How many years does it take for a kaffir lily to bloom and bear fruit
Today we will introduce the content about how many years it takes for a kaffir lily to bloom and bear fruit, as well as the tricks to make the kaffir lily bloom in the aspect of green plants and flowers. Let's follow the editor to take a look!
The kaffir lily is a common indoor potted plant with green leaves and bright flowers. It can also purify the air, making it a favorite plant among many flower enthusiasts. However, some people have been raising kaffir lilies for several years without seeing them bloom, and can only be raised as ornamental leaf plants. So, how many years does it take to raise a kaffir lily to bloom? What factors can affect its blooming? This article will reveal the answers.
1. Age for Blooming
The kaffir lily is not an easy plant to bloom; it needs to reach a certain age and leaf count before blooming. Generally, the kaffir lily requires at least 3 years of care, and when it has around 14 leaves, it may bloom. Of course, some varieties or well-cared-for kaffir lilies can bloom with 12 leaves. For young kaffir lilies obtained from sowing or dividing, it takes even more patience, about 4-5 years, before you can see their flowers.
Therefore, if your kaffir lily has not yet reached the age and conditions for blooming, do not worry, protect its leaves, and do not cut or damage them randomly. With patience and proper care, the day when the kaffir lily blooms will not be too far away.
2. Soil Conditions
Soil is one of the important factors affecting the growth and blooming of kaffir lilies. Kaffir lilies prefer to grow in loose, breathable, and well-drained slightly acidic soil. If the soil is too compact, moist, or alkaline, it can lead to poor growth, yellow leaves, dried tips, and root rot.
Some people use garden soil directly to plant kaffir lilies, which is not suitable. Garden soil easily compacts and has poor drainage, which is not conducive to the root respiration and water absorption of kaffir lilies. Even when using specialized kaffir lily soil, it should be replaced regularly, usually every 2 years. Long-term failure to replace the potting soil can lead to a lack of nutrients, unable to meet the kaffir lily's demand for certain trace elements.
Therefore, when planting and repotting kaffir lilies, it is important to choose an appropriate soil formula. Generally, a mixture of leaf mold, peat, and perlite in a ratio of 3:2:1 can be used. You can also purchase specialized kaffir lily soil or pine needle soil from the market.
3. Fertilization Method
Fertilization is one of the necessary measures to promote the growth and blooming of kaffir lilies. However, the type, amount, and frequency of fertilization must be controlled, or it can lead to the plant only growing leaves and not blooming, or poor blooming.
The kaffir lily is a plant that enjoys fertilizer, and it should be fertilized "lightly and frequently," usually every 2-3 weeks. During the growing season, some compound fertilizer or nitrogen fertilizer can be applied to promote leaf growth. However, nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive, as it can lead to leaf growth dominance and inhibit blooming. Before and after blooming, the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be increased to promote the formation of flower buds and the brightness of the flowers. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be replaced with bone meal, monopotassium phosphate, etc.
In addition to chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers such as soybean cake water, chicken manure water, and cow dung water can also be used. However, care must be taken to dilute and ferment them to avoid root burn or decay.
4. Size of Pot
The size of the pot also affects the blooming of kaffir lilies. Generally, "large pot for large flowers, small pot for small flowers" is a common rule. Using an overly large pot to plant kaffir lilies can lead to excessive root growth, neglecting the need for flower spike formation. Moreover, soil in large pots is prone to waterlogging, which is not conducive to drainage and aeration.
When choosing a pot for kaffir lilies, you can judge based on the number of leaves. When the kaffir lily has about 14 leaves, a pot with a diameter of 20 centimeters can be used. If the leaves are more than 25, a pot with a diameter of 30 centimeters or more should be chosen. You can also place the kaffir lily in a pot, extend your finger, and ensure there is a distance of three fingers between the pseudobulb and the pot edge; this size of the pot is also suitable.
5. Temperature Changes
Temperature changes are an important factor in stimulating kaffir lilies to bloom. Kaffir lilies enjoy a warm and humid environment, but if the room is always at a constant temperature without obvious temperature changes, it is not conducive for kaffir lilies to sprout flower spikes. Even if flower spikes appear, they are prone to become "trapped" and the flowers may wilt before fully blooming.
Therefore, to make kaffir lilies bloom, it is necessary to create a care environment with significant temperature differences. At night, the kaffir lily can be placed in a cooler location, while during the day, it can be placed in a warmer area. This can stimulate the kaffir lily to sprout flower spikes and bloom beautiful flowers.
The above[] introduces the number of years it takes for a kaffir lily to bloom and bear fruit and the detailed explanation of the tricks to make the kaffir lily bloom, hoping this article can bring you help in green plant management!