How to care for newly purchased lily of the valley
Upon receiving a newly purchased lily of the valley pot plant in spring, how can you help this plant, which carries the poetic charm of French countryside, quickly adapt to its new environment? As a typical shade-loving perennial flower, lily of the valley is particularly sensitive to changes in the environment. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the key care steps, from temperature control to root care.
Guide to adapting a newly purchased lily of the valley to its environment
Temperature and humidity balance control
The optimal temperature range should be maintained between 10-15℃, with no more than a 5℃ difference between day and night. You can use a smart temperature and humidity meter for real-time monitoring. When the air humidity is below 60%, it is recommended to place a humidity tray next to the pot to avoid direct spraying, which can cause the petals to rot from waterlogging.
Controlling the rhythm of light and shadow
Adopt the "morning light therapy": receive soft eastward scattered light for 8-10 hours daily and move to a north-facing windowsill with a shading rate of 70% at noon. When the light meter shows more than 3000lux, immediate shading measures should be taken.
Key stage of root care
Taboos in nutritional management
Strictly no fertilization during the seedling slow period (about 15-20 days), and only apply 1/4 concentration of orchid special liquid fertilizer after the new leaves have expanded to 2 pairs. Special attention should be paid to adjusting the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio to 1:3:2 to promote bud differentiation.
Substrate improvement plan
It is recommended to use a mixed substrate of peat soil: perlite: pine bark in a ratio of 5:3:2, and check the soil aeration with a bamboo skewer monthly. When the insertion resistance increases, it is necessary to loosen the soil in time.
Plant shape management
Scientific pruning techniques
Use a 45° oblique cut method to remove leaves below 3cm at the base, retaining 4-6 functional leaves. Immediately seal the cut with wood ash after pruning to prevent infection by pathogens. Decorative covering materials should be sterilized oak bark, with a thickness not exceeding 2cm.
Creating a microenvironment
It is recommended to plant狼尾蕨 (狼尾蕨 is a Chinese plant name, which translates to "狼 =狼 fern" and "尾 = tail", so a possible translation could be "tail fern" or "ponytail fern") around the plant as companion plants, which can maintain the humidity of the small environment and form an ecological pest control barrier.
Through precise environmental control and progressive care, you can observe the new white creeping stems after about 3 weeks. At this time, you can gradually increase the light to 6 hours daily to store energy for the next year's reblooming. Remember, every growth stage of the lily of the valley is a process of dialogue with nature.