How to grow a dragon bone plant? Practical cultivation methods for you
The cultivation method of the dragon bone plant is very simple, so many people choose to grow the dragon bone plant. The dragon bone plant is a lazy person's plant; it is a succulent of the genus Euphorbia in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to Namibia. The dragon bone plant is also called the triangular spurge; it grows vigorously, reaching a height of 2 m to 3 m, with tender fleshy growth. During the winter dormant period, watering once every 1-2 months will not cause it to dry out and die. The dragon bone plant has a short main stem at the base, with whorled branches around the main stem, 3 to 4 ribs, with hard short spines, growing vertically upward.
The dragon bone plant is drought-tolerant, so watering should be moderate. If the potting soil stays too wet for a long time, it will cause root rot. During the winter dormant period, watering once every 1-2 months will not cause it to dry out and die. The dragon bone plant is not cold-tolerant; the overwintering temperature should be kept at around 10 degrees. The dragon bone plant has no strict soil requirements; ordinary potting soil will allow it to grow well. The dragon bone plant is generally propagated by cuttings. Cut off a branch of more than 10 cm, wash off the milky sap that flows out, dip it in plant ash and let it dry, then insert it into slightly dry coarse sandy soil. One week later, when the cutting begins to lose water and wilt, water it lightly. Place it in partial shade, and it will root easily.
For dragon bone plants kept indoors for ornamental purposes, place them as close to a sunny window as possible and let them get plenty of sunlight. To keep them growing well, apply a dilute fertilizer about once every 15 days during the growing period. But the fertilizer must not be too concentrated, to avoid fertilizer burn that leads to root rot. To prevent the dragon bone plant from rotting in winter, it needs to be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight so it gets more sun.
Dragon bone plant cultivation methods. Is the dragon bone plant toxic?
The dragon bone plant is a fairly common flowering plant in homes. Growing it indoors helps purify the air; the dragon bone plant itself can absorb formaldehyde, ether and other toxic and harmful gases produced by renovation. It is also relatively easy to propagate and manage, with a unique shape, and is deeply loved by people. Next, the editor will introduce the cultivation methods of the dragon bone plant and whether the dragon bone plant is toxic.
Dragon bone plant cultivation methods
1. Soil requirements
The dragon bone plant likes fertile, loose soil. When potting, you can mix 1 part leaf mold and 1 part coarse sand, then add a small amount of potting soil made with chicken manure or cow manure.
2. Temperature conditions
In summer it needs to be kept in a semi-shaded environment for care. In winter, light must be sufficient; place it in a sunny spot indoors, and the temperature must be kept above 12°C. Below 12°C, frost damage easily occurs.
3. Light conditions
In summer, the dragon bone plant needs to be shaded, which is more conducive to growth. For indoor dragon bone plants, it is best to place them by a window close to sunlight so they absorb more sunlight.
4. Watering method
In spring, do not water too much; water once every half month, but spray the plant every day to increase air humidity. In summer, it is best to water once a day in the morning or evening.
5. Fertilizing method
During the growing period, the dragon bone plant should be fertilized once every 15 days. The fertilizer can be granular compound fertilizer or homemade alum fertilizer water. But do not fertilize too much, to avoid fertilizer burn that leads to root rot.
6. Pruning and shaping
To prevent the dragon bone plant from aging prematurely, prune it in time, cutting off some branches that do not bloom, so that new buds fully develop and extend.
Is the dragon bone plant toxic?
Besides being able to ward off evil, the dragon bone plant also has a good purifying effect. For newly renovated houses, it has a good adsorption effect on formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and TVOC. However, when planting the dragon bone plant indoors, pay attention, because the fleshy stems have sharp spines and the white milky sap in the stems is toxic, especially it must not get into the eyes. So when growing it at home, special attention must be paid to the placement location, to avoid children and the elderly being prickled and poisoned.
That is all for the introduction to the cultivation methods of the dragon bone plant and whether the dragon bone plant is toxic. We hope it is helpful to everyone.
How to grow the dragon bone plant. Dragon bone plant cultivation methods
The dragon bone plant is a plant of the genus Hylocereus in the family Cactaceae. The dragon bone plant is a climbing fleshy shrub, 3-15 m long, with ribs often wing-shaped, edges wavy or crenate, dark green to pale blue-green, hairless; the edges of old branches are often calloused, light brown, bony; areoles arranged along the ribs, 3-5 cm apart, about 2 mm in diameter. The dragon bone plant is an epiphytic succulent plant, with large white fragrant flowers, opening at night from May to September. So how do you grow the dragon bone plant? Let's take a look below.
I. Basic information on the dragon bone plant
The dragon bone plant is also called "Hylocereus undatus". It is a climbing fleshy shrub plant of the family Cactaceae. The dragon bone plant likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment, can tolerate drought, and fears low temperatures and frost. The winter overwintering temperature must not be lower than 7°C, otherwise it is prone to frost damage. Soil rich in humus and sandy loam is best. It grows 3-15 m long and has aerial roots. In Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi and other regions, it can be cultivated in gardens or near villages, often climbing on tree trunks, abandoned walls or rocks; its stems are often used as grafting rootstock for various cactus ball plants. When planted in a corner or edge of a greenhouse, the dragon bone plant can serve as a hedge plant; when potted, it can serve as rootstock for grafting other cacti. It is distributed from Central America to northern South America and widely cultivated around the world, and is wild in Hawaii; it is commonly cultivated in various parts of our country, and has escaped to the wild in Fujian, Hainan and Guangxi, climbing on tree trunks, rocks or walls by means of aerial roots.
II. How to grow the dragon bone plant
1. Soil: The dragon bone plant is not demanding about soil; ordinary potting soil is fine. It is best to use nutrient-rich, fertile sandy soil. The potting soil can be made by mixing leaf mold and coarse sand at a 1:1 ratio, then adding a little decomposed poultry or livestock manure.
2. Light: It is suitable for growing under semi-shaded conditions. Although it tolerates sun, to avoid yellowing under strong light, shading measures should be taken in summer. In winter, place it in a bright spot to receive some sunlight. Indoor plants are best placed on a balcony, windowsill and other places where light can be seen.
3. Temperature: The dragon bone plant likes a warm environment, is not cold-tolerant, and fears frost. In winter the temperature should be above 10°C for smooth overwintering, and moderate, even light should be given; it must not be lower than 7°C, to avoid frost injury.
4. Water and fertilizer management: In spring, do not water too much; watering once every 10-15 days is enough, but the plant should be sprayed with water every day to increase air humidity. In summer, water once a day, preferably in the morning or evening. In winter, the potting soil should be kept moderately dry; you can wrap and protect the pot with plastic film for overwintering. The overwintering cultivation environment must maintain both a relatively high temperature and relatively high air humidity.
5. Pruning: To prevent the dragon bone plant from aging prematurely and to maintain vitality at its base, attention should also be paid to regular pruning. Cut off some old branches that do not bloom much, and also remove the weak buds growing below, so that the terminal buds fully develop and extend, and bloom more.