How to prune and shape asparagus fern? A detailed guide to shaping methods
Asparagus fern, everyone is familiar with it, but have you ever had this kind of trouble? The asparagus fern grows so fast that it ends up with a bunch of foliage on top and just a few bare stems below, which looks quite unsightly. Everyone wants to prune it, but after all the effort it took to grow this big, how could you bear to cut it? What if you ruin it by pruning? In short, all kinds of worries!
For asparagus fern, we mainly adopt two shaping methods: one is to take preventive measures from the start, and the other is pruning when there is no other choice.
I. Shaping methods:
1. Pot control method: The size ratio of the pot to the plant should be 1:3, which can limit root growth and keep the plant size unchanged.
2. Remove the growing point: When a new shoot grows to 2-3cm, remove the growing point. This can promote new branches and leaves on the stem, control it from growing vines, make the branches and leaves spread out horizontally, and keep the plant shape becoming fuller.
3. Use the phototropism of asparagus fern: Turn the pot direction in a timely manner to correct the growth shape of branches and leaves and keep the plant shape unchanged.
4. Physical obstruction method: Use a piece of cardboard to press down on the branches and leaves or block the sunlight, so that when the branches and leaves grow, they turn or bend upon encountering the obstruction, thereby achieving the purpose of shaping.
II. Pruning methods:
(1) Tower style: Choose 2-3 tall, upright and elegant stems as the main peak, remove all growing points on the stems, and set the plant height at 30-35 cm. The remaining stems and new stems should not be higher than the main peak. For new shoots, whether to remove the growing point can be decided according to the thickness of the stem. If its stem is thicker than the stem of the main peak, it should be removed; if it is thinner than the main peak, there is no need to remove it, and it can be left to grow. At the same time, it is also necessary to use the physical obstruction method and its own phototropism to continuously adjust the plant shape.
(2) Double clump style: Plant two asparagus ferns in the pot, one tall and one short, with the tall one about 30 cm and the short one about 18 cm. During the growth period, shape them in the same way as the tower style asparagus fern.
(3) Natural style: Focus on the naturally grown plant shape of asparagus fern, and still use basic methods such as removing growing points, physical obstruction, and making use of its phototropism, so that the branches and leaves spread out and give people a natural sense of beauty.
It should be noted that shaping asparagus fern must be combined with controlling fertilizer and water. That is, at a room temperature of 15-18°C, water thoroughly once a week to keep the potting soil moist (it is advisable that a finger can press into it). Do not fertilize or fertilize only lightly.
Asparagus fern should be repotted once a year, with the pot size increasing year by year. If you do not switch to a larger pot, you can turn over the pot, remove part of the small tubers, replace with new soil, and replant in the original pot. Usually pay attention to renewing stems and branches, and remove aging, diseased and damaged stems and branches at any time.