Most of these flowers are produced in specialized greenhouses and are of relatively high quality. During the Spring Festival, people often buy flowers to display at home to enhance the festive atmosphere. However, the flowers are often very beautiful, but after a period of time, they "get worse and worse" and lose their original freshness and quality, especially for some particularly precious flowers, this situation is more prominent.　

 　　According to flower cultivation experts from the Municipal Bureau of Parks and Gardens, to ensure the healthy growth of indoor plants purchased for the Spring Festival, it is essential to understand their ecological habits and properly adjust the light, water, fertilizer, temperature, humidity, and pest and disease control required for their growth. The experts introduced several methods for caring for indoor plants.　

 　　Frequently Asked Questions 　

 　　Most homes don't reach the humidity levels of a greenhouse, while most native tropical plants prefer a humid environment. In a greenhouse, flowers can receive sunlight all day through shade netting, avoiding direct sunlight, whereas homes often have insufficient light or are exposed to intense sunlight. Many flowers prefer partial shade, but winter sunlight is too weak, so they should be allowed to receive ample sunlight. Most flowers thrive best between 15°C and 20°C; temperatures that are too high can cause rapid blooming but also lead to problems.　

 　　In greenhouses, regular fertilization and moderate watering are essential, requiring the use of compound fertilizers suitable for each growth stage. However, in home gardening, insufficient horticultural knowledge often leads to malnutrition due to lack of fertilizer, or excessive fertilization that burns the plants. It is particularly important to note that during the flowering period, fertilization should be avoided or only a small amount of compound fertilizer should be applied; excessive fertilizer is detrimental to flowering.　　　　

 　　Most flowers prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil. If tap water is alkaline, long-term watering will make the soil alkaline, affecting the quality of the flowers. Heavy, poorly aerated soil will also hinder root respiration and may even cause root rot. Watering should generally follow the principle of "watering when dry and letting the soil dry slightly between waterings." In winter, when evaporation is low, avoid overwatering, as this can easily lead to root rot. Before watering, always touch the soil in the pot to check its moisture level and avoid blindly watering.　

 　　Most flowers thrive in humid environments during the Spring Festival, so spray water around them frequently to increase humidity. Place them in sunny, well-ventilated locations to prevent pests and diseases. The room temperature should ideally not fall below 5℃ or exceed 25℃. Excessive watering, low humidity, and excessively high temperatures are common causes of problems for flowers.　

 　　Maintenance methods 　

 　　Bulbous flowers: such as daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are seasonal flowers with a very short flowering period, generally only one to two weeks. Indoors, they can be placed in a sunny place with a low temperature. Too high a temperature will make the flowers bloom faster and shorten the flowering period.　

 　　Orchids, such as Clivia, Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, and Dendrobium, grow naturally under trees in the tropics. They prefer moist, shady conditions and dislike direct sunlight, thriving in bright, semi-shaded locations. Therefore, in homes, frequent misting is recommended to increase humidity. In winter, they can receive gentle sunlight to facilitate photosynthesis and increase nutrient absorption. Orchids are susceptible to snails and scale insects; scale insects can be brushed off with a toothbrush. Clivia, for example, originates from the subtropical forests of South Africa, where the climate is warm year-round with average temperatures rarely falling below 10°C and rarely exceeding 22°C. Clivia thrives in warm, humid, and moderately moist environments, and a similar environment should be created in the home. Clivia prefers soft light and dislikes intense sunlight. With fleshy roots, Clivia has some drought tolerance; overwatering can cause root rot. The ideal moisture level for Clivia potting soil is when it can be formed into a ball by hand but crumbles easily when gently pressed.　

 　　Marantas and ferns: Marantas such as peacock marantas and purple-backed marantas, and ferns such as Boston fern, prefer semi-shade, warm, humid and well-drained environments. They like bright light but cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight.　　

 　　Other flowers 　

 　　Calla lily: It needs good light, good water, and good fertilizer. It prefers moist soil and high air humidity.　

 　　Anthurium: Also known as red palm, it prefers a shady, humid, warm, and well-drained environment. Scale insects are a common pest, so it is important to take precautions to prevent and control them. You can use a brush to remove them.　

 　　Cineraria: It prefers sunlight, moisture, and fertilizer, but fertilization should be reduced during the flowering period. Watering should be done in a way that keeps the soil moist but not soggy. Watering should be controlled in low temperatures, just enough to moisten the soil. Good ventilation is also important. Otherwise, cineraria is susceptible to powdery mildew or damage from aphids and spider mites.　

 　　Gloxinia: Prefers warm and humid conditions, thrives in fertile soil, and dislikes direct sunlight. Cyclamen prefers full sun and a cool, humid climate; the ideal growing temperature is 10℃ to 20℃, and it dislikes high temperatures.　

 　　Belgian azalea: Prefers cool, moist, acidic humus soil.　

 　　Christmas cactus: Prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The optimal growing temperature is 15℃ to 20℃, and it will enter dormancy when the temperature is below 5℃.　

 　　Calceolaria: Prefers a warm, cool, humid and well-ventilated environment; it is not cold-hardy and dislikes dampness.　

 　　Rieger begonia: Prefers warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments.　

 　　Poinsettia: It prefers full sunlight and requires well-drained, well-aerated, loose, and fertile soil. It is very particular about water. Excessive soil moisture often causes root diseases, which in turn leads to leaf drop. Insufficient soil moisture will result in poor plant growth and leaf drop.　

 　　Kumquat: Prefers warm, humid, and sunny conditions. It thrives in fertile, well-drained, and well-aerated sandy soil. It is not cold-hardy and dislikes drought.　

 　　Ornamental pineapples: Prefer warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. Potted plants should be grown in humus-rich sandy soil, and the overwintering temperature should be above 10℃.  

　　Summer is a season of high temperatures and fluctuating humidity, and it's also the time when flowers grow rapidly. Therefore, cultivation and management during the summer flowering season are extremely important. The key cultivation techniques are introduced below: 

 　　I. Transplantation

 　　Summer flowers are in their vigorous growth stage, so transplanting can significantly impact their normal growth, requiring special treatment to help them recover quickly. To reduce transpiration, pruning is generally used, removing some branches and leaves. A water-retaining agent can be applied to the roots to reduce water loss. In the first few days after transplanting, direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible, and the plant should be frequently sprayed with water to maintain high humidity and prevent leaf wilting. 

 　　II. Watering and Fertilizing

 　　In summer, due to high temperatures and rapid growth of flowers, they consume more water and need timely replenishment. Different flower species have different water requirements. Generally, water every 2-3 days. However, some flowers, such as cacti and peperomia, require less watering; otherwise, they will not grow properly and may even rot. Fertilization should be combined with watering, following the principle of "frequent application of diluted fertilizer," generally applied every two weeks. Organic fertilizers should be fermented before use. In recent years, nutrient solution fertilization has been adopted, which has the advantages of convenient operation, safety and hygiene, and fertilizer saving, making it suitable for home gardening and showing great development potential. Easily soluble fertilizers such as urea, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and potassium sulfate can also be used through foliar spraying, with a general concentration of 0.1-0.2% for herbaceous flowers and 0.5-1% for woody flowers. Foliar spraying is a highly targeted, fast-absorbing, and efficient method of supplementary fertilization. 

 　　III. Shaping and Pruning 

 　　To control the growth and flowering period of flowers and to create an attractive shape, regular pruning is necessary. Generally, retain 3-5 main branches and focus on cultivating them to form a symmetrical and full shape. When pruning, be sure to retain the outer buds. 

 　　IV. Temperature Control 

 　　In summer, direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible, and appropriate shading should be provided. Regular daily misting can also lower the temperature around the plant and promote growth. For cool-loving plants such as cyclamen, fuchsia, and Christmas cactus, place them in well-ventilated, cool shaded areas or corridors, and reduce watering frequency to ensure they survive the summer safely. 

 　　V. Flowering Period Management 

 　　Controlling the flowering date should be based on the plant's growth and development patterns and the control of the external environment. This mainly includes the following approaches: 1. Controlling the beginning of plant growth; 2. Horticultural measures such as pinching, pruning, and bud removal; 3. Adjusting temperature, light, and applying growth regulators. 

 　　Before flowering, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once. During the flowering period, reduce watering frequency and lower the temperature to prolong the flowering period. After flowering, prune appropriately and apply nitrogen fertilizer 1-2 times to promote vegetative growth. 

 　　VI. Pest and Disease Control 

 　　Indoor pest and disease control should use physical or biological methods as much as possible, or use low-toxicity, low-residue pesticides to reduce environmental pollution.

 　　1. Pests: Summer pests mainly include aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies. To control aphids, spray with a 20% cypermethrin EC solution diluted 2500 times. To control scale insects, when the population density is low, they can be brushed off. During the nymph stage, spray with 40% dimethoate or 50% fenitrothion. Alternatively, granular insecticides, such as 15% aldicarb, can be applied around the roots at a rate of 2-3 grams per plant. To control whiteflies, spray with a 2.5% deltamethrin solution diluted 2000 times. Alternatively, take advantage of their attraction to yellow by hanging yellow plastic boards with a layer of machine oil on them near the plants and shaking them to scare them away and increase the sticky effect. 

 　　2. Diseases: Major summer diseases include black spot, brown spot, and anthracnose. To control black spot, spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder as early as possible. Simultaneously, strengthen management by applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to improve the plant's disease resistance. To control anthracnose, spray with a 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture before bud break. In addition, timely removal and burning of withered leaves and branches to reduce sources of infection are effective in controlling various diseases.

Key points for managing summer dormant flowers

Bulbous flowers are generally perennial herbaceous plants, meaning their above-ground parts wither or partially wither each year, while the underground bulbs can live for many years, with new and old plants constantly being replaced. However, in the hot summer, some bulbous flowers, and some other flowers, grow slowly and their metabolism slows down, adapting to the high temperatures of summer by going dormant. For example, begonias, clivias, and geraniums retain green leaves after dormancy, a state known as evergreen dormancy; while daffodils, hyacinths, cyclamen, and tulips lose all their leaves after dormancy, a state known as deciduous dormancy. Therefore, in summer care and management, it is essential to understand the physiological habits of these flowers and manage them carefully to ensure their successful and safe survival through the summer.  

1. Reduce light, ensure ventilation and coolness: After the onset of summer, dormant flowers should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated location, avoiding direct sunlight. If possible, a shade structure can be built. Regularly spray water around the potted plants and on the ground to lower the temperature and increase humidity.

2. Watering at the right time and controlling the amount of water: Summer-dormant flowers do not require much water, so the amount of water should be strictly controlled. If watered too much, the potting soil will be too wet, and the flowers will be in a dormant or semi-dormant state. The root system will be weak and prone to root rot. If watered too little, the roots of the plant will easily shrink. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the potting soil slightly moist.

3. Avoid rain and prevent waterlogging. Summer is the rainy season, and dormant plants are prone to waterlogging if exposed to rain, leading to root or bulb rot and leaf drop in evergreen dormant plants. Therefore, potted plants should be placed in a sheltered location that allows for both ventilation and light, while also providing protection from wind and rain.

4. Reduce nutrients and stop fertilizing. During summer dormancy, the plant's physiological activities are weakened and it consumes very few nutrients. No fertilizer is needed; otherwise, it is easy to cause root rot or bulb rot, leading to the death of the entire plant.  

Some flowers, such as daffodils, cyclamen, fuchsias, tulips, gloxinias, begonias, calla lilies, geraniums, freesias, and epiphyllum, enter a dormant or semi-dormant state during the hot summer months. At this time, their metabolism slows down and growth ceases. Therefore, summer care should take into account this physiological characteristic of these flowers and provide careful nurturing to help them successfully navigate their dormancy period.

The main measures are: (1) Place the dormant plants in a cool, ventilated place and avoid strong light and rain, otherwise the roots will rot and the whole plant will die.

(2) Watering should be strictly controlled. If too much water is used, the soil will become too wet and the roots will easily rot. If too little water is used, the roots will shrink. It is best to keep the soil slightly moist.

(3) Stop fertilizing. During dormancy, physiological activity is extremely weak and fertilizer is not needed, so no fertilizer should be applied. Otherwise, it can easily cause root rot, bulb rot, or even the death of the entire plant. In addition, for bulbous flowers such as cyclamen and tulips, the bulbs can be dug up after summer dormancy and stored in a cool, ventilated, and dry place.  

Summer, with its high temperatures and abundant rainfall, is the growing season for most flowers. However, the hot weather and intense sunlight can easily negatively impact their growth if not properly managed. Therefore, enhanced management is essential.   

① Some flowers that are sensitive to high temperatures and direct sunlight should be placed in well-ventilated, shady locations, such as camellias and clivias. Orchids and Araceae plants need to be kept in low light or diffused light, and should be shaded, sprayed with water, and covered in their pots. Sun-loving flowers such as milan, magnolia, roses, poinsettias, figs, and pomegranates should be kept in sunny locations.

② In summer, high temperatures and rapid evaporation mean potted plants need timely watering. Avoid watering under the midday sun. Moisture-loving plants, such as daffodils, monstera, and calla lilies, require ample water; most moisture-loving plants, such as milan, jasmine, oleander, and hibiscus, generally benefit from watering once in the morning and thoroughly again in the evening. Summer brings rapid plant growth, requiring timely and sufficient fertilization. For most potted plants, apply a diluted, well-rotted liquid fertilizer every 7-10 days; for plants preferring acidic soil, apply a diluted alum fertilizer solution every 10 days. Avoid splashing fertilizer onto the leaves, as this can damage them. Summer fertilization is best done in the evening. Before fertilizing, loosen the soil. Loosening the soil promotes root absorption of fertilizer and water, encourages microbial growth, and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, providing various nutrients for the plant. Water the day after fertilizing.

③ During the hot season, plants are prone to excessive growth, so timely pruning is necessary. Pruning mainly involves pinching, bud removal, leaf removal, flower thinning, and fruit thinning. For some spring-sown herbaceous flowers, pinching should be done in time when they reach a certain height to encourage branching and more flowers. For some woody flowers, such as kumquats, pinching should also be done when the current year's branches reach 15-20 cm in length to concentrate nutrients and promote flowering and fruiting. In summer, adventitious buds often appear at the base of the stems or on the trunks of some flowers, consuming nutrients and disrupting the plant's shape; these should be removed promptly. For some flowering plants, such as chrysanthemums, camellias, and roses, some excessive flower buds should be removed to encourage larger and more vibrant flowers.  

The following is a brief summary of the "four-character formula" for preventing high temperatures in flowers and trees.

First, "shading." This means providing shade to prevent strong sunlight, as high temperatures and strong sunlight almost always occur simultaneously; therefore, blocking strong sunlight can effectively lower the temperature. For flowers that are sensitive to both high temperatures and strong sunlight, such as fuchsias, cyclamen, and orchids, providing appropriate shade or placing them under shade structures during the hot summer months can provide the necessary cool environment for their normal growth and development, allowing them to survive the summer heat. If it is not possible to build a shade structure or there is no shade structure available, the plants can be moved indoors for shade and cooling during the day and moved outdoors at night to collect dew and ventilate.

Secondly, "sprinkling". This refers to sprinkling water to increase humidity and lower the temperature. During the hot summer months, sprinkling water around the area where potted plants are placed and spraying water on the leaves can increase humidity and lower the temperature, reduce leaf evaporation, enhance the plants' drought resistance, and create a cool and humid microenvironment for the plants. According to practical observations, the ground temperature can drop by 1 to 5°C immediately after sprinkling water, and the leaf temperature can drop by 1 to 2°C within minutes of spraying water. When sprinkling water, never do so at midday when it is hot or when pouring cold water on potted plants that have already begun to wilt, otherwise it will easily cause them to "catch a cold" and accelerate their wilting or death.    

Thirdly, "avoidance" is crucial. This means protecting plants from rain to prevent root rot. Summer brings frequent and heavy rains that last for extended periods. The rapid temperature drop caused by rainfall can damage root hairs, and water accumulation in the pot after rain can hinder root respiration, easily leading to root rot. This is especially serious for plants with fleshy roots. Therefore, all plants that are weak or semi-dormant in the height of summer should be placed in a rain-sheltered location, and even outdoor plants should be properly covered. Water accumulated after rain should be drained promptly to prevent root rot. 

Fourthly, "ventilation" is crucial. Sufficient fresh air is essential for the respiration and photosynthesis of flowers. Poor ventilation hinders respiration, affecting normal growth and even causing death. In summer, with abundant rainfall and high temperatures, poor ventilation can easily lead to increased temperature and intensified pest activity, severely impacting the plant's ability to survive the summer. The solution is to improve ventilation in the growing area, continuously replacing and supplying fresh air to lower temperature and humidity. Ventilation also reduces the concentration of harmful and toxic gases. Furthermore, the planting density of flowers and trees in open fields or nurseries should be appropriately reduced, and proper pruning should be implemented to control excessive growth in certain plants.

Summer indoor plant care and management    

In North China and other regions, the hot summer climate and increased rainfall make it the peak growth and development period for most flowers and a good time for shrub propagation by cuttings. However, it is also a period of high incidence of pests and diseases, so strong management is required. Pay attention to the following:  

(1) Light and Shade. During the height of summer, the scorching sun is detrimental to the growth and development of many potted plants. Therefore, it is necessary to treat them differently according to their respective growing habits. Plants that prefer sunlight, such as poinsettia, croton, pomegranate, hibiscus, fig, rose, milan, and magnolia, should be kept in a sunny location. During the height of summer, milan, magnolia, hibiscus, and chrysanthemum need some shade. Camellia, azalea, gardenia, clivia, and nandina should be kept in a well-ventilated, shady place after the onset of summer. Orchids, hostas, and araceae plants need to be kept in low light or diffused light. At the same time, measures such as shading, spraying water, and covering the pots should be taken to cool them down and prevent heatstroke.  

(2) Watering and Fertilizing. Summer temperatures are high, and water evaporates quickly, so potted plants need timely watering. However, different flower varieties have different characteristics and water requirements. Plants that prefer moist conditions, such as daffodils, monstera, and calla lilies, require ample water. Most plants that prefer moist conditions, such as milan, jasmine, oleander, and hibiscus, generally require watering once in the morning and once thoroughly in the afternoon or evening. The amount of water depends mainly on the size of the plant, weather changes, and the actual dryness of the potting soil. Summer plants grow rapidly, so timely and sufficient fertilizer is necessary. Fertilization also needs to be tailored to the plant. For general potted plants, apply a diluted, well-rotted liquid fertilizer every 7-10 days; for plants that prefer acidic soil, apply alum fertilizer solution every 10 days or so. Avoid splashing fertilizer solution onto the leaves when fertilizing, as this can easily damage the leaf surface. Fertilization in summer is best done in the evening. Before fertilizing, loosen the soil. Loosening the soil helps the roots absorb fertilizer and water, and also promotes the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter in the soil and providing various nutrients for the growth and development of potted plants. Water the day after fertilizing.  

(3) Pruning and Ventilation. Summer pruning of potted plants mainly involves pinching, bud removal, leaf removal, flower thinning, and fruit thinning. For some spring-sown herbaceous flowers, pinching should be done in time when they reach a certain height to encourage more branching and flowering. For some woody flowers, such as kumquats, pinching should also be done when the current year's branches reach 15-20 cm in length to concentrate nutrients and promote flowering and fruiting. In summer, adventitious buds often appear at the base of the stem or on the trunk of some flowers, consuming nutrients and disrupting the plant shape; these should be removed in time. For some flowering plants, such as chrysanthemums, camellias, and roses, some excessive flower buds should be removed to encourage larger and more vibrant flowers. For fruiting plants, such as pomegranates, kumquats, and Buddha's hand citrons, some young fruits should also be removed in time; generally, only one fruit should be left on short fruiting branches for larger and better-colored fruits. In addition, any overly vigorous branches should be pruned in time. When pruning, the shape can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the flower and personal preferences.  

(4) Cuttings and sowing. Summer is the ideal time for cuttings of some evergreen flowering trees, such as Milan, Jasmine, Azalea, and Hibiscus, which are easy to root. The hottest days of summer are also a good time for budding and approach grafting, such as budding plum blossoms and peach blossoms, and approach grafting magnolias. Summer is also the suitable time for sowing some potted flowers, such as pansies sown in July, which can bloom around National Day. Cineraria sown in July and August can bloom in the cold winter when there are few flowers. Gloxinia and Dianthus sown in August and September will bloom the following summer, etc.