Euonymus Winter Watering
As the cold winds of winter caress the windowsill, euonymus bursts into pink and purple flowers, this unique cold-resistant plant of Northern Europe always brings vitality. However, many flower friends have found that as the temperature plummets, the leaves of the plants begin to turn yellow and curl, which is a typical manifestation of improper winter care. To ensure the safe wintering of this high mountain plant, mastering water management is the primary issue.
The Core Principles of Winter Watering
Principle of Semi-Dry Maintenance
In sub-zero environments, the root activity of euonymus drops to a dormant state, and it is ideal for the potting soil to maintain 40%-50% moisture content. It is recommended to use the bamboo stake insertion method for detection: insert a sterilized bamboo stake into the potting soil for 5 minutes and remove it; if the tip is moist but does not drip water, it is fine. Special attention should be paid to northern heating rooms, where the amount of water supplement per week should be controlled at 1/3 of the room temperature environment.
Double Anti-Freezing Protection Mechanism
Immediately after watering, lay down a layer of pine bark or moss on the surface of the potting soil, which can prevent excessive evaporation of water and form a temperature difference buffer zone of about 5℃. For outdoor cultivation plants, it is recommended to use 25℃ warm water irrigation when the daytime temperature is higher than 3℃, to avoid stimulating the capillary roots with cold water.
Four Pillars of Winter Management
Light and Temperature Synergistic Efficiency System
It is necessary to ensure 4 hours of direct sunlight every day in winter, and the combination of a south-facing windowsill and a reflective board can increase the light intensity by 30%. Maintaining a day-night temperature difference of 8-10℃, and no need to move indoors when the night temperature is not lower than -5℃, this periodic stimulation can promote the secondary differentiation of flower buds.
Nutrient Supply Control Strategy
Stop using solid fertilizers completely from December to February of the following year, but spray 0.02% phosphorus acid potassium solution every 20 days. Special attention should be paid to the technique of spraying on the back of the leaves, with atomization reaching a particle size of 80 micrometers, which can form a protective crystalline film.
Key Timing for Morphological Adjustment
Shape pruning should be done around the Spring Festival, retaining a main stem height of 15-20cm. Use a 45-degree oblique cut method for the incision and immediately apply wood ash. For plants older than three years, ring stripping can be performed to promote bud formation, stripping a 1cm wide bark 10cm away from the root.
When the snow and ice begin to melt, the branches of euonymus have already quietly sprouted new buds. Precise dry and wet control combined with environmental management can not only prevent winter defoliation but also keep the inflorescence blooming continuously until early spring. Remember to gradually increase the watering amount to 70% of the daily amount after the warm-up in the spring, to store energy for a new growth cycle.