Methods and Precautions for Cultivating the Happiness Tree
This article provides a detailed explanation of the cultivation methods and precautions for the Happiness Tree, also known as the Happiness Tree. It has a graceful shape and bright green leaves, making it a precious indoor potted ornamental plant in the northern regions of China.
Methods and Precautions for Cultivating the Happiness Tree
Soil Preparation
The potting soil should be loose, fertile, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. It is usually prepared by mixing 5 parts garden soil, 3 parts decomposed leaf soil, 1 part decomposed organic fertilizer, and 1 part river sand. During the growing season, it should be loosened once a month to ensure the roots are always in a well-ventilated state. Generally, for medium and small plants, repotting can be done once at the beginning of April to meet the soil fertility requirements for the entire year.
Watering
The Happiness Tree requires a relatively moist soil and display environment. During the hot and dry season after summer begins, special attention should be given to water supply. To prevent the plant from growing too tall, watering can be moderately controlled during the spring growth of new shoots, maintaining the potting soil slightly moist. For indoor display plants, 2-3 sprays of water should be applied daily during the high-temperature season. For plants placed outdoors in summer and autumn, it is necessary to spray the plant and its surrounding environment to create a cool and moist environment. During the plum rain season, it is important to check the potting soil after each heavy rain and quickly remove excess water. In winter, indoor plants should not be watered too much to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Fertilizing
For potted Happiness Trees, apart from adding a moderate amount of decomposed cake fertilizer and 3% multi-element compound fertilizer to the growing medium, a fast-acting liquid fertilizer can be applied once a month during the growing season. This can be done using decomposed cake fertilizer water or a mixture of 0.3% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate. In the northern regions of China, potted plants can be continuously treated with 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2-3 times in September to increase cold resistance. Fertilization should be stopped when the temperature exceeds 32°C in summer or falls below 12°C in late autumn and early winter.
Sunlight
The Happiness Tree is a plant that enjoys sunlight but can also tolerate shade, thriving in both full sun and semi-shaded environments. Its seedlings are relatively shade-tolerant, and shading is required during the summer. For potted plants displayed indoors, they should be placed near a window with ample light.
Temperature
The Happiness Tree prefers a warm and hot environment, with an optimal growth temperature of 20-30°C. When the ambient temperature reaches above 30°C in the summer, it is necessary to provide shade and spray water on the leaves, or move it to a cool and shaded place. When the temperature drops to 10°C in late autumn, it should be moved indoors. During the winter, it is best to maintain a greenhouse temperature of no lower than 8°C, with a minimum of 5°C to avoid cold damage or leaf drop.
Common Diseases and Pests of the Happiness Tree
Leaf Spot Disease
In high temperature and humidity with poor ventilation, leaves are prone to leaf spot disease. Whether indoors or outdoors, it is important to improve ventilation and avoid prolonged leaf moisture, reducing the possibility of leaf spot disease. If a few diseased leaves are found, they should be promptly removed and destroyed. Spray 50% carbendazim wettable powder 600 times liquid every half month, for 3-4 consecutive times.
Scale Insects
In high temperature and humidity with poor ventilation, especially during the long-term placement in greenhouses in autumn and winter, scale insects can easily infest the stems and leaves. If a small number of live insects are found, they can be removed with a wet cloth. For commercial cultivation, during the peak period of nymphal transformation, a 25% wettable powder of pyridaben 1500 times liquid can be sprayed to kill them.
Mites
The symptoms of damage include wrinkled and curled new leaves, with an uneven leaf surface. This usually occurs in large numbers from June to September during hot and dry periods, and less frequently in moist environments. Miticides such as damaline and nisolar can be used for control.
Aphids
The most common are green peach aphids, which cause leaves to wrinkle and deform, often with crystalline honeydew spots. Use insecticides such as phoxim, omethoate, and fenvalerate for control.
Propagation Methods of the Happiness Tree
Cutting
In mid-April when the ambient temperature reaches about 15°C, cut 1-2-year-old lignified branches, about 15-20 cm long, removing all leaves. The lower cut should be located 0.5 cm below the node, and the cuttings should be inserted into sandy loam seedbeds in the greenhouse. The depth of insertion should be half the length of the cutting. During the root-healing period, the seedbed should be kept moist with water sprays. Once a good root system has developed, the cuttings can be transplanted into pots with soil balls.
Layering
In March-April, ring the bark below the node on 2-year-old strong branches or stems, with the ring width usually 2-3 times the diameter of the stem. Below the ring, a soil ball with a diameter of 8-10 cm is formed by pressing clean, moist peat or sandy loam soil. The soil ball is then wrapped with plastic film, leaving a water inlet at the top, and tied or pulled close to the main stem to prevent it from breaking. In late autumn, once the root system has developed fully at the ring, it can be cut from the mother plant and potted.
Seeding
Collect the capsules when they are about to split open and the seeds are fully mature in December, then dry them and remove the winged seed particles by rubbing, and discard the membranous fragments. The seeds can be germinated immediately or stored dry for sowing the following spring. In a greenhouse, if sown in spring, the seeds should be soaked for 3-4 hours, then slightly dried and mixed with sand before sowing in a prepared seedbed. Lightly cover with soil, keep the film moist, and remove it after germination. When 2-3 true leaves have developed, transplant with soil balls or wait until 4-5 large leaves have developed before potting or placing in nutrient bags.
The detailed explanation of the cultivation methods and precautions for the Happiness Tree provided above is hoped to bring help to your daily life!