The propagation management of Murraya exotica
Today, the editor will introduce the content of flower propagation focusing on Murraya exotica. Here is the propagation management of Murraya exotica, and the editor will introduce it to everyone next.
Murraya exotica enjoys abundant sunlight but also tolerates semi-shade, preferring warmth. The most suitable growth temperature is between 20 to 32°C. It is not cold-resistant. When the minimum temperature drops to around 5°C in winter, it should be moved into a low-temperature (5-10°C) room for overwintering. Moving it too early is not conducive to enhancing its cold resistance. A room temperature that is too low can cause leaf drop, affecting the following year's growth. Below 0°C, it may freeze to death. If the room temperature is too high, the plant cannot properly enter dormancy and may even sprout indoors. When exposed to cold winds outside, the buds will shrink back, and when new buds sprout again, it will affect the year's growth. A room temperature that is too high in winter consumes the plant's nutrients, which is not conducive to growth and flowering in the following year. During the growing period, it is essential to avoid direct sunlight and should be cultivated in a shaded area to ensure that Murraya exotica flowers are abundant and fragrant.
Propagation methods: Murraya exotica can be propagated by cuttage and seeding.
Cuttage can be done between March and May by cutting 2-year-old branches into segments about 15 to 20 cm long, removing some leaves, and inserting them into a loose sandy loam or vermiculite medium. Maintain the moisture of the medium and air, keep it shaded, and it can root in about 2 months.
Seeding can be done by collecting mature red fruits in February, washing out the seeds, and sowing them immediately. The seeds can germinate in about a month.
Cultivation management:
Murraya exotica is not picky about soil and prefers a sandy soil rich in humus, loose, and fertile. For newly planted or repotted Murraya exotica, water thoroughly and keep it in a shaded area for about 10 days before placing it in a sunny and well-ventilated area.
When planting, place a few pieces of animal horn at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. In addition to applying base fertilizer at planting, when potting or changing soil, it is advisable to mix some bone meal or a compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium into the growing soil. During the growing season, apply a mature organic liquid fertilizer once a month. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone, as it may cause excessive leaf growth without flower buds. From April to June, to promote bud differentiation, spray 0.2% phosphorus acid monopotassium solution on the leaves once a month, and the remaining spray can be poured on the roots. Since Murraya exotica is native to the south and prefers slightly acidic soil, it is best to apply "alum fertilizer water" twice a year. However, do not fertilize during the winter dormancy period. If cultivating young trees, the amount of fertilizer and water can be increased appropriately to promote faster growth and reach the desired height and thickness as soon as possible.
Murraya exotica is drought-tolerant; watering should be done when the soil is dry and not waterlogged. During continuous rainy weather, the pot should be placed on its side or in a sheltered area. Excessive watering can cause root rot. If the leaves curl and lose their luster, this is a sign of root rot and should be addressed promptly. First, control the watering and observe the changes. If there is no improvement after 2-3 days, or it gets worse, the plant should be removed from the pot, the root soil washed off, dried, then soaked in a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution for disinfection, and then soaked in a 1:2000 naphthalene acetic acid rooting hormone solution for 8 hours before repotting. During the growing period, avoid excessive watering, just keeping the soil slightly moist. During the high summer temperatures, avoid excessive watering, and do not let the pot (barrel) accumulate water. It is also necessary to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves, which can not only lower the temperature and increase humidity but also help keep the leaves green. In winter, after bringing it indoors, water less frequently, just keeping the potting soil moist.
In spring, a pruning should be done in conjunction with planting or repotting. Overdense and fast-growing branches should be pruned or thinned as needed. Major pruning should be done in late October or November. Avoid strong pruning during the flowering period to avoid affecting the view.
Prevent pests and diseases. Murraya exotica has fewer pests, but if ventilation is poor, it can be affected by red spiders and scale insects, so it is necessary to pay attention to prevention and treatment.
In the northern regions, potted Murraya exotica is prone to abnormal phenomena such as yellowing and leaf drop in winter, mainly caused by overly dry or wet soil, as well as factors like poor indoor air circulation, excessively dry or stuffy environment. Therefore, in winter, maintain the potting soil's moisture, ensuring it is not too dry or too wet, keep the indoor air circulating, and control the room temperature above 5°C. Increase the frequency of leaf spraying, but pay attention to the water temperature for winter watering, keeping it roughly the same as the soil and room temperature, avoid using cold water, and do not be careless.
The above is the complete introduction to the propagation management of Murraya exotica, for everyone's learning and understanding!