The watering issues during the growth, molting, and other processes of living stone flowers throughout the four seasons
Let's talk about some knowledge of living stone flowers, the watering issues during their growth, molting, and other processes. Next, I will share more information with everyone.
About the growth, molting, and watering issues of living stone flowers, I'll briefly mention my understanding and views here for reference.
The changes in the growth cycle of living stone flowers in a year: molting in spring, dormant in summer, flowering in autumn, and dormant in winter. We can understand that molting in living stone flowers is actually a process where new leaves grow and old leaves fall off. The growth of living stone flowers is a cycle that repeats itself:
Spring molting: In spring, new leaves have actually been slowly developing in winter. After the end of spring dormancy, new leaves start to grow rapidly. During this growth process, new leaves mainly rely on absorbing nutrients from old leaves and external water, as well as sunlight, to enrich themselves.
As new leaves grow, old leaves will wrinkle and shrink, and finally, only a thin skin will be left after being sucked by the plant. Molting is a very slow process, generally lasting for several months. During this process, the seeds also mature successively. When the old skin falls off, the seedpods are usually mature. At this time, we can pick the seedpods and store them in a well-ventilated and shaded environment for autumn sowing. (Usually, use a homemade paper bag with desiccant in a box and store it in a drawer)
Watering: New leaves need water and nutrients to grow. At this time, you may wonder if you need to water heavily after dormancy. However, this is not the case. It's like giving newborn babies external nutrients, which is not as appropriate as breast milk.
Reasons:
1. The old leaves of living stone flowers almost contain all the growth requirements needed by new leaves. During the period of new and old leaf replacement, it is not recommended to intake external water.
2. The process of old leaves falling off is slow. Watering during this time will cause new leaves to grow excessively and the torn wounds of old leaves to rot due to water infection.
3. When old leaves become dry skin, it is appropriate to water moderately. At this time, living stone flowers grow quickly, so it is essential to coordinate with temperature and sunlight.
Here are a few pictures to explain briefly:
Red olive, from one to two, new leaves are growing, and the old skin is about to fall off. Actually, this molting is not very good, as the nutrients from the old leaves are not well absorbed by the new leaves.
Sunwheel jade, the old skin has fallen off very well, it's very thin, and the new leaves inside are strong.
The old skin has dried like thin paper.
This exposed beauty jade has become elongated after watering, it looks ugly, and it will recover later.
Two bad examples: The old skin hasn't fallen off yet, and new leaves have grown inside the new leaves, which is frustrating!
Summer watering: In summer, when temperatures are high, living stone flowers are dormant and receive very little water. Occasionally, water mist is sprayed into the air above the living stone flower area to lower the temperature. When watering in summer, never do it in the sun, as water droplets can act as a magnifying glass, and the heat from the sun can burn the living stone flowers.
Autumn, when it just starts, is a rare period for living stone flowers to grow and develop. At this time, flower buds are slowly developing. Starting around September, flower buds will appear one after another, ready to bloom beautifully. During this time, we can water a bit more, about once every two weeks. Flower bud growth also requires water and nutrients.
The picture below shows the appearance of flower buds just emerging. Sometimes it's amazing, you may not notice anything one day, and the next morning, you may see a change. Flower buds grow quickly.
The blooming period of living stone flowers is about a week. If we consider it as 7 days, in the first 1-2 days after the flowers just bloom, the petals are not fully grown, and the pistil is not mature. At this time, it is not recommended to pollinate. When 3-5 days have passed, the pistil is usually mature, which is a good time for pollination. Generally, use a cotton swab to exchange pollen.
When pollination is successful, the flowers of living stone flowers will give us signals. We will find that they become more beautiful, like a very womanly woman. Then, the flowers will gradually wither and dry up.
Then, we wait for the seeds to mature.
Winter watering: In winter, living stone flowers also enter a semi-dormant state, and their growth rate is very slow. At this time, if we gently pinch the lower part of the living stone flower with our hand, we can feel the new leaves. A flashlight can also reveal them. This is the period when new leaves grow in winter. When winter is about to end, some new leaves can be seen, and seeds that mature quickly are also close to maturity. At this time, be careful not to water from above.
The picture below shows what happens when watering is not done carefully, causing the seedpod to burst open. When encountering this situation, don't rush to remove the seedpod. After the seedpod dries, it will wrap up again.
Then, it's a cycle, and the molting continues in spring.
The above sharing of specific content about the watering issues during the growth, molting, and other processes of living stone flowers throughout the four seasons is for everyone's reference and operation.