Planting Experience of Yuxian and Wanxiang
The editor introduces you to the content about the succulent plant Yuxian, the planting experience of Yuxian and Wanxiang, followed by detailed sharing.
To cultivate Yuxian and Wanxiang, it is first necessary to understand what kind of plants they are. These plants are native to the harsh environments of the Republic of South Africa in the southern hemisphere. These areas are part of the winter rainfall zone where plants grow during the relatively cooler and rainy periods and dormancy during the dry summer, which is known as winter plants.
Following this pattern, in Japan, their growing season is from autumn to spring. However, due to their relatively strong adaptability, even in the hot and humid summer, they can be cultivated in a cool environment with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation.
In their native habitat, to endure harsh weather conditions and avoid being eaten by animals, most of these plants are buried in the soil, only exposing the transparent tips (windows) of the leaves to absorb sunlight and grow. However, because the climate in Japan is too humid, it is not conducive to the cultivation of these plants, so most of them are cultivated with the entire leaf body exposed above the ground. This makes management simpler and easier to cultivate. I will explain the specifics in the following sections.
【Cultivation Soil】
The roots of Yuxian and Wanxiang are mainly thick and straight roots that do not like overly wet conditions. Whether in the growing season of spring and autumn or in the non-growing season, if the soil is not kept dry, the roots will rot. However, being too dry is also not good. Larger plants may not die even if they are dry, but this affects future growth. Internal deterioration is difficult to reverse and often occurs. Therefore, even in the non-growing season, to prevent the plant from completely drying out, the moisture of the main and fine roots should be maintained. To meet this condition, a soil that has both good drainage and water retention is best.
Coarse soil with more porous material is beneficial, and soft soil is good for growth, but it can easily disintegrate and cause blockage over time. Moreover, as the roots gradually expand and harden in the pot, it becomes difficult to breathe. However, using only very hard soil prevents the thick roots from freely extending and becoming uneven. Therefore, mixing the two types of soil is ideal.
Let's take an example:
Hard red soil 2: Kusonozawa sand (well-draining soil) 2: Hard鹿沼土 1: Vermiculite 1: Peat (used as fertilizer) 1: Charcoal 1, then mixed with an appropriate amount of pesticide to create a cultivation soil. The type of soil is not very strict, and commonly available slightly acidic soil can also be used.
【Pots】
Plants with fine roots generally do not extend their roots deep, so ordinary pots can be used. For thick-rooted varieties like Yuxian and Wanxiang, the roots penetrate deep into the soil, so pots made of red and black clay suitable for orchids are more suitable. Pots with legs for display, or pots with a surface like grapefruit peel and万年青 pots are the most suitable. However, these good pots are not usually used unless they are high-quality specimen balls or varieties for exhibitions. Therefore, using cheaper imitation orchid pots makes management and cultivation easier. However, fired pots tend to be a bit dry.
【Planting Method】
Now, place a net at the bottom of the pot, followed by ball soil, then cultivation soil, sprinkle a little magnesium sulfate K (fertilizer), and then plant the plant. Make the cultivation soil slightly moist. The size of the pot can be chosen according to the size of the seedling, but if the shape of the roots touches the side of the pot, the seedling may倾斜 when the roots extend. Therefore, choosing a slightly larger pot is better. Then, cover the surface with decorative soil. This is not only for beauty but also to prevent fertilizer from coming into contact with the leaves and keeping the soil clean. I use butterfly orchid soil, which is relatively light but does not scatter or float when watering, which is one of the reasons I value it. If it is for display, I usually use富士土 to highlight the growth of the seedlings against a black background.
【Transplanting】
Although autumn, the beginning of the growing season, is the most suitable time for transplanting, if the roots have not fully expanded and are still attached to the seeds, the plantlets will be weak when rooting. Therefore, if you want the seedlings to be sturdy and not consume too much energy, choose to transplant in early spring. Moreover, because the number of pots increases, doing all the transplanting at once is very troublesome, so it is better to split it into spring and autumn. However, it is difficult to find the most suitable time, so avoiding the intense summer sun, adequate sunlight, and watering can be done at any time of the year.
Transplanting method: Do not water the pot 2-3 days before transplanting, gently tap the pot to loosen the soil, and pull the seedling upwards. Then, gently remove the old roots with your fingers, trying not to damage the roots. If there is no abnormality, immediately transplant the root seedling with the original soil into the pot. If you find pests in the roots, clean the roots first. Soak them in a disinfectant solution before transplanting into the pot. If there are decaying parts, dig them out, and if the wounds on the epidermis and leaves are large, let the roots dry for 2-3 days to allow the wound part to dry before transplanting, or bury a part of the root in the soil, expose the wound part, and wait for the wound to completely dry before covering the entire root with soil.
【Watering】
Watering depends on the environment of the cultivation site, the type of pot, the balance between the pot and the seedling, whether it is single or multiple planting, and even within the same greenhouse, different places have different temperatures and humidity. The same type of plant may have different preferences for wet or dry conditions depending on the growth stage, meaning there are individual differences. Extremely, each pot of flowers has its own characteristics. Therefore, watering is done by observing the color of each pot, understanding the dryness of each pot, the weight of the pot, and using soil moisture meters and other subtle things. Although it is a bit unrealistic, it cannot be said that it is unnecessary.
Overall, providing sufficient water to the plants when necessary is best. However, always watering is too much for succulents. And if there is too little water, they will not grow, so they can only be watered at intervals depending on the dryness.
Basically: "Give sufficient water when the soil surface is dry in autumn and spring, provide water when half of the soil is dry in the slow growth period of winter, and give water to keep it slightly moist in the dormant period of summer. During this period, water should be given after the sun sets and the pot temperature has dropped."
All of these are things I have experienced in my own greenhouse when cultivating different plants under different conditions and environments, after many times of rotting and dying.
It is said that in the past, to truly become a qualified gardener, one must experience "three years of watering" (a saying in the gardening world, meaning that to engage in gardening, one must experience the most basic three years of watering practice), but now, by reading gardening books or consulting experienced people, one can understand the general situation and can also be trained to become a gardener. Then, on this basis, using appropriate ventilation, appropriate sunlight, and covering plants with plastic wrap (steaming) to promote rapid growth, etc., can be done according to personal preferences.
【Conclusion】
Succulent plants (including cacti) are basically plants that have evolved over the years in harsh natural environments to continue growing, resulting in various strange and weird shapes. Among them, many plants have become very charming, and I can't help but marvel at the fact that these are the works of art created by nature. Whether they are plants targeted by the Washington Treaty or not, I just want to cultivate these local plants with care.
Nowadays, there are almost no imports of Yuxian and Wanxiang varieties. Even the few imported varieties are not impressive, just varieties created based on their own appearance.
More beautiful shapes, more beautiful lines, larger windows, whiter windows, more beautiful epidermis, even more personality, and of course, better shape...such imagination is endless.
The mysterious and transparent windows with growing patterns, the meaning and reasons for their formation I do not know. This is the true natural artwork that has not been processed by human hands.
New leaves are growing, the patterns of the lines are becoming more and more visible, and what kind of admirable shape will it grow this time? Imagining all of this is the most exciting and anticipated thing.
The above-specific introduction to the planting experience of Yuxian and Wanxiang is for netizens to refer to and learn from.