How to Care for Hanging Baby's Breath
With its dense flower branches and air purification ability, the hanging Baby's Breath, which looks like a waterfall of stars, is becoming a new favorite among urban households. This plant, which combines ornamental and practical value, can fully adapt to indoor environments with scientific care. Master the following five key elements, and you can easily create a view of a flower waterfall full of windows.
Light Control and Placement
The hanging Baby's Breath requires 4-6 hours of bright scattered light daily and is recommended to be hung 1.5 meters away from the south window. Use a gauze curtain to filter strong light in the summer, and in the winter, it can be placed close to the window to receive direct sunlight. Rotate the pot 180 degrees regularly to ensure that the branches receive even light and avoid crown bias.
Seasonal Light Adjustment Plan
Receive 3 hours of morning light from March to May, change to weak light periods in the morning and evening from June to August, resume full sunlight from September to November, and increase supplementary light from December to February. When there is insufficient light, enhance photosynthesis by spraying a solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaf surface.
Scientific Water Management Plan
Use the "Three-Finger Test": Insert the index, middle, and ring fingers into the second joint of the potting soil, and water thoroughly when dry. Water every 5-7 days in spring and autumn, every 3 days in summer (combined with morning and evening misting), and every 10-15 days in winter. It is recommended to use a long-spout pot to slowly pour water along the pot wall to avoid water accumulation in the leaf heart.
Substrate Ratio and Potting Techniques
Prepare the substrate with a ratio of perlite:peat soil:coconut bran = 3:5:2, and add 10% fermented sheep manure every spring when repotting. Choose a breathable ceramic pot 5cm larger than the original one and lay a 3cm thick layer of ceramsite at the bottom for drainage. After repotting, place it in a shady place for 7 days to acclimate the plant.
Nutrient Supply System Construction
Apply a special flower liquid fertilizer (diluted 1200 times) every half month during the growing season (March to October) and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer during the budding period. Stop fertilizing during the winter dormancy period. Regularly wipe the leaves with fermented rice water, which can supplement trace elements and remove dust to enhance brightness.
Shaping Pruning and Disease Prevention
After flowering, keep the main branches 15cm long and prune heavily to promote new branches. Regularly remove the yellow leaves at the base to maintain ventilation. Spray a solution of baking soda (1g:500ml) regularly to prevent powdery mildew, and use neem oil immediately if red spider mites are found.
By precisely controlling the light cycle, establishing a scientific watering system, and regularly updating the cultivation substrate, the hanging Baby's Breath can fully form a 2-3 meter long flower waterfall indoors. It is recommended to pair it with an automatic irrigation system and plant grow lights to create a low-maintenance vertical flower wall, allowing the small star-like flowers to bloom all year round in the living space.