Guanyinlian's Breeding and Pruning Methods
Here are some experiences about the breeding and pruning methods of Guanyinlian and the precautions for cutting propagation concerning green plant maintenance:
Guanyinlian is one of the most common varieties among succulents, known as the "king of common goods," also called长生草 (immortal grass),观音座莲 (Guanyin seated lotus), 佛座莲 (Buddha seated lotus), etc. It belongs to the Sedum genus of the Crassulaceae family, and it is native to mountainous areas of European countries such as Spain, France, and Italy. It has high ornamental value and is now widely cultivated everywhere. Let's take a look at the breeding methods and precautions for Guanyinlian!
Propagation Methods of Guanyinlian
1. Leaf Insertion: Place a mature leaf flat on the moist sandy soil, with the upper side up and the lower side down. There is no need to cover it with soil. Place it in a shady place, and in about 10 days, a small leafy cluster and new roots can grow from the base of the leaf. Bury the roots in the soil, and it will grow into a robust new plant.
2. Cutting: Single leaves, suckers, or top branches can be used as cuttings. There is no limit on the length of the cuttings, but the cut ends must dry before removing the lower leaves and inserting them into the sandbed. Roots usually grow in about 20 days after insertion. The cutting medium should not be too wet, otherwise, the cut ends are prone to yellowing and rotting. When the roots are 2-3 centimeters long, they can be transplanted into a pot.
Breeding Methods of Guanyinlian
1. Soil: The potting soil for Guanyinlian should be loose and fertile, with good drainage and breathability. A mixture of decomposed leaf soil or peat soil, coarse sand or vermiculite, each half, mixed with a small amount of bone meal or other calcium materials, can be used.
2. Temperature: Guanyinlian prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded growing environment, with an optimal growth temperature of 20-30°C and an overwintering temperature of 15°C. If the night temperature in winter does not drop below 5°C and the daytime temperature is above 15°C, the plant can continue to grow, and normal watering and moderate fertilization can be carried out.
3. Light: Guanyinlian grows in the relatively cool spring and autumn seasons and requires plenty of sunlight. Insufficient light can lead to a loose and uncompact plant shape, affecting its ornamental value. Plants grown in sufficient light have thick and full leaves, a compact shape, and beautiful leaf color.
4. Watering: When watering Guanyinlian, follow the principle of "no watering when not dry, and water thoroughly when watering," to avoid long-term waterlogging, which can cause root rot. However, it should not be too dry either, as although the plant will not die, growth will be slow, the leaves will be dull, and it will lack vitality.
5. Fertilization: Guanyinlian should be fertilized with a thin solution of decomposed fertilizer or a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer every 20 days or so. Avoid splashing fertilizer water on the leaves, and generally apply it in the early morning or evening when the weather is clear. Water thoroughly in the evening of the same day or the next morning.
6. Potting: Guanyinlian should be repotted every 1 to 2 years in spring or autumn. When repotting, the roots should be pruned, removing withered or overly long old roots. The potting soil should be loose and fertile, with good drainage and breathability.
Seasonal Management of Guanyinlian
1. Spring: When the spring temperature stabilizes above 15°C, repot Guanyinlian and keep the potting soil slightly dry after repotting. Gradually increase watering to keep the potting soil moist when new leaves emerge. When the outdoor temperature stabilizes above 20°C, Guanyinlian can be moved to a semi-shaded balcony for cultivation.
2. Summer: Guanyinlian thrives in a hot and humid environment. In summer, which is its growing season, keep the potting soil moist and pay attention to supplementing indoor humidity when placed indoors. Fertilize sufficiently and avoid placing it in air-conditioned rooms.
3. Autumn: In autumn, Guanyinlian can be gradually moved to a place with morning and evening sunlight for cultivation, keeping the potting soil moist, and spraying water around the plant and on its leaves several times a day. Stop fertilizing, and as the temperature drops in late autumn, gradually reduce the water supply to keep the potting soil slightly dry.
4. Winter: Guanyinlian does not tolerate low temperatures. When the temperature is low in winter, the corms go dormant, and the potted plants should be placed indoors above 10°C for overwintering. The potting soil should be kept dry but not too dry. High soil moisture can cause the corms to rot. Attention should be paid to controlling indoor humidity when using air conditioning.
Precautions for Guanyinlian
1. Guanyinlian requires high-quality fertilizer. During the growing season, fertilize every 10-15 days with organic fertilizer or a ternary compound fertilizer alternately. More nitrogen should be applied during the growing season to enhance leaf color.
2. The optimal growth temperature for Guanyinlian is between 20°C and 26°C. Below 20°C, the plant enters a dormant state. Too low temperatures can cause plant death. In spring and summer, when growth is vigorous, high air humidity is required. Spraying water on the ground or leaves can promote better growth.
3. In tropical regions, Guanyinlian can overwinter naturally. In subtropical and temperate regions, due to lower winter temperatures, it should be placed in a greenhouse for overwintering. Watering should be controlled in winter to keep the leaves from becoming wilted.
4. Potting for Guanyinlian is best done at the end of winter or the beginning of spring but is often done in spring. The potting soil should have good drainage and be rich in organic matter, such as decomposed leaf soil or sandy loam.
5. Guanyinlian is susceptible to aphid infestations. It can be controlled by spraying 40% dimethoate or 50% malathion emulsion at a concentration of 1000-1500 times or 80% dichlorvos emulsion at a concentration of 1500 times.
6. Guanyinlian grows well in a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. In summer and autumn, it should be placed in a shaded area. The plant requires high air humidity, with a relative humidity of 60-80% being ideal.
7. In winter, Guanyinlian should have sufficient light and good ventilation, with strict control of watering. The potting soil should be slightly dry. Indoor cultivation should prevent high temperatures and poor ventilation to avoid the occurrence of diseases and pests.
The above is a comprehensive explanation of the breeding and pruning methods of Guanyinlian and the precautions for cutting propagation. I hope it can solve your problems with green plants.