How to shape and prune gardenias to make them bloom in large quantities
Basic Information
Gardenia
【Latin name】 Gardenia jasminoides
【Biological classification】 Angiosperms, Dicots, Rubiales, Rubiaceae, Gardenia genus
Introduction
Gardenia (scientific name: Gardenia jasminoides). Belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is an evergreen shrub. Single leaves are opposite or three leaves are arranged in whorls. The leaves are obovate, leathery, emerald green and shiny. The flowers are white and very fragrant. The berries are oval, yellow or orange. It likes a moist, warm, well-lit and well-ventilated environment, but avoids strong sunlight. It is suitable to be planted in loose, fertile, well-drained acidic soil. It can be propagated by cuttings, layering, division or sowing. The flowers can be used as a spice for tea, and the fruits can relieve inflammation and heat. It is an excellent aromatic flower. Gardenia usually refers to the ornamental double-petaled large-flowered gardenia.
Distribution of production areas
It is cultivated in most parts of the country.
It is distributed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, southern Shaanxi and other provinces.
Gardenia is also the city flower of Yueyang City, Hunan Province.
Morphological characteristics
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 100-200 cm high, most of the plants are relatively short. The trunk is gray, the twigs are green, the leaves are opposite or whorled on the main branches, obovate oblong, 5-14 cm long, suspicious and shiny, all-line, the flowers are solitary at the top of the branches or in the axils of the leaves, white, and fragrant; the corolla is high-footed saucer-shaped, 6-lobed, and fleshy. The fruit is ovate with 6 longitudinal ridges; the seeds are flat, the flowering period is from June to August, and the fruit ripening period is October.
It is an evergreen shrub and woody flower in all seasons. It is more than 1 meter high, the leaves are opposite or whorled with 3 leaves, with short petioles, the leaves are leathery, obovate or oblong-obovate, the apex is gradually pointed, slightly blunt, the surface is shiny, and only the lower vein axils are clustered with short hairs, and the stipules are sheath-shaped. The flowers are large, white, fragrant, with short stalks, solitary at the top of the branches; the calyx lobes are obovate to oblanceolate, stretched, and the anthers are exposed. The flower has 6 petals, and there are double-petal varieties (large-flowered gardenias). The flowering period is relatively long, from May to June to August. The fruit ripens in October. The fruit is yellow, ovate to oblong, with 5-9 wing-like straight edges, 1 chamber; there are many seeds, embedded in the fleshy placenta.
Ecological habits
Gardenia likes warm and humid climates and is not cold-resistant; it likes sunshine but cannot withstand strong sunlight, and is suitable for living in slightly shaded places; it is suitable for growing in loose, fertile, well-drained, lightly sticky acidic soils, and is a typical acidic flower.
It likes warmth, humidity, and sunshine, but must avoid strong direct sunlight. It likes high air temperature and good ventilation, and requires loose, fertile, well-drained acidic soil. It is a typical acidic soil plant. It is not cold-resistant, tolerates semi-shade, and is afraid of waterlogging. It can only be used as a greenhouse potted flower in Northeast, North China, and Northwest China. Gardenia is resistant to sulfur dioxide and can absorb sulfur to purify the atmosphere. 0.5 kg of leaves can absorb 0.002-0.005 kg of sulfur.
Reproduction method
The main methods of propagation are cuttings and layering, and it can also be propagated by sowing and division.
In the north, it is done in a greenhouse from October to November, and in the south, it can be done at any time from April to the beginning of autumn, but the survival rate is highest between summer and autumn. Select healthy 2-year-old branches for cuttings, with a length of 10-12 cm. Cut off the lower leaves, dip them in vitamin B12 injection, and then insert them into sand. They will take root in about 15 days under 80% relative humidity and 20-24℃. If they are soaked in 20*10-6 to 50*10-6 indolebutyric acid for 24 hours, the effect will be better. When the rooted seedlings begin to grow, transplant them or pot them individually. They will bloom after 2 years.
(2) Layering propagation
In April, select strong branches from the 3-year-old mother plant, 25-30 cm long, for layering. If there are three-branch branches, they can be placed at the fork, and three seedlings can be obtained at one time. Generally, it will take 20 to 30 days for the plant to take root. The plant can be separated from the mother plant in June and transplanted or potted individually in the next spring.
(3) Seed propagation
It is usually carried out in spring. The seeds germinate slowly and germinate about one year after sowing. The plant blooms 3 to 4 years later. It is not easy to get seeds from potted plants in the north.
Cuttings and layering are commonly used for propagation. For cuttings, use 15 cm long young branches in the rainy season and insert them into the seedbed. They will take root in 10-12 days. For layering, select two-year-old branches in April, 20-25 cm long, bury them in the soil, keep them moist, and take root in about 30 days. Separate the plant from the mother plant in summer and transplant it in the next spring. It is best to transplant seedlings or potted plants in spring, during the rainy season, with soil balls. Keep the soil moist during the growing season and water frequently during the flowering period and midsummer. Fertilize once a month and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers once before flowering. Prune and shape the plant in the early spring of the next year, and remove dead branches and long branches in time.
Gardenia can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, and division. Seed propagation is the main method.
Seed propagation
(1) Seed selection: Select plump, dark red mature fruits, sun-dry or air-dry with the shell as seeds. Before sowing, use scissors to cut the seed peel, dig out the seeds, rub them in hot water, remove floating seeds or impurities, then fish out the sunken seeds, spread them on bamboo mats, place them in a ventilated place to dry out excess water, and then sow.
(2) Site selection and land preparation: Select sandy loam with a deep, loose and fertile soil layer, plow 1-1.5 feet, and make ridges with a width of 4-5 feet and a height of 6 inches. Apply 20-30 dan of human feces and urine per mu, and rake the mud shallowly after the soil is dry to level the surface of the ridge. Dig sowing furrows on the surface of the ridge with a row spacing of 6-7 inches and a depth of about 1 inch for sowing.
(3) Seeding and seedling raising: It can be sown in spring or autumn. Spring sowing should be done before or after the rain, and autumn sowing should be done before or after the autumnal equinox. When sowing, mix the seeds with fire ash and sow them evenly in the sowing furrow. Then cover the sowing furrow with fine soil or fire soil, cover with grass and water it. Keep the soil moist at all times to facilitate germination. Use 4-6 jin of seeds per mu.
After germination, pay attention to remove the grass in time. Weeding should be done frequently during the seedling stage. Be careful not to damage the roots of the seedlings. After weeding, it is necessary to apply diluted human feces and urine water. The seedlings can be transplanted after one year of raising them.
Maintenance and cultivation
The soil for potting is preferably prepared with 40% garden soil, 15% coarse sand, 30% manure soil, and 15% leaf humus. Pay attention to watering during the seedling stage of gardenia, keep the pot soil moist, and apply decomposed thin fertilizer frequently. It is better to use rainwater or fermented rice water for watering. During the growth period, if 0.2% ferrous sulfate water or alum fertilizer water (the two can be used alternately) is poured once every 10 to 15 days, it can prevent the soil from becoming alkaline, and at the same time, it can supplement the iron element in the soil to prevent the yellowing of gardenia leaves. In summer, the leaves of gardenia should be sprayed with water once every morning and evening to increase the air humidity and promote the gloss of the leaves. For potted gardenia, only water it with clean water after it blooms in August, and control the amount of watering. Move it indoors before the Cold Dew in October and place it in a sunny place. Watering is strictly controlled in winter, but the leaves can be sprayed with clean water frequently. Every year from May to July, when the vigorous growth period of gardenia is about to stop, the plant is pruned and the top is removed to promote the sprouting of branches, so that the plant shape is beautiful and there are many flowers in the future. Gardenia is mostly propagated by cuttings and layering. It can also be propagated by division and sowing, but it is rarely used. Cuttings can be divided into spring cuttings and autumn cuttings. Spring cuttings are carried out in mid-to-late February; autumn cuttings are carried out from late September to late October. Cuttings are selected from branches that have been taken for 2-3 years, cut into 10-12 cm segments, leaving two leaves on the top, cut off half of each, and then inserted obliquely into the cutting bed, leaving only one section on the soil surface. Pay attention to shade and maintain a certain humidity. Generally, it can take root in 1 month and transplant after 1 year. In the south, there is also water cutting, that is, the cuttings are inserted into a disc woven with reed stalks, allowed to float on the water surface, so that the lower part takes root in the water, and then transplanted for cultivation. Layering can be carried out around Qingming Festival in April or during the plum rain season. Choose a one-year-old healthy branch from a three-year-old mother plant, pull it to the ground, and scratch the soil-entering part of the branch. If you can dip 200ppm powdered acetic acid on the scratched part and then cover it with soil and compact it, it will be easier to root. Generally, after taking root in a month or so, it can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted with soil in the spring of the second year.
Field management
Gardenia likes fertilizer, but it is better to apply more thin fertilizer. The soil prefers acidic and good drainage. After the seedlings are transplanted, topdressing can be done once a month; pruning is done once from May to July each year, cutting off the top tip to promote branching and form a complete crown. Removing the withered flowers of adult trees is conducive to vigorous flowering and extending the flowering period. Potted gardenias should be promptly drained of accumulated water after rain, and alum fertilizer should be applied in time when the leaves turn yellow.
In the north, the gardenias introduced from the south are often large in the first year, and become smaller in the second year. The leaves turn yellow and fall off easily, and the plants die in severe cases. The main reason is that the soil in the north is alkaline, the climate is dry, and the water quality is not suitable for its growth. Therefore, when introducing from the south, as much soil as possible should be transplanted. Usually, watering can be done with stored rainwater or soaking in water with green grass and fruit peels, or watering with fermented salt-free swill. If 0.1 kg of ferrous sulfate can be added to 50 kg of water, the effect will be better. Topdressing with ground water during the growth period can promote luxuriant branches and leaves, and the leaves are dark green and bright. In spring and autumn, the growth is slow. Apply thin liquid fertilizer once every 2 to 3 weeks. After summer, the temperature rises and the growth becomes vigorous. Liquid fertilizer can be applied once every 7 to 10 days. In the morning and evening, you can also use clean water to sprinkle the leaves and the nearby ground to increase the air humidity. Before the autumn frost, move it to an environment where the temperature is not lower than 0℃ for winter.
Site selection and land preparation
It is advisable to choose a sunny hillside with a deep sandy loam soil layer for planting. It can be planted on the edge of the field or intercropped with leguminous plants.
Before planting, cultivate the land, remove the miscellaneous tree pockets, dig holes according to the plant spacing of 4×4 feet, the hole width is 1 foot square, and the depth is 0.8-1 foot. Apply 10-15 kg of soil and miscellaneous fertilizer to each hole, mix it with the soil and wait for planting.
Planting
1. Site selection and land preparation: Gardenia is not strict with soil, and can be cultivated on hillsides, soil squares, field edges, and corners. Dig holes at a spacing of 4-6 feet in the selected site (the distance can be larger if the soil is good, otherwise smaller), with a hole diameter of one foot and a depth of 0.8-1 feet. Apply soil and miscellaneous fertilizers, green manure or human and animal manure as base fertilizer. The soil and fertilizer should be evenly distributed before planting.
2. Planting: Planting should be carried out on cloudy days in March and April. After the seedlings emerge from the ground, they should be planted in time. Do not expose them to wind and sun. If they are transported far away, it is advisable to use yellow mud to slurry the roots and cover them with grass to keep them moist. Plant one plant in each hole, cover the soil, compact it, and water it.
3. Field management: After planting, cultivate and weed once in spring and summer every year, and apply human and animal manure, stable manure, compost, cake fertilizer, etc. Before flowering in summer, it is better to apply fertilizers with a high phosphorus and potassium content. Fertilization is generally carried out after weeding and loosening the soil.
Pest Control
Gardenia is often prone to chlorosis, where the leaves turn yellow. Chlorosis is caused by a variety of reasons, so different measures must be taken to prevent and control it. Chlorosis caused by fertilizer deficiency: This chlorosis starts from the old leaves at the bottom of the plant and gradually spreads to the new leaves. Nitrogen deficiency: The leaves turn yellow, and the new leaves are small and brittle. Potassium deficiency: The old leaves turn from green to brown. Phosphorus deficiency: The old leaves are purple or dark red. For the above situations, you can force the application of decomposed human manure or cake fertilizer. Chlorosis caused by iron deficiency: This chlorosis is manifested on the new leaves. At the beginning, the leaves are light yellow or white, and the veins are still green. In severe cases, the veins are also yellow or white, and the leaves will eventually dry up and die. In this case, you can spray 0.2%-0.5% ferrous sulfate aqueous solution for prevention and control. Chlorosis caused by magnesium deficiency: This chlorosis starts from the old leaves and gradually develops to the new leaves. The veins are still green. In severe cases, the leaves fall off and die. In this case, spray 0.7%-0.8% boron magnesium fertilizer for prevention and control. Excessive watering and freezing can also cause yellow leaves, so special attention should be paid during maintenance. Gardenia is prone to scale insect damage and sooty mold in winter when indoor ventilation is poor and temperature and humidity are too high. Scale insects can be scraped off with a bamboo stick or sprayed with 200 times of water and No. 20 petroleum emulsion. Sooty mold can be scrubbed with clean water or sprayed with 1000 times of carbendazim.
Pests that harm gardenia include aphids, flea beetles and hawk moth larvae. The first two can be treated with dimethoate and trichlorfon, and the latter can be treated with 666 powder or manually captured.
3. Pest and disease control of gardenia
(1) Pests
Gardenia is prone to scale insect damage in high humidity and poor ventilation. It can be promptly removed with a small brush or sprayed with 100-150 times of No. 20 gasoline emulsion.
(2) Diseases
① Sooty mold: occurs on branches and leaves. After discovery, it can be washed with clean water or sprayed with 0.3 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture and 1000-1200 times of carbendazim.
② Rot disease: often occurs on the lower trunk, and the stems swell and crack. After discovery, scrape them immediately or apply 5-10 degrees lime sulfur mixture. It will take several times for it to be effective.
Diseases and insect pests often occur in leaf spot and yellowing. For leaf spot, spray 65% mancozeb wettable powder at 600 times. Regularly add 0.1% ferrous sulfate solution to water to prevent and control yellowing. Pests include spiny moths, scale insects and whiteflies. Spray 2.5% dimethoate EC at 3000 times to kill spiny moths, and spray 40% omethoate EC at 1500 times to kill scale insects and whiteflies.
Why do the leaves of gardenia turn yellow?
There are many reasons for the yellowing of gardenia leaves, the most common of which is the "chlorosis" caused by physiological diseases. Whether it is potted or planted in the ground, it is more common if the soil is alkaline or iron-deficient. The manifestation of iron deficiency is the loss of green and yellowing between the veins of young leaves. In severe cases, the leaves of the whole plant will turn yellow, and even scorched leaves and withered branches will appear, eventually causing the death of the plant. Therefore, it is best to choose well-drained, loose and fertile acidic soil for ground-planted gardenias; potted plants should use 2 parts of humus and 1 part of garden soil, and it is better to add some mountain mud to mix. If yellow leaf disease occurs during the growing period from May to September, 0.1% ferrous sulfate or 0.5% ammonium sulfate can be added to the fertilizer solution, and applied 1-2 times a month, which can achieve better results.
Cultivation and propagation
Cuttings and layering are commonly used for propagation. For cuttings, use 15 cm long shoots in the rainy season and insert them into the seedbed. They will take root in 10-12 days. For layering, select two-year-old branches in April, 20-25 cm long, bury them in the soil, keep them moist, and take root in about 30 days. Separate them from the mother plant in summer and transplant them in the following spring. It is best to transplant seedlings or potted plants in spring, which should be done in the rainy season with soil balls. Keep the soil moist during the growing season, and water more during the flowering period and midsummer. Fertilize once a month, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers once before flowering. Prune and shape in early spring of the following year, and cut off dead branches and long branches in time. Leaf spot and chlorosis are common diseases and insect pests. Spray 600 times of 65% mancozeb wettable powder for leaf spot, and add 0.1% ferrous sulfate solution to water regularly to prevent and control chlorosis. Pests include spur moths, scale insects and whiteflies. Use 2.5% dimethoate EC at 3000 times dilution to kill spur moths, and 40% omethoate EC at 1500 times dilution to kill scale insects and whiteflies Garden use
Gardenia has evergreen leaves all year round, and the flowers are fragrant and elegant. The green leaves and white flowers are particularly beautiful and lovely. It is suitable for configuration in front of steps, poolside and roadside. It can also be used as a flower hedge and potted plant for viewing. The flowers can also be used for flower arrangement and wear decoration.
Gardenia has lush branches and leaves, beautiful flowers and rich fragrance. It is an excellent beautification material in the courtyard. It can also be used for potted plants or bonsai, cut flowers, and the peel is used as a yellow dye. The wood is hard and delicate, which is a good material for carving.
Medicinal value
Gardenia fruit is used as medicine, mainly for treating high fever, restlessness and insomnia, toothache caused by fire, mouth sores, nosebleed, vomiting blood, conjunctivitis, sores and swelling, jaundice-type infectious hepatitis, favism, and hematuria; it is used externally to treat bleeding from trauma and sprains. The root is used as medicine to treat infectious hepatitis, traumatic injuries, and toothache caused by wind and fire. Harvesting and processing of gardenia:
Pick the fruits between September and November, remove impurities such as the fruit stalk, steam them in a steamer or boil them in boiling water (alum can be added), take them out and dry them. The fruits are not easy to dry, so they should be turned frequently to ensure good ventilation to avoid mold and deterioration. The roots are dug in summer and autumn, washed and dried.
Gardenia begins to bloom and bear fruit after 2-3 years of cultivation. The fruits begin to mature in November and December, and can be harvested when the peel is yellow-green. Choose a sunny day to pick them, and the harvested gardenias can be dried or baked in time.
Nature and flavor:
cold in nature, sweet and bitter in taste; lung and liver meridians.
Efficacy and indications
Clearing the lungs and relieving cough, cooling blood and stopping bleeding. Indications: cough due to lung heat, nose, expectoration, swelling and toxicity.
Nutritional ingredients
Gardenia contains triterpenoids, gardenia acid A, B and zirconia acid. In addition, it also contains carbohydrates, protein, crude fiber and a variety of vitamins.
Dietary therapeutic effects
1. Clearing heat and cooling blood Gardenia is bitter and cold, and can enter the blood and clear away evil heat. It is an auxiliary therapeutic food for sores, swelling and toxicity, intestinal wind and diarrhea, and blood heat.
2. Resolving phlegm and relieving cough The active ingredients of gardenia can inhibit bacterial growth, release phlegm and clear the airway. It has the effect of resolving phlegm and relieving cough. It can be used as a dietary product for people with cough caused by hot phlegm.
3. Widen the intestine and promote bowel movements, prevent cancer Gardenia contains cellulose, which can promote large intestine peristalsis, help excretion of stool, and prevent the onset of hemorrhoids and the occurrence of rectal cancer.
Precautions:
Gardenia is bitter and cold, and people with spleen deficiency, diarrhea, and insufficient kidney yang should be careful when eating it.
Prescription: ① Treat cold, lung phlegm, fire, lung heat cough: 3 gardenia flowers. A little honey and decoct. ("Southern Yunnan Materia Medica") ② Treat nosebleeds: A few gardenia flowers, dry and grind into powder, blow into the nose. ("Southern Yunnan Materia Medica")
In addition to viewing, its flowers, fruits, leaves and roots can be used as medicine. Gardenia contains gardenia glycoside, dehydroxy gardenia glycoside, methyl ester of gentiana glycoside and a small amount of gardenia glycoside, which has the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, cooling blood and detoxifying, jaundice, bloody and painful stranguria, red and swollen eyes, fire poison sores, and lowering blood pressure.
If you encounter the following symptoms, you may wish to use gardenia to treat them.
Cold and high fever: 60 grams of gardenia root, 30 grams of mountain hemp root, 60 grams of duck foot village two layers of skin, 30 grams of red flower root, decoct and take, the effect is very good.
Jaundice hepatitis : Use 30-60 grams of gardenia root, add lean meat and cook, and the jaundice can be relieved in about half a month. Dysentery
: Stew gardenia root with rock sugar, the effect is very good, take it for 7 days in a row to see the effect.
Red and swollen eyes: Use 9 grams of gardenia leaves and chrysanthemum, 6 grams of scutellaria, gentian, and licorice, decoct in water, take it for 15 days in a row, the effect is very good.
Ulcers: Use gardenia leaves to squeeze juice, apply it to the red and swollen sores, the effect is significant in 7-10 days.
Hoarseness: 5-7 gardenia flowers, brew with boiling water, and drink it instead of tea.
Gastric pain: 7-9 gardenias are fried and charred, add appropriate amount of ginger, decoct in water; 30 grams of gardenia root and 20 grams of rock sugar, stew it.
Nosebleed: Dry the gardenia flowers, grind them into fine powder, take a little each time and blow it into the nasal cavity, and press it with a sterilized cotton plug. 10 grams of gardenia and Sophora japonica flowers, decoct in water for 15 minutes, and drink it instead of tea.
Cold and high fever : 60 grams of gardenia root, 30 grams of mountain hemp root, 60 grams of duck foot village second layer skin, 30 grams of safflower root, decoction, the effect is very good.
Jaundice hepatitis : use 30-60 grams of gardenia root, add lean meat to cook, about half a month, jaundice can be subsided.
Dysentery : stew gardenia root with rock sugar, the effect is very good, take it for 7 days to see the effect. Red and
swollen eyes: use gardenia leaves, chrysanthemum 9 grams each, scutellaria, gentian, licorice 6 grams each, decoct in water, take it for 15 days, the effect is very good.
Hypertension : use gardenia leaves to make tea, which has the effect of lowering blood pressure.
Ulcers : squeeze the juice of gardenia leaves and apply it to the red and swollen sores. The effect is significant in 7-10 days.
Tracheitis : 10 grams of gardenia and 30 grams of fresh gardenia root, decoct in water.
Hoarseness : 5-7 gardenia flowers, brew with boiling water, and drink instead of tea.
Lung heat cough : Boil 3 eggs, peel them, and then boil them with 30 grams of gardenia for half an hour, and eat them 3 times a day; marinate 15 grams of gardenia with 30 grams of sugar for half a day, take a little each time, and make tea. Redness and swelling
of sores and boils : 12 grams each of gardenia, dandelion, and honeysuckle, decoct in water, take 1 dose a day, divided into 3 times.
Literature selection
"Compendium of Materia Medica": "It makes the complexion bright, and it can be used in the facial cream of "Qianjinyi". "
Southern Yunnan Materia Medica": "It can relieve lung fire, stop lung heat cough, stop nosebleed, and eliminate phlegm."
Healthy Recipes
1. Cold-mixed gardenia: 500g of gardenia, chopped green onion and shredded ginger. Remove the impurities from the gardenia, wash it, put it in boiling water and boil it, remove it and drain it, let it cool, loosen it with chopsticks, put it in a white porcelain plate, sprinkle it with chopped green onion and shredded ginger, pour sesame oil and old vinegar, add salt and monosodium glutamate as needed, and stir it evenly. This dish is fragrant and tender, and has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, detoxifying and stopping dysentery. It is suitable for lung heat cough, carbuncle, intestinal wind and bleeding.
2. Gardenia egg flower: 200g of gardenia, 3 eggs, chopped green onion and shredded ginger as appropriate. Remove the impurities from the gardenia, wash it, put it in boiling water for a while, and cut it into small pieces; crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them evenly; put the gardenia into the eggs and stir them evenly; add oil to the pot and heat it to 80% hot, pour in the gardenia egg flower, fry it until cooked, sprinkle with chopped green onion and shredded ginger, add salt and monosodium glutamate, and stir well. This dish is fragrant, crisp and tender, and has the effects of clearing heat and nourishing the stomach, widening the intestines and promoting qi. It is suitable for symptoms such as stomach heat and bad breath, swollen and painful gums, and constipation.
3. Gardenia fried with bamboo shoots: 200 grams of gardenia, 150 grams of shelled bamboo shoots, 100 grams of bacon, and appropriate amounts of chopped green onions and shredded ginger. Remove impurities from the gardenia, wash it, and blanch it briefly; cut the bamboo shoots into thin slices; cut the bacon into small cubes; add oil to the pot and heat it to 60% hot, pour the gardenia, bamboo shoots, and bacon into the pot together, stir-fry several times, add chopped green onions and shredded ginger, stir-fry again until cooked, and add MSG and salt as appropriate. This dish is light, fresh, crisp, tender and refreshing, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and appetite, clearing heat and promoting bowel movements. It is suitable for symptoms such as sluggish appetite, reduced appetite, abdominal distension and constipation.
4. Gardenia Soup: 150g gardenia, 100g lean pork, 30g shredded mustard tuber, appropriate amount of chopped green onion and shredded ginger. Remove impurities from gardenia, wash and blanch, drain; cut pork into shreds; add water to the pot, boil, add gardenia, lean pork, shredded mustard tuber, cook until pork floats, skim off the foam, add chopped green onion, shredded ginger and other five seasonings, and serve in a soup bowl. This soup is fresh, fragrant and refreshing, and has the effects of nourishing the stomach, clearing heat and benefiting the intestines. It is suitable for physical weakness, poor appetite, intestinal wind and blood, constipation, cough and sputum, swollen and painful gums, etc.
Gardenia is a small bush with strong germination ability and side branches growing in a triangular shape. If not pruned, the branches will overlap, the tree shape will be disordered, the trees will interfere with each other, the air will not be ventilated, and the nutrients will be dispersed. Not only will the plant shape be ugly, but it will also affect flowering.
When pruning, you can choose to keep 3 main branches, cut off all the side branches that sprout from 15 cm at the base of the 3 main branches, let the side branches grow from the middle of the main branches, and cut off the root suckers that sprout from the root suckers at any time. Do not cut the side branches short in spring, let them bloom on their own. Starting from mid-June, cut the branches after the flowers have faded in time. When the flower pulp changes from snow-white to yellow-brown, do not let them hang on the branches. First, it is ugly, and second, it consumes nutrients. The broken flower branches should be kept at the base for 2-3 nodes and then cut off to promote the germination of the side buds at the base and produce new branches. When new branches grow out of 3 nodes, they should be topped. In order to prevent all the lateral buds on the 3 nodes from sprouting and making the crown too dense, 1-2 lateral buds at the base should be removed, leaving 1-2 to allow them to grow into secondary branches. In August, the secondary branches should be topped to prevent them from continuing to grow longer. After this topping, do not remove the buds again to allow the axillary buds to fully develop. After these lateral buds sprout in the spring of the following year, they can produce flower branches and bloom.
Pruning should be done in the year of planting, and the single trunk and three branches natural shaping method is often used. In the first year, wipe off the buds on the stem 30cm above the ground and set it as the main trunk. Then select 3 strong branches evenly distributed in different directions to cultivate them as main branches, with a spacing of about 10cm. Later, select 3-4 strong branches at the appropriate position of the main branch and cultivate them as secondary branches. Then cultivate side branches on the secondary branches, so that the crown is open, round outside and hollow inside, ventilated and light-permeable, laying a good foundation for more flowering and fruiting. Pruning is mostly done in winter or early spring. Wipe off the buds on the trunk and main branches, then cut off the dead branches, crossed branches, overlapping branches, long branches, diseased and insect-infested branches and upright branches from the base, and thin out the dense and weak branches to make the branches evenly distributed and ventilated and light-permeable.