When do ornamental peach blossoms bloom and how long is the flowering period
When do ornamental peach blossoms bloom? How long is the flowering period? Today we will give you a detailed introduction.
When do ornamental peach blossoms bloom
Ornamental peach blossoms bloom during the natural flowering period of peach blossoms. In South China, flowering usually begins about half a month after the Spring Festival, while in East China and Central China it begins in March. Therefore, ornamental peach blossoms sold on the market at Spring Festival all require flower-forcing techniques. The usual method is to remove the leaves around the eleventh lunar month. If the weather that year is too cold, remove all the leaves at once; if the weather that year is warmer, first remove half the leaves and remove the rest after half a month, and they will bloom by Spring Festival. If, because of the weather, no flower buds are visible by the twelfth lunar month, you can cover the crown with plastic film and spray water at the warmest time around noon on sunny days to raise the temperature and humidity and promote flowering. Another flower-forcing method is: after removing the leaves, move the potted plant to a cool place below 7°C for care, then 30 to 40 days before Spring Festival move the potted plant indoors, first giving a temperature of about 10°C, then gradually raising the room temperature. In an environment of 20°C to 25°C, it can bloom after 15 to 20 days.
The flowering period of ornamental peach blossoms is generally 10-15 days. However, to make the flowering period longer, two methods should be used: first, after flowering, place it in a bright place without direct sunlight. The soil moisture in the pot should not be too high, not exceeding 40%, and not too dry, not less than 30%. This can extend the flowering period of ornamental peach blossoms to 20-25 days. Second, during the flowering period, water with a 400-fold vinegar solution, or use a sprayer to spray a small amount of vinegar mist onto the flowers, which can keep them fresh and extend the flowering period, keeping the ornamental peach blossom flowering period at about one month.
How to grow ornamental peach blossoms
Ornamental peach is a sun-loving plant and is usually planted in a wind-sheltered, sunny place, where its blossoms look especially beautiful in the sunlight. It also has a very classical temperament and is a subject of lyrical expression in the writings of many literati. Su Dongpo once wrote: Duchang County by Poyang Lake, ten thousand homes with lights and towers, water separates the southern hills and people cannot cross, the east wind blows the ornamental peach blossoms old.
Ornamental peach prefers slightly alkaline soil, which can be tested with acid-base test paper. Only by keeping the soil loose and neutral or slightly alkaline can ornamental peach produce beautiful flowers. Ornamental peach is a drought-tolerant plant, so when growing it, be careful not to overwater, and pay attention to appropriate fertilization, which can make the flower color of ornamental peach brighter and more beautiful.
Ornamental peach blooms before it leafs out, so be sure to pay attention to the flowering time of ornamental peach. In the south, flowering basically begins about half a month after Spring Festival, while in the north it may not begin until March. The flowering period of ornamental peach is considered long among the Rosaceae, at 3-4 months, while its ornamental flowering period is generally half a month. For potted plants, attention should be paid to pruning the flowering branches, which is more conducive to the growth of flower buds.
Ornamental peach is so beautiful that pruning its branches and leaves is naturally essential. Pruning is not only for beauty, but also for better growth of the ornamental peach. When pruning ornamental peach, first remove useless branches, such as diseased branches and upright branches on the back. Then prune according to the overall posture of the peach tree, and 3-5 main branches can be kept. People have always loved to keep curved main trunks, similar to the popularity of curved plum in ancient times.
Finally, let us look at how to make an ornamental peach bonsai.
Take a successfully grafted peach seedling and, around Awakening of Insects the following year, cut it off 1.5 cm-2.0 cm above the grafted bud to promote growth of the grafted bud. During this period, potting and shaping pruning can be carried out at the same time. For ornamental peach, a loose, breathable, drainage-retaining, fertilizer-retaining sandy soil can be used. For the pot, choose a purple clay ceramic pot or glazed ceramic pot whose color contrasts with the flower color. Shaping pruning should be carried out gradually according to the tree's vigor and growth and your own aesthetic sense, using methods such as thinning pruning, twisting branches, pulling branches, bending, heading back, flat cutting, scar creation, and flower thinning. To create an unusual and elegant masterpiece, note that its branches and trunk should be sparse rather than dense, for if dense, it loses its charm.
Flowering period control. When the bonsai has begun to take shape, flowering period control should be carried out. Ornamental peach normally blooms around Qingming Festival. If you want it to bloom during Spring Festival, place the ornamental peach bonsai outdoors in a wind-sheltered, sunny place for winter treatment, move it indoors about 60 days before Spring Festival, and keep the room temperature at 15°C-20°C.