How to grow Ixora in winter? Detailed winter care methods
Ixora is also called Yingyingdan or Baijihong. It is a relatively rich flower species. It blooms densely and flowers all year round. It can bloom from March to December each year. How do you grow this flower? What?
1. Lighting
Ixora needs sufficient light, especially during the growth period of stems and leaves. Sunlight can make the leaves green and glossy, and it helps the formation of inflorescences and neat flowering. If the light is insufficient, Ixora can still grow, but the leaf color will be lighter and there will be fewer flowers. Proper shading in summer can extend the flowering period.
2. Potting soil
Ixora likes acidic soil. When planting, choose loose, fertile, well-drained acidic sandy soil. It can be prepared by mixing peat soil, humus soil and coarse sand.
3. Pruning
Ixora pruning is done after growth begins in spring, mainly to branch the plant properly to favor ventilation and light. In addition, proper pinching during the flowering period can give it more buds and flowers.
4. Temperature
Ixora is tolerant of high temperatures and humidity, but not low temperatures. In winter it should be kept at around 10 degrees; below 0°C, freezing damage will occur. Keep it warm in winter.
5. Fertilizer and water
Ixora is not drought-tolerant. The potting soil should be kept moist during the growing season, but if the potting soil is too wet, or remains too wet for a long time, it will not cause root rot. For potted Ixora, combine watering with applying NPK compound fertilizer and potassium dihydrogen phosphate every half month to adjust the soil pH.
6. Breeding precautions
During the rainy season in summer, prevent waterlogging from stagnant roots. Pay attention to keeping the environment ventilated; when ventilation is poor, aphids and scale insects are likely to appear. Keep it warm in winter, keep it above 10°C in winter, and provide sufficient light. Pay attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. Common diseases of Ixora include leaf spot, anthracnose and scale insects. Treatment must be carried out promptly after they occur. It is better to prevent them in advance.
How do you enhance the meaning of Ixora?
The common form of the Ixora we are familiar with is relatively short, and the flower cluster is like a small ball. Therefore, it is also called water ball flower. This is a flower that blooms in all four seasons. The flowers are interlaced and upright, and it is a highly ornamental flower. When it comes to dragon boats, it is associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. Is there any connection between Ixora and the Dragon Boat Festival? I do not know if many flower lovers know, so now let us take a look and see whether this is an allusion and what the meaning of the flower is.
1. Meaning
Ixora is named after the dragon boat race of the Dragon Boat Festival. In the hearts of older people, it is a flower that can ward off evil spirits, eliminate ills, and bring good fortune. Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, they pick its leaves and mugwort. Tied to a dragon boat or the door of a house, it symbolizes peace and good luck, and gradually it came to have the name Ixora.
Ixora is not only beautiful in appearance, but also has medicinal effects. It can be used for its function of dispersing stagnation. It is a common traditional Chinese medicine. It is considered a traditional Chinese medicinal plant of blessing and peace.
2. Cultivation methods
There are many breeding methods for water ball flower; it can be sown, cut and layered. Different breeding methods can be used in different seasons. The plant's growth trend will differ. Summer cutting works better; if you want to use the sowing method of propagation, you can begin harvesting in winter and wait until early spring to sow, because spring temperatures can increase the germination rate, and the plant survival rate will be greatly improved; the layering method is also carried out in spring.
The soil for planting Ixora should be selected from acidic potting soil. Loose soil mixed with garden soil and sand is the best choice, greatly improving root ventilation and drainage. Water ball flower should keep the potting soil moist during the vigorous growth period, but it should not be too wet. If the root system is in a moist environment for a long time, it is easy to cause signs of root rot, so the amount of watering for potted Ixora should be adjusted according to the dry and wet state of the potting soil.
3. Notes
In spring, water ball flower can be moved outdoors for cultivation. To promote plant growth and improve ventilation between branches, pruning can be carried out properly; topping treatment can be carried out before the flowering period, which can induce flower bud growth and increase the number of flowers.
Winter temperatures are lower, so it is better not to place it outdoors for cultivation, to avoid the flowers freezing; during the rainy season, pay attention to the water in the pot and do the pot drainage work.
In China, most Ixora are used as potted plants. The leaves are very thick, and the flowers are small balls. They have a strong sense of pride. They can be placed on a flower rack in an office or at home, like a set of red scrolls. Prosperous business, good health!