How to raise duck palm wood in winter
As a popular indoor leaf-viewing plant, duck palm wood is deeply loved for its unique palm-shaped leaves and strong vitality. But every winter season when it comes to low temperatures, many flower friends face the problem of plant growth stagnation or even frostbite. This article will systematically analyze the four key elements of winter maintenance of duck palm wood to help you easily create a warm winter environment. Core strategies for winter maintenance Water control skills The first principle of winter maintenance is to control the frequency of watering. When the ambient temperature is lower than 15 ℃, the duck tree will enter a semi-dormant state, and the root absorption capacity will drop to 30% of the normal level. It is recommended to use the "fingertip detection method": insert the index finger into the soil for 2 - 3 centimeters, and only water it if the pulp of the finger does not feel moist. The watering amount should be controlled to 1/3 of that in summer. After each watering, the flowerpot should be tilted to remove stagnant water to avoid root rot caused by stagnant water in the basin bottom tray. The lighting optimization plan should ensure more than 4 hours of direct light per day in winter, and the best placement position is the south or southeast facing window sill. In case of continuous rainy weather, an LED plant fill light can be added to illuminate the leaves 30 - 40 cm away for 6 hours/day. Pay attention to rotating the flowerpot regularly to ensure that the leaves in all directions receive uniform light and avoid off-crown growth. Glass windows need to be kept clean to ensure a light transmittance of more than 90%. The key points of temperature control are to maintain the ambient temperature of 10 - 18 ℃. The plants should be placed 1.5 meters away from the radiator in the northern heating area, and the humidifier should be used to maintain the air humidity of 40%-50%. The "pot insulation method" can be used in unheated areas: in a pottery pot with a diameter larger than 5 cm, the gap between the two pots is filled with vermiculite or foam particles. When the temperature at night is below 5 ° C, it is recommended to use a transparent insulation cover, which needs to be opened for 2 hours during the day. Nutritional management principles: Fertilization should be completely stopped from November to February of the following year. Root activity decreases in winter, and fertilization at this time will lead to an increase in EC value and cause fertilizer damage. You can apply slow-release fertilizer once before winter (late October), choose a formula with an N-P-K ratio of 12 - 6 - 12, and mix 2 - 3 grams per liter of soil. If yellowing occurs in old leaves, spray 0.1% ferrous sulfate solution on the leaves no more than twice a month.
Through precise control of moisture, scientific adjustment of light, strict temperature management and reasonable non-fertilization maintenance, your duck palm wood can not only survive the winter safely, but also accumulate nutrients to germinate in spring. It is recommended to inspect the back of leaves every two weeks to prevent red spiders, maintain environmental ventilation, and create the best wintering microenvironment for the plants. When the temperature stabilizes above 15 ℃ in the early spring of next year, routine maintenance can be gradually resumed.