Detailed Explanation of the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for Portulacaria molokiniensis
Portulacaria molokiniensis (also known as Yunye or Jinchengmu) belongs to the Portulacaceae family. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Portulaca, named for its thick, neatly arranged leaves that closely resemble copper coins. It is a fine indoor foliage plant that has become popular in recent years. Portulacaria molokiniensis likes a sunny, warm and dry environment, is tolerant of drought, and dislikes damp shade, cold, and waterlogged potting soil.
Cultivation Techniques
Temperature
The optimum growing temperature is 20-32°C. Whether grown in pots or in the ground, it requires little annual temperature variation; for commercial cultivation it is best grown in a temperature-controlled greenhouse.
Every summer, when the temperature reaches above 35°C, the plant grows poorly; measures such as adding black shade netting and spraying water around the surrounding environment should be used to lower the temperature, creating a suitable environment with an appropriate ambient temperature that is relatively dry. In winter, it is best to maintain a greenhouse temperature above 10°C; if the room temperature falls below 5°C, the plant is prone to cold damage, which can seriously threaten its survival. In late autumn and early winter, when the temperature drops below 8°C, it should be moved promptly to a well-lit indoor spot, and throughout the overwintering period the temperature should be kept between 8°C and 10°C, which is relatively safe and reliable.
Light
Portulacaria molokiniensis likes light and also has fairly strong shade tolerance, so it should be given an environment with good sunlight but a certain degree of shade. It dislikes direct strong light, and especially should be protected from the scorching sun after long rain at the end of spring and beginning of summer, and from the 5-6 hours of unobstructed strong light around midday in summer, otherwise the newly sprouted tender leaves are very easily sunburned.
For commercial cultivation, from late spring to mid-autumn it should be placed under a shade frame with 50-70% shading, but it must not be too dark, otherwise the newly sprouted tender leaves will become slender, the leaf color will turn yellow and dull, and the leaflets will be sparsely spaced, thus affecting the plant's compact and beautiful form. For potted plants moved indoors in winter, supplemental lighting should be provided. If the potting soil is kept on the dry side, the plant can remain disease-free year after year. In addition, the newly sprouted pinnate compound leaves do not show obvious phototropism, and the plant keeps a good shape.
Water
To care well for potted Portulacaria molokiniensis, one should strive to create an environment that is both moist and on the dry side. For commercial cultivation, for plants placed in a greenhouse, when the room temperature reaches above 33°C, the plant should be sprayed with water once a day. Because this plant has strong drought tolerance, it is best to keep the potting soil slightly moist and on the dry side, but occasionally watering or fertilizing too much will not cause root rot.
In winter, pay attention to spraying water on the leaf surfaces and the surrounding environment so that the relative air humidity reaches above 50%. After mid-autumn, watering should be reduced, or spraying water can replace watering, so that the newly sprouted tender leaves can safely pass the winter. In addition, in winter special attention should be paid to keeping the potting soil from being too wet; on the dry side is best, otherwise under low-temperature conditions, overly wet potting soil is more likely to cause root rot and even the death of the whole plant.
Soil
Because of the special climatic conditions of its place of origin, Portulacaria molokiniensis has developed strong drought resistance, so the basic requirement for the growing medium is good permeability. The basic requirement for the growing medium is good permeability. The growing medium is mostly a mix of peat, coarse sand or washed coal cinder with a small amount of garden soil, with its pH adjusted to between 6 and 6.5, in a slightly acidic state. Because of its large tubers, well-developed root system, and relatively long pinnate compound leaves, during the growing season its growth should be observed promptly to decide whether to repot and change the soil. Always keep the growing medium well aerated, so as to create a root environment with good air and water drainage. During the plum rain season, check frequently, and if water accumulation in the pot is found, repot and change the soil promptly.
Fertilizer
Portulacaria molokiniensis is fairly fond of fertilizer. Besides adding an appropriate amount of composted cake fertilizer or multi-element slow-release compound fertilizer to the growing medium, during the growing season a mixed solution of 02.% urea plus 0.1% monopotassium phosphate can be watered on 2-3 times a month, or a balanced fertilizer 20-10-20 (20-20-20) can be applied at a concentration of 200-250 ppm in combination with calcium nitrate. After mid-autumn, to help it pass the winter safely, nitrogen fertilizer should be stopped, and 0.3% monopotassium phosphate solution should be applied 2-3 times in succession to promote the hardening and filling out of the young leaf rachises and newly sprouted leaves. After the temperature drops below 15°C, all forms of topdressing should be stopped, to avoid fertilizer damage to the roots under low-temperature conditions.
Management and Care
In winter in northern regions, because indoor heating makes the air dry, the plant needs to be sprayed with water frequently to increase air humidity.
Portulacaria molokiniensis is not strict about light and can be placed indoors for long-term viewing, but when new leaves are sprouting it must not be too dark,
otherwise the newly sprouted tender leaves will be slender and the leaf spacing sparse, affecting its ornamental value. In summer, place it in a spot without direct light for care, so that the newly sprouted tender leaves are not sunburned by strong light. During the growing season, apply a diluted well-rotted liquid fertilizer once a month, adding a small amount of ferrous sulfate to prevent leaf yellowing. In winter, move it to a bright indoor spot, water less, do not fertilize, and maintain a room temperature of about 10°C.
Repot once every two years, in late spring and early summer. The potting soil should be a well-drained, airy, slightly acidic soil; peat, coarse sand or perlite, and furnace slag with a small amount of garden soil and slow-release fertilizer can be used. Because of its large tubers and well-developed root system, it is suitable for planting in a relatively deep flowerpot, with more stones, tiles and the like placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage. When planting, part of the tuber can be exposed above the soil surface, and a layer of ceramsite or small stones can be spread on the pot surface to enhance the ornamental effect.