Methods and Precautions for Growing Red Mulberry
As a plant with both ornamental and edible value, red mulberry is deeply favored by horticultural enthusiasts for its unique purple-red leaves. However, to ensure the healthy growth of this tropical plant in a home environment, it is necessary to master scientific management methods. Today, let's fully understand all the maintenance plans from substrate mixing to disease prevention and control.
Four Basic Elements of Red Mulberry Maintenance
Techniques for Substrate Mixing
Use a 6:4 mixture of garden soil and decomposed leaf soil as the substrate, with decomposed sheep manure scattered at the bottom as a base fertilizer. This soil mixture can ensure good water permeability and aeration while continuously providing nutrients.
Smart Water Management Solution
Keep the soil moisture at 60%-70% during the growing period, water twice a day in the morning and evening during summer, and change to watering thoroughly every 3 days in winter. It is recommended to use the immersion pot method combined with foliar watering with a spray bottle.
Scientific Fertilization Schedule
Apply diluted soybean cake water every 15 days from March to September, alternating with compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium monthly. From October, gradually reduce and stop fertilization, while increasing the application of bone meal to enhance cold resistance.
Advanced Management Strategies for Red Mulberry
Golden Rules for Shaping and Pruning
Perform pinching in May to June every year, leaving 3-4 pairs of leaves to promote branching. Regularly remove the old leaves from the bottom to keep the plant shape open, which can increase disease resistance by 30%.
Key Points for Cuttage Propagation
Select semi-woody branches, retain the top 2 leaves, and use a mixture of perlite and vermiculite as the substrate for cuttage. Maintain a constant temperature of 25°C and 80% humidity, and roots will form in about 20 days.
Methods and Precautions for Growing Red Mulberry
Guide to Common Disease Management
Three-Step Approach to Root Rot Disease Prevention
Immediately stop watering when the leaves start to wilt in the early stage, then loosen the soil and water with metalaxyl (1:1500). For severe cases, remove the plant from the pot, prune the roots, disinfect with potassium permanganate, and replace with new soil.
Comprehensive Control of Leaf Spot Disease
Isolate plants with brown spots immediately, and spray with Trichoderma harzianum for 3 consecutive weeks. Enhance ventilation and wipe the back of leaves with garlic extract solution weekly for prevention.
Through systematic maintenance management, red mulberry not only presents the best ornamental state but also its edible leaves rich in anthocyanins are natural healthy ingredients. It is recommended to equip a grow light for balcony planting, ensuring 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. Regularly rotating the pot can prevent biased growth, allowing every red leaf to show its charming luster.