What does the "百日红" (Crape Myrtle) look like
Let's talk about what the "百日红" looks like and provide an introduction to the green plant flowers related to its characteristics. Here is a detailed description below.
"百日红", also known as Crape Myrtle, belongs to the Lythraceae family. It blooms during the summer and autumn seasons when flowers are scarce, with a very long blooming period from June to September, lasting up to a hundred days, hence the name "百日红". However, many flower enthusiasts encounter issues such as few flowers and dull colors during maintenance. How can we make the plant bloom more and with brighter colors? How should it be cared for in winter?
How to make "百日红" bloom more and with brighter colors
Crape Myrtle produces a large number of flowers and is a flower that loves fertilizer. If the nutrients are insufficient, the plant will bloom very few flowers, and the colors will also be dull. It is necessary to apply a flowering fertilizer before the plant germinates in early spring and to apply a liquid fertilizer or a fertilizer high in nitrogen every 10-15 days during the growing period. Moreover, switch to applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before the blooming period to promote abundant blooming and vibrant flower colors. In winter, fertilization is not necessary. Whenever fertilizing, it is best to follow the principle of "applying thin and frequent fertilizers".
Caring for Crape Myrtle requires ample sunlight, as both the intensity and duration of sunlight are important. The stronger and longer the sunlight exposure, the higher the quality and quantity of the flowers. If there is insufficient sunlight, although Crape Myrtle can still bloom, the quality and quantity of the flowers will be poor, resulting in fewer and dull-colored blooms. During regular maintenance, the plant can be kept outdoors. If kept indoors, the plant should be placed where it can receive direct sunlight, and there is no need to provide shade in the summer.
Crape Myrtle has a very strong growth ability, so pruning is important for the plant's growth. Pruning can be done in winter, with an overall pruning of the plant. It's best to prune when the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius because at this time, the nutrients in the plant's branches are mainly in the trunk and roots. Pruning the branches does not cause much loss of nutrients. Pruning can also be done after flowering. When all the flowers in the inflorescence have opened, the entire inflorescence is cut off to avoid excessive nutrient consumption.
How to care for "百日红" in winter
In winter, it is important to regulate the temperature when caring for Crape Myrtle because it has weak cold resistance. The environmental temperature should not be below 0 degrees Celsius; otherwise, the plant may die due to the low temperature. In addition, attention should be paid to the management of water and fertilizer. Crape Myrtle enters a dormant period in winter, during which its need for water and fertilizer is very low. Excessive watering or fertilization can lead to plant death.
After entering winter, preparations should be made for the "百日红" to survive the cold. In winter, the indoor temperature should not be below 5 degrees Celsius; otherwise, the plant will stop growing. It is necessary to protect the plant from cold and frost during winter. It is best to maintain a stable temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius so that the plant can safely overwinter.
The above information is about what "百日红" looks like and a specific introduction to its characteristics. If it can be of help to you, remember to visit the website often!