The Cultivation Method and Precautions of Japanese Crabapple
Originating from China, Japanese Crabapple is deeply favored by horticulture enthusiasts for its brilliant flowers and elegant posture. As a deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae Chaenomeles genus, the contrast between its sturdy branches and delicate flowers creates a aesthetic appeal, making it a classic choice for courtyard landscaping. Mastering scientific maintenance methods can make the plant flourish with abundant flowers and leaves, extending the period of appreciation.
Precise Control of Cultivation Environment
Substrate Proportion and Improvement
Adopting the golden proportion of decayed leaf soil: river sand: garden soil = 5:3:2, and mix in pine needle soil every spring when potting to adjust the pH value. Use ceramsite to lay a 3cm drainage layer at the bottom of the pot to prevent root rot caused by积水 during the rainy season.
Management of Light Intensity
Ensure 6 hours of direct sunlight per day during spring and autumn, and use a sunshade net with 40% shading rate from 10:00 to 15:00 in summer. In winter, indoor maintenance should be placed within 1.5 meters from the south window, and regularly rotate the pot to maintain even light exposure.
Key Points of Daily Maintenance
Simultaneous Control of Temperature and Humidity
Maintain a day-night temperature difference of 8-10℃ during the growing period, and increase humidity by spraying to keep the air humidity stable at 65%-75%. During the winter dormancy period, it needs to experience a low temperature of 0-5℃ for 30 days to undergo vernalization, and control water to keep the soil moisture content ≤30%.
Management of Watering and Fertilizing Cycle
Water thoroughly twice a week during the leaf expansion period, combined with a thin soybean cake fertilizer. Change to potassium dihydrogen phosphate 800 times liquid foliar application during the bud formation period. Use the pot immersion method to replenish water during the high temperature season to avoid water accumulation in the leaf heart that causes gray mold disease.
Key Points of Sculpting and Pruning Techniques
Pinching to Promote Branching
When the new shoots grow to 15cm, leave 3-4 leaves and pinch the top, combined with aluminum wire winding to shape a curved trunk style. After flowering, promptly remove the withered flowers and cut the flowering branches by 1/3, retaining the full bud points that grow outward.
Comprehensive Disease Control
Before the plum rain season, spray mancozeb 600 times liquid to prevent leaf spot disease. In the early stage of the disease, remove the diseased leaves and continuously spray benz醚甲环唑 2000 times liquid for 3 times, with an interval of 7 days.
Family Maintenance Practice Plan
Closed balcony cultivation needs to be equipped with a circulation fan to maintain air circulation, and use a siphon self-watering pot to solve the watering problem during short-term absences. By supplementing light for 4 hours at night during the flowering period, the viewing period can be extended to 90 days.
By precisely controlling the light cycle and temperature changes, combined with scientific pruning and shaping, Japanese Crabapple can bloom year after year. Regularly observing the leaf condition and timely adjusting the maintenance strategy can make this classical flower continue to thrive in the modern home environment.