Cutting and Fertilizing of蟹爪兰 (Schlumbergera)
Compared to the common knowledge of flower cultivation, the cutting and fertilizing of Schlumbergera, let's understand it together next.
The reason for the uneven size and small total number of flower buds in cultivated Schlumbergera may be related to factors such as unbalanced fertilization, insufficient nutrition, and low room temperature. For Schlumbergera with visible flower buds, it is recommended to apply a thin fertilizer every 10 days, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate with a concentration of around 0.2, or a multi-element compound fertilizer can also be used; generally, for Schlumbergera with visible flower buds, the room temperature should be maintained above 10℃ in winter, with some light, and the potting soil should be slightly dry, avoiding excessive watering or frequent dampness.
The pruning, thinning of flower buds, and tying work of Schlumbergera include: after the flowers fade in spring, promptly cut the stem nodes from 3 to 4 below the残花, remove some old stems and dense nodes to facilitate ventilation and home care; in the cultivation of Schlumbergera, sometimes 4 to 5 new branches will grow from the top of a node, and 1 to 2 should be removed in a timely manner. Excessive small flower buds on the stem nodes should also be removed to ensure uniform flower size and vigorous blooming; for plants cultivated for 3 to 5 years, 3 to 4 thick lead wires can be used as supports, inserted into the soil along the pot wall, and tied in 2 to 3 layers of circular frames at the top to avoid stem node overlap and disorder, while removing some uneven nodes to make the plant look like an umbrella, which is beneficial for photosynthesis and display.
To control the plant from growing too large and make it suitable for indoor display, when the entire plant's diameter reaches 50 centimeters or more, the stem nodes can be cut in spring, and some old and dense branches should be thinned out. The new branches that grow after thinning will appear tender and vigorous, and the blooming will be more abundant. It is important to prune on sunny days, not on rainy days, and not in summer.
Fertilizing Schlumbergera should pay attention to the following aspects: after flowering in March, Schlumbergera enters a short period of dormancy, and fertilization and watering should be stopped until new buds appear on the stem nodes, then normal water and fertilizer management should be resumed; during the growing season, apply a dilute nitrogen fertilizer every half month, avoiding contamination of the stem nodes to facilitate the nutritional growth of the变态 stems.
Schlumbergera can be repotted every 2 years, usually in March to April. In addition to adding a 3 cm thick layer of sand and gravel at the bottom of the pot to facilitate water filtration, a phosphorus-rich decomposed fertilizer such as pigeon droppings, crushed bones, and fish scales should be added to the potting soil, but the roots should not come into direct contact with the fertilizer; when the temperature reaches 30℃ or higher, the plant enters a semi-dormant state.
At this time, not only should it be kept away from direct sunlight and rain, but it should also be placed in a moist and shady place, with fertilization and watering controlled to prevent root rot; in autumn and winter, Schlumbergera enters the flowering period, and by the end of September, some sunlight can be provided, and full sunlight can be given in mid to late October to promote bud differentiation and more flower buds. At this time, it is advisable to apply a phosphorus-rich liquid fertilizer every 7 to 10 days until flowering begins, when fertilization should be stopped.
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