What if the dragon spit beads don't bloom?
As a representative of tropical lianas, Longtuzhu is favored by horticulture enthusiasts for its unique flower pattern. However, many flower lovers often encounter the dilemma of lush branches and leaves but not blooming during the maintenance process. This article will deeply analyze the causes from four dimensions: light regulation, nutrition management, pruning skills, and water control, and provide operable solutions. The relationship between light regulation and flowering is a chain reaction of insufficient light. Longtuzhu is a typical positive plant and requires 4-6 hours of scattered light every day. When the light intensity is lower than 20000 lux, the plant will activate a self-protection mechanism and preferentially deliver nutrients to the stems and leaves rather than flower buds, resulting in the phenomenon of "excessive growth and no flowering." Scientific light filling plan recommends full sunshine maintenance in spring, autumn and winter. In summer, the "two-stage lighting method" is adopted: direct light from 8-10 a.m. and 16-18 p.m., and 50% ultraviolet light is filtered with a sunshade net at noon. Use a illuminance meter to conduct regular inspections and maintain the range of 20,000 - 35,000 lux. The nutrition management system optimizes the fertilizer ratio and selects the flower bud differentiation period (March to May). Phosphorus and potassium elements need to be supplemented mainly. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is recommended to be diluted to 800- 1,000 times liquid and combined with decomposed sheep manure (ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 2:3:2) Apply every 20 days. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers such as urea to prevent excessive leaf diameter growth. Trace element supplementation Add leaf fertilizers containing boron and molybdenum every month, and spray with a mixture of 0.1% borax solution +0.05% ammonium molybdate can increase the flower bud differentiation rate by more than 23%(Data source: Journal of Horticulture Plant Physiology). Practical guidelines for pruning and flower promotion: pruning timing and method. Re-pruning before germination in early spring, retaining 30-40cm of the main stem and 2-3 bud points on the lateral branches. Dense branches are pruned every month during the growth period to keep the ventilation and light transmission rate of the plant>65%. Pay special attention to cutting off aging branches at the base (more than 3 years old). The flowering rate of such branches is less than 15%. The core points of water management are water quantitative standards based on the principle of "seeing dry, seeing wet". When the value displayed by the soil hygrometer is less than 40%, water should be poured thoroughly. Properly controlling water during flower bud formation and maintaining substrate humidity at 55-60% can stimulate plants to produce flowering stress. Water treatment plan Immediately raise the flowerpot when water occurs, and use a bamboo stick to make 10-15 ventilation holes in the pot soil. Serious rotten root plants need to be removed from pots and pruned. After soaking in 800 times solution of carbendazim, replace with new matrix (peat: pearlite: vermiculite =5:3:2).
Through the four-dimensional regulation system of light, nutrition, pruning and moisture, combined with regular observation and recording, about 85% of the dragon tuzhu can bloom again within 60-90 days. It is suggested to take growth contrast pictures every month, establish maintenance logs, and accurately master the growth rhythm of plants. When flower buds start to differentiate, biostimulants such as algae essence can be added to help flowers bloom perfectly.