The Maintenance Methods and Precautions for the Chinese lantern flower
Here is an introduction to the Chinese lantern flower for netizens, let's follow the editor to take a look!
Many flower enthusiasts ask: Are there any high-end, stylish, easy-to-care-for indoor flowers with a long blooming period? Today, I will recommend a "noble flower" to you - the Chinese lantern flower.
Brief Introduction to Chinese Lantern Flower
The scientific name of Chinese lantern flower is Rhododendron obtusum, which belongs to the Melastoma family and is an evergreen shrub. It is called Chinese lantern flower in China because its flowers resemble the shape of a Chinese lantern. It is native to tropical and subtropical rainforests and prefers a warm and humid semi-shaded environment.
The Chinese lantern flower is known as the "noble flower" not only because of its high price, but also because of its high ornamental value. The leaves of the Chinese lantern flower are large, the stems are robust, and the flowers are large and gorgeous, making it especially suitable for placement in living rooms,商场橱窗, hotel halls, etc. It is easy to care for, has an upright posture, and a single blooming period can last up to 3 months. If the temperature is suitable, it can bloom multiple times a year.
The Maintenance Methods and Precautions for the Chinese Lantern Flower
Many flower enthusiasts like the Chinese lantern flower but dare not grow it, thinking that it is difficult to care for since it costs over one hundred yuan. However, the maintenance of Chinese lantern flowers is really simple, even beginners won't have any problems. If you follow the instructions and do the following points well, blooming multiple times a year won't be an issue.
1. Choose loose and breathable potting soil
The Chinese lantern flower prefers a humid semi-shaded environment. When growing it in a pot, you can follow the same method as growing Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron, or Epipremnum aureum, which is not difficult at all. Use a loose and breathable acidic nutrient-rich soil, a general-purpose soil formula is also fine, or you can mix your own soil using peat soil, decomposed leaf soil, and perlite in equal parts, then mix well before planting.
In any case, the soil must be loose and breathable and should not use heavy clay soil. When potting, you can also add some fermented organic fertilizer at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer.
2. The flower pot should not be too large
The Chinese lantern flower likes humidity but cannot tolerate waterlogging, so it is recommended to choose a pot with more breathable holes, such as a terracotta pot or a root control pot. It's best not to use ceramic pots, as they look good but are not breathable and prone to waterlogging.
Moreover, since it is grown indoors with relatively poor ventilation, the flower pot should not be too large and should match the size of the plant. If the pot is too large, it will take a long time to dry after watering, which can easily cause root rot. Basically, for the seedlings we buy, replacing them with a pot one size larger than the original pot is fine. As the seedlings grow, gradually replace them with a larger pot.
3. Avoid strong sunlight
The Chinese lantern flower is native to tropical rainforests and does not tolerate direct strong sunlight. It is sufficient to place it in a bright room for maintenance. If you want to bask in the sun, it can only be done when the light is soft. When we bask in the sun, if we feel warm and comfortable without feeling hot, this light intensity is suitable for the Chinese lantern flower. If the sun feels hot and scalding on the body, do not expose the Chinese lantern flower to it, as it can easily cause sunburn.
Especially for newly purchased seedlings, they must first be placed in a bright area with scattered light for maintenance. After 3-5 days, if the light is considered appropriate and you want to bask in the sun, gradually increase the light. Do not place it in direct sunlight immediately, otherwise, it is easy to sunburn the leaves and affect the ornamental value. The safest approach is to grow in a bright area with scattered light and avoid unnecessary moves.
The Maintenance Methods and Precautions for the Chinese Lantern Flower
4. Appropriate watering and fertilizing
The Chinese lantern flower prefers a humid environment with an air humidity of over 70%. In dry seasons, it can be sprayed frequently on the leaves and surrounding environment to increase humidity, but try not to spray water on the flowers to avoid shortening the blooming period. Usually, it should be kept moist, watering when the potting soil is half-dry or when the leaves of the Chinese lantern flower slightly soften, and each time, water thoroughly without leaving any积水.
The Chinese lantern flower does not require high fertilizer, and if you want to keep it simple, you can use slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer. Depending on the duration of the fertilizer effect, sprinkle it around the pot once every 1-3 months. If you want the Chinese lantern flower to grow faster, in addition to sprinkling slow-release fertilizer, you can water with a general-purpose growth fertilizer every 15 days during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, and switch to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the bud formation period.
5. Prune the spent flowers in time
The single flower period of the Chinese lantern flower can last up to 3 months, but the entire blooming period also requires nutrient consumption. If you want the seedlings to grow faster, it is recommended to cut the flowers early, not waiting until they completely wither.
When pruning the spent flowers of the Chinese lantern, retain 2-3 cm of the flower stem and do not prune too harshly to avoid affecting the growth of new buds. After pruning the spent flowers, the Chinese lantern will continue to grow, and what grows may be new buds or new flower buds, depending on the management of fertilization and temperature. When the temperature is above 15 degrees and there is sufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, the Chinese lantern can grow into new flower buds about 30 days after pruning.
6. Keep warm in winter
The Chinese lantern flower is a tropical plant and does not tolerate cold. It requires a temperature of over 15 degrees to continue growing and blooming in winter. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, it will grow slowly, and below 5 degrees, it may freeze. Therefore, as long as your home can maintain a temperature above 5 degrees in winter, you can rest assured to buy and care for it. However, if you cannot keep it warm in winter, lvzhimi.com does not recommend that you buy it, as it would be a pity to let such a beautiful flower freeze to death.
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