Method of Cultivating the String Moon City Plant
The editor will explain some knowledge about the succulent plant known as String Moon City, including its cultivation methods. Let's proceed with the introduction.
String Moon City belongs to the genus千里光 (Senecio) in the Asteraceae family, also known as String Moon, Li Xian Nian Chrysanthemum, Fengyan, Watermelon Bead, and commonly referred to as Buddha Bead. It turns reddish-brown in sufficient sunlight, with olive-shaped leaves that are green with purple-red stripes, resembling the netting of a watermelon, slightly powdery, and under strong light, the netting may have a purple-red tinge. The capitulum is terminal, with a long peduncle, and the flowers bloom white in summer and autumn.
String Moon City requires a sunny and cool, dry environment, is tolerant of semi-shade, dislikes waterlogging, avoids humid heat, and is not frost-resistant. The growing period is from March to December every year (this varies depending on the environment of the plant enthusiasts), and insufficient light can cause the plant to grow excessively, making the stems soft and brittle. Plants grown in full sunlight have a prostrate, robust stem, and full leaves, and the growth rate of the plant is not slow.
The editor's Li Xian Nian Chrysanthemum is cultivated in a sunroom with full sun exposure. During the growing period, keep the soil slightly moist and avoid waterlogging. The soil used by the editor is a mixture of coal slag, peat, and a small amount of perlite, in a ratio of approximately 6:3:1. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -3 degrees Celsius when the soil is dry, which is the indoor temperature, not outdoors. During the entire winter, watering is basically stopped, and below 5 degrees, it should be gradually reduced. Keeping the temperature above 0 degrees is essential to prevent frost damage, as the plant is not very frost-resistant. When the temperature exceeds 35℃ in summer, the plant's growth slows down. At this time, reduce watering to prevent root rot due to overly moist soil and enhance ventilation, provide some shading to avoid direct sunlight, and this is the basic care throughout the summer. It is worth noting that during the summer, the editor does not completely stop watering; a small amount of water is provided occasionally to prevent the succulent leaves from withering. Watering is done at the edge of the pot, about twice a month, around 7-9 pm when the sun has set, to avoid affecting the plant's roots. Avoid long periods of rain to prevent stem rot.
String Moon City grows relatively fast, and repotting once every 1-2 years is sufficient, usually done before the first watering in early spring. The plant has many branches, and propagation can be done by cutting a section. It's also easy to propagate by cutting a healthy section of Li Xian Nian Chrysanthemum, letting the wound dry, and then inserting it into slightly moist sandy soil. It will usually root in over 20 days in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Do not water frequently during propagation, as it can cause stem rot. Propagation should be done in spring and autumn.
The comprehensive explanation of the cultivation methods for String Moon City provided above aims to act as a starting point to solve your problems with green plants.