The Symbolic Meaning of Wintersweet and a Detailed Guide to the Vase Life of Cut Flowers
Wintersweet, also known as winter plum or cold plum, comes in pink, white, purple, and mixed-color flowers. Its petals are as crystalline as wax, and its fragrance is delicate and elegant. In Chinese culture it symbolizes noble character and a resolute spirit, and is often regarded as a symbol of good fortune, happiness, and well-being.
Generally speaking, on the flower market wintersweet is seen most often in two forms: cut flowers and potted plants. First, cut flowers have a vase life of about 20 to 25 days, which counts as an extra-long vase life. After bringing them home, the first thing to do is to revive the flowers: cut the stems diagonally at the base to increase the water-absorbing area, and when cutting try to avoid the knotted sections. Reviving takes about 4 hours. Once the flowers are revived, use the ring-barking method to remove excess leaves, roughly removing all the leaves about 10 cm below the flower heads. After tidying them up, take a vase and add 5-10 cm of water; if you have the conditions, also add a preservative or a few drops of 84 disinfectant. Generally, a 5-gram packet of preservative is mixed with 500 ml of water. Finally, hold the flowers in your hand in a spiral arrangement, with the flower heads aligned from upper left to lower right, then cut the stems diagonally according to the height of the vase and they are ready to be placed in it. In daily care, change the water about every 2-3 days. Wintersweet has a great many buds, so they will open successively later on. If any flowers fade or turn yellow, simply pinch them off. Be careful to keep the area ventilated and avoid direct sun exposure.
Wintersweet is also considered a treasure of traditional Chinese gardens, so quite a few upscale restaurants also place a few pots to decorate their facades. For the daily care of potted wintersweet, note that its soil should be loose, well-draining, and acidic. It is recommended to use sandy soil or a mix of leaf mold and garden soil as the growing medium. When planting, make sure the roots are spread out and the soil is filled in firmly but not too tightly.
As for daily light, wintersweet needs to be placed in a spot with plenty of sunshine; a sunny position such as a balcony or beside a window is recommended. As for watering, it dislikes waterlogging; follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings, and be sure to reduce watering in winter to prevent the roots from freezing. During the growing season, a moderate amount of diluted organic liquid fertilizer can be applied, while fertilization should stop during the winter dormant period.