Is longevity flower herb or woody?
As a star variety of green plants on window sill, longevity flowers are deeply loved for their full leaf clusters and colorful flower clusters. This member of the Crassulaceae family not only carries a beautiful meaning, but also raises questions about planting because of its unique attributes: Is it a herb or a woody tree? How can scientific fertilization promote the luxuriant flowers and leaves in daily maintenance? We will provide practical solutions for growers through systematic sorting. Botany Classification and Growth Characteristics Typical Characteristics of Herbal Plants From the perspective of botanical classification, Changshou flowers are a perennial herb, and their stems do not have lignification characteristics. As a member of the succulent family, the leaves present a unique fleshy water storage structure, which makes them strong drought tolerance. When a warm environment of 18-25℃ combined with sufficient scattered light, the plants will show their best growth state. Key points of growth cycle management The complete life cycle includes four stages: seedling stage, growth stage, bud stage and dormancy stage. Spring and autumn are the golden period for growth. High temperatures in summer require attention to shade and control water. In winter, keeping above 10℃ can continue flowering. This cyclical change directly affects the rule of nutrient demand. A scientific fertilization system has been established to establish a phased nutrient supply plan focusing on nitrogen supplementation during the seedling period. Compound fertilizers with a ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of 3:1:2 are selected, and liquid fertilizers diluted 1500 times are applied every 15 days. During the growth period, switch to balanced fertilizer (NPK=1:1:1), combined with foliar spraying of calcium and magnesium elements. 30 days before bud pregnancy, the high-phosphorus potassium formula was used, and the roots were irrigated with 800 times potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. Environmentally adapted fertilization methods implement a fertilization ban during summer high temperature periods (>30℃), and the absorption capacity of roots decreases when they are dormant. After the autumn turns cool, resume topdressing, and cooperate with gradually increased light to stimulate flower bud differentiation. When the heating environment continues to grow in winter, thin liquid fertilizer can be maintained once a month. Daily maintenance precautions The prevention and treatment of fertilizer hazards follow the principle of "applying thin fertilizer frequently", and the EC value is controlled within the range of 1.2-1.8mS/cm. Stop fertilization immediately and rinse the substrate with clean water for 3 times. Apply fertilizer to avoid the center of the leaf cluster. If it is accidentally contaminated, use a cotton swab to immediately remove it. Newly purchased plants under special conditions need to go through 2-3 weeks of slow seedling stage before applying fertilizer. Suspend top dressing on the roots within 30 days after changing pots to replenish trace elements on the leaves. After the end of flowering, prune residual flowers in time and replenish full element fertilizer to store energy for the next flowering.
By understanding the herbal nature of longevity flowers, combined with scientific nutrient management plans, and scientific light and warm water control, the plant can maintain a compact plant type and achieve multiple flowering on the anniversary. Mastering the essence of these maintenance, even novice gardeners can cultivate high-quality potted plants with colorful flowers.