Jinlixiang Planting Time and Methods
Today, we will delve into the planting time and methods of Jinlixiang, as well as the precautions for cultivating this plant. Let's take a look together!
Jinlixiang, also known as Qianlixiang, belongs to the same Rutaceae family as the common citrus plants. It has a graceful tree posture, being an evergreen shrub or small tree, and is known for its reputation "a night of blooming fragrance fills nine miles." Jinlixiang leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate compound leaves, with no arrow-shaped leaf axes. Each leaflet has 3-9 leaves, with leaf shapes varying greatly, from ovate, inverted ovate to nearly rhombic, all margins are deep green and glossy. Jinlixiang flowers from March to June, with branches adorned with small white flowers that are extremely fragrant. Its fruit is ovate or spherical, with a red flesh.
Points to Consider for Jinlixiang Maintenance:
1) Appropriate Environmental Temperature Required
Jinlixiang thrives in warm conditions and does not tolerate cold well. The optimal growth temperature is around 15-25°C. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and to the north, it needs to be moved to an indoor environment above 5°C during winter for overwintering maintenance; it enjoys sunlight and moisture but can also tolerate shade and drought. Even in shaded areas where many plants struggle to grow, Jinlixiang can thrive with lush foliage and abundant flowers. It is not picky about soil, but grows best in loose, breathable, fertile, and well-draining neutral loam.
2) Proper Nutrient Supply Needed
Maintaining Jinlixiang is quite simple. In addition to applying some phosphorus and potassium-rich organic fertilizers at the bottom of the pot when repotting every year, excessive nitrogenous fertilizer should not be applied during the growing period, as it can easily lead to the plant growing excessive foliage without flowering. During the early stage of flowering and bud formation, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. If excessive nitrogenous fertilizer is applied and there is a lack of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, it can easily cause the plant to grow excessive foliage without forming flower buds. During the bud formation period, water should be controlled to help the plant form more full flower buds.
3) Indoor Transfer Required for Overwintering
Jinlixiang loves warmth and fears the cold. After moving the Jinlixiang potted plants indoors in winter, if there is yellowing and leaf dropping, the reasons, in addition to exposure to cold winds, are mainly due to the potting soil being too wet or too dry. Also, poor indoor air circulation, low humidity, or excessive heat can lead to leaf yellowing and dropping. These are important aspects that need special attention during the overwintering maintenance of Jinlixiang.
Jinlixiang Planting Time and Methods
How to Prevent Jinlixiang Leaves from Yellowing and Falling Off?
To prevent Jinlixiang from yellowing and dropping leaves during winter, attention should be paid to the following three points: first, the potting soil should not be too wet or too dry, maintaining a slightly moist but not dry condition is preferable; second, maintain an appropriate environmental temperature. Generally, keeping the room temperature at around 5°C to 10°C in winter is sufficient, and indoor air circulation should be strengthened to avoid stuffiness; third, increase the humidity of the maintenance environment. Keeping the environmental air humidity at around 60% to 70% is suitable, and the leaves should be sprayed with water mist twice a day, morning and evening. After enduring the cold of February, although some leaves may have fallen, if the branches are still green, new leaves will sprout after moving the plant outdoors after the Qingming Festival.
How to Propagate Jinlixiang?
Jinlixiang can be propagated by播种 (seeding) and扦插 (cutting). Seeding propagation usually takes place from March to May each year, where mature red fruits are harvested, seeds are extracted and sown immediately. Germination usually occurs after 25 to 30 days.
Cutting propagation of Jinlixiang can be carried out from March to May, selecting two-year-old branches, cutting them into 20-25 cm long cuttings, removing the top 2-4 leaves, retaining 2 leaves in the middle, and inserting them into a loose and breathable vermiculite matrix. Keeping the matrix and air moist, and maintaining them in a shaded area, roots can form after about 2 months.
Precautions for cutting propagation: The temperature for cutting Jinlixiang should not be too low. Branches pruned in winter may struggle to survive due to insufficient indoor temperatures. They need to be placed in a greenhouse with a temperature of around 25°C for higher survival rates.
In summary, when growing Jinlixiang in a pot at home, do not over-fertilize with nitrogen, especially before flowering and bud formation, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied, such as "Flower More 2" fertilizer solution; otherwise, excessive nitrogenous fertilizer can easily cause the plant to grow excessive foliage without forming flower buds. During the bud formation period, water should also be controlled to keep it moist but not dry; winter warming and frost prevention should be done well to avoid being affected by cold winds, so it can safely overwinter. These points of maintenance and management should be promptly addressed to promote more flowering.
The above is the complete content about Jinlixiang planting time and methods, as well as precautions for cultivating Jinlixiang from the Green Plant Enthusiast website. Have green plant enthusiasts understood?