How to prevent the flower buds of the蟹爪兰 (Disocactus ackermannii) from falling off?
This article introduces how to prevent the flower buds of the蟹爪兰 from falling off, including the following detailed contents.
Disocactus ackermannii is a beautiful indoor ornamental flower for winter, which is relatively easy to cultivate and manage. However, when the flower buds appear, they may fall off if not handled with care, causing regret. To prevent the flower buds of Disocactus ackermannii from falling off, here are several measures:
(1) Disocactus ackermannii is a typical short-day plant. Its growth pattern is to produce new nodes in spring, enter a dormant state in summer, form flower buds when the day length decreases in autumn, and bloom around February in winter. After flowering, there is a short dormant period, after which new stem nodes are produced. Therefore, the placement of the potted plant should be in a location with minimal day-night temperature differences to satisfy its ecological habits as much as possible.
(2) During the growing period, Disocactus ackermannii requires sufficient sunlight, with the best being 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. If this requirement is not met, it will affect flowering and may lead to falling buds.
(3) Disocactus ackermannii prefers warmth, with the optimal growth temperature being 20-25°C. It is sensitive to cold and large temperature fluctuations. Therefore, in winter, it should be placed in a sunny location, maintaining a temperature of around 15°C. If the room temperature suddenly drops below 10°C, the buds will fall off. Thus, after the flower buds appear, special attention should be paid to the changes in day and night temperatures. If there is a sudden drop in temperature, immediate measures should be taken to keep the room warm.
(4) Both the formation of flower buds and flowering of Disocactus ackermannii occur in the autumn and winter seasons when the temperature is relatively low. It is not suitable to water the plants with cold water, as the water temperature should be 5°C higher than the air temperature, otherwise it will cause a strong stimulus to the plant, leading to falling flowers and buds. In winter, due to the slow rate of transpiration, it is not advisable to water excessively, as it may cause the rootstock to rot, resulting in the plant not receiving enough nutrients and leading to falling flowers and buds. However, the soil should not be too dry either, as this will affect the development of the flower buds, causing them to wither and fall off. Therefore, the potting soil should be kept moist. Additionally, after the flower buds have formed, it is important to avoid direct rain, as this can also lead to rapid falling of the buds.
(5) When Disocactus ackermannii forms flower buds, it requires a lot of nutrients for normal development. Insufficient fertilization can also cause falling buds. Therefore, after the flower buds appear, it is important to strengthen the management of fertilization and water. Generally, every 10 days, apply a well-rotted phosphorus and potassium liquid fertilizer once. If conditions allow, spray 0.1% to 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 1 to 2 times.
(6) When there are too many flower buds, the rootstock may not be able to provide enough nutrients, which is the main reason for the falling of buds in Disocactus ackermannii. Therefore, it is necessary to remove some of the flower buds early, based on the size of the rootstock and the growth condition of the plant. Generally, one flower bud is left per stem node. If too many buds are left, it will increase the burden on the rootstock, causing an imbalance in nutrition and inevitably leading to falling flowers and buds.
It is also important to note that before the end of dormancy and the sprouting of new leaves, it is necessary to remove the older stem nodes at the front. This can lay a good foundation for the formation of flower buds in autumn. Since the location where the flower buds of Disocactus ackermannii form is at the tip of the stem nodes, removing the older nodes will result in more and thicker new stem nodes in spring, which will develop better.
The above introduction on how to prevent the falling of flower buds in Disocactus ackermannii is hoped to be of help to you. Don't forget to check out more flower cultivation experience and common sense!