Brazilian wood, an evergreen indoor plant, only needs to master the core points of soil, light, watering, etc. to avoid yellowing, withering of leaves, and even blooming elegant white flowers. From a loose and breathable soil formula to watering techniques that are both dry and wet, this maintenance guide will keep your Basi wood green all year round, adding a tropical touch to the space.
Brazilian wood, scientific name Xianglongxue tree, has become an "evergreen tree" in indoor green plants due to its upright plant shape, emerald green leaves, and good shade tolerance.
. Whether placed in the corner of the living room, on the desk of the study, or at the front desk of the office, it can add a touch of tropical charm to the space. But many people may encounter problems such as yellowing of leaves, drying of leaf tips, and slow growth during the maintenance process. In fact, as long as you master the core points of soil, light, and watering, you can make Brazilian woods grow healthily and even bloom elegant white flowers.1. Soil: Loose and breathable soil is key to avoiding root rot.
The root system of Brazilian woods is fleshy and requires high soil permeability and drainage. Viscous soil can easily lead to root rot due to lack of oxygen.
. The ideal soil formula is to mix "humus soil+river sand+garden soil" in a ratio of 2:1:1. humus soil provides abundant organic matter, river sand enhances drainage, and garden soil ensures soil structure stability. You can also directly purchase commercially available 'green plant specific nutrient soil', combined with 10% perlite, to further enhance breathability.Attention should be paid when changing pots: choose ceramic pots or purple clay pots with good breathability, and there must be drainage holes at the bottom (a layer of ceramic particles or broken tiles can be placed on the holes to prevent soil blockage);
; It is best to expose the new soil to direct sunlight for 1-2 days before use to kill insect eggs and bacteria; When planting, the root system should be extended, and the depth of soil cover should be just enough to cover the root system, to avoid burying the soil too deeply and causing stem base rot. In daily maintenance, if you find that the soil in the pot is compacted (slow water seepage after watering), you can loosen the soil once a month or insert a few bamboo sticks along the edge of the pot to help ventilate.2. Light: Scattered light nourishes, avoid direct sunlight
Brazilian woods is native to tropical Africa and has long grown under the shade of trees, forming a preference for semi shade.
. When maintaining indoors, it should be placed in a bright but non direct light location, such as the window sill on the east side of the living room, next to the bookshelf in the study, or 1-2 meters away from the south facing window. This environment can meet the needs of photosynthesis and prevent leaves from being sunburned. Adjust lighting in different seasons: In summer, when the sun is strong, use a gauze curtain to block 60% of the light, otherwise the leaves are prone to focal tips and yellow spots (especially for new leaves); In winter, the light is gentle, and the light exposure time can be appropriately increased. It can be placed on a south facing windowsill to receive oblique light, which helps plants accumulate nutrients and resist low temperatures; Spring and autumn are the peak seasons for growth, and sufficient scattered light is sufficient without the need for additional shade. If Bashi wood is left in a dark corner for a long time (such as a bathroom or storage room), it will cause the leaves to become thinner, the color to become lighter, and the stem to become excessively long (internodes to elongate). At this time, it should be gradually moved to a bright place (to avoid sudden exposure to sunlight) to allow the plant to adapt slowly.III. Watering: When dry or wet, avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Brazilian wood is drought resistant and afraid of waterlogging. Watering frequency should be flexibly adjusted according to the season, temperature, and the dryness and wetness of the soil in the pot.
. A simple method to determine the timing of watering is the "finger insertion test": insert your finger 2-3 centimeters into the potting soil. If the soil is dry and not sticky, you can water it; If it is still moist, wait another 1-2 days.The watering method is particular: slowly water along the edge of the pot, allowing the water to evenly penetrate the soil until the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot flows out, avoiding "half cut water" (only watering the surface, the roots have not absorbed the water);
Priority should be given to tap water (volatile chlorine gas) that has been left to stand for 1-2 days, or rainwater or cold boiled water with a water temperature close to room temperature (avoid stimulating roots with cold water in winter); Dry tip is a common problem. In addition to watering the root, you can also use a spray to spray water to the leaves 1-2 times a week (especially in dry summer) to maintain air humidity, but you should pay attention to not accumulating water in the leaf center to prevent rotting. The frequency of watering varies greatly depending on the season: summer is hot and the water evaporates quickly, so watering 1-2 times a week is recommended; In winter, the temperature is low and the plants enter a semi dormant state. Watering once every 2-3 weeks is sufficient; It grows vigorously in spring and autumn, and is watered about every 10 days. During the rainy season, it is necessary to move the flowerpot indoors to avoid waterlogging caused by rain.4. Temperature: Warm and suitable, avoid severe cold and frost
The most suitable growth temperature for Brazilian woods is 20-30 ℃, where it grows quickly and its leaves are shiny and shiny.
When the summer temperature exceeds 35 ℃, it is necessary to spray water on the leaves to cool down, or place the flower pot in a well ventilated location (such as an air-conditioned room, but avoid direct cold air) to prevent growth stagnation caused by high temperature stress.
Winter is a critical period for maintenance, and Basi wood has poor cold resistance. When the temperature is below 10 ℃, leaves may turn yellow and fall off. When the temperature is below 5 ℃, the root system may be frostbitten or even the entire plant may die.
. Therefore, in late October in northern regions, it is necessary to move it indoors and maintain a room temperature of 15-20 ℃; If the temperature occasionally drops below 10 ℃ in the southern region, plastic bags can be used to cover the plants (leaving ventilation holes), or a pot of hot water can be placed next to the flowerpot to increase the local temperature. Be careful to stay away from heat sources such as radiators and underfloor heating vents to prevent the blades from drying out.Fifth, Fertilization: Apply thin fertilizer frequently to avoid fertilizer damage
Brazilian wood does not have a high demand for fertilizer. Fertilization should be done once a month during the growth period (April September), and stopped in winter.
. In terms of fertilizer selection, organic fertilizers (such as decomposed sheep manure and soybean cake fertilizers) are suitable for promoting strong root systems, while inorganic fertilizers (such as compound fertilizers and green radish specific fertilizers) can quickly supplement nutrients. Alternating the use of the two yields better results. Fertilization method: Solid fertilizer should be buried along the edge of the pot (at least 5 centimeters away from the root system, avoiding contact with the root system), and then watered to dissolve; Liquid fertilizers need to be diluted and irrigated (with a concentration of 1/2 of the instruction manual), such as decomposed rice washing water (diluted 10 times) or compound fertilizer solution (1:1000 ratio); Foliar fertilizer can be used as a supplement. Spraying 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaves once a month can make them greener and more shiny. Excessive fertilization can lead to "fertilizer damage", manifested as burnt and yellowed leaves, and rotting roots. At this time, it is necessary to immediately irrigate the roots with clean water to dilute the fertilizer in the soil. In severe cases, it is necessary to remove the pot and replace it with new soil.6. Pruning and pot changing: Maintain plant shape and promote growth
Pruning mainly targets excessively long branches, diseased and weak branches, and yellow leaves: when the plant is too tall (beyond indoor space), the top branch can be shortened in spring (retaining 3-5 bud points), and the cut can be disinfected with plant ash. After pruning, new branches will sprout from below the cut, making the plant shape fuller;
; When a small amount of yellow tips appear on the leaves, they can be trimmed along the withered part of the leaf tip (cut at an oblique angle to avoid water accumulation at the cutting edge). If the entire leaf turns yellow, it can be directly cut from the base of the petiole to reduce nutrient consumption.It is recommended to change pots once a year in spring (April May), when the temperature is suitable and the plants recover quickly.
. Observe the root system when changing pots: If the root system is full and not rotten, some of the original soil (protective soil) can be retained and replaced with half of the new soil; If rotten roots (blackened or softened roots) are found, the rotten parts should be cut off, soaked in carbendazim solution for 10 minutes, air dried, and replanted. After changing the pot, place it in a scattered light area for 1-2 weeks to slow down the seedlings. During this period, stop watering and fertilizing, and wait for the new leaves to sprout before resuming normal maintenance. By mastering the above 6 points, Brazilian wood can grow vigorously indoors, with green leaves all year round. Even after 3-5 years of maintenance, white spike like inflorescences can be extracted from the leaf axils, emitting a faint fragrance. As a 'lazy green plant', Brazilian wood is not sentimental, but requires careful observation from its owner - the state of its leaves is its' language '. By adjusting the maintenance method in a timely manner, this greenery can accompany it for a long time.