How to Care for Fossilized Lotus
The Fossilized Lotus is favored by succulent enthusiasts for its unique lotus-like shape. This Crassulaceae plant is both ornamental and easy to care for. Mastering scientific cultivation methods can help the plant thrive. This article will explain the key points of planting, from environmental control to daily management systems.
Basic Care System for Fossilized Lotus
Light Management System
In spring and autumn, implement full-day sunlight care, with 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to promote compact leaf arrangement. In summer, set up a shade net to filter 50% of the intense light. In winter, use supplementary lights to maintain a 4-hour light cycle per day. Remember to rotate the pot 180 degrees every 15 days to maintain symmetrical growth of the plant.
Soil Mixture Scheme
Prepare the substrate according to the ratio of decomposed leaf soil: akadama soil: coarse river sand = 3:5:2, and add 5% bone meal to increase calcium content. When repotting in the spring every two years, retain 1/3 of the original soil, and new soil needs to be sterilized with high-temperature steam. Choose a red pottery pot, with a diameter 3-5 centimeters larger than the plant's spread.
Smart Watering Mode
Use the "dry-wet alternating method," inserting a bamboo stick into 2/3 of the potting soil to check moisture levels. Water thoroughly every 7-10 days in spring and autumn, control water to every 15 days in summer, and switch to misting in winter. Combine with the immersion method, ensuring each immersion does not exceed 20 minutes.
Advanced Care Tips
Nutrition Supply Strategy
In the growing season (March to October), apply N-P-K=5-10-5 liquid fertilizer, diluted 3000 times, every two weeks. Combine with foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.2% concentration), avoiding strong sunlight for 6 hours after fertilization. Stop fertilizing during dormancy and remove slow-release fertilizer particles from the pot surface.
Environmental Parameter Control
Keeping a day-night temperature difference of 8-10°C is beneficial for coloring. In summer, use water curtain cooling equipment to maintain temperatures below 35°C. In winter, use a double-layer insulating shed, keeping the night temperature no lower than 8°C. Maintain air humidity between 40-60%, and use a circulating fan during the rainy season to prevent mildew.
Through scientific soil mixing and precise temperature control, combined with periodic nutrition management, the Fossilized Lotus can maintain its ornamental value throughout the year. Regularly observe the base leaves and adjust the care plan in a timely manner to allow the plant to continuously produce new buds and form a spectacular cluster effect.