How to Cultivate Coral Trees
Today's small experience sharing: tips on how to cultivate coral trees and the precautions for planting coral trees, here are the detailed contents.
There are many varieties of succulent plants, which are deeply loved by people. Coral tree succulents are one of the unique options, with long stems vertically aligned like clusters of coral. Today, I will introduce to you the cultivation method of coral tree succulents.
1. Propagation Methods
Coral tree succulents can be propagated by cutting, which can be done throughout the year. Cut off the disease-free, robust stem sections of the coral tree succulents, let them dry to avoid rot, and then insert them into the prepared sandbed. Transplant them into flower pots after they have rooted.
2. Soil Selection
To grow coral tree succulents well, it is essential to choose loose and breathable soil. You can use decomposed leaf soil mixed with some river sand, which provides both nutrition and good water and air permeability. Since they grow relatively fast, the soil should be changed every one to two years. When repotting, you can trim its roots appropriately to promote new root growth.
3. Water and Fertilizer Management
Coral tree succulents have very thick stems with good water storage capacity, so they have good drought resistance. Normally, they do not need much water, and slightly dry soil is beneficial for their growth. Excessive watering can cause root rot. In spring and autumn, water when the soil is completely dry, generally once every ten days. In summer, the watering frequency can be slightly increased.
Fertilization also doesn't require much, using fertilizer once a month during the growing season. The potassium content should be slightly higher. In winter, coral tree succulents enter a dormant period and do not need to be fertilized.
4. Temperature Management
Coral tree succulents are suitable for growing in a warm environment, preferably maintaining a temperature between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. They are not very cold-tolerant, so during winter, the temperature should not be lower than 8 degrees Celsius. They can be placed indoors for cultivation.
5. Light Management
Coral tree succulents need some light during the growing period, but avoid direct sunlight. They can be placed in an environment with scattered light. In summer, when the sun is strong, appropriate shading is required.
6. Disease and Pest Control
Common pests of coral tree succulents include scale insects, and common diseases include root rot and anthracnose. Scale insects often hide in the plants and absorb the nutrients of the coral trees, which greatly affects their growth. They need to be sprayed with dimethoate emulsion. Excessive waterlogging in the pot soil can easily cause root rot, so water appropriately. Anthracnose is a fungal infection that requires removing infected branches and leaves, followed by disinfection with bactericidal agents.
7. Pruning and Shaping
To make the coral tree succulents more aesthetically pleasing, appropriate pruning and shaping are necessary. Normally, you can cut off the leggy branches, diseased branches, and dead branches. When repotting each year, trim the decayed, rotten, and dead roots appropriately. After pruning, remember to apply a proper amount of carbendazim solution to disinfect and prevent the invasion of bacteria.
The above is a comprehensive explanation of how to cultivate coral trees and the precautions for planting them, hoping it can help you.