Detailed Explanation of Edible Mushroom Cultivation Techniques and Flower Combination Potted Planting Methods

Flower combination potted planting is the technique of planting several different kinds of flowers in the same container through artistic arrangement. Through combination design, combined potted flowers elevate ornamental plants from single specimens to works of art similar to flower arrangements. However, compared with flower arrangements, besides enhanced ornamental value, they have stronger vitality and a more lasting, dynamic ornamental effect. Combined potted flowers can greatly increase the added value of flowers.

I. Principles of Flower Combination Potted Planting

1. The ecological habits of the flowers should be similar. Because the flowers in a combination potted planting are planted in the same container and form a whole that is managed together, it is necessary to choose flowers with similar requirements for light, temperature, water, substrate, fertilizer, and so on, to facilitate maintenance and management.·

2. The theme should be prominent. Any work of art that expresses a certain meaning has a certain theme. The main plant is placed in the most eye-catching position and expressed through unique flower color, flower shape, and plant posture.

3. There should be color contrast among the flowers. The colors of flowers are quite rich, and from flower color to leaf color, they present different styles. When designing a combination potted planting, the color configuration of the plants determines the main tone, and it is necessary to consider the coordination, contrast, and gradual changes of spatial colors, and also to match the season, site background, and the container used, and choose suitable planting materials to achieve the expected effect.

4. Overall balance, distinct layers, and suitable proportions. The structure and shape of a combination potted planting require balance and stability, balance between top and bottom, staggered heights, and a strong sense of layering. The height and size of the container should be coordinated with the arranged flowers.

5. Rich in rhythm and cadence. Like other works of art, combination potted plantings have rhythm and cadence and are not dull; through the staggered rise and fall of plant heights, the change of colors from deep to light or from light to deep, and the change of volume from large to small or from small to large, a sense of movement is produced. Let the work produce the beauty of rhythm and cadence.

6. Spatial density and sparseness should be well arranged. The number of flowers planted in a combination potted planting should not be too many, and the number of flowers should be determined according to the size of the container. Generally, a small pot is combined with 2 to 3 kinds, a medium pot with 3-5 kinds, and a large pot with 5-7 kinds. When making a flower combination potted planting, appropriate space should be kept between the flowers to ensure sufficient growing environment when the flowers grow larger later. At the same time, the overall work should not feel crowded, and there must be appropriate space to let the viewer have room for free imagination.

II. Making Combination Potted Plantings

1. Conceptual design and creativity. Before planting, a combination potted planting should be conceptually designed. There are many ways to conceive and create: 1. Conceive according to the characteristics of the flowers. 2. Conceive according to object patterns. 3. Conceive according to environmental colors. 4. Conceive according to the meaning of the container. In combination potted plantings, clever creativity can often achieve a profound and thought-provoking state, thereby giving people the enjoyment of beauty. First, the theme variety must be determined. A combination potted planting uses many kinds of flowers, but only 1-2 are prominent, and the other materials are all used to set off this theme variety. The color of the main flower also establishes the color tone of the entire work. The choice of theme variety is inseparable from the production purpose, use, and the placement position. Second, the growth characteristics of the plants are also an important factor restricting the selection of flower varieties, which is very important for the overall appearance, maintenance, and management of the work. In addition, the choice of container type, style, and size should be coordinated with the selected flowers.

2. Preparation of cultivation containers and decorative items. Cultivation containers are required to be beautiful, distinctive, and highly valuable for artistic appreciation. They mainly include purple clay pots, porcelain pots, glass containers, fiber pots, wooden containers, rattan containers, craft-shaped pots, and ordinary pots. There are many kinds of decorative items, such as small animals, small stones, small mushrooms, small lanterns, small firecrackers, branches, pine cones, and so on.

3. Cultivation substrate. The substrate used in combination potted plantings should consider both the growth characteristics of the flowers and the environment in which they are viewed. The general requirements for the substrate are air permeability, drainage, looseness, water retention, fertilizer retention, light weight, non-toxicity, cleanliness, and no pollution. It mainly includes peat, vermiculite, perlite, river sand, sphagnum moss, bark, ceramsite, colored stones, stone grains, and so on.

4. Selection of flowers. Choose flowers according to the creativity of the work. There are many kinds of flowers: focal flowers with beautiful flower shapes, bright colors, and a strong floral effect; upright flowers that grow erect and highlight lines; filler flowers with fine dense branches and leaves and short plants; and trailing flowers with soft drooping vines.

5. Combination of potted flowers. First disinfect the cultivation substrate, containers, and tools. Take the container and first lay a waterproof layer and decorative paper (depending on the situation), then add a small amount of plastic foam and ceramsite as a cushion layer. First place the theme flower and adjust its position and direction, then place the other supporting flowers, and add a small amount of substrate to fix them. Observe whether the overall layout of the flowers conforms to the requirements of the conceptual design, adjust the appropriate position and direction, then fill in the substrate and press it firmly to fix. Cover the pot surface with decorative materials. Properly prune the branches and leaves of the flowers, water thoroughly, and place in a cool place for cultivation. After watering thoroughly, arrange other small ornaments according to the requirements of the work.