How to cultivate Mesembryanthemum to produce multiple heads
The editor provides you with knowledge about succulent plants like Mesembryanthemum, explaining how to cultivate them to produce multiple heads. Let's introduce the following points for netizens.
Among Mesembryanthemum plants, those that easily become multi-headed, grow quickly, are easy to cultivate but have general ornamental value, do not require much effort and time to cultivate. To cultivate multi-headed Mesembryanthemum plants, consider the following factors:
1. Choose the right species
Among Mesembryanthemum plants, those that easily become multi-headed, grow quickly, are easy to cultivate but have general ornamental value, do not require much effort and time to cultivate. It is the species with unique shapes, colors, textures, and sizes that should be our first choice. For example, Conophytum species, because they easily produce multiple heads, when the number of heads reaches 20-30, the speed of increase slows down significantly. If not specifically cultivating special samples, it's best to keep the number of heads around 20. Then, use methods such as division and cutting to regenerate roots, which not only increases the quantity but also revives vigorous growth.
Most Lithops species have slow heading, making it difficult to cultivate multi-headed plants, and root development through cutting is relatively difficult. Some flower enthusiasts separated a 15-headed Discus and attempted to propagate it through cutting, only to find all the plants rotting, much to their regret. Lithops also experience a decrease in heading speed when the number of heads reaches a certain quantity.
For species like Diascia, such as Dianthus, sometimes multiple heads appear during sowing, but since the individuals are relatively large, 1-2 heads are sufficient. They also have poor branching ability, making it difficult to cultivate multiple heads. Mingyu becomes multi-headed quickly after 4 years, but the size of the heads decreases after branching. Wubiyu has some fluffy heads and can produce multiple heads in the first year of sowing, reaching more than 10 heads in 3 years.
Therefore, to quickly cultivate multi-headed Mesembryanthemum, selecting the right species is crucial. In principle, choose species that grow slowly, have few and slow heads, and do not easily degrade or age, while also considering factors such as color, size, and texture.
2. Soil and fertilizer do not need to be rich
The issue of fertilization has been mentioned before, but it bears repeating. previously, when repotting Lithops, a small amount of diammonium phosphate and sheep manure was added to the substrate. Half a year later, the plants showed no signs of vitality and began to wither. When dug up in cool autumn weather, the roots were completely rotten, leaving only a few tiny fibrous roots on the main root. Considering the characteristics of South African soil, the soil in which Lithops grow is actually quite poor.
Therefore, adding a small amount of river sand and a little frog stone (or perlite) to the vegetable garden soil in most regions of China can fully meet the growth needs of Mesembryanthemum plants for 2-3 years. If the cultivation substrate is changed every year, adding fertilizer is not necessary and may even have adverse effects. If the cultivation substrate is too rich, root development will be hindered, leading to "root burn," making the already fragile plants unable to withstand the so-called "good intentions" of excessive care. Good growth is out of the question, and multi-heading is even less likely.
Experiments show that a substrate with good granular structure, mineral content, and permeability, with weak nitrogen fertilizer and sufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, is most beneficial for the growth of Mesembryanthemum plants and is also best for expanding their roots and multi-heading (except for fast-growing species that require plenty of fertilizer).
3. Loose management during dormancy
People often take the dormancy issue too seriously when cultivating Mesembryanthemum species with a dormant habit. In the northern regions, if the temperature does not consistently reach above 35°C and good ventilation is maintained, it is completely possible to water generously and use methods like spraying. Lithops can be placed directly on the roof and watered every day or every other day depending on the weather, until the cool autumn arrives. Plants cultivated in this way feel solid and hard to the touch, have bright colors, clear patterns, are easy to bloom, and produce seeds with plump grains. The following year, the蜕皮 process is quick, and the old skin easily dries and falls off, making it easier to produce multiple heads. Compared to indoor cultivation, this method highlights the distinct characteristics of Lithops.
As for dormancy, it is indeed a factor that must be considered in cultivation, but it should not be overemphasized. As long as the conditions of day-night temperature difference, moisture, and ventilation are guaranteed, whether Lithops enter dormancy or not is irrelevant. Conophytum species can consider shading and controlling water during the hottest season, and when they recover, they can be cared for using the same methods as Lithops.
4. Excellent lighting and ventilation
When the temperature does not consistently reach 35°C and ventilation is good, Mesembryanthemum plants can safely receive direct sunlight. When grown outdoors, as long as they are gradually acclimated, they do not seem to burn the epidermis. When the cultivation pot is large and deep, direct sunlight does not shine on the pot walls, does not scorch the roots, and although heat does not penetrate the entire substrate, strong light is better than partial shading or placement behind glass indoors, as it suits the survival environment of Mesembryanthemum plants in their native habitats.
However, some species native to shrublands and tall grasslands (generally those with light green or tender green leaves and relatively high water content, such as the light green varieties of Conophytum and the fluffy Hanany in the genus Albuca) should not be exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods when the temperature reaches above 30°C, as this can burn the epidermis or cause transparent bubbles to appear on the leaf surface.
Weak indoor lighting can lead to severe etiolation in Mesembryanthemum plants, either making them tall or weak, and prone to diseases and pests. This is a major issue in cultivating multi-headed plants. If the environment changes, they should gradually adapt, which is the most important principle.
5. Don't follow a fixed watering pattern
Heavy and frequent watering is a common mistake people make, trying to make the plants grow faster and larger. This is driven by impatience, and the results are counterproductive. Therefore, an irregular watering method can be adopted, where no watering is done when the room temperature is high and the substrate is heated severely, and watering is done whenever there is time available. Sometimes, the soil can be watered when it is slightly moist, sometimes when it is almost dry, and sometimes watered in the morning and again in the evening, depending on the dryness or moisture of the potting soil. This actually conforms to the natural rhythm of Mesembryanthemum plants.
6. Use spacious and large containers
The choice of containers for Mesembryanthemum should match the size of the plants. After young seedlings are transplanted, they can still use larger and deeper containers, with a depth of over 15 centimeters. For example, in the northwest, where the air is naturally dry, using shallow containers with a well-draining and breathable substrate can dry out too quickly. Moreover, fast air circulation can cause soil temperatures to rise quickly. Taking Lithops as an example, seedlings over 1 centimeter in size can be planted in a multi-plant-per-pot format. If the soil is changed and the pot is changed after two years, a larger pot is still used.
The most suitable containers are large trough pots from the bonsai container range, changing the soil every two years, reducing the number of seedlings in the pot by half, and forming in 5-6 years. When each plant has reached a certain number of heads and looks somewhat impressive, individual pots can be used, with sand pots, clay pots, and plastic pots all being suitable. When several pots are placed together, they look quite striking and have a strong visual impact.
Follow the rules and adapt management
Taking the northwest region as an example, it has its own climatic characteristics and environmental conditions. Winters are severe, but there is heating indoors, often with more sunny days than cloudy ones, and bright sunshine. Summers can be extremely hot, but high temperatures above 30°C do not last for a month. Moreover, being close to deserts and high mountain glaciers, there are large day-night temperature differences, which provide excellent conditions for the cultivation of Mesembryanthemum plants.
Local adaptation is a cultivation principle that should be followed when growing multi-headed succulent plants like Mesembryanthemum. It is essential to fully understand the climatic conditions of the area where one lives and to understand the natural environment and growth habits of Mesembryanthemum plants in their native habitats. It is important to follow nature's logic and improve cultivation management methods without blindly following others' advice. When applying rules to solve problems, only by adapting the rules can one find the right path.
The above is a comprehensive introduction to cultivating Mesembryanthemum to produce multiple heads, hoping to provide green plant enthusiasts with some knowledge about green plants.