How to grow balcony flowers? Sharing home care tips

The balcony environment is relatively dry, so watering generally needs to be slightly more than in open ground. Because climate conditions vary from place to place, the number of waterings should be flexibly controlled according to the actual dry and wet condition of the potting soil, following the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet." Since most balcony flowers can hardly receive natural rain and dew, artificial misting is very important. In dry seasons and hot summers, mist the branches and leaves several times a day to increase air humidity, which is very beneficial for most flowers.

Which flowers are suitable

At present, the balconies of residential buildings in China mainly come in three types in terms of form, namely: projecting balconies, recessed balconies and corridor balconies, but projecting balconies are the most common. This article only briefly introduces which flowers are suitable for this type of balcony.

South-facing projecting balcony

With ample sunlight and long light duration, it is suitable to choose light-loving flowers, such as Milan (Aglaia odorata), jasmine, white orchid (Michelia alba), Chinese rose, hibiscus, chrysanthemum, sunrose, Daidai (bitter orange), pomegranate, kumquat, grape, cactus, cactus ball, as well as heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant succulents, etc.

North-facing balcony

It is suitable to grow shade-loving or shade-tolerant foliage flowers, such as ornamental ferns, pothos, Philodendron, Rohdea species, Monstera deliciosa, asparagus fern, palm grass, hosta, rubber tree, etc.

East-facing balcony

Generally, it can receive 3-4 hours of sunlight in the morning each day, and in the afternoon it can only receive some scattered light. Therefore, it is suitable to grow short-day flowers and flowers that like partial shade, such as Christmas cactus, camellia, azalea, clivia, etc.

West-facing balcony

It is more shaded in the morning, and the light intensity is greater after noon. Therefore, it is suitable to grow semi-shade-tolerant and heat-tolerant climbing flowers and trees, such as star jasmine, Boston ivy, Chinese trumpetcreeper, Euonymus fortunei, etc., so that they form a "green barrier," which can also provide sun protection in summer.

How to lay out

Balcony decoration

With a reasonably laid out balcony greening decoration, when looking from indoors to outdoors, the whole balcony resembles a small framed landscape in nature; when looking from outside to inside, it is like a small display window of a flower exhibition. There is no fixed pattern for the specific layout of balcony greening; it is determined by the balcony's position, size and personal preference.

Generally speaking, attention should be paid to being neat and beautiful, avoiding disorder, and also to keeping heights ordered, well arranged and clearly layered. Attention should also be paid to leaving considerable space to avoid making people feel crowded.

Balcony decoration case

For example, when carrying out greening decoration on a south-facing balcony 1 m to 1.2 m wide and 3 m long, 2-3 pots of neutral light-loving potted flowers can be placed on the relatively wide cement railing on the outer side of the balcony; on the east side of the balcony, set up a small 3-5 layer trapezoidal stand made of wood or metal, and according to the habits of the flowers, place several pots of medium and small seasonal potted flowers from bottom to top; on the ground on the west side of the balcony, set up a small planting trough and plant climbing or trailing flowers and trees such as Boston ivy, banksia rose, sweet pea, small gourd, etc. In order to make full use of space, hooks can be embedded at the balcony slab or eaves to hang hanging potted flowers.

What flowers to plant in the hanging pots depends on the position of the hooks. In places with ample sunlight, it is suitable to plant light-loving flowers; in more shaded places, it is suitable to plant more shade-tolerant flowers. In the hanging pots, it is best to plant flowers with drooping branches and leaves, light and delicate, green, swaying in the wind, and elegant and graceful, giving people a distinctive charm when viewed. When growing flowers on the balcony, safety must be paid attention to, and strict precautions must be taken against flower pots falling and injuring people.

Care and management

Improve the environment

Because the balcony environment is relatively dry, watering generally needs to be slightly more than in open ground. Because climate conditions vary from place to place, the number of waterings should be flexibly controlled according to the actual dry and wet condition of the potting soil, following the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet."

Since most balcony flowers can hardly receive natural rain and dew, artificial misting is very important. In dry seasons and hot summers, mist the branches and leaves several times a day to increase air humidity, which is very beneficial for most flowers. Some experienced flower growers often lay bricks on the balcony floor and sprinkle water, because bricks can absorb and hold more water, which evaporates after being heated, thereby increasing air humidity. This is a simple and effective humidifying measure.

Careful care

To make balcony flowers grow robustly and bloom profusely with lush leaves, attention should also be paid to regularly supplementing the necessary nutrient elements. According to the types of fertilizer needed by different flowers, appropriately apply more decomposed organic fertilizer in the growing medium, and then topdress with compound flower fertilizer several times during the peak growing season.

To maintain a beautiful plant shape, attention should be paid to pinching, bud removal, pruning and other work, and timely removal of spent flowers and dead branches to reduce nutrient consumption. For flowers with strong phototropism, the pot needs to be turned every few days.

In northern regions, midsummer weather is hot, so around noon, reed curtains or straw curtains should be hung for shading to prevent exposure to the scorching sun. In addition, for potted plants it is best to use sterilized growing medium, which can reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. If aphids, red spiders, scale insects, leaf spot disease, powdery mildew, yellowing disease, etc. occur.