5 Easy-to-Wilt, Hard-to-Care-for Green Plants and Their Planting and Care Methods
In the world of indoor green plants, not every plant is as easy to care for as the pothos. Some green plants, though beautiful and charming, require more thought and energy to look after, otherwise they easily wilt. Below are five green plants that easily wilt and are hard to care for.
Phalaenopsis
With its elegant flower posture and brilliant colors, the Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) has become a favorite of many flower lovers. However, getting a Phalaenopsis to grow vigorously and keep blooming is no easy task. The Phalaenopsis has extremely strict requirements for its growing environment. It likes high humidity, good ventilation and moderate temperatures. Temperatures that are too high or too low will both affect its growth; in winter the temperature must not drop below 15°C, otherwise it is prone to frost damage; in summer, temperatures above 32°C may cause growth to stall.
When it comes to watering, special care is needed; overwatering will cause root rot, while underwatering will leave the plant short of water and cause it to wilt.
In addition, the Phalaenopsis has very particular light requirements. It cannot take direct sunlight and needs diffused light. If the light is too strong, the flowers easily fade; if the light is insufficient, it will affect flower bud differentiation and lead to no blooming.
Clivia
Clivia (Clivia miniata) has broad, thick, emerald-green leaves and gorgeous flowers, with very high ornamental value. But its care difficulty should not be underestimated. Clivia has fleshy roots and has very high requirements for soil breathability and drainage. If the soil becomes compacted and waterlogged, it easily leads to root rot. When watering, follow the principle of "water when dry, dry when wet", neither letting the soil stay dry for long periods nor letting it become waterlogged.
Clivia also has particular needs when it comes to light. It likes a semi-shaded environment; in summer it needs shading to avoid direct sunlight; in winter it needs sufficient light to promote the formation of flower buds.
In addition, fertilizing Clivia also requires special attention. Too much fertilizer will burn the roots, while too little will affect growth and blooming. Generally, during the peak growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 15 - 20 days.
Azalea
When the azalea (Rhododendron) blooms, it is a mass of flowers, a breathtaking sight. However, keeping an azalea in good condition is no easy task. Azaleas like acidic soil; if the soil pH is unsuitable, it will cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt. In northern regions, because the water is on the alkaline side, a ferrous sulfate solution needs to be applied regularly to adjust the soil pH.
Azaleas have high humidity requirements; when the air is dry, the leaves easily dry up and flowers and buds drop. Therefore, water needs to be sprayed around the plant frequently to increase air humidity. At the same time, the azalea's root system is relatively shallow, and it tolerates neither drought nor waterlogging. Watering should be moderate, avoiding both waterlogging and lack of water. As for fertilizing, apply light fertilizer frequently, and avoid strong fertilizer that burns the roots.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen flowers resemble rabbit ears and come in rich colors, making them deeply loved by people. But their care requires extra attention. Cyclamen fears heat and enters a dormant state when summer temperatures are high. At this time it needs to be placed in a cool, ventilated spot, with reduced watering, to avoid the corm rotting.
During the growing season, cyclamen has a relatively large demand for water, but must not be waterlogged. When watering, avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers, otherwise it easily causes rot. Cyclamen also has relatively high fertilizer requirements and needs regular feeding, but when fertilizing, pay attention to the concentration so as not to burn the root system.
Rieger Begonia
The Rieger begonia (Begonia × hiemalis) has large, gorgeous flowers and is a very beautiful indoor flower. However, it is famously "hard to please". The Rieger begonia is very sensitive to temperature and humidity. If the temperature is too high or too low, or the humidity is unsuitable, it will cause the flowers to wither and the leaves to dry up. Its suitable growing temperature is between 18 - 22°C, and the air humidity should be kept at 60% - 80%
Watering is the key to caring for the Rieger begonia. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and when watering, avoid splashing water onto the leaves and flowers. The Rieger begonia is susceptible to pests and diseases, so it needs regular spraying of treatments for prevention and control.
Although the above five green plants are beautiful, caring for them really does take a lot of time and energy. If you do not have enough patience and experience, you may need to consider carefully when choosing them.