What is the growing environment of plum blossoms?
An introduction to the growing environment of plum blossoms and the correct maintenance knowledge of green plants and flowers for netizens, with a comprehensive introduction to follow.
When it comes to growing flowers, one cannot help but mention the king of China's top ten famous flowers - plum blossoms! In the plant world of our country, "plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum" are known as the four gentlemen. Plum, pine, and bamboo are also called the "three friends of winter cold." Plum blossoms have been a favorite among famous flowers since ancient times, as evidenced by the poem: "Several plum branches in the corner, blooming alone in the cold. From afar, I know it's not snow, for there is a faint fragrance coming." (Song Dynasty: Wang Anshi). Plum blossoms have a refined fragrance and graceful blooming posture. Planted in the courtyard or on the terrace, they add a poetic and picturesque touch; made into a bonsai and placed in the living room, balcony, or study, they exude simplicity and elegance; cutting branches and placing them in a vase with water culture, they emit a subtle fragrance, presenting a noble and beautiful style. So, how exactly should plum blossoms be cultivated? What aspects need attention? Today, let's share the cultivation methods for plum blossoms together.
1. What kind of soil should be used for planting? Plum blossoms prefer fertile, well-draining, slightly acidic loamy soil. They dislike salty, alkaline, and sticky soil; for home potted plants, a mixture of fertile garden soil, decomposed leaf mold, river sand, and compound fertilizer can be used. Garden soil should be sterilized by sun exposure or steaming before use to kill the eggs in the soil. When planting in a pot, a good base fertilizer should be applied, using decomposed flower fertilizer, and the base fertilizer should be kept away from the roots to avoid root burn. For potted plants, a pot of 20 to 30 centimeters is suitable, while square purple sand pots are commonly used for bonsai.
2. What are the requirements for temperature and sunlight? Plum blossoms enjoy warmth and are relatively cold-resistant, with a suitable growth temperature of around 8 to 20 degrees. In the north, they should be moved indoors during winter to avoid frostbite. Plum blossoms thrive in a sunny growth environment and do not tolerate shade. Therefore, it is best to place potted plum blossoms in sunny areas such as the balcony or window sill. However, during the hot summer noon, precautions should be taken against direct sunlight, especially through window glass, to avoid scorching the leaf buds and appropriate shading should be provided.
3. How to water and fertilize? Plum blossoms prefer a slightly moist but not waterlogged growth environment. They are drought-resistant but not flood-tolerant and dislike waterlogging in the potting soil, which can cause root rot. During regular maintenance, the potting soil should be kept moist. In summer, water can be given in the morning and evening depending on the weather conditions, more water in sunny days and less in cloudy or rainy days, especially during the plum rain season. During the hot summer, water should be sprayed on the plum blossoms to cool them down and increase the humidity around them, allowing them to safely survive the summer. Water once a day in spring and autumn, and do not water in winter unless the soil is completely dry. In late June, water should be controlled and reduced to promote bud differentiation. Fertilize the plum blossoms once a month. Before planting, a good base fertilizer should be applied, and a potassium fertilizer should be added before winter flowering, followed by a decomposed cake fertilizer after flowering.
What is the growing environment of plum blossoms?
4. How to prune branches and leaves? After flowering, potted plum blossoms should be repotted with new soil, and the current year's flowering branches should be cut short, leaving 2 to 3 buds at the base. In summer, unnecessary sprouts and new branches should be removed to achieve the right density for通风,透气, and透光的 growth.
5. How to prevent and control the invasion of diseases and pests? The main diseases affecting plum blossoms include powdery mildew, leaf curling, and anthracnose. Starting from April each year, it is necessary to spray the stems, leaves, and roots of plum blossoms with a fungicide solution and drench the roots. A 50% wettable powder of zinc omadine at a concentration of 500 times or a wettable powder of carbendazim at a concentration of 500 times, or wettable powder of thiabendazole at a concentration of 800 times can be alternately sprayed and drenched, continuing for 2 to 3 times. During regular maintenance, windows should be frequently opened for ventilation, reducing the accumulation of debris in the growing environment, and withered and diseased leaves should be promptly removed and burned to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Have you understood the detailed introduction regarding the growing environment of plum blossoms and the correct maintenance knowledge?