June Snow
Abstract: Tips for growing June Snow at home, cultivation and care of June Snow (满天星), detailed content follows.
Also known as June Snow, it produces small white flowers that bloom in early June, covering the tree like snow, hence the name. June Snow is native to the southeastern and central provinces of China, often found at the edges of forests, in shrubbery, roadsides, grass slopes, and streamsides. It is a common ornamental flowering shrub. In midsummer, the elegant white flowers among the green leaves compete in beauty, resembling stars in the sky, hence the alias, "Stars in the Sky."
The branches of June Snow are delicate and exquisitely graceful, with green round leaves resembling floating clouds. As a potted plant or bonsai, it stays green throughout the year, with exposed roots and intertwined branches, presenting an ancient and refined elegance. Especially in the scorching summer, it not only provides natural and artistic beauty but also offers a cool and comfortable feeling, refreshing the mind. June Snow is not only excellent as a bonsai material but is also suitable for planting in flower beds, roadsides, hedges, and borders.
Ecological Habits
June Snow is a semi-evergreen or evergreen small shrub of the Rubiaceae family, with many branches. The leaves are opposite, with short petioles, usually crowded on the upper part of the small branches, varying in shape, typically ovate to lanceolate, with membranous stipules, a wide base, and a few spiny hairs at the tip. The flowers are white, nearly sessile, and densely clustered at the top of the small branches, with a corolla about 7 mm long, the tube of the corolla nearly as long as the sepals. The flowering period is from June to July, and the fruiting period is in October, with nearly spherical drupes and two stones. June Snow is a sunny tree that can tolerate shade, prefers a warm climate, and can withstand cold. It grows well in well-drained, fertile, moist, and loose soil. Cuttings planted in the spring will bloom in 2 to 3 years. Source: https://
Cultivation Tips
(1) Watering: Move indoors in mid-October and water thoroughly once a week. Move to a shaded outdoor area in late April, keeping the potting soil moist.
(2) Fertilizing: After potting, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer every 1 to 2 weeks to promote healthy growth of branches and leaves and abundant flowering.
(3) Repotting: June Snow prefers a warm climate and a shady and moist environment, not enduring severe cold. It is not picky about soil but prefers fertile sandy loam. After potting June Snow, place it in a semi-shaded area first, then move it to an open area after it adapts. Repot every 2 to 3 years in March. Choose a sunny day when the potting soil is slightly dry. After repotting, keep it in a shady and well-ventilated place for a week before returning to normal care.
(4) Pruning: June Snow has strong germination, suckering, and healing abilities, and is tolerant of pruning. It should be pruned twice a year, once in mid-April to remove the spring shoots, and the second time after flowering to remove the flowering branch tips. Regular debudding is also necessary.
Propagation of June Snow
June Snow is commonly propagated by cuttings and division.
(1) Cuttings: Dormant branches are cut in February to March, and semi-mature branches in June to July. Cut 6 to 8 cm long cuttings and insert them into slightly acidic fine sandy loam, shading with a tent. After planting, water carefully to keep the seedbed moist, and the cuttings are easy to root. Several cuttings can be combined for insertion, and they can be potted and transplanted in October to November, dividing the combined seedlings into single plants. Softwood cuttings can also be done in summer and early autumn.
(2) Division: Often carried out in March. Transplantation can be done at any time of the year, with spring (February to March) being the best.
That's all for the detailed content on the cultivation and care of June Snow (Stars in the Sky). I hope it can be of help to you!