to be placed in a place with sufficient light, and the room temperature must be kept above 10°C! It also requires relatively good humidity. Spraying water on the leaves in winter requires a certain water temperature; do not spray cold water! The temperature should preferably be close to room temperature or slightly higher!
Watering should be done after the surface soil dries, and not too frequently! One or two days after watering, if the surface of the potting soil looks slightly dry, loosen the soil! Generally, no fertilization is needed in winter. If the room temperature can be kept around 20°C, it still needs fertilization about once every half a month! Normal management can be carried out!
Philodendron 'Imperial Green' likes warm and humid semi-shady environments, fears cold, and avoids strong light. It is suitable for growing in sandy loam rich in humus and with good drainage. Frequently spray water on the leaves and sprinkle water on the ground to increase environmental humidity, and try to maintain a ventilated, warm, semi-shady environment. In addition, Philodendron 'Imperial Green' is best placed away from heating and air conditioning vents, because the air in these places is too dry and water evaporates quickly, which very easily causes the leaves to dry up.
During the peak growth season of Philodendron 'Imperial Green' from May to September, apply fertilizer water 1-2 times a month. The frequency and dosage must not be too much, otherwise the leaf stalks will become slender and weak and will not stand upright easily, thus affecting the ornamental effect. In other seasons, fertilizer should also be applied as little as possible. Watering should be done flexibly. In dry spring and summer seasons, the soil needs to be kept moist, while in autumn and winter, follow "water when dry, wet when watered."
Cornflower
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Cornflower is vigorous, relatively cold tolerant, likes sunlight, and requires fertile, loose, well-drained soil. Generally, it is sown directly in the seedbed in September. In areas south of central China, it can overwinter in the open field, and no cold protection is needed in winter. It is transplanted in November or early March of the following year. During the growing period, apply liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, but note that nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied too much, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied more, to make the stems firm and the flower colors bright. At the same time, watering should be moderate and not too much. In the rainy season, be sure to drain water promptly, otherwise root rot will occur and affect the normal growth of the plant.
Cornflower likes sufficient sunlight and a cool climate, avoids summer heat, and prefers fertile and loose soil. Because it has a taproot, direct sowing is preferable. For autumn sowing to advance flowering, it can overwinter in a cold frame, and can flower in late spring. Because cornflower does not tolerate transplanting, it must be transplanted with a soil ball, otherwise it is not easy to recover. The potting soil should be loose and fertile, and it is best to use a mixed soil of garden soil, leaf mold, and plant ash, etc. In winter, it can be continuously buried in soil to overwinter, taken out in early March, and fertilized frequently, stopping fertilization when flower buds appear.
It has strong cold tolerance and can be planted in the open field in East China; in North China, it needs to be covered to overwinter; it likes fertile and loose soil; it likes sufficient sunlight; it can self-sow; it has strong adaptability and is easy to cultivate. When cultivated as a cut flower, greenhouses are usually used to force flowering: sow in August, plant out in September, and flowers can be produced in February of the following year. In warm areas inside the passes, it is generally sown in August-September, overwintered with open-field covering, planted out in early spring of the second year, and flowers in early summer. In Northeast China, it is sown in greenhouses in spring. Because cornflower has a taproot and very few lateral roots, transplanting must be done with soil when the seedlings are small; when the seedlings are large, survival is not easy, so it is often directly sown in spring.
Spider plant
Spider plant likes warm, humid and semi-shady places, and is not drought tolerant. When grown at home in summer, spider plant should avoid sun exposure, and be placed indoors for appreciation during the day. If conditions permit, place it outdoors in a wind-sheltered place at night (but it must be ventilated). According to its growth condition, in April of spring, combine repotting with division propagation, and after repotting place it in a semi-shady place. The soil should be loose, rich in humus and well drained. Soil that is too wet or too dry will cause branches and leaves to yellow and wither. Usually, clean water can often be used to spray and water the leaf surface, keeping the leaf surface clean and moist. In winter, it should be placed indoors at around 15°C for cultivation, to avoid cold damage.
For potted spider plants, under general conditions, phenomena such as dry leaf tips and leaves gradually losing luster often occur. To care for spider plants well, the following measures should be taken.
Proper light. Spider plant likes semi-shady environments. In spring and autumn, avoid direct strong sunlight. In summer, sunlight is especially strong, so it can only receive some oblique light in the morning and evening, and during the day 50%-70% of sunlight needs to be shaded, otherwise the leaf tips will dry up. Variegated varieties especially fear strong sunlight. Golden-edged spider plants grow more beautifully in weak light, with the yellow golden edge more obvious and the leaves more glossy. But in winter, it should receive more sunlight to keep the leaves tender and fresh green. Household potted spider plants should be placed in front of a south-facing window, otherwise the leaves will lose luster or even wither.
Proper watering. Spider plant likes humid environments, and the potting soil should often be kept moist. In summer, watering should be sufficient. Around noon and in the evening, water should also be sprayed on the branches and leaves to prevent the leaves from drying up. Indoors there is often a lot of dust. If a lot of dust accumulates on the spider plant, it not only affects its growth but also damages the fresh and bright appearance of the branches and leaves, so the branches and leaves should often be sprayed and washed to keep them bright and beautiful. Dead leaves and yellow leaves at the lower part should be removed at any time. Normally, normal humidity should be maintained; it should not be too dry, nor too wet. Changing soil and repotting. In the management of potted spider plants, in order to achieve lush stems and leaves, the soil and pot should be changed once every March.
Asparagus fern
Care: asparagus fern is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. It likes warm, humid and semi-sunny environments, fears severe cold, and fears exposure to the sun. To make an asparagus fern bonsai verdant in all four seasons and highly ornamental, the following points should be noted.
Location: asparagus fern bonsai can be cared for indoors or on an enclosed balcony all year round. Pay attention to air circulation.
Light: asparagus fern likes warm, humid and shaded environments, and cannot tolerate direct strong light. In early spring, late autumn and winter, it can receive sunlight. At other times, it should be shaded or receive scattered light.
Temperature: asparagus fern can grow all year round in an environment of 10°C-25°C. It can overwinter safely if the minimum winter temperature is above 5°C.
Watering: in the growth periods of late spring, summer and early autumn, the potting soil can be appropriately on the wetter side. In winter, water evaporation is low, so watering should be appropriately reduced; it is enough to keep the potting soil moist.
Fertilization: during the growing period, applying dilute organic liquid fertilizer once a month is enough. Too much fertilizer will promote excessive growth of asparagus fern branches and leaves, instead ruining the shape. Do not fertilize in winter.
Pruning: Asparagus fern grows quickly, and during the growing season it often sends up new shoots from the roots. Over time, the old stems and leaves turn yellow. To keep the asparagus fern's stems and leaves emerald green and its form graceful, regularly cut away old branches, leggy shoots and leaves that spoil the shape.
Parlor palm
When grown as a potted plant, the parlor palm reaches no more than 1 m in height. Its stems are slender, upright, unbranched and dark green, marked with irregular rings. The leaves emerge from the top of the stem as pinnate compound leaves, fully divided, with broad lanceolate segments; there are 20 to 40 sickle-shaped, dark green, glossy leaflets. The plant blooms in spring, with spicate inflorescences borne in the leaf axils; it is dioecious, the male flowers slightly upright and the female inflorescences drooping slightly when nutrition is good, with yellow flowers like small beads; it bears small berries that are mostly orange-red or yellow.
Habit: It likes warm, humid and semi-shaded conditions. The suitable growing temperature is 20 to 30 degrees; at 13 degrees it enters dormancy, and the minimum winter temperature for overwintering is 3 degrees.
Soil: For the parlor palm, a well-drained, moist, fertile loam is best as the growing medium. For potting, a mix of leaf mold and peat soil with 1/4 river sand and a small amount of base fertilizer can generally be used as the substrate.
Fertilizing: It has low fertilizer requirements. Generally, apply liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times a month during the growing season, and apply little or no fertilizer in late autumn and winter. Repot once every 2 to 3 years in spring.
Watering: Water on the principle of preferring dry over wet; keeping the potting soil consistently moist is enough. When the air is dry in summer and autumn, spray the plant frequently to raise the ambient humidity, which benefits its growth and at the same time keeps the leaves dark green and glossy; reduce watering appropriately in winter to help it overwinter.
Light: The parlor palm likes semi-shaded conditions and fears direct sunlight. Under strong sun its leaf color fades or turns yellow, and scorched leaves and black spots appear, ruining its ornamental value.
Pests and diseases: Under high temperature and high humidity, the parlor palm is prone to brown spot disease. If brown spot disease is found, promptly treat it with 800 to 1000 times diluted thiophanate or carbendazim. Mealybugs also easily appear when the air is dry and ventilation is poor. If mealybugs are found, they can be scraped off by hand, or sprayed with 800 to 1000 times diluted omethoate for control.
Golden barrel cactus
Golden barrel cactus, also known as yellow-spined golden barrel cactus, is the most charming species of globe cactus in the family Cactaceae, genus Echinocactus. Among cultivated forms there are also several main varieties, such as white-spined golden barrel cactus, wild-spined golden barrel cactus, short-spined golden barrel cactus, variegated golden barrel cactus and crested golden barrel cactus.
Origin and habit: The golden barrel cactus is native to the desert regions of Mexico, and has now been introduced and cultivated in both southern and northern China. It likes abundant sunlight and mostly prefers fertile, well-drained sandy loam. During the hot summer period it should be shaded appropriately to prevent the body from being scorched by strong light.
Management techniques: The golden barrel cactus likes calcareous sandy loam, which can be mixed from equal parts coarse sand, loam and leaf mold plus a small amount of aged wall ash. Once a year it should be repotted with fresh soil and old roots cut away.
Temperature: The golden barrel cactus likes abundant sunlight, but in summer it prefers semi-shade; when the temperature reaches above 35°C, it should be shaded around midday to avoid strong sunlight scorching the body. Keep the overwintering temperature at 8 to 10°C and keep the potting soil dry. If the temperature is too low, yellow spots will appear on the body.
Watering: Summer is the peak growing season for the golden barrel cactus, and its water needs increase. In drought, water frequently, preferably in the early morning and evening; never water with very cold water at hot midday, as this easily causes a "chill" and disease. If the potting soil is too dry at midday, a little spraying to moisten the surface is enough; do not spray water on the top of the body or on grafted parts, to avoid water accumulating and causing rot.
Fertilizing: During the growing season, apply a dilute fertilizer solution containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 1 to 2 times about every half month, together with watering. Organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed and at an appropriate concentration.
Pest and disease control: For red spider mites, spray with 40% dimethoate or 90% trichlorfon at 1000 to 1500 times dilution. When mealybugs, whiteflies and similar pests are found, they can be removed by hand.
Black Prince rubber plant
Black Prince is a new variety derived from the rubber plant and is a common foliage plant. The Black Prince rubber plant has elegant yet substantial leaves and a strong constitution, growing all year round. The name Black Prince sounds somewhat masculine, but its red leaf sheath is like a shy young girl, vivid red as if about to drip, revealing charm within its masculinity.
The Black Prince rubber plant grows fast and adapts well; ordinarily it needs only simple watering and fertilizing, with no special management. Because the Black Prince rubber plant has only recently been introduced, compared with ordinary rubber plants, farmers growing it also have an advantage in price.
The Black Prince rubber plant can be grown in pots or in the ground; in the north it is more suitable for indoor care.
Temperature: Shade it in high temperatures; if the light is too strong, it easily scorches its leaves. The temperature must not fall below zero; below zero it will suffer cold damage.
Watering: When watering normally, keep the soil on the wetter side and water more.
Split-leaf philodendron
Split-leaf philodendron, also known as horsehead philodendron and lacy tree philodendron, is a perennial evergreen plant of the family Araceae, genus Philodendron, and an excellent shade-loving indoor foliage plant. The following aspects should be noted in its care:
Pot and soil: A clay pot can be chosen for planting, with another pot placed outside it, which is both attractive and breathable. Since the split-leaf philodendron likes fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, home cultivation can use a mix of leaf mold, peat soil, garden soil and a small amount of river sand. Depending on the plant's growth, repot once about every 2 years in spring.
Light and temperature: The split-leaf philodendron likes warmth, tolerates shade, is not cold-hardy and avoids direct strong sunlight. In hot summer it should be kept in a shady spot. In winter it can be placed in a sunny spot. Its suitable growing temperature is 18°C to 25°C, and the overwintering temperature is best above 8°C.
Water and fertilizer: The split-leaf philodendron likes a moist environment; ordinarily it can be given some rice-washing water, and during the growing season keep the potting soil moist. In summer, spray water on the leaves or around the flowerpot every day to maintain a fresh, moist microclimate. In winter, as the temperature gradually drops, reduce the frequency of watering. Although the split-leaf philodendron likes warmth and humidity, it has fairly strong adaptability to the dry indoor environment of northern winters. When potting or repotting, place some hoof and horn pieces or oil residue at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer, and afterwards apply liquid fertilizer once a month (such as dilute cake fertilizer water). In winter, apply little or no fertilizer.
Propagation: In home cultivation, division is commonly used. When the offshoots sprouting from its base grow larger and develop adventitious roots, they can be separated and planted separately when repotting. Alternatively, in spring the top of the stem can be cut off to encourage axillary buds to sprout as propagation material. With this method, the propagation rate is relatively high.
To make the plant compact, a support can be set up for training, or advantage can be taken of the new leaves' phototropism by rotating the pot so that the new leaf blades face the sun.
Golden pothos
For potted golden pothos, choose fertile, loose, well-drained leaf mold, preferably slightly acidic. Golden pothos is extremely shade-tolerant and can be kept in a sunny indoor spot all year round; in dim indoor conditions, it should be moved every half month to a brighter environment for a period of recovery. Golden pothos likes a hot and humid environment; the overwintering temperature should not be below 15°C, the potting soil should be kept moist, and the leaves should be sprayed frequently to raise air humidity and benefit the growth of aerial roots.
The following aspects should be noted in its care:
Habit: It likes a humid, semi-shaded environment, is not cold-tolerant, and its suitable growing temperature is 15°C to 30°C.
Soil: For potting, choose loose, breathable, well-drained soil; leaf mold can be the main component, mixed with 20 to 30 percent planting soil, or prepared by mixing peat soil and perlite.
Water and humidity: Midsummer is the growth peak; when the potting soil turns white, water thoroughly, and keeping the potting soil consistently moist is best. Never let the potting soil dry out, or the leaves easily turn yellow and the plant's shape deteriorates. If watering is excessive and causes waterlogging in the pot, it easily causes root rot and withered leaves.
Fertilizer: Fertilizing is mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by potassium fertilizer. In spring, apply a 0.3% urea solution once about every 15 days, and apply a 0.5‰ to 1‰ urea solution once as a foliar feed. During the growing season from June to August, apply liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks; before winter begins, apply the above urea solution once by watering or spraying. After winter begins, when the room temperature is above 15 degrees, fertilize mainly by spraying a 0.5‰ urea solution on the leaves; the fertilizer is absorbed through the stomata on the leaf surface, and its effect acts directly on the leaves.
Light: Indoors, place it in a bright spot with little direct sunlight, where it can stay for a long time. Put the golden pothos in the brightest indoor spot, or move it to an enclosed balcony to sunbathe at noon. At the same time, when the temperature is low, open windows as little as possible; in a very short time the leaves may be frostbitten.
Temperature: Golden pothos likes hot and humid conditions, and its best growing temperature is between 20°C and 25°C; in the north, with a room temperature above 10°C, golden pothos can overwinter safely, and with a room temperature above 20°C it can grow normally.
Peperomia
Habit: It likes a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment, fears high temperatures, avoids strong light and fears cold. Its suitable growing temperature is around 25°C, and the overwintering temperature should not be below 10°C. It requires light, fertile, well-drained soil. The growing soil is best prepared by mixing peat, river sand and leaf mold in a 1:1:1 ratio.
Cultivation and care: Peperomia likes a cool, humid environment and grows better in diffused light. In spring and autumn the climate is mild and the sunlight not too strong, so the plant can be placed outdoors. But in summer it should avoid direct strong light, and especially must not be placed where it gets the western sun, otherwise the branches and leaves will turn yellow. Therefore, after being moved outdoors in spring, it should be placed in a cool spot such as a balcony or corridor, and in midsummer it needs appropriate shading.
During the spring and autumn growing period: Apply fully decomposed 20% cake fertilizer water once about every half month, and try to avoid contact with the leaves when fertilizing. In summer's high temperatures, do not fertilize, to prevent fertilizer damage and root rot. Spring and autumn are its peak growing seasons; the soil should be kept moist and air humidity sufficient, so the amount of watering can be greater. In summer's high temperatures, peperomia grows slowly; water once each morning or evening, and do not water frequently, otherwise high temperature and excessive moisture easily cause the stems and leaves to rot; the specifics depend on the weather and the potting soil.
Generally the potting soil can be on the drier side, because the stems and leaves are thick and fleshy, and excessive moisture easily causes root rot, especially when dormant in winter, when the amount and frequency of watering should be controlled even more, and the potting soil is best kept slightly dry. For potted plants kept indoors, place them in a sunny spot in winter, and generally water only once a month.
Kalanchoe
1. The pot should be small and well ventilated; loose sandy loam is good for planting
Kalanchoe grows best when planted in a well-ventilated clay pot, but this does not look attractive indoors, so a plastic or porcelain pot can be placed outside it, or it can be planted directly in a small purple-clay or plastic pot. When planting, put a layer of crushed charcoal pieces or crushed hard plastic foam pieces at the bottom of the pot to improve ventilation.
Although it is not very particular about soil, it easily rots in heavy clay, while it grows best in loose, fertile, slightly acidic sandy loam. For home potting, use leaf mold mixed with an equal amount of vegetable garden topsoil, then add 5% to 8% sand as the growing medium. When planting, add a little bone meal or nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer as base fertilizer.
2. Moderate water control makes leaves lush; more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer makes flowers brightly colored
Kalanchoe is a succulent plant with a relatively high water content in its body, so it is fairly drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging; it grows well under the dry air conditions of high-rise buildings. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly about every 3 days once the potting soil is dry, and keeping it slightly moist is enough. In summer, water less, preferably once every 5 to 7 days; for kalanchoe placed outdoors, keep it out of rain during the rainy season, as too much water easily causes root rot and leaf drop and even death. With appropriate water control and the potting soil alternating between dry and moist, the branches are lush and the flowers numerous. After being brought indoors in winter, water at noon with water close to room temperature, about once a week.
Kalanchoe likes fertilizer. Half a month after seedlings are potted and established, or half a month after old plants are divided, apply 2 to 3 times a liquid fertilizer mainly of nitrogen to promote stem and leaf growth; after flowering, apply once a liquid fertilizer mainly of nitrogen to help it recover. At other times, apart from stopping fertilization in summer, only nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer may be applied; when fertilizing, do not get fertilizer on the leaves, otherwise the leaves easily rot; if the leaf surface is accidentally soiled, rinse it off with water. Kalanchoe has a long flowering period, so the rule of not fertilizing during flowering should be broken, and a dilute nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer or 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution should be applied once a month so that the later flowers do not become smaller and paler from lack of fertilizer.
3. It likes sunlight and tolerates semi-shade; it fears intense summer heat and winter cold
Kalanchoe likes a sunny environment. Except for slight shading at midday in midsummer, at other times it should be placed in a sunny spot, and it needs at least 4 hours of direct light a day to grow vigorously. On a balcony of a multi-story building, turn the pot 180 degrees every half month so that the light is even and a lopsided crown is avoided, which would reduce its ornamental value. It can also grow in semi-shade, but the stems are thin, the leaves sparse, and the flowers few and pale, far less luxuriant than in a sunny spot. If it is too shady, it not only easily drops leaves and bears no flowers, but even a plant already in bloom, if placed in shade, will have paler flowers and then lose its flowers and wither.
The most suitable growing temperature for kalanchoe is 15°C to 25°C; above 30°C growth slows and it enters semi-dormancy, below 10°C growth stalls, below 8°C the leaves turn red and flowering is delayed, and below 0°C it easily freezes to death. Therefore, to grow kalanchoe well, one must create a small environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer; at midday in midsummer, avoid strong sunlight and place it in a semi-shaded spot with ample diffused light, such as under a large tree, under the eaves or on a north-facing balcony. Pay special attention to ventilation and cooling; water can be sprinkled on the nearby ground, but not on the plant itself. After the Beginning of Autumn, from late August to early September, it can gradually be given sunlight, and from October it should be given more sunlight to promote its transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. When the minimum temperature drops to about 10°C, move it indoors and place it in front of a south- or west-facing windowsill so it gets more sunlight, keeping it at 10°C at night and 15°C to 18°C during the day; it can then bloom in December.
ZZ plant
ZZ plant, also known as Zamioculcas and golden pine, has no main stem above ground; adventitious buds sprout from the tubers to form large compound leaves, and the leaflets are fleshy with short petiolules, firm and deep green; the underground part is a fleshy tuber. Pinnate compound leaves emerge from the top of the tuber, and the leaf rachis is strong; the leaflets are opposite or nearly opposite along the rachis. The petiole base is swollen and woody; each compound leaf has 6 to 10 pairs of leaflets, with a lifespan of over 5 years, constantly renewed by new leaves.
How to grow the ZZ plant:
1. Note the temperature when dividing and the planting depth. Division is best done above 18 degrees; a piece can be broken off at a weak point where the tubers join and planted in a prepared pot. Do not bury it too deep; burying the top of the tuber 1.5 to 2 cm below the soil is enough. It is best to smear sulfur powder or plant ash on the broken surface.
2. The growing temperature is best at 20 to 32 degrees. When the temperature is high in summer, move it to a cool indoor spot and spray the leaves more to lower the temperature. In winter, when the room temperature is below 5 degrees, it will harm the plant's growth, so anti-freezing measures should be taken promptly.
3. It must not be exposed to overly strong sunlight. The ZZ plant likes light and also tolerates shade; it is not suited to growing under strong light. It is best placed by a window where there is something to screen the light, so that it can fully receive sunlight without the leaves being scorched by exposure. The shading effect is best at 60%; excessive shade will cause the leaves to turn yellow.
4. It needs fairly good soil for its growth. The soil should not only be loose, fertile and well-drained, but also rich in organic matter and preferably acidic to slightly acidic. When choosing soil, coarse sand, peat, washed coal cinders and a little garden soil can be mixed, and the pH adjusted to between 6 and 6.5 to make it slightly acidic.
5. Keep the soil slightly dry. Because the ZZ plant is fairly drought-tolerant, it is best to keep the potting soil on the dry side ordinarily; when the temperature is above 34 degrees, it is best to water once a day, and in autumn and winter water as little as possible, and spraying the leaves can replace watering.
6. When the temperature is above 15, fertilize twice a month. Because the ZZ plant rather likes fertilizer, it can be fertilized twice a month during the growing season. The most convenient choice is to buy fertilizer specifically for the ZZ plant, which is sold in flower markets; if chemical fertilizer is used, choose a mixture of 0.2% urea plus 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate.
Notes:
1. At midday, or in late spring and early summer when it clears after a long rain, pay attention to sun protection and give the plant appropriate shading.
2. In winter the potting soil must not be too moist, otherwise under low-temperature conditions it will cause the plant's root system to rot; keep it on the dry side.
3. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, all forms of fertilizing must stop, otherwise under low-temperature conditions the fertilizer will harm the roots and stems.
4. In especially cold winter weather, pay attention to protecting the plant from the cold; at night a double layer of plastic bags can be placed over the plant, and when the temperature rises, remove the plastic bags. 5. In summer, listen to the weather forecast promptly and prepare early to shade the plant.