How to care for potted flowers in summer? A detailed explanation of the key maintenance points

Summer is the peak period of growth and development for most flowers and trees, and it is also a critical period for management.

1. Shading. Most potted flowers, such as serissa (June snow), camellia, azalea, and clivia, cannot withstand direct strong summer sunlight, so the pots should be placed under a shade shed or in the shade of trees. The shade shed can be built with bamboo blinds, straw blinds, shade netting, etc. At the same time, at noon, water should be sprayed on the nearby ground and the shade shed to lower the temperature and increase humidity, which helps the flowers and trees get through summer and prevent heat stress.

2. Watering. In summer, temperatures are high, water evaporates quickly, and transpiration is vigorous, so watering should be done frequently, with the amount and frequency flexibly adjusted according to weather conditions, plant species, and other factors. The best time to water is early morning or evening; avoid watering at noon in the heat of summer. Rainwater or pond water is best. If tap water is used, it should be stored in a water vat or reservoir for 24 hours to raise the temperature and allow chlorine to dissipate.

3. Fertilizing. In summer, fertilizing potted flowers should follow the principle of applying thin fertilizer frequently, with more applications and smaller amounts each time. Never use too high a concentration, as this may cause excessive leggy growth of branches or plant wilting. Fertilizers should be used in reasonable combinations of multiple types, and attention should be paid to adjusting the pH. The concentration of chemical fertilizers is generally 0.2%-0.5%, and topdressing should be strictly controlled at noon in midsummer.

4. Pruning. Heavy pruning of flowers and trees is generally carried out in spring and winter. According to the specific conditions of the flowers and trees, proper pruning is also needed in summer. For flowers and trees that bloom in summer, such as jasmine, hibiscus, and Chinese rose, they should be pruned promptly after flowering to prevent nutrient consumption. For flowers and trees with strong sprouting ability, such as serissa (June snow) and banyan, pruning and shaping should be carried out promptly; to conserve nutrients, excess axillary buds, flower buds, and overly dense branches should be removed promptly.

5. Pest and disease control. Summer has high temperatures and abundant rain, making it a season with frequent pests and diseases. During the growing period of flowers, pests such as aphids, red spiders, and scale insects commonly occur; they can be sprayed and killed with 40% omethoate or 90% dichlorvos at 1500-2000 times dilution; if powdery mildew, anthracnose, etc. occur, Bordeaux mixture, 50% thiophanate or 65% zineb at 600-800 times dilution can be used for control.