How to Care for Mo Lan for Beginners: Home Care Methods
A comprehensive introduction to the relevant experience of caring for Mo Lan at home for beginners, including the following details:
How to Care for Mo Lan at Home for Beginners
When caring for Mo Lan, it is generally recommended to plant three plants in one pot, and it is not advisable to plant a single plant or multiple plants together. A single plant looks like inserting chopsticks. Multiple plants planted together will compete for nutrients and block sunlight and ventilation. The pot should be made of unglazed ceramic or purple sand, which has good breathability and water permeability. The quality of the pot can coordinate the water and air in the planting material.
Firstly, fear of unsuitable planting material:
When caring for Mo Lan, the soil should have a good granular structure, be loose and breathable, not compacted or waterlogged, and slightly acidic with light fertilizer. The physical properties of a single soil cannot meet the growth requirements of Mo Lan. Therefore, Mo Lan is most afraid of incorrect use of planting material.
It is recommended to use decayed pine bark, red jade soil, and rust sand mixed in equal parts as the main granular planting material for Mo Lan. Then, add about 30% of pine needle soil to the granular planting material.
This mixed soil is the soil I have developed over the years and is very suitable for the growth of Mo Lan.
Secondly, fear of unsuitable environment:
Mo Lan prefers a semi-shaded environment and dislikes direct strong sunlight. It enjoys a warm and humid climate and dislikes high temperatures and dryness.
The optimal temperature for caring for Mo Lan is between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius. Growth is hindered below 5 degrees Celsius, and it can easily get sunburned and die above 35 degrees Celsius. The air humidity should be maintained at over 60%.
It is recommended to keep Mo Lan in a temperature range of 15 to 28 degrees Celsius, with 5 hours of weak diffused light every day. During high temperatures, appropriate shading and enhanced ventilation are needed. During low temperatures, it should be moved indoors for the winter. When the air humidity is insufficient, spray the leaves every day.
Thirdly, fear of too much water causing root rot, and too little water causing root drying:
Whether Mo Lan is drought-tolerant depends on the humidity of the growth environment. In places where the humidity is maintained at over 65%, the planting material of Mo Lan can be slightly dry, and watering should be done only when it is completely dry.
However, the humidity in home care is generally not up to standard, so supplementing water is divided into two steps.
1. Water Mo Lan when the surface of the planting material is dry, and extend watering by 1 to 2 days. During the hot summer and autumn seasons, water the plants thoroughly when the surface of the planting material is completely dry in the evening of the same day.
2. In home care for Mo Lan, the humidity is often not up to standard, which can easily cause water loss and root drying, as well as leaf tip drying.
If the humidity is not enough, spray water to make up for it. Spray water once in the morning and evening every day. During high temperature and dry seasons, spray 3 to 5 times a day to cool the environment and increase humidity for the leaves.
Fourthly, fear of too much fertilizer burning roots, and too little fertilizer causing weakness:
The roots of Mo Lan have a weak ability to absorb nutrients, and excessive fertilization can easily burn the roots and also increase the probability of bacterial infection. Long-term lack of fertilization can cause Mo Lan to turn yellow and thin and eventually die.
Fertilize Mo Lan with a "thin and frequent" approach. Avoid fertilizing during high temperatures and low temperatures.
For everyday fertilization, you can use "rotted sheep manure balls" and shallowly bury them in the topsoil through loosening the soil. About once a month.
During the peak growing seasons of spring and autumn, you can add a rice water irrigation once a month. One month before the flowering period, the fertilization should be more biased towards "phosphorus and potassium fertilizers."
The above introduction to how to care for Mo Lan at home for beginners is for reference and suggestion.