◆ Tips on home flower cultivation
◆ Some measures to delay the flowering period
◆ Dwarf flower cultivation
◆ Flower growth and environmental conditions
◆ The total temperature required by flowers
◆ Several practical flower cultivation methods
◆ A guide to home flower cultivation
◆ Watering is the key to flower cultivation
◆ Cultivation and management of outdoor flowers
◆ Four taboos for southern flowers and northern flowers
◆ Classification of potted flower cultivation soil◆
Common indoor plant maintenance
◆ Indoor foliage plant maintenance
◆ Cultivation of indoor potted flowers
◆ How to repot and change soil for tree stump bonsai◆
Many benefits of warm water watering
◆ Cultivation of rooftop flowers
◆ Change of color of flowers
◆ What is the relationship between balcony temperature and flower cultivation
◆ 17 key points of gardening
◆ How to control the flowering period of plants

                        [Little knowledge about growing flowers at home]
 
The secret of growing flowers at home is to provide the flowers with the growth conditions they need, especially for southern flowers in the dry climate of the north. It is necessary to create a microclimate suitable for growth so that they can grow with abundant flowers, luxuriant branches and luxuriant leaves. Here are some tips for growing potted flowers at home.　　
▲Azalea: Azalea is one of the representatives of acid-loving plants. It likes a cool, humid and well-ventilated environment. The suitable growth temperature is 13℃ to 25℃. The relative humidity of the air should be maintained at 60% to 70% during the growth period, and the relative humidity can reach about 80% when flowering. Azalea likes light, but avoids direct sunlight. In spring and autumn, it is appropriate to increase shading. In midsummer, it is necessary to reach about 70% shading, and often spray water on the leaves to increase humidity and cool down. In summer, azalea should be placed outdoors for maintenance to facilitate ventilation. Thin fertilizer should be
applied frequently during the growth period, preferably farmyard manure, and it should be pruned after the flowers fall.　　
▲Ruby: A large perennial evergreen vine of the Araceae family. It likes warm and humid environment, prefers light, and is also shade-tolerant. The suitable temperature for growth is 15-25℃, and the minimum temperature for wintering is not less than 5℃. It likes loose, fertile, and organic-rich soil. It likes a lot of water and fertilizer during the growing season. Keep it in a semi-shaded place and pay attention to watering, but the pot soil should be alternately dry and wet, and no water should accumulate. It is advisable to apply decomposed cake fertilizer water or alum fertilizer water once every 10 days during the growing season. The temperature for wintering should be kept above 5℃.　　
Emerald: A perennial large vine of the Araceae family. The habits of emerald are the same as those of ruby. But it requires higher temperature and humidity. The suitable temperature for growth is 20-30℃, and the temperature for wintering is not less than 13℃.　　
▲Peacock arrowroot: A perennial evergreen herb of the Arrowroot family. The pot soil can be mixed with equal amounts of leaf mold and peat soil. Water it fully during the growing season to keep the pot soil moist, but too wet pot soil will cause root rot. Apply thin cake fertilizer liquid once every two weeks. In autumn and winter, it should be exposed to sunlight and shaded for a long time. It should be kept appropriately dry in winter. If it is too wet, the leaves will turn yellow and burn brown and fall off.　　
▲Pineapple: A perennial evergreen epiphytic herb of the Bromeliaceae family. It likes a warm, humid, and well-lit environment, and avoids strong direct sunlight in summer. The suitable temperature for growth is 22-28℃, and the temperature for wintering should be kept above 10℃. It needs to be kept moist during the growing period and spray water on the leaves. It can be properly dried in winter. Thin cake fertilizer liquid can be applied to the pot and leaf tube 1-2 times a month. In addition to shading in summer, sufficient light should be provided in other seasons.　　
▲Brazilian wood: An evergreen upright shrub or tree of the Agave family. It likes loose, breathable, and well-drained soil, and does not like heavy fertilizers. It is advisable to apply thin cake fertilizer water once a month during the growing period, and nutrient solution should be poured once a week for soilless cultivation. In spring, summer and autumn, the shade should be about 50%, and direct sunlight and wind should be avoided, but an overly shady environment will cause the leaves to fade and lose their patterns. Brazilian wood likes a humid environment, and the pot soil should maintain a certain humidity. Too dry or too wet will affect its normal growth.　　
▲ Clivia: A perennial evergreen herb of the Amaryllis family. It likes a warm, humid, cool, and semi-shady environment. The suitable temperature for growth is 15-25℃, and the suitable temperature for flowering is 15-20℃. It is relatively cold-resistant, not resistant to high temperatures, not resistant to water and humidity, and has a certain degree of drought resistance. It requires loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.　　
▲ Milan: An evergreen shrub of the Meliaceae family. It likes a warm, humid, and well-lit environment. When the temperature is above 25℃, it grows vigorously, and flower spikes are born in the axils of the top of the new branches. It is afraid of drought and cold, and the wintering temperature should be kept above 12℃. It requires loose, fertile, and slightly acidic soil. During the growing season, watering should be alternately dry and wet, and not too much watering. In summer, water should be sprayed on the leaves to increase humidity. It is advisable to apply rot cake fertilizer or alum fertilizer once every 2 weeks. After flowering, proper pruning should be carried out, dead branches and overcrowded branches should be cut off, and branches in the central part should be shortened and pinched to promote a large number of side branches, so as to facilitate the flourishing of flowers and leaves in the next year. In winter, it needs to be maintained indoors in a sunny place above 12℃.　
▲ Cyclamen: Cyclamen is a light-loving and low-temperature flower. The suitable growth temperature is 12-20℃, and the temperature should not exceed 30℃, otherwise it will be difficult to survive the summer. To make the flower buds flourish, sufficient sunlight should be given during the budding period, placed in a sunny place indoors, and phosphate fertilizer should be applied every 1 week. It is best to use 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate compound fertilizer (containing zinc, boron, molybdenum, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron, sulfur and other trace elements) solution for watering, and the amount per pot is about 150 ml. Water once every one or two days to keep the soil moist. Do not water heavily. Water only when the soil is dry. However, avoid excessive drying of the soil. Excessive drying will damage the root hairs and wilt the upper part of the plant, and it will be difficult to recover even if you water heavily. The water temperature should be close to the room temperature when watering. ▲　　
Poinsettia: Euphorbiaceae. It likes warm, humid and sunny weather. It is not strict on soil, and grows better in slightly acidic (PH6) fertile sandy loam. It is not cold-resistant. It needs to be placed in a greenhouse before frost, and it is best to keep 16-18℃. When the temperature is lower than 15℃, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. It is advisable to avoid direct sunlight in summer. It is a short-day plant. Under the conditions of 18℃-20℃ and 8-9 hours of light per day, it can bloom in about 50 days. Repot the dormant plants around Qingming Festival and replace them with new culture soil. Pinch the tops 1-3 times during the growing season to promote more branches. Move it indoors in early October, keep it at around 20℃, and not less than 15℃ at night, keep a relatively stable temperature and sufficient sunlight to make the leaves change color and bloom.
▲ Pachira aquatica: For newly introduced plants, there is no need to change the pot in the same year, do not apply nitrogen fertilizer, control the growth of young branches, and prevent the tree from being skewed. Pachira aquatica has a strong adaptability to water. Even if it is watered outdoors or not watered indoors for more than ten days, it will not cause waterlogging and drought to cause the leaves to turn yellow. Water it indoors every 3 to 5 days in summer, and every 5 to 10 days in spring and autumn. In winter, it depends on the room temperature, and it is better to keep the pot soil slightly damp. If the room temperature is around 12℃, water it once a month. It is both shade-tolerant and sunlight-loving, and has strong adaptability. In weak light for a long time, the branches are thin, the petioles droop, and the leaves are light green. Do not change the yin and yang position of the pot in management. It likes a warm environment and is not cold-resistant. The adapted growth temperature is 18 to 30℃. If the newly bought bonsai plants grow vigorously and the pot is really too small, you can also change the pot in July and August when the plants are in semi-dormant state during the high temperature period. Be careful to keep the mother soil from dispersing, and water them enough after planting to avoid affecting their growth. This tree species has strict requirements for potting soil and prefers acidic sandy loam with good drainage and humus.　　
▲ Kumquat: Keep the potting soil semi-dry and semi-wet, spray the branches and leaves once every three to five days to keep the leaves clean. In summer, supply sufficient water, spray water once in the morning and evening every day, but control watering appropriately before the new shoots emerge, and apply thin nitrogen-containing alum fertilizer water. When the new buds sprout and grow to about 10 to 15 cm, pinch the top once to make the branches full and mature. After the branches grow evenly, apply phosphorus-containing alum fertilizer water again to promote flower bud differentiation. After the flower buds appear in the leaf axils, thin the flowers appropriately, leaving 1 to 2 flowers in each leaf axil. After fruiting, 3 to 4 fruits are retained on the thick branches, and only 1 to 2 fruits are left on the branches, so that the fruits of the whole plant are evenly distributed and more nutrients can be maintained. After fruiting, be careful to remove the autumn shoots to prevent the second fruiting. After fruiting, keep the pot soil moist to facilitate fruit growth.　
▲ Rubber tree: Moraceae fig (ficus) genus. Evergreen tree, rubber tree likes warm and humid climate conditions. Rubber tree is generally placed in semi-shaded place indoors and cannot receive too much direct sunlight. After arranging the position, do not move it. This is because the rubber tree has a stubborn originality, but if it grows too strongly in one direction, it can be appropriately changed in direction, and its growth is balanced. Temperature fluctuations in the short term are harmful to its growth, and the temperature in winter is not lower than 12℃. If it is in low temperature for a long time, especially if it is watered more, it will cause death. The amount of watering depends on the temperature. The water demand is relatively large in spring and summer, and a small amount of water is enough during the dormant period. Keep the pot soil moist and master the principle of wet rather than dry. Fertilize every 10 days during the growing season, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the growth stop or dormant period. Repot every two to three years. The substrate is generally a mixture of garden soil and peat soil with a small amount of sand. The soil is slightly acidic. Prune when repotting to promote the growth of lateral buds and complete the tree shape.
▲Golden Heart Chlorophytum: Chlorophytum genus, Liliaceae. Perennial dwarf evergreen herb, likes warm, humid and semi-shady environment. It does not affect the ornamental effect whether it is placed in a strong light or dark place. It can grow normally if the temperature in winter is not lower than 7℃. ▲Aloe: Aloe genus, Liliaceae. It adapts to the environment of moist spring, dry, warm and sunny environment in autumn and winter. In summer, it can be placed in a sunny place outdoors. The more sunshine, the more beautiful the leaves and the more abundant the flowers. In winter, it should be placed in good light and above 5℃. The growth temperature in summer is 20-30℃. Water moderately in summer and less in winter. Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season. Change the pot every 2-3 years. The potting soil is leaf mold, crushed clay and perlite in a ratio of 1:1:1.                       [Some measures to delay the flowering period] When does the flower plant bloom and how long can it bloom
?         Each flower has a certain rule, which is the natural flowering period. With the improvement of people's cultural living standards and the increase of international exchanges, the demand for cut flowers has been expanding, and it is required to supply flowers in a balanced manner throughout the four seasons and to meet the concentrated demand for flowers during major festivals. It is far from enough to cultivate flowers by conventional methods and supply flowers according to the natural flowering period. Therefore, it is necessary to use artificial methods to make flowers bloom according to human will. This technology is called flowering period control or flowering extension in floriculture.
 

 

      1. Temperature treatment

       1. Increase the temperature

       Promote flowering. Most flowers grow slowly and bloom late in winter due to low temperatures. If these flowers are heated in the greenhouse, the formation of flower buds and flowering can be accelerated. For these plants, raising the temperature can make them bloom earlier. For example, peonies can bloom in 30-35 days after heating; weeping begonias can bloom in just 10-15 days.

       2. Lower the temperature

       Prolong the dormancy period and delay flowering. Before the temperature rises in early spring, put cold-resistant flowers and trees into a cold room to allow them to continue dormancy and delay flowering. The cold room should be kept at 1℃-3℃ and illuminated with weak light for several hours every day. Take them out in advance according to the scheduled flowering period, place them in a cool place away from wind and sun, and carefully maintain them to allow them to sprout and grow. Then carry out normal management and they will bloom.

       Lower the temperature to slow down growth and delay flowering. Move budding or newly opened flowers into a low-temperature room of 2℃-5℃ to delay flowering and extend the flowering time. Such as chrysanthemums, geraniums, hydrangeas, cinerarias, gladiolus, roses, daffodils, etc.

       Lower the temperature to avoid the heat and make flowers that are not resistant to high temperatures bloom. Cyclamen and fuchsia have poor flowering or dormancy in high temperature seasons. If the temperature can be lowered between July and September, they can bloom continuously.

       Treat seeds or seedlings with low temperatures to make them pass the vernalization stage, change autumn sowing to spring sowing, and change the flowering period. This method is suitable for some biennial flowers, and the treatment temperature is 0-5℃.

       2. Lighting treatment

        Some flowers have obvious long-day or short-day habits. During the non-flowering season of certain plants, we can artificially manipulate the length of light required for the flowers to bloom, so that they can bloom in the season when they did not bloom.

       1. Short-day treatment: In the long-day season, cover the short-day plants with black cloth or black paper, and shade them for a certain number of hours every day to promote flowering.

       2. Long-day treatment. In the short-day season, using electric lights to supplement lighting and create a long-day environment can promote the flowering of long-day plants. In addition, long-day conditions can also be used to prevent short-day plants from flowering.

        3. Reverse the light and dark to change the night flowering habit. The county flower usually blooms at night, which is inconvenient to appreciate. If you block the sunlight during the day when the flower buds grow 2 cm to 3 cm, and illuminate them at night, you can make them bloom during the day and extend the flowering time.

       3. Chemical treatment

       Treating flowers with chemicals that stimulate plant growth and dormancy can advance or inhibit flowering and change the flowering period. Commonly used chemicals include ether, monochloroethanol, gibberellin, naphthylacetic acid, 2-4D, colchicine, etc. Among these chemicals, hormones are used more frequently.

       4. Control of cultivation technology

       1. Master the propagation and planting time to control the flowering period. Many herbaceous flowers need a certain amount of time from propagation to flowering, and the propagation time can be adjusted to control the flowering period. For example, if dwarf aster is sown on July 20, it will bloom on the 11th day of the twelfth lunar month 70 days later.

       2. Use pinching and pruning to control the flowering period. Some flowers have the habit of blooming continuously. After the vegetative growth reaches a certain extent, pruning or pinching can be used to control its growth and achieve the purpose of controlling the flowering period.

        3. Control the flowering period by controlling water and fertilizer. Some plants can differentiate flower buds early to reproduce in the special high temperature and drought environment in summer. This habit can also be used to adjust the flowering period. For example, in Beijing, when the new shoots grow to 18 cm-20 cm, watering is controlled. When the plants wilt, water them again to restore them. Repeat this several times, the plum blossoms will differentiate dense flower buds and bloom in the same year. 

 
                         【Flower dwarfing cultivation】
 
1. Choose dwarf varieties. The characteristics of dwarf varieties are that they have many buds, strong branching ability, low branching position, large branching angle, short internodes, and compact plant shape. The main root is not obvious, the lateral roots are well-developed, and there are many fibrous roots.
2.
Cultivate short and strong seedlings. Use nutrient pots to cultivate seedlings, limit the depth of the main root, promote the development of fibrous roots, and correspondingly inhibit the growth of above-ground stems and leaves.

3. Prepare the culture soil. The culture soil is the foundation of potted flowers. It should be rich in organic matter, have a good aggregate structure, be fertile and loose, and have comprehensive nutrition. It is made by mixing and composting leaf mold, garden soil, pond mud, peat soil, river sand, organic fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, bone meal, plant ash, etc. The pH value is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, and it should be adjusted according to the adaptability of different flower varieties to pH.
4.
Cut the radicle and pot it. When potting flower seedlings, cut the radicle (main root) short. When transplanting, spread the lateral roots to the surroundings and fill the soil in layers. For example, when potting chrysanthemums, only add two-thirds of the culture soil at the beginning. As the plant grows, gradually add soil, bury a few old leaves at the base, promote the thickening of the trunk, grow thick leaves near the pot mouth, and make the plant short and strong.
5.
Repot, control fertilizer, and regulate water. Potted flowers are mainly based on nutrient soil and fertilizer. Therefore, the culture soil should be constantly updated through potting. Generally, the potting should be changed once every 1 to 2 years. According to the growth of the plant, small pots should be replaced with large pots, and old soil should be replaced with new soil. Combined with potting, root pruning and branch pruning should be carried out to improve the tree structure and promote short and strong growth. Control nitrogen fertilizer, increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and avoid excessive waterlogging and humidity to prevent leggy growth, root rot and seedling death. Especially during the peak growth period, water and fertilizer should be controlled to ensure that the pot soil is dry and wet, save water and reduce fertilizer, promote stable growth, achieve more branches, more flowers, dense nodes and short branches, and dwarf plants.
6.
Strengthen pruning and shaping. When flowers and trees grow to a certain height, pinch the tops in time, adopt the opening branch angle and twist and bend branch shaping, inhibit the top growth advantage, shorten the nutrient growth cycle, and promote flowering and fruiting.
7.
Chemical regulation. Use chemical synthetic growth inhibitors to promote dwarfing. When transplanting flower seedlings into pots, mix a certain amount of paclobutrazol into the culture soil, spray or water 0.15% to 0.25% paclobutrazol during the growth period, or use growth inhibitors such as chlormequat, B9, etc., which can inhibit cell elongation and promote cell division and thickening growth, so as to achieve the purpose of fat leaves and strong branches, dwarfed and compact crowns, and abundant flowers and bright fruits, thus improving the ornamental value.
 
 
                       [Flower Growth and Environmental Conditions]

    Most amateur flower lovers take good care of flowers as if they were their own treasures. Some grow flowers with luxuriant leaves, while others often fail to bloom or die. So people say that growing flowers requires "flower scent". In fact, the so-called "flower scent" refers to the environmental conditions suitable for the growth of flowers. These environmental conditions include: temperature, light, water, air, soil, fertilizer and so on. Each flower has its own unique requirements for these environmental conditions. Only by understanding their habits and creating an artificial, suitable micro-environment according to the temperature, humidity, light and other conditions of their place of origin can the various organs of flowers grow and develop healthily and be graceful to welcome guests. There    
    are many factors to grow flowers well, especially the factors to grow potted flowers on the balcony. To grow flowers well, at least you need to have the following three basic knowledge. 
(1) You need to understand the functions of the organs of various parts of flowers and trees. Flowers and trees generally have six organs: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Roots can fix flowers and trees in the soil and absorb water and nutrients from the soil. The stem can support leaves, flowers, and fruits, and transport water and nutrients absorbed from the roots and organic nutrients made by the leaves. Leaves can produce organic nutrients and also perform respiration and transpiration. Although the functions of the roots, stems, and leaves are different, they are all related to the nutrition of flowers and trees, so they are all nutritional organs. 
  Flowers and trees bloom after they grow and mature, and produce fruits after the flowers fade. The fruits contain seeds. The mature seeds fall into a suitable environment and grow new flowers and trees. Flowers, fruits, seeds, etc. are all related to the reproduction of offspring, so they are all reproductive organs. 
(2) You need to understand the growth habits of flowers and trees. Some flowers and trees like the sun, while others tolerate the shade; some like warmth, while others tolerate cold; some are afraid of cold, while others are afraid of heat; some like the sun in winter, but need shade in summer; generally, flowers and trees like loose soil, while some like heavy clay soil; some flowers and trees have strict requirements on the pH value of the soil, while others do not; generally, flowers and trees like fertilizer, while a few do not. 
(3) It is necessary to understand the characteristics of the climate, soil and other conditions in the places of origin of various flowers and trees. What impact do these characteristics have on their growth habits? How were they introduced? What changes have occurred after introduction? After clarifying these conditions, you can choose flowers and trees suitable for the local area to plant, and you can also artificially create a special microclimate environment and soil type that meets the needs of different flowers and trees. In this way, you don’t have to plant jasmine in a shaded window or hosta on a sunny balcony. Otherwise, even if the flower grower works hard, he still can’t grow flowers well. 
  After clarifying the functions of the various organs of flowers and trees, and understanding the growth habits of flowers and trees and their relationship with external environmental conditions, you can plant them according to their rules and achieve the desired goal of growing flowers well.  

 
                    【Total temperature required by flowers】

    Flowers need to reach a certain total temperature in their growth cycle to thrive. The total temperature includes the annual average temperature, the lowest temperature in winter, and the accumulated temperature during the growth period. 
     Different flowers have different requirements for accumulated temperature, which is closely related to their own ecological habits, the length of the growth period, the size of the temperature difference between day and night, etc. For example, roses need an accumulated temperature of 300-400℃ from budding to flowering, while azaleas need 800-750℃, which is similar to the temperature conditions in their places of origin. Whether in greenhouses or open-field cultivation, the temperature and lighting conditions are different due to different conditions such as sun exposure, shade, ventilation conditions, and distance from heat sources or doors and windows. In order to ensure appropriate temperature and provide sufficient accumulated temperature, warm-loving flowers such as poinsettias, glass jades, and cacti can be placed in places with higher temperatures (the minimum temperature must not be lower than 8℃); white jasmine, jasmine, hibiscus, geraniums, etc. can be placed in places with slightly lower temperatures; oleander, roses, chrysanthemums, etc. can be placed in places with lower temperatures (the minimum temperature should not be lower than 5℃). As for general flowers, as long as they maintain the appropriate temperature or slightly above the appropriate temperature, they can meet their growth needs. For example, in an environment of 20°C, it only takes two months for ivory red to form flower buds and bloom, while in an environment of 15°C, it takes three months to form flower buds and may not bloom. It can be seen that good heat conditions are very beneficial to the growth, reproduction and quality improvement of flowers.  

 
                       [Several practical methods of growing flowers]

         1. Cultivating flower seedlings with fire, soil and ash

         Flower seedlings in conventional soil are prone to damping-off and sudden wilt, which can cause seedling death. Using fire ash and coal ash as seedling medium can effectively inhibit soil infectious diseases and improve seedling emergence rate and quality.

         Advantages of using fire soil ash to grow seedlings: After high-temperature incineration, it becomes a sterile soil that can effectively prevent the occurrence of diseases; fire soil ash or coal ash is granular, has good air permeability, and is not easy to become compacted, which can make the plant root system develop and be strong, and the seed germination rate is high; it is highly hydrophobic and not easily waterlogged, which can prevent seed rot, root rot, and seedling death caused by waterlogging.

         Usage: Sieve the burnt earth ash or stove coal ash, spread the coarse particles on the lower layer of the seedbed with a thickness of 15 to 20 cm, and spread the fine ash on the surface with a thickness of about 5 cm. Sow the seeds, germinate them, and cover them with fine ash after sowing. Then sprinkle water to soak them, cover them with grass or mulch to keep them moist and warm. For cutting seedlings, cover them with film first and then cut them. Achieve the coordination of temperature, humidity and air, prevent the seeds from rotting and dying, germinate, take root and emerge quickly and neatly, and the seedlings grow strong. However, the organic nutrient content of earth ash and coal ash is low, and the water retention performance is poor. Therefore, in the management process, it is necessary to water them in a timely and appropriate amount, keep them moist, and apply fertilizers in small amounts and multiple times.

         2. Homemade flower fertilizer

         Homemade flower fertilizer is made from the organic fertilizer liquid that is fermented by soaking and composting the remains of animals and plants. It has the advantages of simple production method, wide source of raw materials, rich organic matter and comprehensive nutrients, safe use, and economical and efficient.

         How to make your own flower fertilizer:

       (1) Plant soaking liquid. You can use the stems and leaves of green manure crops such as potato, alfalfa, rapeseed, radish, and legumes, or the residues of edible vegetables, chop them up and put them in a jar for soaking and fermentation. Use the decomposed juice directly or dilute it with water to water the flowers.

        (2) Use rice water to water flowers. Rice water is rich in starch and a variety of trace elements. Using it to water flowers can increase soil organic matter and nutrients, promote the growth of flowers, enhance their resistance to stress, and improve flower quality. However, rice water should be decomposed before use.

        (3) When eating animals such as chicken, duck, and fish, make full use of their feathers, blood, internal organs, bones, scales and other remains. Add 5 to 10 times the amount of water, soak and seal for fermentation, and use the soaking liquid to water the flowers after it is fully decomposed.

        3. Three taboos in fertilization time

        (1) Avoid fertilizing during the flowering period. Fertilizing during the flowering period, especially nitrogen fertilizer, will stimulate vegetative growth, reduce the nutrients available to the flower organs, inhibit flower development, delay the flowering period, cause flower scorch, premature flower withering, and shorten the flowering period.

       (2) Avoid fertilizing on rainy days and at night. In early spring and late autumn, on rainy days and at night, the temperature is low, leaf transpiration and root absorption capacity are reduced, fertilizer utilization is low, and fertilizer accumulation increases soil solution concentration, which can easily damage roots.

       (3) Avoid applying fertilizers in hot and sunny weather. Fertilization in hot and sunny weather can easily cause physiological metabolic disorders in the plant, causing the branches and leaves to wilt and turn yellow, and the flowers to wither.

                             
                          [A guide to growing flowers at home]

   1. How to prolong the flowering period of flowers in a vase?
    Generally, you can use 1/3000 aspirin aqueous solution or 1/4000 potassium permanganate aqueous solution in the flower container, or add appropriate amount of salt, boric acid, etc.; the ends of some woody flowers such as ivory red, silver willow, peach blossom, etc. can be cut by fire, and the wound can be cut off after burning and inserted into the vase; lilac, peony, hydrangea, magnolia, etc. can cut the ends of the branches, embed small sand grains to prop them open, and then insert them into the vase. All of the above can prolong the flowering period of flowers in the vase.
    2. How to prepare the culture soil for potted flowers?
    Generally, potted flowers and trees are prepared with 3 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of garden soil (loess on the surface of the garden), 2 parts of stable manure, and 2 parts of rice husk ash. This culture soil has loose texture, good water permeability, and rich nutrients, which is suitable for planting potted flowers.
    3. Why do potted flowers need to be repotted and soil changed?
    After the development and growth of potted flowers, the plants are growing stronger and taller. The original flower pots are too small and the fertility in the pot soil is exhausted, which can no longer meet the growth needs of the root system. Therefore, it is necessary to repot and change the soil. The soil change should be determined according to the different growth periods of different types of flowers and trees, and is generally carried out every two to three years.
    4. What should be paid attention to when dividing orchids
    ? First, master the time of dividing the pots, which is generally carried out during the dormant period after flowering. Orchids that bloom in spring should be divided from late September to November or before the new buds sprout; orchids that bloom in summer and autumn should be divided from early to late April. Second, wash the roots and leaves for planting. After the pot soil is fully dried, gently take out the plant, remove the soil, cut off the rotten roots and broken roots, wash the roots and leaves with clean water, dry them, and wait until the orchid roots become soft. Use scissors to cut the pseudobulbs with large gaps, apply charcoal powder or sulfur powder on the cut ends (to prevent bacterial infection), and then plant them. Third, the roots of the seedlings should be in close contact with the pot soil. When planting, point the new buds outward to facilitate growth. When potting, place the plant in the middle of the pot so that the roots are evenly distributed. Hold the seedling in one hand and fill the culture soil with the other hand. Shake the pot while filling the soil to make the roots close to the soil. Fourth, water thoroughly. After potting, water thoroughly and place it in a slightly humid place away from the wind. Control the amount of water appropriately until the new buds sprout.
    5. How to master the watering of potted flowers and trees at home?
    First, understand the habits of different types of flowers and plants in terms of how much water they need at each stage of growth and development. Second, master the watering based on the weather, temperature and humidity, the size of the flowers and trees, the type of flower pots, the texture of the pot soil and the degree of dryness and wetness. Third, water thoroughly. When potted flowers need water, the amount of water should be based on the uniform wetness of the top soil to the bottom soil of the pot. Avoid wetness on the top and dryness on the bottom. Fourth, make sure that the water temperature is close to the soil temperature. Arrange watering time according to different seasons: before 10 am in spring and autumn, before 8 am in summer, and 2 pm in winter.
   6. How to prevent and control the leaf-eating moth (leatherworm)?
    For a small amount, remove the cysts by hand after the cocoon is formed, peel out the adult insects and feed them to chickens and birds. When the larvae are harmful, spray with 1000-1500 times diluted 90% crystal trichlorfon.
   7. How to prevent and control the cactus scale on the stems and leaves of cacti, Christmas cactus, Epiphyllum, and Euphorbia milii?
    During the nymph hatching period, spray with 800-1000 times diluted 25% phosmet emulsion; or 1500 times diluted 40% omethoate emulsion; or 1000-1500 times diluted 80% dichlorvos emulsion; or 2000 times diluted 50% trichlorfon emulsion. For home flower gardening, a small amount can be washed off with an old toothbrush dipped in soap.
    8. How to fertilize cactus plants?
    If the pot soil is relatively fertile, during the peak growth season of cacti, apply bean cake liquid fertilizer that fully utilizes fermentation once a month (note that thin fertilizer should be applied frequently, 20% fertilizer plus 80% water each time). In order to make the flowers more luxuriant and beautiful, it is best to apply 500 times potassium dihydrogen phosphate liquid before bud formation. Fertilizer should not be applied when the temperature is low or too high or during the dormant period of cacti.
    9. How to make cacti plants spend the winter safely?
    In winter, they should be moved indoors to keep warm and pay attention to controlling the amount of water. The drier the pot soil, the more cold-resistant it is. The room temperature is generally kept at 
around 15℃ and it can still grow, it is green and lovely, and some can even bloom flowers. It can be placed in a glass frame or a plastic shed at home to spend the winter. If the room temperature is low, the cactus is in a dormant state, and it should still be given sunlight during the dormant period. If it is always placed in the shade, it will be easily burned by sudden strong light after the spring.
    10. How to control the watering of cacti?
    Cactus plants are drought-resistant, but it should never be assumed that they require a dry environment at all times. If they are not watered properly, the plants will shrink and age. In the central China region, the dormant period is from November to March of the following year. Watering should be restrained, and watering should be done once every two weeks or so. The growing season from April to October should be fully watered. The higher the temperature, the more water should be poured, but the drainage must be good and water should not accumulate. When watering, for some spherical species with concave tops, be careful not to pour water into the concave area to prevent the growth point from rotting. In addition, for some species with fine long hairs, be careful not to splash water on the long hairs to affect the appearance.
    11. What is the key to the survival of cactus cuttings?
    First, the soil should be very loose. Coarse sand, sawdust, etc. can be used as cutting soil. These materials have large gaps, are water-permeable and breathable, and are conducive to rooting. Second, the cut part is used as cuttings. The cuttings should be dried in the shade for about 10 days, and then a layer of callus tissue grows on the surface of the incision before cutting. Otherwise, the cut is very easy to get infected and rot. Third, the humidity should be controlled at about 25℃ for cuttings, which is conducive to rooting. The soil for cuttings should have a certain humidity, not too wet, otherwise it is easy to cause the cut to rot.
    12. How to make crape myrtle bloom and flourish every year?
    Crape myrtle likes warm and humid climate. It likes light and is slightly shade-tolerant. It likes fertility. It is drought-resistant and afraid of waterlogging. It has strong sprouting ability. To make crape myrtle bloom and flourish every year, in addition to applying organic mixed fertilizer once after the leaves fall and before flowering every year, it is mainly necessary to pay attention to pruning, in addition to pruning dead branches and diseased branches, because the flower buds of crape myrtle are formed on the branches of the year, you can cut off the old branches of the year after the leaves fall in winter or before the spring sprouts, so that the strong branches will sprout again and bloom luxuriantly.
   13. How to propagate camellia by cuttings?
    Cuttings are taken from mid-to-late June to early July when the humidity is high and the temperature is not too high. Cuttings should be selected from branches that are strong and healthy, with dark green and smooth leaves, 2-2.5 cm internodes, and 10 cm long. Each spike should have 1-3 top leaves. For small-scale propagation of flowers at home, you can use mountain mud, culture soil, vermiculite, perlite and other drainage and air permeable cutting soils for pot cuttings. After cutting, place it in a cool and ventilated place, water it thoroughly, keep the bed soil moist, spray the leaves 3-4 times a day when it is dry, and it will take root after three weeks.
   14. When should chrysanthemums be cut? How to propagate by cuttings?
    Generally, cuttings are taken in May and June. Cut the branches about 8-10 cm long and with 2-4 nodes from the new branches (young branches of the current year) sprouted from the old plants of the previous year, cut flat 0.2 cm below the lowest node (leaf base), remove the lower half of the leaves, cut off half of the upper leaves, and insert them into the pot soil to a depth of about 1/3 of the total length of the cuttings. After inserting, compact the soil at the base of the cuttings, water thoroughly, and place the flower pot in a shaded place. In the future, spray water every morning and evening. After a week, you can see the morning and evening sunlight. After half a month, slightly increase the light time. It will start to take root after 20 days, and apply thin fertilizer after a month.
    15. How to care for Chlorophytum? How to manage in winter?
    Chlorophytum likes warm, humid and semi-shaded places, and is not drought-resistant. Domestic Chlorophytum should be kept away from the sun in summer and placed indoors for viewing during the day. If conditions permit, place it outdoors in a sheltered place at night (but ventilated). According to the growth situation, in April in spring, division propagation is combined with repotting, and it is placed in a semi-shaded place after repotting. The soil requires looseness, rich in humus and good drainage. Too wet or too dry soil will cause the branches and leaves to turn yellow. Usually, you can spray the leaves with clean water to keep the leaves clean and moist. In winter, it should be cultivated indoors at about 15℃ to avoid frost damage.
    16. After the cyclamen blooms, is the bulb still useful? Can it bloom again next year?
    In theory, the bulbs of cyclamen can be kept and cultivated after they have bloomed. However, there is only a 50% chance that they will grow well and bloom again next year. If you want to keep them, you can control the watering until the upper part of the plant withers after the flowers wither in the spring. Then store the bulbs and pots in a cool place outdoors and water them only twice a month. Repot in July or August, then gradually increase the amount of watering and move to a bright place (but not in the sun). After 4-6 weeks of maintenance, if the cyclamen still does not grow vigorously, you have to abandon it.
    17. Is Dieffenbachia poisonous? Can it be planted in water?
    If you chew the stems of Dieffenbachia, its juice will make you unable to speak for a period of time, but there is no other toxicity. Dieffenbachia can be grown in water and can grow roots to maintain growth and development for a long time, but it is best planted in soil (ratio: 2 parts humus, 1 part sand or vermiculite) to get a normal nutrient supply.
    18. When can we cut the healthy and strong ivy branches outdoors for propagation and use them as indoor foliage plants in winter?
    After the rainy season, when the ivy branches have enough water, cut them. Each cutting is 18-25 cm long. Wash them in soapy water, remove the leaves below 1/3 of the cuttings (otherwise, the water quality will easily become rotten and deteriorate if they are immersed in water), immerse the cuttings 1/3 deep in a bucket of water, and place them in the shade, and let them grow naturally. Ivy inserted in water in August will take root faster than those inserted in autumn and winter.
    19. What is the reason for the yellowing of leaves of indoor foliage ferns?
    Too much sunlight, too little fertilizer, too dry air, and too much or too little watering can cause the fern leaves to turn yellow. Ferns like bright places, but they are not suitable for growing in the sun. During the growth period, apply a balanced thin liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Some ferns, such as Boston fern, nest fern, and maidenhair fern, require higher humidity to grow well.
    20. What are the growing conditions of Boston fern? How to propagate?
    Boston fern prefers loose garden soil rich in humus (preparation: 2 parts sandy loam, 2 parts humus soil, 1 part sand or vermiculite). It grows best in a temperature of 12-17℃, with sufficient light but no sunlight. It is difficult to propagate Boston fern by division, but it is easier to propagate and root by layering of runners.
    21. How much water do ferns need to be watered?
    Ferns like humid air, but most home environments are dry. Therefore, to cultivate shade-loving ferns, it is usually necessary to water more to supplement humidity. Generally, ferns are sprayed with lukewarm water with a fine-hole spray bottle every day, which can also drive away pests. In addition, water once a week by immersion irrigation to ensure that the roots at the bottom of the pot have sufficient water. The pot can also be placed on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water to keep the bottom of the pot of potted ferns moist.

    22. Can you make your own fertilizer for flower gardening at home? How to make your own fertilizer?
    You can collect the leftover vegetable leaves, vegetable roots, bean shells, melon and fruit peels, fish scales, fish intestines, chicken, duck, crab, shrimp bones and residues, spoiled soybeans, peanuts, etc., add rice washing water, soak them in a jar or jar, seal them, wait for fermentation and rot, and then add clean water to apply. This is a good organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Or you can dilute the leftover tofu slurry or milk residue, as well as the egg white washed from the eggshell with water and then apply it to the basin.

    23. How to grow Acorus calamus in water?
    Acorus calamus likes shade and moisture, so it is better to grow it in water than in soil. However, only the roots can be immersed in water, not the leaves. It is best to place it in the shade of flowers, so that it can be exposed to wind and dew, but not to the sun. In the hot summer, the water basin of Acorus calamus should be placed in the shade of flowers all day long, except for visitors to watch, to avoid the heat consuming nutrients.
    It is best to grow it in water with large old roots, and the old roots are higher than the mud surface and winding like a dragon, but it is not easy to find. Scattered small plants of Acorus calamus can be tangled into a ball, then wrapped with palm skin and placed in a basin of water, but the roots of small plants of Acorus calamus are very short, so it is not easy to form a ball or wrap them. You can use enameled wire to string these Acorus calamus into a ball (note: do not damage the old roots), and then use enameled wire to surround them several times. Even after being immersed in water and pressed by stones, it is not easy to fall apart. 
 
 
                       【Watering is the key to flower cultivation】
 
    A proverb says: "Whether a flower lives or not depends on water, and whether it grows or not depends on fertilizer." Watering is the key to the success or failure of flower cultivation. Many beginners are confused about how much water to water: "The book says that it should not be too much or too little, so what is considered neither too much nor too little?" In fact, the amount of watering depends on what kind of flower you are planting, whether it likes dryness, moisture, or semi-dryness. You must not treat all flowers the same. If you have 10 pots of flowers planted at home, you should water them all and dry them all. Water is the source of plant life, but an overly humid soil environment will make the roots of some flowers that like dryness unable to breathe, and then the roots will rot and die. If the roots die, the flowers will certainly not survive. Therefore, if you want to grow flowers well, the first step is to find out the water requirements of each flower. First, you have to keep them alive, and then you can talk about blooming. 

How to water potted flowers?  
  Potted flowers are subject to specific environmental conditions, so watering is not only troublesome, but also the key to success or failure. To water them properly, you must first understand the natural habits of different varieties of flowers and how much water they need at different stages of growth and development; you also need to consider the weather, temperature and humidity, the type of flowerpot, the size of the plant, and the texture of the soil in the pot. 

  There are roughly the following situations and methods for watering potted flowers: 
(1) Watering should be done before 10 a.m. in spring, summer, and autumn, and at 2 p.m. in winter. Keep the water temperature close to the soil temperature, slightly higher in winter and slightly lower in summer. However, the temperature difference between water and soil should not exceed about 5°C, and the amount of water should be used to make the pot surface and the bottom of the pot uniformly moist. Avoid watering in the middle (wet on top and dry on the bottom) or water accumulation (water accumulation at the bottom of the pot). Also, avoid losing soil and fertilizer through the holes in the pot, which will cause a cavity in the center of the pot and seriously affect the growth and development of potted flowers. When watering, pay attention to flowers that prefer dryness, and control the amount of watering. Keep the pot soil slightly moist, with white stubble visible on the surface of the soil, but not completely dry. Flowers that prefer moisture often keep the pot soil moist, with no white stubble on the surface of the soil, but do not allow water to accumulate for a long time. 

(2) Finding water: During dry seasons, water the pot soil between 15:00 and 16:00 to keep the soil moist. If the weather changes suddenly and water is needed under special circumstances, watering is not limited by time or frequency. 

(3) When the flowers in the water pot are in the peak growth and development period, in order to grow branches, promote flowering and fruiting, you can increase the amount of watering combined with topdressing to keep the topsoil free of white stubble and the leaves from wilting. 

(4) When the water lily is dormant or in low temperature seasons, or to stun the seedlings, promote bud formation, prevent excessive growth, and correct the phenomenon of water rhubarb leaves and bud drop, the amount of watering should be appropriately controlled to keep the soil moist, and loosen the soil to retain moisture. 

(5) Spraying water In the dry seasons of spring and autumn, in addition to normal watering and holding water, you should spray water on the leaves and the flower beds to increase the humidity of the environment, prevent the young leaves from burning and the flowers from withering early, and keep the plants fresh. In particular, flowers in the south should pay more attention to the humid environment. In summer, when it suddenly clears up after rain or it is hot at night, you should spray water to cool down and prevent diseases; at any time, spray water on the leaves to prevent residual water drops and dust on the leaves from condensing into stains that are difficult to remove. 

    Watering potted flowers is a regular labor. The above methods should be used flexibly, step by step, and persevere.  
 
 
                        [Cultivation and management of open-field flowers]
 
    1. For sowing, choose seeds that are well-developed, large and full, with a high germination rate and free of pests and diseases. Deeply plow the seedbed, rake the surface of the bed, water thoroughly, and sow after the water has completely seeped in. The thickness of the soil is twice the diameter of the seed. After sowing, cover with soaked straw or reed curtains to maintain humidity. If the surface of the bed is dry before the seedlings emerge, you can spray water on the reed curtain, but you cannot water the bed to avoid scattering the seeds and affecting the emergence of the seedlings. Remove the covering when the leaves emerge.　　 
    2. Thinning is generally carried out after the cotyledons are emitted. After the seedlings emerge, pull out the overcrowded seedlings, expand the spacing between the seedlings, allow air circulation, and sufficient sunlight to prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases.　　 
    3. Transplantation and transplanting should be carried out when the soil in the seedbed is not particularly dry to prevent root damage. For bare-root transplanted seedlings, dig up the soil in blocks when lifting the seedlings, and then loosen and pull the root group out of the soil block. Be careful not to pull hard to avoid damaging the roots. For seedlings transplanted with soil, first use a hand shovel to shovel the soil around the seedlings, and then shovel the seedlings at the bottom with a shovel, and do not break the soil. Whether the seedlings are lifted with soil or bare roots, they should be transplanted quickly to prevent the roots from withering and affecting survival. Transplantation should be done on a windless and cloudy day, and the survival rate is higher before and after rainfall. The planting and transplanting methods are the same. Plant the lifted seedlings in the flower bed at a certain spacing between plants. When planting, the roots of the plants should be natural and cannot be bent. The planting should not be too deep, otherwise the plants will not grow.　　 
    IV. Shaping 1. Pinching the top buds of the branches is called pinching. It can inhibit the growth of branches, promote the dwarfing of plants, and prolong the flowering period. Herbaceous flowers are generally pinched 1 to 3 times, and some require 7 to 8 times. Flowers suitable for pinching include: zinnia, salvia, aster, marigold, dahlia, etc. 2. Bud removal The purpose of bud removal is to remove excessive axillary buds, limit the number of flower buds on branches, and improve the quality of flowering. Bud stripping usually involves removing side buds, retaining top buds or removing early buds, such as chrysanthemums. 3. Branch column Some flower plants are tall and easy to fall over, so columns should be set up in time and tied lightly with ropes. The column work of flowers such as dahlias and chrysanthemums is best done before watering or around noon.　　 
    5. Pruning Pruning is to regulate growth and development. The specific pruning measures for parts or organs of flowers can be divided into heavy pruning, medium pruning and light pruning. After geraniums and hibiscus bloom for 1 to 2 years, the growth potential weakens. You can retain 2 to 3 buds at the base of the side branches, prune them heavily, give them enough water, and let them grow new branches again. Medium pruning is mostly to remove long branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and deformed branches. Light pruning is used to remove extra side branches and unevenly growing branches to adjust the plant shape of flowers. It is often used as the main planting material of flower beds and flower bushes.　　 
    6. Topdressing Topdressing usually uses decomposed human urine, cake fertilizer and liquid fertilizer. Urea, peracid phosphate calcium and other chemical fertilizers can also be applied, but the concentration requirement is low, generally 1% to 3%. The principle of fertilization is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. The amount of fertilizer should vary with the size of the plant and the moisture of the soil. Seedlings should pay more attention. Generally, human feces and urine should be diluted 5 to 10 times, and cake fertilizer should be diluted more than 100 times (that is, cake fertilizer and 10 times water are fermented to make it fully fermented, and then diluted 10 times when used). Watering must be done again in the morning of the second day after fertilization, which is called "returning water" to prevent root rot. Organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed before application. Ground-planted flowers can be top-dressed 5 to 6 times, and it is most ideal before budding, after budding, before flowering, after flowering, and before and after fruiting. Avoid fertilization when budding, otherwise it will cause flowers to fall. Plants with diseases and insect pests should not be fertilized. After killing the pests and diseases, apply a thin layer of fertilizer to restore their growth.  
 
 
                       [Four taboos for growing southern flowers in the north]

First, avoid alkaline soil: the south is mostly acidic soil, while the north is mostly alkaline soil. Generally, flowers do not have strict requirements on soil pH, but southern flowers require different degrees of acidic soil, especially camellia and azalea, which need strong acidic soil. If such flowers are cultivated in soil with too high alkalinity for a long time, the leaves will dry up, turn yellow, or even die. Therefore, changing the high alkalinity of northern soil is an important measure to raise southern flowers. Changing the alkalinity of soil often takes the method of watering with alum fertilizer water. That is, adding 1% ferrous sulfate to the water, and watering it every 7-10 days during the growth period of flowers, can make camellia, gardenia, azalea, jasmine, etc. grow vigorously. In addition, the water used for watering flowers in the north is mostly alkaline. Using such water to water flowers for a long time will inevitably increase the alkalinity content of the potting soil. For example, adding 0.2% ferrous sulfate to the water can also change the water quality. 
Second, avoid dry air: southern flowers like warm and humid environment. If the air is too dry, it is very easy to cause the plant to dry up or drop buds and flowers. Therefore, camellia, azalea, etc. should be placed in the shade in summer, and the leaves and nearby ground should be sprayed with clean water frequently in the afternoon to increase the air humidity. 
Third, avoid single fertilization: Southern flowers generally like fertilizer. In addition to nitrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer should be applied frequently to Rongli, Milan, etc. to ensure normal bud formation and flowering. When changing the pot soil, fish bones, Du blocks, etc. can be used as base fertilizer. Fourth, 
avoid moving out of the house too early: In spring, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and there is a lot of wind and sand. If potted flowers are moved out of the house too early, they are easily attacked by late frost and cold wind, causing the tender branches and leaves of the plants to wilt. Flowers in the south have poor cold resistance, and it is not advisable to move out of the house too early. In Beijing, they should be moved outdoors in mid-to-late May.  

 
                        [Classification of potted flower culture soil]
 
        There are many materials suitable for preparing potted flower culture soil. The following are commonly used:
   
　　Sandy soil is mostly taken from river beaches. It has good drainage performance but no fertility. It is often used to join other culture materials to facilitate drainage.
   
　　Garden soil is taken from the surface soil of vegetable gardens, orchards, etc. It contains a certain amount of humus and has good physical properties. It is often used as the basic material for most culture soils.
   
　　Leaf humus is made from fallen leaves, dead grass, etc. It has a high humus content, strong water retention, and good permeability. It is one of the main materials for preparing culture soil.
   
　　Mountain mud is divided into black mountain mud and yellow mountain mud. It is formed by the long-term accumulation of fallen leaves from trees in the mountains. Black mountain mud is acidic and contains more humus; Huangshan mud is also acidic and contains less humus.
   
　　Peat soil is formed by the carbonization of peat moss. Due to different stages of formation, it is divided into brown peat and black peat. Brown peat contains rich organic matter and is acidic; black peat contains more minerals, less organic matter, and is slightly acidic or neutral.
   
　　Rice husk ash is the ash formed by burning rice husks. It is slightly alkaline, contains potassium, and has good drainage and air permeability.
   
　　Manure soil is made by mixing animal feces, fallen leaves, etc. with garden soil and sewage accumulation, and has rich fertility.
   
　　In addition, pond mud, river mud, coniferous soil, turf soil, rotten wood chips, vermiculite, perlite, etc. are all good materials for preparing culture soil.
   
　　The preparation of culture soil should be flexibly mastered according to the growth habits of flowers, the properties of the culture soil materials, and local conditions. For general potted flowers, the commonly used culture soil preparation ratio is leaf humus (or peat soil): garden soil: river sand: bone meal = 35:30:30:5, or leaf humus (or peat soil): plain sand: decomposed organic fertilizer: superphosphate, etc. at 5:3.5:1:0.5, mixed and sieved before use. The above culture soils are mostly neutral or slightly acidic, suitable for most flowers. When used to cultivate acid-loving flowers and trees such as camellia and azalea, about 0.2% sulfur powder can be added; when cultivating flowers such as cactus, about 10% of wall soil peeled off from lime walls can be added. 

                           [Common indoor plant maintenance]
 
     Yuanbao tree: drought-resistant, cold-resistant, barren-resistant, and strong resistance to adversity; place in scattered light, and water thoroughly when the pot soil is dry.
　　Cycas revoluta: grows slowly, an evergreen shrub. It likes light but cannot tolerate exposure to the sun, and likes warmth. It overwinters at above 7°C. Sandy loam is the best soil; pay attention to watering and place in direct sunlight.

　　Tiger head shadow: likes sunlight, is drought-resistant, and has an underdeveloped root system; it should be placed outdoors in a ventilated and sunny place in summer, as it will easily grow tall and deform in high temperature and darkness.

　　Money tree: It likes full sunshine and high temperature, and is also shade-tolerant. The suitable temperature is 15-30 ℃; water it once every 3 days in summer.

　　Money tree: Likes warm environment and needs semi-shade conditions; Place it in scattered light, water thoroughly when the soil in the pot is dry, but do not water too frequently.

　　King Coconut: Likes warm, humid and semi-shady environment, suitable temperature is 20-30 ℃; Place it in scattered light, and water it thoroughly when the soil in the pot is dry.

　　Purple-backed arrowroot: likes semi-shady environment, afraid of cold, suitable temperature is 18-22 ℃; place in scattered light, keep the pot soil moist.
 
　　Anthurium: likes the sun, afraid of exposure. Likes high temperature and humid environment, not cold-resistant, frost damage occurs below 13 ℃; spray the leaves frequently during the growth period to maintain humidity. Avoid strong light exposure, place it on the north windowsill in summer, and on the south windowsill in other seasons.

　　Pineapple: Likes sunshine and heat, the suitable temperature for growth is 20-25 ℃; Be careful not to accumulate water in the pot, when watering, most of the water should be in the empty tube in the center.

　　Beautiful needle palm: likes warm, humid and semi-shady environment; placed in scattered light.

　　African jasmine: It does not like direct sunlight, but prefers partial shade. It requires good ventilation and moisture. It needs to be cultivated in the shade in summer, and the amount of water should be strictly controlled in winter, with a dry environment being preferred.

　　Brazilian wood: It likes a warm environment, the suitable temperature for growth is 16-26 ℃, it is relatively drought-resistant and needs semi-shady conditions; it likes loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam.

　　Banyan bonsai: It likes loose, fertile sandy acidic soil, is not drought-resistant, but is relatively resistant to water and humidity; it can be displayed for a long time indoors under diffuse light conditions.

　　Lucky Bamboo Tower: Likes warm environment, suitable temperature is 20-25℃, overwintering at above 5℃; keep water in the pot at all times.

　　Rubber tree: It likes warm and humid climate and is not cold-resistant. It should not be exposed to the sun in summer and should be placed in a ventilated and shaded place indoors or on a balcony. It is better to overwinter indoors in winter. It needs to be watered more frequently in the peak season, and the pot soil can be slightly dry in winter.

　　Emerald: likes warm and humid environment, likes light but afraid of direct sunlight, shade-tolerant. The wintering temperature should be above 15 ℃; the pot soil should be fertile and well-drained.

　　Croton; likes warmth, humidity and plenty of sunlight. Sensitive to drought; place in scattered light and control water intake.

　　Dragon bone: likes sunlight and is drought-resistant; in summer, place it outdoors in a ventilated and sunny place and avoid water accumulation.

　　Pothos: It likes high temperature, high humidity and semi-shady environment, the suitable temperature is 18-22 ℃, and the wintering temperature should not be lower than 15 ℃; keep the potting soil moist and spray water on the leaves; the potting soil should be a mixture of pine needles with good air permeability.

　　Weeping angel: It likes moisture, is not drought-resistant, and prefers shade; keep the potting soil moist, and it is best to use a mixture of pine needles with good air permeability.

　　Areca palm: Likes high temperature, humidity and semi-shady environment; Place it in scattered light and keep the soil in the pot moist.

　　Jade Plant: Likes warm, humid and semi-shady environment; keep the soil in the pot moist and spray water on the leaves.

　　Bottle Orchid: Not afraid of drought and cold-resistant (can withstand temperatures above 0°C); it is better to keep the potting soil slightly moist and loose.

　　Hulk: It likes warm, humid, semi-shady and slightly acidic environment, with a suitable temperature of 15-25℃ and relative humidity of more than 40%; it should be shaded in summer and exposed to sunlight appropriately in winter.

　　Zebra Dieffenbachia: Prefers warm, humid and semi-shady environment, avoids direct sunlight, and is not cold-resistant. The suitable temperature for growth is 25-30 ℃, and the wintering temperature is above 15 ℃; Keep the pot soil moist and place it in a place with scattered sunlight.

　　Poinsettia: Prefers warm and humid environment and plenty of sunlight. The suitable temperature for growth is 26-29 ℃ during the day; Potted poinsettia needs plenty of sunlight and should be moved less frequently.

　　Spathiphyllum: Prefers hot, humid and semi-shady environment. Not cold-resistant, the winter temperature should not be lower than 15 ℃; The soil for potting must be loose and fertile, and the leaves should be fully watered and sprayed during the growth period, maintaining a high air humidity, and providing appropriate shade.

　　Asparagus fern: likes moisture, is not drought-resistant, likes sunlight, tolerates partial shade, and avoids exposure to the scorching sun; water more frequently during the growing season in spring and summer, until the soil in the pot is wet; water less in winter and avoid waterlogging.

　　Water bamboo: likes moisture and is not drought-resistant; water should be applied frequently to keep the soil moist.

　　Chlorophytum: It likes moisture and should be watered every day. It is suitable for growing on a bright balcony or indoors without direct sunlight.

　　Golden Pothos: Prefers semi-shady environment, with a suitable temperature of 18-22 ℃; should be placed in a south window to receive sunlight in winter. Water to keep the pot soil moist.

　　Silver Queen: Prefers a moist, semi-shady environment; Place in diffused light, and be careful not to water too often.
 
 
 
                        [Indoor foliage plant care]

         1. Principles for selecting indoor foliage plants

         1. Choose the type of plant appropriately according to the size of the space. Large-sized foliage plants should be selected for the lobby of hotels and restaurants, such as Areca palm, Needle palm, False betel nut, Cycas revoluta, Araucaria, Rubber tree, Banyan tree, Podocarpus, and Pachira australis; medium-sized foliage plants should be selected for conference rooms and large living rooms at home, such as Monstera, Pothos, Cordyceps sinensis, Palm bamboo, Aspidistra, Miniature coconut, Spring taro, Nandina domestica, Brazilian wood, and Ruby; Offices and living rooms have small spaces, so make full use of windowsills, coffee tables, desks, and bookshelves to place small foliage plants, such as Asparagus fern, Golden heart spider plant, Weeping asparagus, and other fine-leaved plants; if there is air conditioning indoors, you can also choose species that are both shade-tolerant and air-conditioned, such as Brazilian wood, Kylin tail, Pachira australis, Ruby, Monstera, Aspidistra, Palm bamboo, Pothos sinensis, Dieffenbachia, Red iron tree, Araucaria, and Syngonium.
  
          2. Choose plants skillfully according to the lighting and ventilation conditions of the plant placement point. Light-loving plants such as the money tree can be placed in the strong light area; asparagus fern, spider plant, asparagus, white calla lily, syngonium, croton, etc. are suitable for placement in the secondary light area; and plants such as spider lily, bamboo palm, and green ivy can be placed in the weak light area.

         2. Maintenance and management of indoor foliage plants

         1. Lighting: The placement should meet the lighting requirements as much as possible. Halls and meeting rooms are required to receive 2-3 hours of diffuse light or reflected light, with a light intensity of more than 1400 lux; offices, bedrooms, and living rooms are required to receive 1-3 hours of diffuse light or reflected light, with a light intensity of more than 1000 lux; corridors and hallways must receive light intensity of more than 900 lux.

          2. Watering: When the plants are placed indoors, they should not be watered too much. Water them thoroughly when they are dry. Do not water them halfway. In addition, you can use a watering can or a small sprayer to spray water on the leaves twice a day in summer and once a day in winter to increase humidity and clean the dust on the leaves to facilitate photosynthesis.

          3. Fertilization: Apply 5‰ compound fertilizer water once every half month or spray 1‰ urea on the leaves once a month. In addition, watering the flowers with rice water can also have a fertilizing effect. For convenience, you can also sprinkle a few grains of compound fertilizer on the surface of the pot every week.

         4. Pest and disease control: Do not use highly toxic pesticides indoors. Aphids can be sprayed with 1‰ laundry detergent or mosquito repellent (not too much). Powdery mildew can be wiped clean with an alcohol cotton ball. If the damage is serious, move it outdoors for symptomatic control.

         5. Timely replacement and maintenance: If the leaves are found to be wilting, yellowing, falling leaves, or dull and lifeless, they should be replaced in time for recovery and maintenance. During this period, direct sunlight should not be allowed to shine, so as to prevent sunburn or large-scale evaporation and water loss, wilting and death. If there is no shade, a black shading net can be artificially built with a light transmittance of 70%-75% and a light intensity of 1500-3000 lux. The maintenance site must have fresh air, but strong winds must be prevented. It is not advisable to change the pot in the early stage of maintenance. Because at this time, the tissues and functions of the plants are in a sluggish state, and once the soil is moved, the root system will be damaged. Only yellow leaves, dead leaves, diseased leaves, etc. should be cut off, water appropriately, and at the same time, thin and clear fertilizer water should be used once a week, and gradually increase after one month. After two to two and a half months, increase to the normal concentration for seedlings. After vitality is restored, change the soil and pot according to the growth. The pot soil should be half leaf mold and half sandy loam. The base fertilizer should be dry pig manure, with a little bone meal and oil residue, because bone meal and oil residue are slow-acting fertilizers, which can slowly take effect after the plant is moved indoors. The bottom of the pot must be empty and permeable to prevent waterlogging and root rot when the air is blocked when it is moved indoors again.

 
 
                           [Indoor potted flower cultivation] 
 
　With the development of high-rise buildings in cities, people spend most of their time indoors. In addition to beautiful furniture and furnishings, if potted flowers, bonsai and flower arrangements are used as interior decorations, they will have a unique flavor, which can not only bring a strong atmosphere of life to the room, but also make people feel happy and comfortable. Due to the different orientations of windows, the intensity of light is also different. The following examples are for your reference.

1. Flowers suitable for south windows If the south window of the room can receive more than 5 hours of sunlight every day, the following flowers can grow well and bloom luxuriantly, such as Clivia, Agapanthus, Nasturtium, Gardenia, Camellia, Morning Glory, Geranium, Azalea, Strelitzia, Jasmine, Milan, Rose, Tulip, Narcissus, Freesia, Winter Coral, etc.

2. Flowers suitable for growing in east and west windows include calla lily, cyclamen, asparagus fern, asparagus cochinchinensis, begonia, spider plant, calamus, golden-edged six-snow, and Schlumbergera.

3. Suitable for growing flowers in north windows, such as Chlorophytum, Bamboo Palm, Ivy, Monstera, Peperomia, Dieffenbachia, Ferns, etc. Indoors, you can also use hanging baskets to plant hanging potted flowers, such as ivy and Chlorophytum. When displaying flowers indoors, pay attention to sufficient light and space. The number should not be too large, and there should not be a sense of crowding. When arranging indoor greening, pay attention to the following points:
　1. Focus on foliage plants with strong shade tolerance. Since indoor light is generally worse than outdoor, shade-tolerant foliage plants grow better indoors and can be placed for a longer time. It is best to put potted flowers outdoors in the summer evening. This will make the plants grow luxuriantly and evergreen all year round.
　2. The posture and placement of potted flowers should be appropriate. If they grow upright or the plants are taller, they should be placed in a low place. For some potted flowers with hanging or expanding branches and leaves, they should be placed in a higher place, which will create a sense of vertical beauty.
　3. Consider the size of the plants and the size of the room. Small rooms are suitable for small potted flowers, which look delicate and elegant. Large rooms can be appropriately placed with some large potted flowers, such as rubber trees, monstera, and Suzhou iron, which make people feel beautiful and generous.
　4. The color of potted flowers should be coordinated with the color of indoor walls and furniture. If the color of the wall or furniture is dark, it is appropriate to place light-colored potted flowers, with light-colored potted flowers and flower pots. In addition, a suitable purple clay pot or flower basket or bamboo pot can be placed on the clay pot.
　5. Before moving potted flowers from outdoors to indoors, pay attention to whether there are pests in the pot soil. If there are, use sweet bait outdoors to lure the insects out of the pot and eliminate them. 

                        [How to repot and change the soil of tree stump bonsai] 
 
    Fertilization of tree stump bonsai is very particular. Too much fertilizer will cause the branches and leaves to grow too long; lack of fertilizer will cause the branches to be thin and weak, the leaves to turn yellow, and it will be susceptible to diseases and insect pests. Therefore, scientific fertilization should be done according to the time, amount, fertilizer, and tree species. 

(1) For newly planted trees, or trees that have just been potted or have just had their soil changed, do not fertilize them for the time being because their root systems are damaged. Fertilize more in the spring or early summer of the following year when the trees are in their growth season. Fertilize less in autumn when the trees grow slowly, and stop fertilizing in winter when the trees have entered a dormant period. Do not fertilize on rainy days or around noon in midsummer when the temperature is high, because fertilizer is easily lost on rainy days and can easily damage the root system. It is best to fertilize on cloudy days or in the evening. When the soil in the pot is slightly dry, first remove the weeds in the pot and loosen the soil, which will help the fertilizer and water penetrate into the soil, accelerate the decomposition and absorption of the fertilizer, and avoid fertilizer damage. 

(2) The amount of fertilizer applied to tree stump bonsai should follow the principle of small amounts and multiple times. The amount of fertilizer applied each time should be small and dilute. Generally, a thin fertilizer (70% water and 30% fertilizer) should be applied every 10 days from the beginning of spring to the beginning of autumn, and no fertilizer should be applied after the
 
beginning of winter. (3) Nitrogen fertilizer promotes the growth of plants and the formation of many buds. Commonly used nitrogen fertilizers include bean cake, ammonium sulfate and fertilizer water. Phosphorus fertilizer promotes bright flower colors and large fruits, such as superphosphate bone meal. Potassium fertilizer promotes the development of root systems and firm plants. Commonly used fertilizers include potassium phosphate and wood ash. Fertilizers should be applied according to the growth of the plants, and should also be determined according to the characteristics of the tree species and the growth conditions.  
 
                         [There are many benefits to watering flowers with warm water]
 
    Watering flowers with warm water in winter can promote early budding, early greening, early bud formation, and early flowering. This is because the average temperature of the leaves and stems of the plants is always higher than the temperature of the roots. When the leaves and stems are photosynthesizing, cell activity is faster and the roots need to provide sufficient water and nutrients. Watering flowers with warm water below 40℃ can relatively improve the differentiation process of organic fertilizer in the soil, promote the absorption and division ability of root cells, fully supply nutrients to leaves and stems, make flower plants grow strong, and enhance their ability to resist diseases. If the root temperature is too low, it will affect the normal growth of leaves and stems. When sowing flower seeds in early spring or raising seedlings in pots at home, if you use warm water for spraying, it can promote early germination of flower seeds. In autumn and winter, the indoor temperature fluctuates and flowers grow slowly. If you use warm water for watering, you can adjust the soil temperature balance and make the roots strong, the leaves lush, and the flowers bright.  

 

                         [Rooftop Flower Cultivation]
 
　　Large and medium-sized cities are densely populated, with high-rise buildings standing side by side. The urban greening area is insufficient, and many buildings have flat roofs. Some residential houses also have balconies or roof terraces. Greening can be achieved. Now many countries in the world are also using rooftop greening. The air on the rooftop is good, the light is sufficient, the temperature difference between day and night is large in summer, the soil temperature is high, and the fertilizer is easy to decompose, which is beneficial to plant growth.

　When growing flowers on the roof, pay attention to the following points:

　1. Reduce the load on the building. Use sawdust, vermiculite, rice husk ash and other materials to mix with the soil. This can reduce the weight, make the soil loose and breathable, promote root growth, and increase the ability to absorb water and fertilizer. At the same time, the thickness of the soil layer should be kept to a minimum. For general turf and herbaceous flowers, the soil depth is 16 cm; for shrubs, the soil depth is 40-50 cm; and for trees, the soil depth is 75-80 cm.
　2. Place heavy objects such as flower beds, planting troughs, and flower pots on load-bearing walls or columns.
　3. Ensure smooth drainage and do not allow water to accumulate on the roof. After watering the flower beds and flower pots and raining, the excess water should be drained in time. The irrigation equipment should also be convenient, and it is best to have a spray device to increase the air humidity. The roof has strong winds and dry air, so frequent spraying is beneficial to plant growth.
　4. The roof is windy, so it is advisable to set up wind barriers for protection and provide appropriate shade in summer.
　5. Plant species should be selected that like the sun, are drought-resistant, and have a well-developed root system. Flowers with fibrous roots are best. Because they have well-developed horizontal root systems, they can adapt to shallow soil. You can also build a trellis to plant climbing flowers. Plant some shade-tolerant flowers under it, or set up tables and chairs for rest.
　6. If it is only for heatstroke prevention and cooling, you can plant ground cover plants such as creeping grass and midnight. According to practice, the temperature can drop by 4-5℃ after roof greening. It can also protect the roof building structure. It is now believed that sun-loving flowers such as roses, Milan, jasmine, roses, winter jasmine, June snow, pomegranates and gladiolus can all grow well on the roof. 
 

                        Flowers change color

Why do flowers have different colors? This is because flowers contain anthocyanins and carotenoids. Red, blue, and purple flowers contain anthocyanins, which turn blue in alkaline solutions, red in acidic solutions, and purple in neutral solutions;
yellow
, orange-yellow, and orange-red flowers contain carotenoids, which come in more than 80 types and have different colors. White flowers do not contain pigments, and the white color they show is the small bubbles in the petals. Based on the
above
principle, we can change the color of flowers.

Methods to make flowers turn red: Taking pink peony azalea and deep peach camellia as examples, plant them in acidic soil with a pH value of 4.0-4.2, the flower color will deepen to light red, orange-red or rose red; or spray 350-400 times of edible vinegar solution before flowering, once in September, October, December, January and February, which can change the anthocyanin and the pink flowers to red, bright red, orange-red or rose red; or spray 400 times of potassium dihydrogen phosphate before flowering, usually once in August, September, January and late February, which can also turn pink azalea and camellia into rose or light red.

How to make flowers turn purple: Plant white camellia or chrysanthemum, pink azalea, etc. in neutral soil, the anthocyanin will change and the flower color will appear purple; or put white chrysanthemum in the sun for 8 to 10 hours, the white color can turn purple or white with purple or red purple. White dahlias can also appear red or purple in the sun.

How to make flowers turn yellow: Carotenoids make flowers yellow, and pink camellia and azalea can appear horizontal yellow or orange after treatment. Soak cooked carrots in water for 20 to 30 days to make them fully cooked, then add 25 to 30 times the amount of water and pour it in the flowerpot. Water once a month, and water 5 to 6 times in a row, and the flower color will turn orange or orange-red.
 
 
                   [What is the relationship between balcony temperature and flower cultivation]

    The growth and development of flowers and their bud formation and flowering must be carried out under certain temperature conditions. The most suitable temperature for the growth of most flowers is 17-28℃. If the temperature is lower than 0--5℃, they need to be protected from cold, but there are still some differences among different flower species. If the temperature is higher than 35℃, the respiration is higher than the assimilation, which increases the consumption. Generally, flowers stop growing and some enter a dormant period. If the temperature is higher than 45℃, most flowers will die. 

   The temperature of the balcony varies depending on the height of the floor, the size of the balcony and the ventilation of the balcony railings. The higher the balcony floor, the more ventilated it is, and the lower the temperature is. The larger the balcony is and the sparser the railings are, the better the ventilation is, and the lower the temperature is. Otherwise, it is the opposite. The balconies are all outside the building and are relatively high. The back is a brick or cement wall. In summer and autumn, the sun is strong during the day, absorbing a lot of heat, dissipating slowly, evaporating a lot, and being hot and dry. At night, a large amount of radiant heat is gradually released, making the balcony stuffy. If there is no wind, it is even more stuffy and uncomfortable. This hot and humid environment at night violates the habit of flowers that there is a temperature difference between day and night, and the night is cooler than the day. Therefore, the flowers will inevitably grow poorly, and no flower can tolerate it. For this reason, when growing flowers on the balcony, it is necessary to do a good job of cooling in summer. Flowers that like shade must be shaded, and flowers that like sun must be well ventilated. Neutral flowers should also be properly shaded at noon. More importantly, it is necessary to sprinkle and spray water on the balcony environment. According to the temperature, it should be done many times a day, and it must not be limited to night. As the air temperature increases, the balcony temperature is relatively reduced. In this way, the balcony wall and ground absorb less heat during the day and emit less radiant heat at night, which is good for the growth of peanuts in the balcony. In winter, the balcony is windy and colder than the ground. Except for some cold-resistant flowers that can overwinter on the balcony, general flowers should be moved indoors in time to overwinter.  

 
                          [17 Key Points of Gardening]
 
      Gardening is for viewing. Containers, balconies, courtyards, fields... Transform various places into comfortable gardening spaces. Plants, grasses, trees, and flowers cultivated with love grow healthily and vigorously according to people's wishes. However, there are some tips for selecting flower seedlings, applying water and fertilizer, and daily care. Here, the things you need to know to appreciate gardening are summarized one by one according to the key points.
    1 Among the flowers, there are perennial herbs that bloom every year and perennial herbs that wither in 1-2 years
    : once planted, you can enjoy its flowers every year .
    Depending on the type, the lifespan of the plant is also different. Plants that bloom every year, such as chrysanthemums and monarch shadow grass, are called perennial herbs. Among them, the part that grows on the soil withers in winter, but the roots are still retained and start to grow in spring. It is called a perennial herb. Although its growth rate is slow, people can enjoy its flowers every year. This is its charm.
    Annual and biennial herbs:
    Plants that bloom and wither within one year after sowing, such as pansies and marigolds, need to be purchased again every year. Plants that bloom and wither within one year after sowing are called annual herbs. According to the different sowing periods, they can be divided into spring-sown annual herbs and autumn-sown annual herbs. In addition, those that bloom and wither within more than one year and less than two years after sowing are called biennial herbs. They have short lifespans and long flowering periods. There are many gorgeous and distinctive flower species. For marigolds, which are annual herbs, new flower seeds or seedlings are sown the following year.
    2 Flowers with long and short flowering periods
    Flowers that bloom in spring, flowers that bloom in summer... Depending on the plant, the flowering season is different, and the duration of flowering is also different. There are flowers with long flowering periods like pansies and silver dan impatiens, which can bloom for more than half a year; there are also flowers like hydrangeas and forget-me-nots that can only bloom for 1-2 months. In addition, flowers that bloom almost all year round, such as geraniums and lantern crabapples that bloom all year round, are called four-season flowers. Representative plants include petunia and marigolds. On the contrary, flowers that bloom only in a certain season are called seasonal flowers, and they bloom only a few months a year. The flowering period of pansies is very long,
    and they can be appreciated from winter to early spring. 3 Among plants, there are those that are cold-resistant and those that are afraid of cold and heat
    . Different species of plants have different abilities to resist cold and heat. Plants that can withstand the heat are called heat-resistant, which refers to those plants that can withstand high temperatures above 30℃. On the contrary, plants that can withstand severe cold are called cold-resistant, which refers to those plants that can withstand low temperatures below 0℃, that is, plants that can overwinter outdoors. These are mainly plants native to high and cold areas. Plants with heat resistance and cold resistance are grown and cultivated in places and environments suitable for each. Plants that are not heat-resistant should be placed in a cool and shaded place in summer; plants that are not cold-resistant should be cultivated in containers such as flower pots, and it would be better to move them indoors in winter. They
    have strong heat resistance but poor cold resistance, so they are suitable for indoor planting in winter.
    4. There are plants that are grown from seeds and plants that are grown from bulbs
    . It is well known that plants such as morning glory and cosmos are grown from seeds, and plants such as tulips and hyacinths are grown from bulbs. Plants grown from seeds require some time to water and fertilize after sowing until they grow branches and leaves and bloom. On the contrary, plants grown from bulbs can be easily grown without any trouble after transplanting. This is because the nutrients needed for germination and flowering are accumulated in the bulbs. Beginners can also start with simple bulb flowers. According to the transplanting period of bulb flowers, they can be divided into spring-planted bulbs, summer-planted bulbs, and autumn-planted bulbs. Spring-planted bulbs bloom from summer to autumn, summer-planted bulbs bloom in autumn, and autumn-planted bulbs bloom in the spring of the following year. Cyclamen is a flower that is planted with bulbs in autumn and is suitable for indoor gardening in winter.
    5. If you want to plant in large quantities, use seeds. For beginners, use seedlings.
    Although many kinds of flowers and herbs can be cultivated with seeds, it is recommended that beginners should find those flower seedlings with flowers sold in black plastic pots. It takes time and effort to cultivate with seeds. In addition, the bagged seeds sold on the market are too many for the gardens and containers of ordinary families, so there are usually surpluses. Friends who have mastered the flower planting skills and want to plant a large number of flowers, and have developed an interest in flower planting after planting flowers many times, must learn to cultivate with seeds next time. Use potted seedlings for group planting. Place the seedlings in the center of the container. It is best to observe the overall balance while considering the placement.
    6. Choose strong seedlings.
   Choose flowers that are in bloom.
   Generally speaking, gardening stores and other stores put fresh flowers in front of the store a little earlier than the original flowering period. Instead of buying seedlings when they are just starting to sell, it is better to wait until they are on the market in large quantities, because then you can choose the color and quality of the flowers and buy good seedlings. Choose seedlings that are blooming. It is best to choose seedlings that have some flowers open and still have buds. The color of the flower can be confirmed when the flower blooms. If there are flower buds, the next flower can bloom early.
    Choose seedlings that are free of pests and diseases
    . Do not buy seedlings with withered leaves or insects. Also, do not buy seedlings with thin and thin stems and poor overall balance. Potted
    seedlings of geranium (left) and snapdragon (right).
    Seedlings with flowers and buds and thick and strong stems were selected.
    7. Plant plants with similar properties together
    When planting flowers and herbs in planting boxes and gardens, take into account their different properties. Putting plants with similar properties together will make management easier. There is no problem planting the same plant, such as several pansies of different colors, together, but planting different plants with different properties, such as lavender that likes dryness and plants that need a lot of water and fertilizer, will make it difficult to manage in terms of watering and fertilizing. Also, it is difficult to place a combination of heat-resistant but cold-resistant gerberas and cold-resistant but heat-resistant pansies. It is better to decide which plants can be planted after understanding the properties of various plants in detail. If you choose plants with similar properties for group planting, it will be easy to manage.
    8 Consider the size of the seedlings
    After purchasing the potted seedlings, transplant them into containers such as flower pots, planting boxes, or flower beds as soon as possible. The roots of the seedlings taken out of the pots often spread and stretch everywhere. This is a signal that the plants need to be transplanted. If they are transplanted in a container slightly larger than the roots with soil (the roots and the soil around the roots), the roots can still stretch in the soil and thrive. Potted seedlings are usually sold in No. 3 plastic pots (diameter 9cm), so with this as the goal, pot planting should be in No. 4-5 pots (diameter 12-15cm). For group planting, consider the size of all the seedlings and then choose the container for planting. When planting on the ground of the flower bed, leave appropriate spacing between plants on the premise that they can stretch. When planting in groups, consider the balance of all seedlings and containers.
   
    9. Pay attention to the environment and location of the plant. Whether
    the flowers bloom or not, whether they can be appreciated for a long time or wither in a short time, varies greatly depending on the environment in which the flowers are grown. For example, a flowering lavender plant that blooms beautifully in Furano, Hokkaido, sometimes stops blooming when it is suddenly planted in Tokyo. This is an extreme example, but cyclamen that are grown in a warm greenhouse in a store often wither when they are placed by a window on the cold north side after purchase. In other words, when potted flowers or seedlings are first purchased, they are temporarily grown in the same environment as when they were sold, and then slowly get used to the new environment. This is important. Plants are originally things that adapt to changes in the environment, so they can thrive except in extremely unsuitable environments. Nasturtiums, which like cool climates, continue to bloom from spring to autumn in high-altitude areas, but in warm areas, the flowers no longer bloom in summer.
    10. If the sunlight is good, the flowers can bloom more .
   In order for the flowers to bloom, sunlight is very important. Whether you plant them in a pot or in the ground, the more sunlight you get, the more flowers you will bloom. Looking at some of the plants, most flowers are best grown outdoors in full sunlight. If possible, it would be ideal to grow them in a place with full sunlight all day, but even if you only grow them in a place with good sunlight for about half a day, most flowers will bloom beautifully. When growing them indoors, try to place them near a window with good sunlight, and place them outdoors on sunny days with little wind so that they can be exposed to sunlight. Although many plants prefer to face the sun, there are also plants that grow well in shade or semi-shade (brighter shade). After deciding on the location for growing them, it is also important to choose plants that match them. Pansies and clustered violas grown in bright sunlight. If there is plenty of sunlight, there will be a lot of flowers blooming.
    11If there is good ventilation, they will thrive.
    In order for plants to grow healthily, wind is also important. As we all know, plants use sunlight to photosynthesize, produce energy, and release oxygen. The carbon dioxide they need at this time is transported by wind. That is to say, if there is no wind, carbon dioxide will be lacking, and photosynthesis cannot be carried out well, which will hinder its growth. Moreover, when the branches and leaves are crowded and suffocated, they can recover if they are well ventilated. Therefore, on the balcony or outdoors, try to choose a well-ventilated place. If it is indoors, it is important to let the outdoor wind blow sometimes. However, in places such as balconies, when the wind is too strong, there is a danger of flower pots turning over and falling, so be careful. On windy days, put down the hanging basket.
    12 Planting box cultivation recommends using commercially available culture soil .
    The roots of plants breathe in the soil and absorb water and nutrients. Plants can fully carry out these activities and thrive in soil with good drainage and water storage. At first glance, this is easy to make people feel that it is contradictory, because if the water storage is not good, the soil will dry quickly and the flowers will wither easily, while if the drainage is not good, the soil will always be wet and the roots will rot easily. The so-called land with good drainage and water storage refers to the soil with agglomerates of several small particles in structure. The soil used for cultivation is a mixture of multiple types of soil, such as ruby ​​soil, black soil, and leaf humus. For beginners, it is recommended to use the commercially available cultivation soil that is well mixed from them. Because there are many types, it is necessary to choose the plant that is suitable for cultivation and the corresponding type of cultivation soil. Among the cultivation soils sold on the market, HYPONEX's cultivation soil is of excellent quality and can be used with confidence.
    13 Improve the soil before planting in flower beds
    When planting and viewing plants in flower beds or gardens, it is necessary to improve the soil. Because the soil that is compacted by feet is difficult for air and water to flow smoothly, the roots cannot grow fully. As long as the soil is dug out a little, there will be gaps between the soil, and drainage and water storage will become very good. A depth of 20-30cm is enough. If you mix leaf humus, drainage and water storage will be better. In addition, in general, the acidity of Japanese soil is very strong and is not suitable for plant cultivation. When planting plants that are less resistant to soil acidity, neutralize the soil before planting. Ruby soil, which is the basic raw material, and leaf humus or magnesia lime for improvement are easily available at gardening stores. Ruby soil: Red soil that can be found everywhere in the Kanto region. It can be made into granules and used as basic soil. There are three types of granules: large, medium, and small. Because it can form gaps when mixed with soil, it is easy to drain and store water. Leaf humus: A representative improved soil formed after fallen leaves rot. It contains rich nutrients and is often used to make soft soil with good drainage and water retention. Magnesia lime: It is rich in magnesia (magnesium) and lime (calcium) necessary for plant growth. It can
    neutralize the acidity of the soil when mixed with soil. 14Supply fertilizer suitable for growth and development
    The nutrients necessary for the healthy growth of plants include nitrogen (N) for growing leaves, phosphoric acid (P) for providing nutrition for flowers and fruits, and potassium (K) for root extension. The chemical fertilizers sold on the market combine them in a good proportion. Regarding fertilization methods, there are two methods: mixing basal fertilizer in the soil when transplanting and planting, and applying topdressing during the growth and development of plants. Base fertilizer is to add nutrients to the soil itself and adjust the bottom-up environment for the smooth growth of plants, so it is more appropriate to use slow-release granular fertilizers that can maintain stable effects for a long time. Topdressing is fertilizer applied to supplement nutrients during the growth and development process. You can use quick-acting liquid fertilizers (liquid fertilizers) that take effect immediately and slow-release solid fertilizers (plant fertilizers) that only need to be placed on the soil. There are many kinds of synthetic fertilizers sold on the market, including base fertilizers, liquid fertilizers for topdressing, and tablet fertilizers, which are easy to use.
    15 The watering situation is different between pot planting and land planting. Pot planting: "As soon as the surface of the soil dries, you need to replenish sufficient water."
    As soon as the surface of the soil in the pot turns white and dry, you need to water it sufficiently so that the water can flow out from the bottom of the pot. The drying of the soil varies according to the season, the place where it is placed, and the environment. Therefore, in the summer when it is easy to dry, the number of watering is more, and in the winter it is less. When using air conditioning, indoor flower pots are easy to dry, so you need to pay attention. When planting on the ground, the roots extend into the soil, and since it rains, watering can be left to fate. Before planting, mix leaf mold into the soil, and if you maintain good drainage and water storage, you can absorb nutrients from the soil. However, when the soil becomes dry, water the plant before it wilts. When planting in a hanging basket, add water directly when the soil is too dry, and it will recover as soon as possible.
    16 Pick the flower shells frequently, and you can enjoy
    them for a long time. Picking off the flowers before they set seeds is called "picking the flower shells", which is an important task in the care of the flowering period. In order to leave offspring, plants set seeds after flowering. Then wither. If you pick the flowers before they set seeds, the plants will bloom again in order to leave offspring. Repeating this process over and over again, you can enjoy a large number of flowers for a long time. Moreover, once the seeds are set and the seeds absorb nutrients, the number and frequency of flowers that open next will gradually decrease. Moreover, if the flower husks are left intact on the stems or dropped into the soil, they will become the source of pests and diseases, so the flower husks should be removed frequently. After some flowers have bloomed, cut off the stems at the pedicel.
    17. Prune withered leaves and overextended branches .
    Plants that bloom all year round (seasonal flowering plants), plants with long flowering periods, perennial herbs, etc., need to be cut back by 1/2 to 1/3 of the plant length after the flowers have bloomed. This is called "pruning." When the plant is exhausted and its posture is messy, it needs to be pruned. Specifically, the following conditions are required: the state of densely planted flowers or leaves, the state of poor bud extension, the stems extending upward too much, and the flowers becoming smaller. Many people feel a little reluctant to cut off the plants that have grown up and are still blooming, but pruning is a way to restore the vitality of the plants and bloom more flowers. In addition, the branches of flowers and trees are trimmed and shaped after flowering. This is called pruning and pruning, which is also necessary to maintain a beautiful posture. Pruning of nasturtiums. After the flowers have bloomed in early summer, cut them off near the roots, and you can enjoy the flowers again in autumn.
　 　
 
                        [How to control the flowering period of plants]
 
       1. Master the sowing period and cutting period.
   
　　For annual flowers, the method of sowing in stages and batches can be adopted to achieve the purpose of extending the flowering period. For example, in order to make the National Day bloom, asters, globe amaranths, zinnias, marigolds, and red sages should be sown or cut in mid-July. In order to have flowers on New Year's Day or the Spring Festival, marigolds, cinerarias, violets and other flowers should be sown in September.
　　2. Planting time and depth.
   
　　Mastering the planting season of bulbous flowers can make them bloom on the day they are needed. For example, if you want gladiolus to bloom on National Day, it is advisable to carve and water it two weeks in advance. Some bulbous flowers can bloom early if they are properly planted shallowly. For example, shallow planting of jade can promote growth and bloom early. Planting too deep is not good for growth and blooms late.

　　3. Leaf picking and pinching
   
　　For some herbaceous flowers, the flowering period can be controlled by mastering the pinching time. For example, if the Dutch chrysanthemum is pruned on September 10, it can bloom on National Day. The sage will bloom 25 days after pinching, that is, if it is pinched on September 5, it will bloom on National Day; if it is pinched in early April, it will bloom on May Day.
   
　　Flowers that bloom in the spring of the following year, such as white magnolia, plum blossom, peach blossom, etc., must bloom on National Day. You can control the water content after manual leaf picking in late August. After the flower buds are formed, strengthen the water and fertilizer management to make it enter vigorous growth, mature the flower buds early, and bloom on National Day.

　　4. Pruning and bud picking
   
　　Plants need to consume a lot of nutrients to bloom. Appropriate pruning and bud picking can concentrate nutrients in the flower buds, making the flowers brighter and larger. For example, pruning and bud picking of chrysanthemums and snapdragons can extend the flowering period and make them bloom during festivals. For camellia, jasmine and roses, cutting off the branches after flowering can promote their re-blooming.

　　5. Fertilization and shading treatment
   
　　For flowers such as begonia, trumpet creeper, phoenix orchid, Milan, oleander, etc., if 3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate is used for foliar topdressing or applied to the roots 1 to 2 times, it can promote flower bud differentiation and early flowering.
   
　　For flowers such as azalea, Michelia, and camellia, when the buds appear, place them in a cool place with a lower temperature, which can postpone the flowering period to May Day. 50 to 60 days before National Day, chrysanthemums can bloom on National Day by treating them with 8 to 9 hours of sunlight; poinsettia, crab claw cactus, etc. can bloom on National Day by treating them with short-day light 40 to 50 days in advance.
  
　　6. Hormone treatment
   
　　Ether, "920", monochloroethanol and other hormones can break the dormancy period of flowers. For example, if 500ppm of "920" is applied to the flower buds of peonies, they can sprout in 4 to 7 days. Putting the dormant bulbs of tulips and freesias in ether gas can promote their growth and early flowering.
   
　　"920", gibberellin, naphthaleneacetic acid, colchicine, etc. can accelerate the growth of flowers and promote flowering. For example, when cyclamen has flower buds in September, spraying low-concentration "920" on the base of stems and leaves can promote flowering. It has the same effect on Clivia and hyacinth. For example, if the flower buds of camellia have formed in summer, to make it bloom on National Day, you can apply 500ppm to 1000ppm of "920" to the flower buds every day in early September. In mid-September, when the flower buds are already large, you can peel off 4 to 10 pieces of its external scales, and the camellia will bloom in 4 to 10 days. Flowers such as Michelia and tuberose can also be treated in this way to promote flowering.