How to care for the滴水观音 in summer?
For many girls, the knowledge about how to care for the滴水观音 in summer and the precautions for maintaining it during the summer are plant-related topics. Next, the editor will introduce them.
The滴水观音 is a famous indoor foliage plant, divided into large and small to medium-sized potted plants. Large滴水观音 are often placed in prominent positions in building halls, with thick and huge leaves, some of which can reach 5 meters high, evergreen throughout the year, and very ornamental. The small to medium-sized ones are common potted greenery in homes, with green leaves that sometimes collect water to form crystal droplets, dripping from the leaf tips or edges, its flowers are spike-like inflorescences with a large green spathe that unfolds into a boat shape, similar to the statue of Guanyin, hence the name "滴水观音," symbolizing beauty.
Originally named Alocasia, the滴水观音 is known as Gupo芋 in Taiwan, also called Buddha's Hand Lotus, Tian芋, Wild芋, etc., belonging to the Araceae family, Alocasia genus, and is a perennial erect herbaceous plant native to South America, widely distributed in Southeast, Southwest, and South China. The aerial stems are robust, up to 5 meters tall. The creeping rhizomes are cylindrical with nodes, often producing adventitious buds. The leaves are arranged spirally; the petioles are thick, the leaves are leathery, slightly glossy on the surface, green, paler on the back, very wide, arrowhead-shaped, with shallow wavy margins. The inflorescence stalks are 2-3 tufted, cylindrical, light green, the spathe tube is oblong-ovate or ovate, white-green, the berries are bright red, and the flowering period is from April to July, which can also bloom in warm and humid conditions.
The ornamental value of the滴水观音 is unquestionable, however, due to its toxic roots and sap, which have been exaggerated, sales have slightly decreased in recent years. In fact, most plants in the Araceae family are toxic, and well-known ornamental plants such as Monstera deliciosa, Rohdea japonica, Epipremnum aureum, Zantedeschia aethiopica, and Dracaena fragrans are also toxic, some of which are used as medicinal herbs, such as Acorus calamus and Pinellia ternata. Regarding plant toxicity, there is no need to worry, as long as toxic gases are not emitted, and as for the toxic sap, just be cautious in everyday life, and it is rare for anyone to try eating the leaves of ornamental plants, so it can be purchased with confidence.
Besides its high ornamental value, the滴水观音 is also an excellent indoor air purifying plant. Its large, lush leaves can absorb dust and harmful gases in the air, improving the home environment and providing a fresh feeling. Additionally, the dried rhizomes of the滴水观音 can be used as medicine, with effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting qi and alleviating pain, and dispersing knots and reducing swelling, so the toxicity of the滴水观音 should be viewed in two ways.
The maintenance of the滴水观音 is relatively simple, but many plant enthusiasts report that the滴水观音 often has rotting issues, especially in summer. Some leaves turn yellow and wither, the rhizomes become脓, and in severe cases, even death. What is the reason? It is mainly due to excessive watering or severe积水 in the potting soil, which causes poor root respiration and makes the succulent rhizomes of the滴水观音 susceptible to disease. So, how to manage it?
The滴水观音 does not have high requirements for soil acidity or alkalinity, has strong adaptability, prefers a warm and humid environment, and needs to ensure 3-5 hours of sunlight daily if you want it to bloom, otherwise it rarely flowers. In summer, it should be shaded and not exposed to direct sunlight, placed in a ventilated location, and frequently sprayed with water around and on the leaves to increase humidity and lower leaf temperature, keeping the leaves clean.
Watering is the key to maintaining the滴水观音, as its rhizomes are fleshy and like moisture but fear积水. Excessive water will cause rot, so in the configuration of potting soil, it is necessary to use a mixture of loose, breathable humus soil and sandy soil to facilitate drainage, and it's best not to use claylike garden soil or loess. When watering, water normally in spring and autumn, about every two days, reduce watering in winter, and don't water until it's dry. In summer, based on regional conditions, if it's hot and humid, you should strengthen cooling and ventilation measures and water in the evening or early morning.
Regarding fertilization, it's best not to fertilize in summer. You can fertilize the滴水观音 every 10 days in spring and autumn with decomposed cake fertilizer and compound fertilizer (prefers nitrogen fertilizer) alternately. If yellow leaves appear, apply a 2% ferrous sulfate solution every 20 days, which can make the leaves of the滴水观音 larger, thicker, and greener.
The diseases and pests of the滴水观音 are mostly fungal infections caused by积水, characterized by crooked rhizomes, withered and yellow leaves. In this case, you should check and turn the pot. If rhizome rot occurs, you can cut off the affected area with a small knife, then soak it in potassium permanganate solution for half an hour, and wait until the wound is slightly dry before repotting. For anthracnose and leaf spot diseases, you can spray the leaves with a 75% methylthiophanate solution (500 times dilution) every 10 days, for two to three times to cure.
The above-sharing on how to care for the滴水观音 in summer and the precautions for maintaining it during the summer are detailed introductions, hoping to bring some plant knowledge to greenery enthusiasts.