Cultivation and Management of Haworthia
Today, the editor will share some experience about succulent plants, focusing on the cultivation and management of Haworthia. Let's learn more about it.
Cultivation and Management of Haworthia
① Cultivation Site
Haworthia species, except for a few varieties, are very hardy plants. They can be cultivated in various environments such as outdoors, indoors, greenhouses, and greenhouses. However, as they dislike direct sunlight and rain outside the growing season, they require more than 50% shading and a roof that protects against wind and rain. Additionally, when grown indoors, they should be placed in a bright position.
② Watering
Watering can clean the waste in the pot, inject fresh air, wash away dust and dirt from the plant surface to promote photosynthesis, so it should be watered sufficiently until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. Since the soil varies, the signal to water is when the soil at the bottom of the pot is dry. If the temperature is kept between 1°C and 35°C, watering can be maintained once a week throughout the year.
③ Soil Usage
When using red jade soil, Nichi soil, Kusonue sand, and others (rice husk charcoal, organic fertilizer 5%) in a ratio of 5:2:2:1, add an appropriate amount of slow-release fertilizer and pesticides. To ensure sufficient trace elements, use a mixture of three or more types of soil. To prevent root burning, use slow-release fertilizer. To prevent decay and mold in the pot, use organic fertilizer containing various beneficial nitrifying bacteria.
④ Repotting
To ensure that plants have enough strength during flowering, it is recommended to repot spring-flowering varieties in autumn and summer-flowering varieties in spring. When repotting, trim and organize withered roots and excessive fibrous roots, and cut off the thickened woody roots. Also, if there are too many main roots, you can use a clean knife to cut the main roots in half. (Many new roots will grow from the cut position.) Since new roots of Haworthia grow from the center of the lowest leaf base, withered old leaves should also be removed. After repotting, water immediately to prevent the fine roots from drying out. For plants with cut woody and main roots, water thoroughly after the soil has stabilized the next day.
⑤ Propagation
Haworthia propagation is most effective between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on good weather days (the most active time for insects in the native area). Pollinating in the morning and pollinating in the afternoon can achieve a high success rate. For hard-leafed, talon, and dragon-scale species, avoid humid weather due to the difficulty of harvesting. Also, the mother plants used for propagation may be weakened, so select mother plants with well-developed roots and pollinate no more than 3-4 seedpods. Over- propagation can take 2-3 years to recover, and using too small plants for propagation can also lead to fading of the mother plant's characteristics and size. From flowering to seed collection takes about 40 days, so it is also necessary to supplement with liquid fertilizer every 20 days.
Note) After harvesting, seeds should be placed in a cool place to dry thoroughly!
⑥ Breeding Improvement
Haworthia breeding is mostly paternal inheritance, for example, the benign inheritance of hairiness in Haworthia limifolia is micro-hair, which will appear in hybrids with any variety. Therefore, knowing what the benign inheritance of the paternal plant is crucial. White dots, white lines, green lines, and transparency of the window are all required elements of the paternal plant, while variegation, leaf shape, plant shape, plant size, and window size are considered elements needed by the maternal plant. Also, the F1 generation of pure-line species is relatively stable genetically, while hybrids between different varieties will differ in plant shape and characteristics. Selection is necessary, and of course, this is the most enjoyable part.
Example) The seedlings from crossing the paternal plant浓白银picta with the maternal plant大型宝草 may degenerate into 浓白银picta, etc.
Postscript) Based on experience, 兜, 鸾凤玉, and 牡丹 are also paternal inheritance.
The detailed explanation of the cultivation and management of Haworthia (translated and reposted from西亚基) provided above is for reference and suggestion only!