Caring for蟹爪兰 During Blooming Period
If you want to know about caring for蟹爪兰 during its blooming period and the precautions for planting蟹爪兰, the related green plant content will be introduced by the editor as follows.
Due to different varieties, care methods, and environments, the blooming period of蟹爪兰 can vary. However, as long as the plant grows without issues, once it blooms, it doesn't end quickly. Some蟹爪兰 can bloom for three to four months, lasting until the end of spring when the weather gets hot. While others stop blooming after one or two months and start growing new stem segments. How to make蟹爪兰 bloom for a long time and produce more flowers? During the blooming period, three "pinchings" should be done to achieve the goal of more flowers and quick reblooming.
1. Pinch Off Withered Flowers
A single蟹爪兰 flower can bloom for 3 to 15 days. When the petals start to wilt, it is about to wither. However, the petals will not fall off immediately when they just start to wilt and can still bloom for a few more days. Some蟹爪lan, even when completely withered, will not fall off by themselves. For these withered蟹爪lan flowers, we should pinch them off in time. This can not only save nutrient consumption and allow new flower buds to grow quickly but also enhance the plant's ornamental value. Because even if the withered flowers do not fall off, they look like "waning blossoms," and not pinching them off will make the whole pot look messy.
When pinching off the withered flowers of蟹爪lan, do not pinch from the place close to the stem segment. Leave a few millimeters of the flower stalk, pinch off most of it, and the remaining part will quickly dry up and fall off. If pinched from the place close to the stem segment, it may damage the junction of the stem segment and the flower stalk, leading to no new flower buds growing. Especially when a flower withers and there are unopened flower buds nearby, you must leave some of the flower stalk to pinch, which is safer for the unopened flower buds.
2. Pinch Off Tender Stem Segments
During the blooming period,蟹爪lan will still occasionally grow tender stem segments. Sometimes, these tender stem segments grow at the top of the original stem segments, and sometimes they grow at the connected place of the lower stem segments. No matter where the tender stem segments grow, if you still want to bloom, especially when there are flowers and flower buds, you should pinch them off in time and not let them grow. The reason is that the growth of tender stem segments will compete for nutrients, easily causing flowers to wither early and no new flower buds to grow. Careful gardeners should have noticed that during the blooming period of蟹爪lan, where tender stem segments grow, no new flower buds will grow after the existing flower buds have finished blooming. While in places without tender stem segments, as long as the care is proper, new flower buds can still grow after blooming.
Caring for蟹爪兰 During Blooming Period
Some gardeners worry that pinching off the tender stem segments growing on蟹爪lan now will affect the plant's growth and no new stem segments will grow later. This concern is unnecessary. After the spring temperatures rise and the blooming period of蟹爪lan ends, it is the best time to grow new stem segments. The stem segments grown at that time will be numerous and thick, becoming the main force for flowering next year. The tender stem segments grown during the blooming period are thin and small, and with uncertain environmental temperatures, their quality is poor, which not only affects flowering but also has no benefit for the growth of the whole pot. Pinching them off in time is the wisest choice.
3. Pinch Off the Top Stem Segments That Can No Longer Produce Flower Buds
Under normal conditions, a mature top stem segment of蟹爪lan can grow about three flower buds. This means that if only one flower blooms on the top stem segment of your蟹爪lan, there is a high possibility of new flower buds growing, and with proper care, they can bloom again soon. However, if a top stem segment of your蟹爪lan has already bloomed three or more flowers, after the flowers wither, it is best to pinch off the top stem segment to allow the mature stem segments below to sprout flower buds and achieve reblooming. Because it is difficult for a stem segment that has bloomed three or more flowers to grow new flower buds. If you don't remove this stem segment, it will have a top advantage and start growing new stem segments when the temperature is suitable, completely ending this year's blooming period.
When pinching off the stem segments of蟹爪lan that have bloomed, ensure the integrity of the lower stem segments. Because flower buds grow from the top of the stem segment, if the top is damaged, the flower buds cannot grow. If many top stem segments are pinched off at once, it is best to spray the whole plant with a 1000-fold solution of carbendazim after pinching, to sterilize and disinfect, protecting the unblooming stem segments below and ensuring reblooming.