How many times does the鸳鸯茉莉 (Yuan-yang Mo-li) bloom in a year?
This article will elaborate on how many times the Yuan-yang Mo-li blooms in a year, as well as the symbolism and meaning of this plant, and share some experiences on its maintenance. Detailed introduction is as follows.
Let me introduce a common evergreen shrub that you might see in flower beds, the Yuan-yang Mo-li, also known as the Two-color茉莉. When this茉莉 (Jasmine) flower first opens, it is purple, but as the pH level of the environment, temperature changes, its anthocyanin content gradually decreases, resulting in a fading phenomenon to turn white, changing once a day. Because the flowers bloom one after another, the same plant can have flowers of two different colors at the same time.
Long-leaf Yuan-yang Mo-li is a plant belonging to the Solanum family, Yuan-yang Mo-li genus. It is an evergreen shrub, 50-100 cm tall, with alternate leaves, elliptical to rectangular in shape, acuminate at the apex, and entire margins. The flowers mostly grow singly, rarely a few together, with a high-foot dish-shaped corolla, shallowly lobed, and a tubular calyx. It bears berries. The fruiting period is in autumn, and no fruit has been observed in cultivation.
The long-leaf Yuan-yang Mo-li is native to the tropical regions of Brazil in South America. It is commonly cultivated in the southern regions of China. It prefers a hot, humid, and well-lit climate, loose and fertile soil with good drainage, slightly acidic, tolerant of semi-shade, drought, and poor soil, dislikes waterlogging, and is afraid of the cold. The suitable growth temperature is between 18-30℃.
Propagation methods: In spring, cut 2-year-old healthy branches as cuttings when potting, and in autumn, cut the semi-mature branches of the current year as cuttings. The latter has a higher survival rate. The cuttings are 10-15 cm long, dipped in mud VB12, and inserted into the simple culture soil, covered with plastic film to maintain about 80% humidity. They can take root in about 60 days. Spring cuttings can be transplanted with soil when the new branches are 15 cm long, while autumn cuttings should stay in the original pot over winter and be transplanted with soil the following spring. It is also possible to select branches near the pot surface in spring and autumn, strip the bark for 1.5-2 cm, and press the stripped part into the soil. After 50-60 days, it can take root. The ones pressed in spring should be cut from the mother plant and planted separately in autumn, and the ones pressed in autumn should be cut and planted in spring the following year.
How many times does the Yuan-yang Mo-li bloom in a year?
When cultivating long-leaf Yuan-yang Mo-li in a pot at home, especially on a balcony, it is important to prune it to maintain a beautiful round crown of about 30-40 cm high. In early spring, when potting, cut it back to about 20 cm high, and the healthy branches cut off can be used for propagation by cuttings. After flowering, remove the spent flowers, and prune the inner and overly tall branches appropriately.
In spring, there may be pests such as aphids, scale insects, and red spiders. Use a 40% omethoate emulsion at a dilution of 1000 times to spray and kill them. Diseases occasionally include leaf spot and powdery mildew, which can be controlled with a fungicide such as carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl at a dilution of 500-800 times.
The Two-color Mo-li blooms twice a year, once in early spring with many fragrant flowers, and the second time in mid-autumn, with fewer flowers.
If managed well, the flowers can bloom once a month from March to October, aromatic and quite popular among people. If not managed properly, it will only bloom 1-2 times in spring.
The Yuan-yang Mo-li also has a sister called the Big Flower Yuan-yang Mo-li, which is larger in tree shape, leaves, and flowers, making it extremely beautiful with its flowers from October to December.
This plant can be used as a garden tree in tropical regions, while in temperate regions, it can only be grown in pots for ornamental purposes. Potted plants are suitable for cultivation on window sills, balconies, bedrooms, and studies, as well as for ornamental purposes in gardens, parks, green spaces, roadsides, forest edges, and near rocks or flower beds.
The sharing above about how many times the Yuan-yang Mo-li blooms in a year and the introduction of the symbolism and meaning of Mo-li, can be used as a reference for everyone.