How to Cultivate燕子掌 (Crassula ovata)
The editor introduces how to cultivate燕子掌 and provides a detailed explanation of the cultivation methods and precautions for this green plant. Please see the detailed introduction below.
燕子掌, also known as八宝, 看青, 冬青, is a evergreen small shrub of the Crassula genus in the Crassulaceae family. It has an upright and beautiful appearance when potted at home, with bright green leaves that remain evergreen throughout the year. It is very elegant and unique. Combined with a pot stand, pebbles, etc., it can be processed into a small bonsai, or potted alone to decorate desks, windowsills, coffee tables, and countertops, adding beauty to the living environment. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for燕子掌!
Growth Habits of燕子掌
Native to southern Africa,燕子掌 is a sub-shrub with multiple branches, distinct round stems, and green or yellowish-brown epidermis. Its leaves have small dots and are opposite, ovate, and fleshy. The flowers are cluster-shaped, small, white or pink, and pollinated by different plants, making it rare to bloom. It prefers a warm and dry environment with plenty of sunlight, is intolerant to cold, afraid of strong light, slightly shade-tolerant, and grows well in fertile, well-draining sandy loam soil. The winter temperature should not drop below 7℃.
Propagation Methods of燕子掌
1. Cutting: Usually done in spring or autumn, cut healthy top branches, 7-10 cm long, let them dry in a shaded place for one day, and then insert them into moist sand or perlite after the wound is slightly dry. Roots will form in about 3 weeks, with a very high survival rate. Single leaves can also be used for cutting, let them dry slightly after cutting, then insert them into a sand bed, and roots will form in about 4 weeks, and can be potted when the roots are 2-3 cm long.
2. Water cutting: From April to September, cut healthy, robust, and disease-free branches, 10-15 cm long, leaving 3-4 pairs of leaves at the top, removing two pairs at the bottom, wash the sap from the cut surface, secure with foam or thick paper, and place in a cup with water covering 1/2-1/3 of the cutting. Keep it in a well-ventilated and shaded area, maintain a temperature above 25℃, change the water every 2-3 days, and roots will form in about 7 days, with a nearly 100% survival rate.
Cultivation Methods of燕子掌
1. Soil: For potted燕子掌, a mixture of 2/3 decomposed leaf soil and 1/3 garden soil with a small amount of river sand should be used as the growing medium. A small amount of hoof slices or other long-acting fertilizers can be placed at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. To aid drainage, some stones or tiles should be placed at the bottom of the pot. Each spring,燕子掌 needs to be repotted with fresh soil.
2. Temperature: The optimal growth temperature for燕子掌 is between 15-32℃, it dislikes high heat and humidity, and enters a dormant state when the temperature exceeds 33℃ in summer. It is sensitive to cold and frost, and the winter temperature should be maintained above 10℃. It also enters a dormant state when the temperature drops below 7℃, and may die if the temperature approaches 4℃.
3. Sunlight:燕子掌 enjoys sunlight but should be protected from direct sunlight in summer, kept in a ventilated and shaded area, and sunlight can be increased in other seasons to make the leaves greener and fuller. In winter, when the temperature is low, increasing sunlight and reducing watering can help improve cold resistance. Keeping the plant in a dark place for a long time will cause it to become leggy, the leaves will become thin and yellow, reducing its ornamental value.
4. Watering: From spring to autumn, water燕子掌 every 1-2 days, avoiding waterlogging in the pot. In the summer heat, when the temperature exceeds 30℃, the plant is in a dormant or semi-dormant state, and watering should be controlled. Also, shading and cooling measures should be taken, and water can be sprayed around the pot 2-3 times a day, with attention to ventilation. In winter, reduce watering to keep the soil slightly dry.
5. Fertilization:燕子掌 does not require much fertilizer. In spring and autumn, apply a liquid fertilizer for cacti once a month. Do not fertilize in summer, and in winter, when indoor temperatures are too low, fertilization is also not needed. Potted燕子掌 should be repotted every 3-4 years. When repotting in spring, a compound fertilizer or decomposed organic fertilizer can be added as a base fertilizer.
6. Pruning:燕子掌 grows rapidly, and if pruning is not done in time, the plant's shape will be ruined, greatly reducing its ornamental value. It is best to prune燕子掌 in spring and autumn, as these are its peak growing seasons, allowing for quick recovery and easy growth of new branches.
7. Diseases and Pests: 燕子掌 has few diseases and pests. In high temperature and humidity, it may be affected by anthracnose and leaf spot diseases, which can be treated with a 70% methyl thiophanate wettable powder solution (600-800 times), or a 60% propiconazole wettable powder solution (1000 times). If indoor ventilation is poor, the stems and leaves may be attacked by scale insects, which should be cleaned immediately. In severe cases, a 0.5% solanidine soluble concentrate solution (300-500 times) can be sprayed for control.
Precautions for Cultivating 燕子掌
1. 燕子掌 enjoys light and should be placed in a well-lit, warm environment throughout the year, which is key to flowering.
2. As a succulent plant, 燕子掌 is very drought-tolerant and should not be watered excessively, keeping it dry and then watering.
3. In the summer high-temperature season, be careful not to expose the plant to direct sunlight followed by heavy rain, which can cause leaf drop.
4. During the growing season, apply a thin liquid fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every 7-10 days, avoiding over-concentration.
The above information is about how to cultivate 燕子掌 and detailed explanations of its cultivation methods and precautions. It is hoped that this will be helpful to you in your daily life!