Cultivation and Management of Potted梅花
Introduction: This article covers the creation of梅花盆景, the cultivation and management of potted梅花, with the editor of this site introducing the content to follow.
梅花 is also known as spring梅花 or dried branch梅花, belonging to the Rosaceae family, Prunus genus, and is a deciduous small tree. It prefers sunny, well-ventilated, and humid environments. It is also somewhat cold-tolerant, thin-soil-tolerant, and drought-tolerant. It requires a certain amount of low-temperature stimulation in winter to bloom normally.
In the lower reaches of the Yellow River,梅花 can be planted in the ground or in pots. The following mainly introduces the cultivation and management of potted梅花.
1. Pot and soil selection: It is best to choose a clay pot with good permeability, or a purple sand pot can also be used. However, do not use porcelain or plastic pots. The soil should be loose and permeable, with a mixture of 40% garden soil, 30% coal cinder, and 30% humus.
2. Pruning and potting:梅花 has a strong branching force and is tolerant to pruning. The branches of the current year can form flower buds, so it should be pruned once a year. This is done after flowering or when the flowers are about to fade and the leaf buds start to germinate, removing dense and weak branches, leaving 2-3 buds at the base of each branch and cutting off the rest. At the same time, repot and change the soil every 2-3 years, first removing the梅花 plant from the pot, removing 1/3-1/2 of the original soil, pruning the decayed roots, applying an appropriate amount of base fertilizer, adding the prepared potting soil, planting well and pressing down, watering thoroughly, and moving to a sunny place for management.
3. Watering: The principle for watering potted梅花 is to keep it slightly moist but not dry, and water thoroughly when watering. When the branches and leaves wither due to prolonged dryness, water should be given in small amounts for 2-3 days first to gradually restore vitality. It is crucial to avoid watering too much immediately, which can cause a large number of leaves to fall off, or even death. In June, when the branches grow to 15-20 cm, the flower buds begin to differentiate. At this time, reduce the watering to make the top of the plant wither, then water a little, repeating this process for 2-3 times until the top completely withers and stops growing, then return to normal watering. This method is difficult to master. A simpler method is to pinch the top when the branches reach 15-20 cm, and if new buds grow at the top, remove them. Only when the top stops growing can the flower buds grow well and bloom normally. Each time, use old water to make the water temperature consistent with the potting soil temperature.
4. Fertilization: In addition to applying an appropriate amount of base fertilizer when pruning in spring, a thin dilute soybean cake solution or other decomposed organic fertilizers can be applied after flowering. Fertilize every half month in spring and autumn, applying thin fertilizer frequently and avoiding thick fertilizer. In summer and autumn, use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers mainly, such as applying a 2/1000 solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, or spraying the leaves, once or twice a month until flowering.
5. Controlling the flowering period: After梅花 loses its leaves in winter, move it to a non-freezing cold room, or place it on a low-temperature balcony, making sure to open the windows for ventilation and allow it to undergo a period of low-temperature stimulation. At the same time, strengthen water and fertilizer management, spraying water on the branches and around the pot every day to keep the air humid. Start warming up about one month before the Spring Festival, initially maintaining the room temperature at about 10 degrees Celsius, providing ample sunlight, and then raising the room temperature to 15-20 degrees Celsius 10 days before the Spring Festival to make it bloom on schedule.
6. Disease and pest control: In the hot and humid summer with poor ventilation, diseases such as powdery mildew and soot blight can occur, which can be controlled by spraying a 70% methylthiophanate-methyl powder formulation at 1500 times dilution or a 50% carbendazim powder formulation at 1000 times dilution. Common pests include aphids and spiders, which can be controlled by spraying 1/5000 cypermethrin or 1/1500 fenpropathrin (fenbutatin oxide) once a week for 2-3 consecutive times for good results. Avoid using DDV and dimethoate to prevent phytotoxicity and death.
The above-sharing experience and knowledge of the cultivation and management of potted梅花, hope this article can bring you some help!