How to cultivate Hoya carnosa to make it bloom
Are you curious about how to grow Hoya carnosa to make it bloom and what kind of fertilizer is used for green plants and flowers? The following is a detailed introduction.
Hoya carnosa is a highly ornamental climbing plant, named for its crystal-clear, ball-shaped flowers. To make it bloom smoothly, it requires meticulous care in terms of light, temperature, watering, and fertilization. Here are the key points to promote blooming and fertilizing techniques:
### - -Light: The core condition for bud differentiation- - Hoya carnosa is a typical light-loving plant but avoids direct strong sunlight. 1. - -Ideal lighting- -: It needs 4-6 hours of soft scattered light (such as east or north-facing windowsills) daily, insufficient light may cause the stems and leaves to grow excessively without blooming. In summer, 50% shading is required to prevent leaf burn. 2. - -Short-daylight stimulation- -: In autumn and winter, when natural daylight is shorter, controlling light (8-10 hours of daylight daily) can induce bud formation. Avoid interference from artificial light sources at night.
### - -Temperature and humidity: Creating the native environment- - 1. - -Optimal growing temperature- -: 20-30°C is best, and it's necessary to maintain above 10°C in winter to prevent frost damage. A day-night temperature difference of 5-8°C (such as in spring and autumn) is easier to promote blooming. 2. - -Humidity management- -: An air humidity of 60%-70% is ideal, which can be increased by misting or placing water trays, but avoid watering during the flowering period to prevent flower bud rot.
### - -Watering techniques: Dry-wet alternation promotes bud formation- - Hoya carnosa is drought-tolerant but害怕积水, root rot can easily occur in water-logged soil. - - -Growing period- - (spring and summer): Water thoroughly when the top 2cm of the potting soil is dry, keeping it slightly moist. - - -Bud differentiation period- - (autumn and winter): Appropriate water control, water when the potting soil is dry to 1/2, simulating a dry season environment to stimulate blooming.
### - -Fertilizer selection: High phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are key- - - -1. Fertilizer for the growing stage- - - - -Growing period (spring and summer)- -: Apply a balanced NPK fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) every 2 weeks to promote healthy growth of stems and leaves. You can use decomposed diluted organic fertilizers (such as soybean cake water) or slow-release fertilizers. - - -Bud differentiation period (late summer to autumn)- -: Switch to high phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (such as 5-10-5 or 0-52-34), once every 10 days, applying foliarly or root灌溉. Phosphorus acid potassium (1:1000 diluted) is recommended. - -2. Precautions- - - Stop fertilizing in winter to avoid stimulating new shoots to consume nutrients. - Avoid applying thick fertilizers, need "light fertilization frequently," it is recommended to halve the concentration specified on the packaging. - Do not fertilize within 3 months of planting or repotting.
### - -Pruning and support: Guide energy concentration- - 1. - -Retain old branches- -: Flower buds often grow on branches over 2 years old, pruning only involves removing diseased and weak branches, avoid over-pruning. 2. - -Provide a climbing frame- -: Guide the branches to wrap around the support (such as a grid, bamboo pole) to improve ventilation and light.
### - -Repotting and soil: Basic guarantee- - 1. - -Soil formula- -: A loose and breathable matrix is beneficial for root respiration, recommended formula: peat soil 40% + perlite 30% + bark 30%, pH value 5.5-7.0. 2. - -Timing for repotting- -: Repot every 2-3 years, preferably in spring. The pot should be small (diameter of 15-20cm is best), as a large pot can easily cause waterlogging and root rot.
### - -Other flowering techniques- - 1. - -Simulating drought stimulation- -: Reduce the amount of watering 2-3 weeks before flowering, wait until the leaves are slightly wilted before rehydrating, repeat 2-3 times. 2. - -Prolonging natural dormancy- -: Keep it cool (12-15°C) in winter, reduce watering, which helps increase the number of flowers in spring.
### - -Common questions and answers- - - -Q: Why does Hoya carnosa only grow leaves and not bloom?- - A: Usually due to insufficient light, excessive nitrogen fertilizer, or no stimulation from temperature differences. Adjust to bright scattered light and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. - -Q: What should I do if the flower buds fall off?- - A: Often due to sudden changes in the environment (such as moving the pot, too large temperature differences) or improper watering. Keep the location stable during the flowering period and avoid touching the flower branches. By following the above care combinations, Hoya carnosa usually blooms within 1-2 years. Patience is key; the fragrance of the flowers can last for several weeks, and the same flower spike will bloom repeatedly, so do not cut off the residual flower spike.
Above is the specific introduction on how to grow Hoya carnosa to make it bloom and what fertilizer to use, for reference by netizens.