Method of caring for Hong Nutao
A comprehensive explanation of the planting content of the succulent plant Hong Nutao, its caring methods, and here comes the detailed introduction.
Hong Nutao is a cultivated variety that prefers a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunshine, is not cold-tolerant, can tolerate semi-shade and drought, but is afraid of excessive moisture and strong sunlight exposure. It has a slight dormancy in summer. The plant grows densely in clusters, is very fleshy, with leaves十字交互对生 (cross alternate), base united, apex triangular, leaf margins and dorsal keels having a hard epidermal film, leaf surface with prominent large meat teeth. Under strong sunlight, the protrusions will turn red, which is how it got its name. The leaf margins have coarse, fleshy bristles, the leaf surface has white dots, and the leaves are relatively long. Hong Nutao has large flowers without peduncles, the flower color is mainly yellow, and the blooming period is in spring.
Hong Nutao needs to receive ample sunlight for its leaves to be colorful and the plant to be tighter and more beautiful. Insufficient sunlight results in green leaves, loose leaf arrangement, and stretching. Hong Nutao can be repotted every two to four years depending on its growth state, with the pot diameter slightly larger than the plant diameter to promote growth. The soil must be dry before watering, and slow-release fertilizer can be applied. Propagation is done through seeding and cutting the top, as well as taking lateral buds for cutting and cross-pollination. Hong Nutao looks quite nice when it grows in clusters.
Kite is kept in a sunroom. Once the temperature exceeds 35 degrees, it will be shaded and water will be gradually reduced, with little to no water during the whole summer dormancy period. Excessive water combined with high temperatures can cause root rot, so remember that. By mid-September, when the temperature drops, watering is gradually resumed. Adapted to the sunroom, Hong Nutao can still grow slowly in summer, and dormancy is not very noticeable. However, due to less water, the leaves will become more compact.
In winter, if the temperature can be maintained above 2 degrees, normal watering can be provided. Below 0 degrees, watering should be stopped, otherwise, it is prone to frostbite and root rot. Although it is cold in winter, it is not necessary to completely stop watering throughout the winter. Kite will also provide a little water near the edge of the pot away from the plant's roots on warm afternoons. Do not spray or give too much water, as water left in the leaf heart for too long can easily cause rot, after all, it is a highly fleshy leaf. After the spring temperature rises, normal watering can be gradually resumed. Hong Nutao is relatively easy to care for.
Kite often gives a scoop of water to the top of the plant during the growing period (this is not done during the flowering period, otherwise, it will rot the flower buds), but the plant still looks very clean and beautiful, provided that the ventilation is good. In addition to needing to shade properly in summer, it can be in full sunlight in other seasons. The soil Kite uses is a mixture of peat with granulated coal cinders and river sand, with the soil mixture mainly focused on breathability.
The above is the complete introduction to the caring methods of Hong Nutao (based on the experience of flower friends) for everyone to learn and understand!