How to manage flowers after the Start of Autumn? These care tips you need to master
An old saying goes: eighteen days after the Start of Autumn, every inch of grass sets seed, meaning that after the Start of Autumn, plants in nature all set seed and end their lives. This solar term is also very important for flower growers. Quite a few flowers need strengthened fertilizer and water management, autumn pruning and care, so that the plants can boost their stress resistance. For example, osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) about to bloom needs extra fertilizer water containing phosphorus and potassium, and will bloom as soon as September arrives; wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) that blooms in winter, after water withholding, is prompted to transform leaf buds into flower buds, and the formed flower buds need to be strengthened by extra phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and the leaves must be protected from falling; while orchids need maintained air humidity to prevent autumn dryness, and more phosphorus- and potassium-rich fertilizer to promote the growth of flower buds of Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium faberi; (for example, when Cymbidium goeringii has just formed flower buds, they should be prompted to grow large) goji (Lycium chinense) needs appropriate pruning to promote more autumn flowers and fruiting. Among chrysanthemums, the early chrysanthemums already have quite large buds, and the large-flowered trained chrysanthemums also need bud thinning and shoot removal, and so on. So after the Start of Autumn there is quite a lot to do in flower management.
Irrigation
Irrigation should be done in the morning and evening; avoid irrigating at the high temperatures of noon, and avoid using cold water with a large temperature difference. You can water the ground, or spray water on the leaves to cool them down.
Shading
Continue shading treatment for shade-loving flowers and nursery stock to prevent sunscald, such as Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), azalea (Rhododendron), asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus), ferns, orchids, etc.
Propagation
(1) Sowing. Woody flowers that can be sown include tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus), etc., and the seeds can be sown right after harvest; herbaceous flowers that can be sown include petunia (Petunia hybrida), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), etc.
(2) Cuttings. Herbaceous flowers that can be propagated by cuttings include scented herbs, Scutellaria barbata, geranium (Pelargonium), etc.; woody flowers suitable for cutting propagation include bougainvillea (Bougainvillea), Aglaia odorata, azalea (Rhododendron), camellia (Camellia japonica), Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus), etc.
(3) Grafting. Use purple magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) and white magnolia (Magnolia denudata) as rootstock, and bud-graft Yulan magnolia hybrid (Magnolia soulangeana); use wild peach as rootstock, and graft ornamental peach, purple-leaf peach, red-leaf plum; use green maple (Acer palmatum) as rootstock, and graft red maple, feather maple; use wild rose (Rosa multiflora) etc. as rootstock, and graft modern roses, etc.
(4) Layering. Woody flowers that can be propagated by layering include: wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), Chinese trumpet creeper (Campsis grandiflora), osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans), purple magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora), red maple, etc.
(5) Division. Flowers that can be propagated by division include: reineckea (Reineckea carnea), hosta (Hosta), umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius), iris (Iris), calamus (Acorus calamus), sword fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia), etc.
Fertilizer and water management
For vigorously growing flowers, apply fertilizer once every half month; for flowers currently blooming, apply an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing.
Pruning and bud pinching
For hedges such as Chinese fringeflower (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum), golden-leaf privet (Ligustrum sinense 'Variegatum'), and French holly (Ilex aquifolium), prune in time; for flowers such as Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis), crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Aglaia odorata, and jasmine (Jasminum sambac), cut off spent flowers and faded stems and shorten them appropriately, cut off diseased, pest-damaged and weak branches, etc., to prompt them to sprout new branches and bloom again.
Seed collection
Woody flower seeds that can be collected include tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus), summer wintersweet (Calycanthus chinensis), etc. Herbaceous flower seeds that can be collected include: Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora), Scutellaria barbata, garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina), morning glory (Ipomoea), etc.