How to Care for Newly Purchased Saxifraga stolonifera
Having trouble caring for your new Saxifraga stolonifera? This ornamental plant, with its unique leaf patterns resembling the shape of tiger ears, does require special care techniques for beginners. This article will systematically analyze the complete care plan for newly bought Saxifraga stolonifera, from environmental adaptation to daily management.
Key Care During the Acclimatization Period of Saxifraga stolonifera
Considerations for Environmental Transition
For the first two weeks, maintain a constant temperature of 24-26°C and keep the air humidity between 60%-70%. It is recommended to use a transparent storage box to create a simple greenhouse, ventilating for half an hour each morning and evening to avoid large temperature differences that can cause leaf wilt.
Water Management Principles
Use the pot immersion method for watering: place the pot in a shallow water tray and soak for 15 minutes, then remove immediately when the topsoil is slightly moist. Maintain a watering frequency of 5-7 days/week during this stage, combined with foliar spraying to maintain the humidity of the small environment.
Long-term Care Guide for Saxifraga stolonifera
Light Control Plan
In spring and autumn, expose to direct sunlight before 9 am, and move to the back of a gauze curtain during the day. In summer, use a 75% shade net, and in winter, use supplementary lights to extend the exposure to 10 hours/day. Regularly rotate the pot to ensure symmetrical growth.
Nutrition Supply Strategy
Begin fertilizing one month after acclimatization, using a diluted 2000-fold liquid fertilizer for ornamental leaves, alternating with decomposed pine needle extract. Be especially careful to avoid fertilizing near the leaf heart to prevent burns.
Standard Operating Procedure for Repotting Saxifraga stolonifera
The best time for repotting is around Qingming Festival, using a red pottery pot with a mixed matrix of peat: perlite: red jade soil in a ratio of 5:3:2. Retain 1/3 of the original soil ball as protective soil, and after repotting, place it in a shaded area for 14 days of care.
By precisely controlling the intensity and duration of light, scientifically proportioning the cultivation matrix, and reasonably implementing water and fertilizer management, the survival rate of newly purchased Saxifraga stolonifera can be increased to over 90%. It is recommended to use an EC value tester every quarter to monitor soil salinity and adjust the care plan in a timely manner.