How to Grow Potted White Michelia (Michelia alba)? Detailed Care Methods and Tips
White michelia is a tree of the Magnoliaceae family and Michelia genus, obtained by natural hybridization of Michelia champaca and Michelia figo. It is an evergreen native plant growing in South China, Southwest China and Southeast Asia, and generally can grow to a height of 10-13 m. White michelia likes light, dislikes waterlogging, is not cold-tolerant, and also fears high temperatures; it is suited to slightly acidic soil. It loves dryness, dislikes low humidity, and waterlogged planting sites easily cause root rot. It prefers fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil, and can also grow in weakly alkaline soil.
1. Choice of flower pot and soil. For household potted white michelia, soil that is loose, highly breathable and relatively rich in humus should be chosen for cultivation. Usually, well-breathable clay pots, purple clay pots (tubs) or plastic pots with more drainage holes at the bottom are selected. It is best if the soil in the pot contains a certain amount of granular soil of varying sizes, to facilitate water seepage and air permeability.
2. How to repot. According to the size of the white michelia's crown and the length of its tree age, replace it with a pot or tub of appropriate size, to help the plant grow vigorously. During the operation, wait until the potting soil is slightly dry, slowly tilt the pot (tub) (or turn it upside down), support the pot with one hand, grip the plant firmly with the other, pour the white michelia out and move it into a new pot. A small amount of loose soil should be placed in the new pot (tub) in advance, then water thoroughly, and it will be stable after planting.
3. Planting position. From March to April each year, move the pot or tub containing the white michelia outdoors and place it in a sunny spot. In summer, when temperatures are high, use a shade net or build a simple shade shed as appropriate, so that the white michelia can both receive the morning sun and avoid the strong light of summer afternoons (to avoid burning branches and leaves from exposure).
4. Pruning. For potted white michelia, choose a suitable height, use pruning shears to cut off the terminal buds and shorten some side branches. After the terminal buds are cut off, it is helpful for growing more side branches, more flower buds and more flowers.
5. Fertilizing. During the vigorous growth period of white michelia (usually May to June or July to August each year), apply flower fertilizer to the white michelia about once every half a month, or apply a small amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer around the 20th, 2 g to 6 g each time. The specific operation is: first use a small iron shovel to draw several vertical and horizontal small furrows in the soil in the pot, then slowly sprinkle the fertilizer into the furrows, then cover it with the surface soil in the pot, and water a little. Let the fertilizer gradually penetrate to the root of the plant with each watering. Never sprinkle the fertilizer directly onto the roots, to avoid burning the roots due to excessive fertilizer effect in the soil around the roots. Apply thin fertilizer frequently, with cake fertilizer being preferable. Do not fertilize in winter. From after new buds sprout until June, water with fertilizer solution once every 3-4 days; from July to September, water with fertilizer solution once every 5-6 days; after applying fertilizer several times, stop applying it once.