Should the new leaves of the蟹爪兰 (Disocactus ackermannii) be pinched off?
This article introduces the knowledge about whether the new leaves of the蟹爪兰 need to be pinched off. Here is a comprehensive introduction.
Should the new leaves of the蟹爪兰 be pinched off?
The small new leaves of the蟹爪兰 do not all need to be pinched off. It depends on the specific growth situation and should be thinned accordingly. After the bud differentiation stage, it is the time for the蟹爪lan to develop flower buds. Sufficient nutrients are needed for the flower buds to swell and become robust, resulting in large and colorful flowers. Therefore, in the autumn when it cools down, which is the stage of bud differentiation for the蟹爪lan, the stems should be thinned to promote nutrient supply.
After the蟹爪lan flowers, it enters the stage of growing new leaves and buds. In the normal growing period, the new buds can be retained. However, in some cases, the new buds should be pinched off to conserve the plant's nutrients or to promote flowering.
Should the newly grown leaves of the蟹爪lan be pinched off?
① Dormancy PeriodIn fact, pruning the stem segments of the蟹爪lan should be done according to its growth period and is not just for the small new leaves.
Especially after the flowers of the蟹爪lan have faded, it is in a brief semi-dormant state. Once it recovers its nutritional growth, the small new leaves that sprout do not need to be pinched off.
② Before FloweringThe budding period of the蟹爪lan is in November and December. At this time, it will differentiate a large number of flower buds. If there is new leaf growth, it should be pinched off in a timely manner to conserve nutrients and promote flower bud growth.
Because in the autumn boom period, it is the time when the蟹爪lan is about to undergo bud differentiation and develop flower buds. In order to concentrate the supply of nutrients for bud differentiation and bud formation, the newly sprouted small stem segments should be thinned as appropriate.
Especially for stems that are too dense, they should be thinned, and too many small flower buds should be pinched off to prevent excessive nutrient supply to the stems, which may result in insufficient nutrients for bud differentiation and affect flowering and bud formation.
③ Root DamageIf the roots of the蟹爪lan show slight rot and the leaves are wilted, check for root rot. If the rot is not severe, some leaves need to be pinched off.
Then, repot with fresh soil and let it slowly develop roots. If there are too many new buds, they will consume too many nutrients, which is not conducive to root growth.
Key Points for the Daily Care of蟹爪lan
When caring for the蟹爪lan, it is best to avoid overwatering as it can easily lead to root rot and death. Watering should only be done when the potting soil is dry, allowing it to grow well.
In spring and autumn, which are the peak growth periods for the蟹爪lan, it is recommended to apply granular compound fertilizer 1-2 times a month, such as Huaduo No. 2 or Meileke Flower Type Compound Fertilizer. However, fertilization should be stopped when the temperature exceeds 30°C or is below 15°C.
After flowering and during the high-temperature season of summer when it enters dormancy, it is best not to water or fertilize it, but to mist the stem segments with water every day.
When caring for the蟹爪lan in summer and winter, it is important to avoid excessively high or low room temperatures and maintain them around 15°C to 25°C. High temperatures will slow down the growth of the蟹爪lan and put it into a semi-dormant state, while low temperatures need to be protected from frost damage.
The most suitable growth temperature for the蟹爪lan should be maintained around 20°C to 25°C. When the air is relatively humid, it will grow quickly. For dense stems, they should be thinned in a timely manner to facilitate its reproductive growth and lay a good foundation for flowering and bud formation.
The introduction above provides all the information about whether the new leaves of the蟹爪lan need to be pinched off, for everyone to learn and understand!
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