How to care for Ixora in winter? Detailed care methods explained

Ixora, also known as Chinese ixora, Yingdan, and hundred-day red, has a small and delicate shape with clusters of flowers. From a distance it looks as passionate as a ball of fire, and up close it looks especially like little people huddling together for warmth. Ixora is very suitable for potted cultivation on windowsills, balconies, and living rooms, playing a good decorative role. How to care for Ixora in winter? What are the specific methods?

1. Winter care methods for Ixora

1. Light

Considering that winter sunlight is not particularly strong, even at noon there is no need for special shading measures. Try to let the plant receive as much light as possible so that organic matter accumulates more, which is of great significance for it to overwinter. Usually, we can place the plant in places such as balconies and windowsills where it can receive sunlight. We will find that in places with good light, the leaves of the plant will be very glossy, and the color of the flowers will also be much brighter.

2. Temperature

Although Ixora can tolerate a low temperature of 0°C in winter, in order for the flowers to grow better it is still best to move it indoors for care. When the ambient temperature is below 10°C, the growth of Ixora will become slow. If conditions permit, the temperature can be kept at 13 to 18°C, so that it can not only overwinter safely, but may even bloom.

3. Water

As mentioned earlier, Ixora should not be watered too much in winter, unless the soil is found to be very dry, in which case a little water can be added. But we also mentioned that if Ixora can be given a suitable temperature in winter, this plant can also bloom in winter. After blooming, a little more water can be given, but the amount still needs to be controlled well.

2. Precautions for growing Ixora

1. Potting soil

Ixora is an indicator plant of acidic soil, so it is necessary to choose slightly acidic humus loam for cultivation. You can mix leaf mold, garden soil, and coarse river sand in a ratio of 2:1:1, then disinfect it before use. The soil must be loose and well-drained.

2. Water and fertilizer

Ixora likes a humid environment but is afraid of waterlogging. In spring and autumn, watering thoroughly once every 3 days is best. In summer, water once in the morning and once in the evening. At the same time, in order to maintain relatively high humidity, in summer you should also frequently spray water on the leaves of Ixora. On cloudy and rainy days, do not water. Ixora likes fertilizer, but avoid concentrated fertilizer and raw fertilizer. During the growing period, apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer once every half month.

3. Light and temperature

Ixora likes light, but avoids direct strong light. In spring and autumn, it should be placed in a wind-sheltered and sunny place. In summer, it needs shaded cultivation. In winter, Ixora can be allowed to receive sufficient light. Ixora likes a warm environment, and indoors in winter it should be kept between 12-18°C. Around Qingming in spring, Ixora can be placed outdoors. In autumn, when the temperature is below 15°C, Ixora should be moved indoors in time.

4. Pest and disease control

Common diseases of Ixora include leaf spot, anthracnose, and sooty mold. If they occur, ventilation should be improved in time and water and fertilizer management should be done well. Carbendazim 800-fold solution can also be sprayed for control. Common pests include scale insects, red spiders, and aphids. If such pests appear, when the number is small they can be manually captured and killed. When the number is large, it is necessary to use 40{bf} omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1500-fold solution for spraying and killing, as well as 2.5{bf} derris extract emulsifiable concentrate 1200-fold solution for spraying and killing.

5. Repotting and pruning

Ixora is generally repotted once every 2 years, and the best time for repotting is early May. When repotting, some old roots should be properly pruned. Pruning of Ixora is generally carried out after being moved outdoors in spring, mainly to properly thin the branches of the plant to facilitate ventilation and good growth. If there are fewer branches, the main branches should be heavily pruned so that Ixora produces more side branches.