How to manage potted plants during the transition from summer to autumn?
The editor will answer your questions about how to manage potted plants during the transition from summer to autumn. Let's introduce the knowledge about flowers.
Although it has been half a month since the beginning of autumn, the weather is still very hot. Recently, many potted plants of our flower friends have yellow leaves and withering problems. Many people say that the flowers survived the hot summer, but unexpectedly died when entering autumn. So, how should we manage potted plants during the transition from summer to autumn to ensure a safe transition? Today, I will briefly summarize a few points about the management precautions of potted plants during the transition from summer to autumn, hoping they are helpful to you.
1. -- Watering in Time to Prevent Drought --
Although it has entered autumn, the temperature is still high, and water evaporates quickly. We need to keep up with watering, basically maintaining the watering frequency of summer. When the temperature decreases, gradually reduce the amount of watering to achieve the "moist when dry" condition.
During the transition from summer to autumn, drought and excessive watering are common problems, especially when the potting soil is too dry. Although we water every day, if the watering is not thorough or the amount is insufficient, it becomes difficult to water thoroughly again, leading to continuous chronic drought. If not detected in time, the potted plants may have yellow leaves or wither from sunburn. When the potting soil is too dry, it is necessary to soak the pot in time to supplement sufficient water.
When the temperature drops, the water requirement of potted plants decreases. It is necessary to observe the moisture level of the potting soil before each watering to avoid积水.
2. -- Don't Rush to Fertilize --
For many plants that have a slow growth period after coming out of dormancy in summer, such as蟹爪兰 (Dischidia), Clivia, longevity flowers, and pelargoniums, do not rush to fertilize when you first enter autumn. Because the temperature is still relatively high, these plants may not have ended their dormancy, and applying water-soluble fertilizer can easily lead to root rot and withering.
For potted plants that stopped fertilizing in summer, wait until the temperature is cool before applying thin fertilizer or first applying a small amount of slow-release organic fertilizer or controlled-release fertilizer. Only after there are obvious signs of growth should water-soluble fertilizer be applied, which is safer.
3. -- Shading is Still Very Important --
In early autumn, the sun is still very hot. For some sun-sensitive flower varieties, such as hydrangeas, camellias, and azaleas, it is recommended not to remove the shading net too early. Potted plants originally placed in diffused light positions should not be moved to direct sunlight in a hurry.
When the highest temperature drops below 35 degrees, you can gradually increase the light, first removing one layer of shading net. When the temperature drops below 30 degrees, gradually remove all the shading nets. Do not directly move the potted plants from diffused light to full sun, as it is very easy to cause sunburn.
4. -- Reasonable and Moderate Pruning --
Some flowers need to be pruned for shaping in autumn, such as roses, pelargoniums, and longevity flowers. The timing of pruning in autumn should not be too early, as high temperatures are not conducive to the growth of new shoots after pruning. It is generally pruned at the end of August or the first ten days of September, when the high temperature is usually below 30 degrees, making it more suitable for new shoot growth.
In addition, autumn pruning should focus on light pruning. If the pruning is too heavy, it will severely affect the growth of the potted plants. Generally, autumn pruning requires retaining some leaves and should not prune the plant into a bare stem. If the potted plant loses all its leaves, it cannot photosynthesize to produce nutrients, easily leading to the withering of the entire plant.
The comprehensive knowledge explanation about how to manage potted plants during the transition from summer to autumn, hoping it can help you.