How to care for Michelia alba in winter
You may not be aware of how to care for Michelia alba in winter, as well as the cultivation methods and precautions for growing Michelia alba in winter. The following article will introduce these topics.
Michelia alba, also known as珍珠米兰 (Pearl Michelia), 碎米兰 (Broken Michelia), 四季米兰 (Four Seasons Michelia), is a fragrant plant that is very popular among people. It has a full and beautiful plant with lush branches and leaves. The thick, glossy, paper-like small leaves are bright green, and the small yellow flowers are exquisite and charming, emitting a pleasant fragrance, making it highly ornamental. Moreover, Michelia alba flowers frequently, and under suitable conditions, it can bloom almost all year round. By paying attention to a few minor details in winter care, not only can it easily survive the winter, but it can also bloom another round of flowers!
I. Pay attention to frost prevention
Michelia alba prefers a warm and humid environment with abundant sunlight, with a suitable growth temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. It has poor cold resistance, and if the temperature is consistently below 0 degrees Celsius in winter, it can easily suffer from cold damage, causing leaf freezing and even plant death. Therefore, in winter care, attention should be paid to frost prevention and warmth. When the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, it should be moved to a warm indoor environment, with the room temperature preferably maintained above 10-12 degrees Celsius. If the temperature can reach above 16-25 degrees Celsius, it can still bloom in winter. Additionally, even after winter is over, when early spring temperatures are not stable, it's best not to rush to move it outdoors to avoid frost damage.
II. Get plenty of sunlight
Michelia alba enjoys sunlight and can tolerate partial shade. Sufficient sunlight not only promotes photosynthesis but also encourages bud differentiation, leading to more and fragrant flowers and enhancing the plant's disease resistance, making the plant more compact and full. If there is a lack of light for an extended period, the plant may exhibit symptoms such as leggy growth, dull leaf color, weak branches, and few flowers. Furthermore, the sunlight in winter is relatively gentle, so there's no need to worry about sunburn. Therefore, during this season, make sure to provide plenty of sunlight, placing it in a well-lit indoor area, ideally getting 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
III. Reduce watering appropriately
Michelia alba prefers a slightly humid growing environment but is afraid of waterlogging. With the low temperature in winter and the slow evaporation of water, the plant's water requirement also decreases. Therefore, during this season, watering should be adjusted based on the plant's actual growth state, soil moisture level, and weather changes. It is not advisable to water too frequently, and it's best to follow the "water when dry" principle. Water the plant when the soil turns white and dry, ensuring the water temperature is consistent with the room temperature, and try to water in the morning on sunny days. If the indoor air is dry, you can also frequently spray warm water on the plant's leaves and surroundings to maintain a certain level of humidity. However, avoid spraying water or watering in the evening to prevent moisture evaporation issues and leaf rot caused by low temperatures and humidity.
How to care for Michelia alba in winter
IV. Avoid fertilizing in low temperatures
Michelia alba has a long blooming period and blooms frequently, so it requires a lot of fertilizer and water. If it lacks fertilizer for an extended period, the number of flowers will significantly decrease, and it can lead to a shorter blooming period, faded flower color, and poor growth. Therefore, during its growing season, as long as the temperature is suitable, it's necessary to fertilize in time to supplement nutrients and promote better plant growth and flowering. However, in winter, due to the low temperature, the plant's root system has significantly reduced absorption capacity, so when the temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius, all fertilization should be avoided to prevent fertilizer damage and root injury. Additionally, Michelia alba prefers a well-ventilated environment, so on sunny winter afternoons, it's a good idea to open the windows to enhance air circulation and prevent disease.
By paying attention to these minor details in winter, you can not only easily survive the winter but also continue to bloom, emitting a fragrant and elegant aroma. Have you learned how to care for Michelia alba in winter, fellow plant lovers?
The detailed introduction on how to care for Michelia alba in winter and the cultivation methods and precautions brought by the Green Plant Enthusiast website, have you understood it now?