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Peace Lily Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points

Growing Techniques By Emily Carter 0 views
Foliage Plants

The Peace Lily, formerly known as Lanyu Cinnamon; also known as Hongtouyu Cinnamon, Hongtoushan Cinnamon, Fanglanshan Cinnamon, Large-leaf Cinnamon, Taiwan Cinnamon, etc. Latin name: Cinnamomum kotoense Kanehira et Sasaki. It is an evergreen small tree of the Lauraceae family, genus Cinnamomum, originally named Lanyu Cinnamon, referring to Lanyu Island in Taiwan, China.



Cultivation methods for Peace Lily:

1. Moderate light. Peace Lily not only likes sunlight but is also quite shade-tolerant. However, it should not be placed in direct sunlight for prolonged exposure. In summer especially, some shading is needed when placed in the sun, ideally blocking about 50 percent of its area. Otherwise, the sunlight may scorch the leaf surface. In winter, it can be exposed directly to sunlight without any shade. 

2. Suitable temperature. Peace Lily likes warmth and heat, and is not cold-tolerant. It grows best at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. In winter, it is best to move it indoors so that its growing environment stays no lower than 5°C. In summer, when high temperatures reach above 30°C, some protective measures should also be taken, such as spraying water on the leaves to lower the temperature. 

3. Proper watering. Peace Lily likes a moist environment and is not drought-tolerant. Its potting soil should be kept relatively moist. In dry weather, spray water on the leaves. In summer, the leaves should be sprayed once a day, and indoor relative air humidity should be maintained, ideally reaching above 60 percent. When watering, first water once, then water again after half an hour; this avoids the problem of half-watering. Watering frequency depends on the season; water whenever the surface soil looks slightly dry. 

4. Soil and flower pots. Peace Lily grows best in loose, breathable, fertile acidic leaf mold or culture soil rich in organic matter. The soil should be loosened once a month, and the potting soil should be replaced every two years. The bottom of the flower pot should be breathable, and the pot should not be too small, because Peace Lily grows quickly and a pot that is too small will hinder its growth. 

5. Fertilizing. Except in winter, fertilize once a month. Fertilizing in winter may damage the roots and stems. 

6. Pest prevention. Aphids easily appear on the tender leaves and new buds of Peace Lily. After scattering plant ash on the plant, rinse it clean with water; spraying chinaberry leaf juice can effectively kill insects; spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 10% imidacloprid wettable powder.


Key Management Points

Temperature Requirements
Its optimal growing temperature is 20°C to 30°C. Small trees are not tolerant of low temperatures. If frost lasts more than 5 days, plants maintained or cultivated outdoors are prone to bark frost-cracking, withered branches and leaves, and even the whole plant freezing to death. Whether it is a small number of household potted plants or large-scale commercial cultivation, the greenhouse temperature in winter should be maintained at no lower than 5°C so that the leaves can always maintain their beautiful green appearance. Larger plants can endure short periods of low temperatures around 0°C in a greenhouse without cold  wind. For potted plants in the Yangtze River basin, they should be moved into a greenhouse before the arrival of Frost's Descent, and moved out after Qingming the following year. Attention should be paid to preventing cold damage that may be caused by late frost or a late cold spell in spring. In midsummer, after the temperature exceeds 32°C, shade nets and leaf spraying should be provided to increase humidity and lower temperature, so that vigorous growth can be maintained.
Light Requirements

Lanyu Cinnamon needs relatively good light, but is also fairly shade-tolerant. Its light requirements change with age: young trees are shade-tolerant; 3- to 5-year-old plants grow faster in height under shaded conditions; 6- to 10-year-old plants require relatively ample light. After potted plants enter summer, they can be moved under tree shade or under a shade canopy blocking 40% to 50% of light, where growth is relatively ideal. If the light is too strong, it easily causes the leaves to turn yellow and lose their spirit, reducing their ornamental value. Especially for potted plants that have been displayed indoors for a long time, when moved outdoors in summer for restorative care, one must be very careful and should first place them in an environment with 40% to 50% shading for care. Do not rush, otherwise leaf scorching is very likely. In addition, in late spring and early summer, when encountering weather with a big sun after a long period of rain, shade work should also be done in time; otherwise, leaf scorching will likewise occur, and it will be very difficult to restore the fresh, lush spirit of the leaves in a short time.

Water Requirements
Lanyu Cinnamon requires an environment with moist potting soil. For this reason, potted plants should keep  the potting soil moist, but there must be no water accumulation. The relative humidity of the environment should preferably be maintained above 80%. In the high-temperature season of summer or in autumn when the air is relatively dry, including during the period when placed indoors in winter, water should often be sprayed on the leaf surface and surrounding environment to create a relatively moist local micro-environment and promote robust growth. After autumn begins, watering should be controlled; in winter, spray more and water less. If there is water accumulation in the potting soil, it easily causes the plant to yellow, with lower leaves turning yellow and falling off, and in severe cases it can cause root rot and plant death. Special attention should be paid during the plum rain season.
Soil Requirements
For potted or bag-cultivated Lanyu Cinnamon, it is advisable to use loose, breathable, well-drained, fertile acidic culture soil or leaf mold rich in organic matter. If the potting soil is compacted or the pH value is above 7.5, it will also cause the plant's leaves to yellow, seriously poor growth, and reduced sprouting ability, and will affect sprout renewal, and may even shorten its cultivation life. For this reason, small plants should be repotted once a year, large plants can have their soil changed once every 2 years, and the soil should be loosened once a month during the growing season. Especially after heavy rain, check the flower pot in time; if water accumulation is found in the pot, pour it out as soon as possible and replace it with loose potting soil. For potted plants, the annual repotting and soil-changing time is best arranged after they are moved out in spring and before budding.
Fertilizer Requirements
Lanyu Cinnamon plants are full, with large leaves and relatively vigorous growth, so their fertilizer requirement is also relatively large. In addition to requiring fertile culture soil, potted Lanyu Cinnamon from mid-spring to early autumn can be given a thin application of cake fertilizer water or alum fertilizer water once a month. After autumn begins, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 2 times in succession, such as a 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, to increase the plant's cold resistance, promote early lignification of tender shoots, and help it pass the winter safely. In winter, all forms of topdressing should be stopped to prevent fertilizer damage to the roots, which can cause leaves to yellow or wither and fall off; otherwise, it will be very difficult to restore the plant's original appearance.


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