How to propagate the Melaleuca
Here is a detailed introduction for netizens on how to propagate Melaleuca and the cultivation methods and precautions related to the plant, which will surely be helpful to you. Let's learn about it together!
Also known as Bottlebrush or King's Tree, Melaleuca is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the Myrtaceae family. It has unique spike-shaped flowers with bright colors, which can be used for flower arrangements and is also the preferred species for garden flowers, street scenery, community greening. It can also be used for windbreak forests,绿化 forests, or shaped into high-end盆栽盆景 after pruning. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods of Melaleuca together!
Growth habits of Melaleuca
Melaleuca prefers warm and hot climates, can tolerate intense sun and heat, is not very cold-tolerant or shade-tolerant, prefers fertile and moist acidic soils, and can also tolerate thin and dry soils. It grows slowly, has strong germination ability, is tolerant to pruning, and wind-resistant. In the north, it can only be grown in high-temperature greenhouses. Seedlings can survive the winter outdoors and can tolerate low temperatures of -10℃ and high temperatures of 45℃, with an optimal growth temperature of around 25℃. It is not strict about water requirements but grows faster in moist conditions. Due to its extreme drought and thin-soil tolerance, it can also be cultivated in urban outskirts or forest parks.
Propagation methods of Melaleuca
1. Cutting method: In March, cut half-mature, non-flowering lateral branches, 10-12 cm long, with a slightly mature base, and insert them into half-sand soil. Cover with a shed to maintain humidity, and roots can develop in about 40 days. After the root system is fully developed, pot them.
2. Seed sowing method: In April, collect mature fruits, mix seeds with fine sand, and then broadcast them. Lightly cover with fine soil to maintain moisture, and seeds can germinate in about 35 days. Thin the seedlings appropriately, and when they reach about 15 cm in height, transplant them with soil into larger pots to facilitate growth.
Cultivation methods of Melaleuca
1. Seedling lifting: The soil for cultivating Melaleuca should not be too wet or too dry. The size of the soil ball should be 40-50 cm in diameter and 30-40 cm in height, forming a cylindrical shape. Avoid a pot-bottom shape. After lifting the seedlings, immediately wrap them with straw or other materials to prevent the soil ball from falling apart and the roots from being exposed, which is a crucial step for survival.
2. Planting: The planting hole for Melaleuca should be 80x80 cm. Apply a good base fertilizer, mix 1:1 soil and manure at the bottom, cover with 5 cm of clean soil and press it down to avoid root burns from contact with fertilizer. Remove the packaging from the soil ball, place the plant in the hole, level the soil ball with the ground, then fill the soil layer by layer and compact it to ensure no gaps at the bottom. Water thoroughly after planting.
3. Pruning: The balance of moisture in Melaleuca will not return to normal quickly after transplantation. Pruning before lifting is an effective measure to reduce water evaporation. It helps maintain the moisture balance within the plant, especially important during hot summer transplants when evaporation is high. The pruned branches and leaves should account for about one-third of the entire plant, mainly the inner (shaded) branches and newly emerged tender branches. In winter and spring transplants, keep the top branches with flower buds to ensure flowering in the summer after transplantation, achieving greening effects.
4. Watering: After planting Melaleuca, water 1-2 times a day, making sure to water the soil thoroughly. Also, spray water on the branches and leaves to keep them moist, which is important to maintain the moisture balance within the plant. Spraying water on the branches and leaves is another crucial step for survival. Some plants may have some soil fall off, but with increased spraying on the branches and leaves, they can still survive. During the hot season from June to September, increase the frequency of spraying on the branches and leaves.
5. Fertilization: Fertilization is very important for the rapid recovery of plant growth. Apply a thin layer of nitrogen fertilizer 15 days after planting, and apply a high-quality organic fertilizer after a month. Apply 1-2 times of high-quality organic fertilizer every year. After the flowering period each year, prune and shape the plant to control its height and maintain a beautiful shape, which can promote more new branches and flowers.
6. Diseases and pests: The main disease of Melaleuca is stem rot, which should be treated by removing the diseased seedlings and spraying Bordeaux mixture for prevention. Pests include ground beetles, mole crickets, and green rhinoceros beetles, which can be controlled with dichlorvos 1000 times solution or diazinon 1000 times solution, sprayed once every 7 days for 2-3 times.
This article shares how to propagate Melaleuca and the detailed introduction of cultivation methods and precautions, hoping to bring some knowledge of flowers to green plant enthusiasts.