How to raise kylin to thrive
This article introduces the care methods of kylin for thriving and the maintenance of kylin plants, a green plant and flower aspect. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Hu ci mei, also known as kylin flower, has blossoms that are among the cutest and smallest in the floral world. Although not as pure and elegant as orchids or as colorful and noble as azaleas, its pink appearance is captivating. Its stems are thorny and hard, and the numerous branches give it a good ornamental value when flowering. Here are some tips on how to cultivate hu ci mei, which will definitely benefit you.
1. Lighting conditions
Most plants need plenty of sunlight during growth, and hu ci mei is one of them. The seedling stage and flowering period are the times when it needs the most light, preferably maintaining about 8 hours of sunlight per day. If cultivating indoors, it can be placed near a window or in a well-ventilated, bright area. If hu ci mei does not get enough light, its branches will grow excessively, and flowering will become sparse, greatly reducing its ornamental value.
2. Soil conditions
Choosing the right growing soil is crucial for hu ci mei. Using heavy clay soil can make it difficult for the plant to grow and may even cause death during the seedling stage. To ensure good growth and development of the plant, use decomposed leaf soil or sandy soil as the potting soil for hu ci mei. Also, the soil needs to be properly disinfected because seedling-stage hu ci mei has low disease resistance and is easily affected by pests and diseases. Adding a small amount of fertilizer to the soil is also a good choice, which can make the seedlings grow stronger.
3. Water requirements
Hu ci mei has good drought resistance, so watering should not be excessive. For potted hu ci mei, choose a pot with good drainage, and using sandy soil can ensure that the soil retains excess water. Therefore, there is no need to water frequently during the plant's growth, just water the soil thoroughly each time. Excessive watering can cause waterlogging at the root and stem, leading to root rot; of course, not watering for a long time can lead to dried leaves and stunted growth.
How to raise kylin to thrive
4. Nutrient requirements
At different stages, hu ci mei has different fertilizer needs. In the seedling stage, the plant can rely on the nutrients in the soil to maintain growth, so fertilizing can be less frequent, about once every two to three weeks. During the flowering period and before, it is necessary to provide additional fertilizing to meet its nutrient needs. After the flowering period, it is not advisable to fertilize excessively, or the leaves will become thick, which will affect the formation of flower buds and the number of flowers next year.
5. Other aspects
About once every one to two years, potted hu ci mei needs to be repotted because the nutrients in the soil are no longer sufficient. Continuing to use the original soil may affect plant growth. Since hu ci mei has many branches, some pruning is necessary. Especially after the flowering period, the remaining branches and flowers should be cut off, and overgrown and dense branches should also be pruned. The main branches should not be too long, and the side branches should not be too short, preparing for the next flowering.
In winter, hu ci mei should not be grown outdoors as the temperature is low. When the temperature is below 10 degrees, its growth starts to be affected, and below 5 degrees, it is prone to frostbite.
The above introduction on how to raise kylin to thrive and the detailed explanation of the care methods for kylin plants aim to bring some plant knowledge to greenery enthusiasts.