What fertilizer to use for the succulent "Lovers' Tears"
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What fertilizer to use for the succulent "Lovers' Tears"
When caring for "Lovers' Tears," maintaining the optimal growth temperature can enhance its growth rate. If the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius or above 30 degrees Celsius, the plant will stop growing and enter a dormant period. The imbalance between the roots' water absorption ability and the leaves' water consumption can lead to wilting and shrinkage. To keep the leaves of "Lovers' Tears" plump and round, it is important to ensure the temperature is appropriate.
First, the soil for cultivation
The soil used to care for "Lovers' Tears" should be loose, well-draining, slightly acidic, and light in fertility to achieve healthy growth.
It is recommended to use soil with a granular structure that is偏向 (biased) towards fine particles for planting "Lovers' Tears." This can better coordinate water, air, and temperature.
Mix volcanic rock and pearl rock, about the size of sesame seeds to half the size of soybeans, to create granular planting material. Then add a mixture of honeycomb coal dust and humus soil.
The granular soil should account for about 60% of the soil mixture. This type of granular planting material is beneficial for drainage and water evaporation, allowing the soil to quickly alternate between wet and dry.
Second, the care environment
Maintaining the optimal growth temperature can enhance the growth of "Lovers' Tears." If the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius or above 30 degrees Celsius, the plant will stop growing and enter a dormant period.
The imbalance between the roots' water absorption ability and the leaves' water consumption can lead to wilting and shrinkage. To keep the leaves of "Lovers' Tears" plump and round, it is important to ensure the temperature is appropriate.
"Lovers' Tears" succulents do not like direct sunlight but prefer bright indirect light. It can be cared for in a very bright location, but avoid direct exposure to the sun, as this can cause the beads to turn gray-brown and become shriveled and wrinkled.
It should not be placed in overly shaded areas either. Insufficient light can cause "Lovers' Tears" to become leggy and sparse, and the beads will not be plump and round. Appropriate lighting can make the beads plump and full.
Third, adequate watering
"Lovers' Tears" enjoy moisture but dislike waterlogging. Watering should be based on the dryness of the potting soil and also involves misting the vines to increase humidity and replenish the leaves. This can wash away dust from the vines, making the leaves clean and lively.
Watering should be done based on the soil's dryness, following the principle of "no watering when dry, and water thoroughly when watering." However, the soil should lean towards being drier to avoid stem elongation and leaf stretching.
Specific watering method: When the surface soil is dry, water thoroughly once every week or so. During dry periods, mist the soil to keep it slightly moist, wetting the stems and leaves.
Fourth, fertilizing method
Fertilizing is an essential part of caring for "Lovers' Tears." The supplements are mainly composed of the three elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
The common fertilizing method involves using organic fertilizer. Since "Lovers' Tears" spread across the pot surface in a creeping manner, it is not recommended to use solid organic fertilizers.
When organic fertilizer is splashed and lands on the leaves, it can cause burn spots and easily lead to infections.
Fertilizing mainly involves using "organic liquid fertilizer" and applying it frequently but thinly. Concentrated fertilizer can burn the roots and leaves.
Using ripe "rice washing water" diluted to a concentration of 1:3 to 1:5 is most suitable. After fertilizing, use a misting method to rinse the leaves and stems on the third day until water droplets fall onto the soil.
Fifth, pruning method
The growth of "Lovers' Tears" on the pot surface can be messy. After planting for a while, when some stems start to hang down, it is appropriate to tidy up the stems growing in the pot.
Select a few sturdy stems, elevate them slightly with red brick crumbs without sticking them in the soil, and then determine their growth direction. Leave a stem every 3 to 5 centimeters to create a tidy and beautiful hanging effect.
Then, prune the adventitious buds and dense branches in the pot to reduce nutrient consumption and集中养分 (focus nutrients) on the healthy branches that are retained, ensuring sufficient nutrients and speeding up the growth of the retained branches for plumper leaves.
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