Discussion on the experience of planting succulent plants: the cultivation and propagation of Yushan
The editor will explain the content about Yushan, a type of succulent plant, discussing the experience of planting Yushan, focusing on its cultivation and propagation. Let's proceed with the introduction.
The scientific name of Yushan is截形十二卷, belonging to the Liliaceae family, also known as "Yushan". It is a significant species within the genus. The name "截形十二卷" comes from the plant's top, which seems to be cut off, presenting a truncated shape. The name Yushan originates from its appearance, with 6-10 leaves arranged in a line, resembling a fan. The native place: the Cape Province of South Africa.
Let's talk about the classification of Yushan leaf shapes, window surfaces, how to cultivate, and how to propagate.
Firstly, let's introduce the classification of Yushan leaf shapes, which are mainly divided into: umbrella shape, flat shape, pot shape, and peak shape. With a preliminary understanding of Yushan's shape, I will discuss the most crucial and concerning aspect, the classification of patterns on Yushan windows.
The patterns on Yushan window surfaces can be roughly divided into:
1. Striped white patterns are called stripes.
2. Green and white dotted patterns are called islands.
3. Many white or green patterns are called dragon patterns.
4. A white patch in the center is called white cloud.
5. A white line in the center is called a single-line pattern.
6. Cross patterns are called十字文字.
7. Small dotted patterns are called grains.
8. Finally, the one without patterns is called a patternless fan.
The following diagram is a comparison chart of Yushan leaf shapes and window surface patterns. (Hand-drawn, please bear with the quality,呵呵.)
After gaining a preliminary understanding of Yushan's shape, let's discuss how to cultivate it. To cultivate a plant well, one must first understand its nature, including the original habitat's climate and soil, etc.
Climate: Yushan's native habitat is in the Cape of South Africa, with hot and humid summers, abundant rainfall, and dry and cool winters. Many people mistakenly believe that Africa is just a vast desert of extreme heat, but that's not true. Africa's climate zones are symmetrically distributed, with the equator dividing the continent into two, resulting in different climates in South Africa and North Africa. South Africa has a humid climate, abundant sunshine, and fertile soil. There are only two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons of varying lengths, with summer and winter opposite to those in China. From October to the following March is summer in South Africa. Plants grow in summer and dormant in winter. This climate is also a reason why many enthusiasts fail. Only by mastering this natural law can one cultivate Yushan successfully. In our area, from the end of June to the beginning of October, Yushan enters a deep dormancy, and it is essential to control water, ventilate, and provide shade during this period.
Soil: You might think that the soil in South Africa is poor, but that's also incorrect. The soil in Yushan's native habitat is mostly loose, breathable, and rich in nutrients. We usually use Japanese red jade soil and鹿沼土 for cultivation. Red jade soil meets most of the characteristics of the native soil (water retention, moisture retention, no waterlogging) but may lack in soil nutrition. I personally find using red jade soil reasonable, but this is just personal opinion and not for discussion here.
In most parts of China, Yushan's growing period is from November to the following July. It is essential to seize this opportunity; otherwise, you will have to wait until the next year. In winter, in cold regions, heating is necessary, keeping the minimum temperature above 8 degrees Celsius. You will be surprised next year. If the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius for an extended period during the growing season, Yushan will enter dormancy due to the cold. If it enters dormancy from January to February due to the cold, it will lack the continuity of plant growth, resulting in poor or ragged growth,哈哈哈, going off-topic, let's get back to the main point.
From early June to early October is Yushan's summer dormancy period. At this time, Yushan should be semi-dormant to maintain its growth continuity. The method is: shading, ventilation, and keeping the soil semi-moist (using a 90% netting layer is enough, with a height of about 2 meters, using scattered light as the main light source). At this point, you will realize the benefits of using large particle soil for cultivation. Additionally, every week, use an extremely fine mist喷水壶 to spray the Yushan window surface once. This weekly spraying is crucial, as it cools the plant and helps clean the window surface (Yushan performs photosynthesis through the window surface). It is best to spray in the evening at 6 pm when the sun sets. If it's windy at this time, it's even better, or you can choose to spray when it's windy. After spraying, use an ear cleaner to blow away the accumulated water in the Yushan window and between the leaves (this is very important).
After the semi-dormancy period from June to October, it's time to repot and prepare for another peak growth period of Yushan. I usually repot at the end of September, even if the plant is growing well, to remove old roots and loosen the soil. Some of the old soil can be reused. When repotting, you can also plant a few Yushan leaves for propagation. You can also cut a few old roots for root propagation. It is not recommended to cut the top at this time. Top cutting propagation is best done in November, during the plant's vigorous growth period.
Leaf Propagation: Use a sharp knife to cut the leaf from the woody part of the petiole, then twist it gently along the leaf shape. Be careful to apply fungicide powder and let it dry after removing the leaf. After two weeks, plant it in semi-moist soil. Make a 1CM deep groove in the soil first, then place the leaf in the groove. Generally, the mother leaf will root and produce new buds after 1-2 months. If growth is smooth, the seedlings can be transplanted after a year. Keep the soil semi-moist and mix fungicide into each watering.
Root Propagation: Twist off 1-2-year-old roots, cut the wound flat with a sharp knife, apply fungicide powder, and plant them in dry soil with the roots exposed 0.5-1CM above the soil. Don't water, just keep the soil moist. When the top of the root produces a bud, slightly spray the soil with water. Root propagation is slower than leaf propagation, so be patient. Don't water until you see the bud; this is the key to success.
There is also a cruel method of root propagation, which involves twisting off all the roots while the plant is not repotted, allowing the roots to sprout in the original pot. This method also requires keeping the soil dry, just moist. Water after the buds appear.
Top Cutting Propagation: Although I used to be proud of top cutting propagation, now it seems that it is a very unsuccessful method, similar to killing a chicken for its eggs. It suddenly stops the natural growth of Yushan and causes significant harm to future hybrid pollination. It is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. I will still give a brief introduction here.
Top cutting propagation is best done during Yushan's vigorous growth period, so the base will produce buds quickly, and the mother head will root quickly. November to December is a suitable time for top cutting propagation. After the mother head takes root, there is a buffer period until the following May-June when Yushan flowers, which has the least impact on hybrid pollination and reproduction. Consider how many leaves to keep on the base, gently twist the Yushan leaves to expose a gap, then cut with a knife, gently twist the Yushan again, and you will find that the base gap will become larger. At this point, adjust the cutting direction with a small knife until the mother head and base are separated. Apply fungicide powder, let the mother head dry for two weeks, then plant it in semi-moist soil.
In fact, sexual propagation is the "King Kong's palm" in the propagation of Vireya. It is where the real fun of Yushan propagation lies! Yushan cross-pollination. Different Yushan hybrids will produce many different shapes and window surfaces, which is what we strive for. For specific methods of sexual propagation, refer to the article "Pollination and Hybridization Diagram Tutorial for Vireya (十二卷) Succulent Plant Propagation", which illustrates how to help pollinate Vireya plants with detailed pictures and techniques, worth learning.
After July, Yushan should finish pollination and harvest the fruit. Yushan fruit should be harvested when the pericarp turns yellow, or else the mature fruit pod will naturally explode, and you will only be left with an empty fruit pod,呵呵. After harvesting, the fruit should be stored in a dry and well-ventilated shaded place. Wait until October when the climate cools down and there is a temperature difference before sowing. Some experts sow immediately after harvesting, depending on the person. Before sowing, make sure to disinfect the seeds and soil, or else all your hard work might be in vain. Seedlings can be kept in a slightly airtight environment. After a year, they can be transplanted. Keep the soil moist and add fungicide to each watering for prevention.
After about 7 years of continuous effort, the young seedlings should grow into standard plants. Flower pollination, a new round of hybrid selection work begins. As flowers bloom and fade, we are tired but happy.
The above content on the discussion of planting experience of succulent plants: the cultivation and propagation of Yushan, hoping it is helpful to you!