Questions and Answers on Flower Cultivation Technology 

What are flowers? What are the common and scientific names of flowers?

"Flowers" can be interpreted in a narrow sense and a broad sense. In a narrow sense, "flowers" refer to herbaceous plants with ornamental value, such as chrysanthemums and impatiens. In a broad sense, "flowers" refer to plants whose flowers, stems, leaves, fruits or roots have ornamental value in form or color. Therefore, flowers in a broad sense include not only herbaceous plants, but also trees, shrubs, vines and ground cover plants.

Names that are widely accepted but usually have no scientific origin are collectively referred to as common names of flowers, or simply common names, such as chrysanthemum, violet, etc. There are many different ways to name common names. For example, some are named according to the shape of the flower, such as cockscomb, dancing orchid, etc. Some are named according to the flowering season, such as spring orchid, autumn orchid, etc. Some are named according to transliteration, such as carnation, etc. There are also other naming methods. In fact, some flowers have become famous due to the publication of literature or film and television works when some people do not know them, such as violet, tulip and other flower names. Although the common names of flowers are widely recognized and accepted, they often have multiple names for one flower, and different flowers have the same name, which can easily confuse people and is not conducive to communication and trade.

According to the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants, the scientific names of flowers are divided into three levels: genus, species, and cultivar. The genus and species names are composed of Latin or Latinized words and are in italics in print. The variety name is not in italics and there are two ways to write it: one is to add an abbreviation "cv." in front of the variety name; the other is to directly add single quotes to the variety name. Unlike common names, each flower has only one scientific name, which eliminates the possibility of being mistaken in communication, trade, scientific research, etc.

How to classify flowers? What is the practical classification of flowers?

There are many types of flowers, covering a wide range, including not only flowering plants, but also plants such as mosses and ferns, and their cultivation and application methods are also diverse. Therefore, there are many classification methods for flowers due to different bases. Commonly used classification methods are:

First, according to the botanical system classification. The classification is based on the morphological characteristics of the plant, and is classified according to family, genus, species, and variety, and given a Latin name.

Second, according to the natural distribution, they are mainly divided into tropical flowers, temperate flowers, cold zone flowers, alpine plants, aquatic flowers, rock flowers and desert plants.

Third, according to the principle and purpose, they are divided into flowerbed flowers, potted flowers, cut flowers and picked flowers.

Fourth, according to the ornamental parts, they are divided into flowering flowers, fruit-viewing flowers, stem-viewing flowers and foliage-viewing flowers.

Fifth, according to the natural flowering season, they are divided into spring flowers, summer flowers, autumn flowers and winter flowers.

Sixth, according to economic use, they are divided into ornamental flowers, medicinal flowers, spice flowers and edible flowers.

Seventh, according to ecological habits, they are mainly divided into annual herbaceous flowers, biennial herbaceous flowers, perennial herbaceous flowers and woody flowers.

Eighth, classification by origin. The world is divided into seven climate types. In each climate type, due to the unique climatic conditions, the natural distribution center of wild flowers is formed. These seven climate types are: Chinese climate type, European climate type, Mediterranean climate type, Mexican climate type, tropical climate type, desert climate type and cold climate type.

The following mainly introduces the practical classification of flowers. The practical classification of flowers is a classification method of flowers adopted from the perspective of gardening. Here, flowers are mainly divided into 8 groups.

First, annual and biennial herbaceous flowers: Annual herbaceous flowers refer to flowers that complete their entire growth cycle within one year from seed sowing. Biennial herbaceous flowers refer to flowers that complete their entire growth cycle within two years from seed sowing.

Second, perennial herbaceous flowers: Perennial herbaceous flowers refer to perennial herbaceous flowers with a growth cycle of more than two years (except the following bulbous flowers).

Third, bulbous flowers: bulbous flowers are a type of perennial herb. In order to withstand adverse environments such as dryness and low temperatures, they form a special morphological and ecological hypertrophy in the underground part and store a large amount of nutrients. They can be divided into spring-planted bulbs and autumn-planted bulbs.

Fourth, woody flowers: ornamental flowers with woody stems and perennial growth, which can be divided into tall trees with one or a few main trunks and shrubs with more branches and shorter crowns.

Fifth, greenhouse flowers: herbaceous or woody flowers that either cannot survive the winter or have difficulty surviving the winter under temperate natural conditions.

Sixth, foliage plants: plants whose leaves are the main ornamental object, but the flowers of some plants also have ornamental value, such as bromeliads.

Seventh, orchids: including the entire orchid family. The number of cultivated species is increasing, and the number of hybrid varieties is countless.

Eighth, cacti and succulents: They are plants native to desert climates and have fleshy bodies.

Why is China called the “Mother of World Gardens”?

The flower resources are very rich, and there are countless exotic flowers and plants. For example, there are about 800 original species of azalea in the world , and about 650 species are grown in Taiwan. There are about 220 species of camellia in the world, and 195 species grow in Taiwan; among the nearly 500 species of primroses, about 390 species are grown in Taiwan.

China has a vast territory, complex natural conditions, and a variety of terrain, climate, and soil. In particular, during the period of the occurrence and development of gymnosperms in the Mesozoic and Tertiary periods, the climate was always warm. During the Quaternary glaciers, it was not destroyed by the northern continental ice sheet, but was only affected by mountain glaciers and climate fluctuations, and basically maintained a relatively stable climate in the ancient tropics of the Tertiary period. For these reasons, the plant resources are very rich, and it is the largest center among the eight origin centers of cultivated plants in the world. Among the approximately 270,000 known flowering plant species, China has about 25,000 species. Among some ancient species of mosquitoes that have long been extinct in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, those that are still preserved in China include Ginkgo, Cathaya, Glyptostroboides, Golden Thread Pine, Davidia involucrata, and Cistanche deserticola.

The flower resources of China flowed into various parts of the world through various channels, making great contributions to enriching the world's horticulture. After the 16th century, a large number of flower resources were introduced to foreign countries. After the introduction of Chinese flowers, Europe and the United States quickly changed their original appearance. Therefore, foreign countries often refer to the collection of flower resources in China as digging for gold. Britain once introduced thousands of garden plants from China, which played a major role in some specialized gardens or wall gardens, azalea gardens, rose gardens, peony and peony gardens, rock gardens, etc. In Europe, there was once a saying: Without Chinese flowers and trees, it cannot be called a garden.

Since 1899, a man named Henry Wilson has come to China five times to collect cultivated and wild flowers. Over a period of 18 years, he traveled to Sichuan, Hubei, Yunnan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Taiwan, collecting 1,200 species of trees and shrubs and 65,000 wax leaf specimens. Wilson published his collection notes in China in the United States in 1929, and the title of the book was "China, the Mother of Gardens". Since then, China has been known as the "Mother of World Gardens".

It can be said that all countries that have introduced plants have Chinese flowers. Some of the flower germplasm resources introduced from abroad are directly used in gardening and greening, making great contributions to gardens in countries around the world; others are used as parents for flower hybrid breeding, playing a huge role in fundamentally transforming the original flowers, because many Chinese flower species and varieties have the characteristics of early flowering, four-season flowering, fragrance, excellent characteristics, and strong resistance to adversity.

What is the purpose of planting flowers?

First, the role of life and culture

Flowers are the most beautiful natural products, and their beauty is mainly reflected in their colors, shapes and fragrance. Flowers give people a beautiful enjoyment, and everyone has a love for beauty. In the world, although countries, nationalities, skin colors, languages, customs, systems, etc. are different, people all have the same love for flowers.

Planting flowers can improve people's spiritual life, make people relaxed and happy, eliminate fatigue, improve physical and mental health, and can also exercise willpower and improve scientific and cultural accomplishment. Especially when the flowers cultivated by one's hard work bloom, the mood is incomparable.

Both at home and abroad, people regard flowers as a symbol of beauty, happiness, good luck and friendship. It has become a good custom to give flowers as gifts on festive occasions, banquets, visiting relatives and friends, visiting the sick, welcoming and seeing off guests, and on international exchanges.

Second, the role in landscaping

Flowers are important materials for landscaping, beautifying and scenting the environment. Flowers are used to arrange flower beds, flower mirrors, flower stands, flower bushes, etc., to provide people with a beautiful working and resting environment, so that people can appreciate nature in their daily lives or after work, thus achieving the purpose of serving people's lives and work.

Flowers can also prevent dust, kill bacteria, absorb harmful gases, purify the air, regulate the climate, reduce urban noise, etc., which are extremely beneficial to people's physical and mental health.

Third, planting flowers has high economic benefits

Due to various reasons, the economic benefits of flowers currently rank first in the planting industry. In Italy, the output value ratio of fruits, vegetables and fresh cut flowers per hectare is 1:1.2:10; in Colombia, flowers can earn up to 4,450 US dollars per acre, which can buy 20,000 kilograms of rice. The high-efficiency flower industry has become the goal of many countries, whether developed or developing. Since the reform and opening up, the flower industry has also developed rapidly, and it is difficult to count the number of people who have become rich by growing flowers.

Fourth, the role of flowers in other aspects

Flowers can be eaten. People have always had the habit of eating flowers, such as daylilies, lilies, and queen flowers. Flowers contain a lot of amino acids, vitamins, trace elements and other substances, which are beneficial to health. Flowers are also used in foreign countries to prepare dishes, beverages, and foods.

Flowers can be used for medicinal purposes. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, flowers are good medicines for preventing and treating diseases and strengthening the body. Common Chinese medicines include honeysuckle, platycodon, fritillaria, dendrobium, cockscomb, ophiopogon japonicus, etc.

Flowers can also be used to make tea, such as chrysanthemum tea, jasmine tea, rose tea, osmanthus tea, etc.

Flowers can also be used to extract essences, such as osmanthus, roses, magnolias, lilacs and other flowers can be used to extract essences. The rose oil extracted from roses is equivalent to the price of gold, or even higher than gold.

I want to grow flowers to make money, how can I do a feasibility analysis?

To establish a flower garden for profit is not blind, it is necessary to conduct a multi-faceted investigation and feasibility analysis. The main issues involved are:

First, market demand and development prospects. Flowers are not a necessity in people's lives. The current growth of flower consumption at home and abroad is proportional to the development of the national economy and the increase in people's income. Economic development in various regions is uneven, so if you plan to supply products to the local market, you must consider how big the local market capacity is? How many competitors are there? Which flowers have more prospects? How big the scale of development should be, etc.

Second, local climate conditions. There are thousands of flower species, and their origins are different, so the requirements for environmental conditions are also different. The natural climate varies greatly from place to place. In the province, the climate conditions in different places are also different. Therefore, when facility cultivation cannot be guaranteed, it is necessary to determine which type or kind of flowers are suitable for development based on the local natural climate conditions.

Third, technical support. Flowers have higher technical requirements than other crops and need more careful management. The strength of technical strength is related to whether better and more flower products can be produced. Therefore, in order to establish a flower garden to achieve the goal of profitability, flower experts must participate. In addition, there must be excellent management personnel. Some flower gardens cannot achieve the expected economic benefits or even lose money due to poor management.

Fourth, transportation conditions. Fresh cut flowers and potted flowers are the two main flower products traded in the international market, and fresh cut flowers account for a larger proportion. One of the main reasons is that fresh cut flowers are easy to pack and transport, while potted flowers are mainly used to meet the needs of local and nearby areas due to their weight, high transportation costs, and quarantine requirements. Although fresh cut flowers are easy to transport, they are very fresh and require air transportation for long distances at home and abroad.

Fifth, capital. The scale of production must be determined based on the amount of capital. According to domestic and foreign experience, a flower garden must be of a certain scale to achieve better economic benefits. For greenhouses and sheds to grow flowers, the cost will be greatly increased, so it is even more important to pay attention to the analysis of its economic benefits.

How are flowers graded and priced?

Although there are many types and varieties of flowers, flower products can be summarized into five categories: potted flowers, cut flowers, bulbs, seeds and seedlings.

The grading and pricing of potted flowers are generally based on the type or variety, plant size and growth conditions, combined with market conditions. Potted flowers can be divided into three categories: ornamental potted flowers, foliage potted flowers and fruit ornamental potted flowers. The main classification basis for ornamental potted flowers is the variety, plant age, bud size, number of flowers and plant growth conditions, and then combined with market conditions to determine the price. Most foliage potted flowers are graded according to the diameter of the trunk or cluster, the height of the plant, the size of the crown, the plant shape, the fullness of the plant, the growth conditions, etc., and then combined with market conditions to determine the price. Fruit ornamental potted flowers are mainly graded according to the number of fruits hanging on each potted plant, the distribution of fruits, plant shape, the fullness of the plant, the growth conditions, etc., and then combined with market conditions to determine the price. Some fruit ornamental potted flowers use one fruit as the basic unit of pricing, and then multiply it by the number of fruits, which is the selling price of the potted flower.

In the flower market, general commodity potted flowers have a relatively uniform price. However, when promoting or selling excellent varieties, their prices are often several times higher than the general varieties. The prices of newly discovered or cultivated exotic varieties are even higher. For example, some rare orchid varieties cost tens of thousands of yuan each. This is because flowers are ornamental commodities, not necessities of people's lives, so "scarcity makes things valuable" has become a determining factor in the value of potted flowers.

The grading and pricing standards for cut flowers are mainly based on the variety and color, the length of the flower branch and inflorescence, the number of flowers on the flower branch, the size and degree of opening of the flower, the appearance of the flower branch, etc. Foreign countries have formulated grading standards for general fresh cut flowers. The higher the grade, the higher the price at auction. At present, there is no unified grading standard for fresh cut flowers.

Bulbs are generally graded and priced according to their variety and size. Seeds and flower seedlings are generally priced based on cost and market conditions. For example, when the Hulk tissue culture seedlings first appeared on the market in our province, they were sold for more than ten yuan each, but now they can be bought for less than one yuan each.

What are the main types of flowers currently produced in Guangdong?

The flowers currently produced in Guangdong can be roughly divided into five categories:

The first category is the flowers for the Spring Festival. Guangzhou has always been known as the "Flower City". The flower market in Guangzhou has a long history. During the Spring Festival, every household buys flowers to decorate their homes to welcome the new year. The custom of buying flowers during the Spring Festival has gradually spread to all parts of the province. With the development of the economy and the increase in people's income, the market capacity of flowers during the Spring Festival is getting bigger and bigger.

The second category is fresh cut flowers. Guangdong's chrysanthemums and gladioli have always been famous throughout the country. With the rapid economic growth, the demand for fresh cut flowers has risen sharply, especially in autumn and winter when consumption is at its peak. In the vast areas north of the Nanling Mountains, the production of fresh cut flowers in winter depends on greenhouses, which requires large investments and high costs. In Guangdong, especially in the areas south of the Tropic of Cancer, the winter is still as warm as spring, and some important fresh cut flowers can be produced in the open field at low costs. Therefore, in the past decade or so, Guangdong has developed fresh cut flowers quite rapidly, and roses, chrysanthemums, gladioli, etc. are sold in large quantities all over the country.

The third category is foliage plants. Due to the need for interior decoration in hotels, institutions, enterprises, homes, etc., the demand for foliage plants has greatly increased. The origin of foliage plants is mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. Guangdong happens to be in such a climate zone, which is more suitable for the growth of foliage plants. However, foliage plants cannot be produced in the open field in the north in winter. If greenhouses are used, the cost is very high. Therefore, the north purchases a large number of foliage plants from Guangdong every year. Guangdong has become the largest producer of foliage plants.

The fourth category is greening seedlings. In the past decade, Guangdong's urban construction has developed rapidly. The construction of residential villas, hotels, tourist areas, highways, factories and government offices requires a large number of greening seedlings. As long as there is construction, there is a market for greening seedlings.

The fifth category is bonsai and Chinese orchids. Bonsai is one of the main products of Guangdong flowers for export and foreign exchange earning. In the mid-1980s, small bonsai produced in the Pearl River Delta went abroad in batches and broke into the Western European bonsai market that has always been monopolized by the Japanese. Chinese orchids have a long history of cultivation in the Pearl River Delta. Chencun Town in Shunde is known as the "Hometown of Lingnan Chinese Orchids". Every year, a considerable number of Chinese orchids in Guangdong are sold to Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and other places.

Which flowers are bulbous flowers?

Bulbous flowers refer to perennial herbaceous flowers with bulbous roots or swollen underground stems. According to the morphological structure of underground stems or roots, bulbous flowers can be roughly divided into the following five categories:

First, bulbs. The underground stem is formed by the fusion of thick and fleshy leaf deformation bodies, namely scales. The scales grow on the stem plate, and the scales on the stem plate produce axillary buds, which grow and become new bulbs. Bulbs can be divided into two categories: skinned bulbs and skinless bulbs. Skinned bulbs include daffodils, tulips, amaryllis, hyacinths, crinum, agapanthus, etc., and skinless bulbs include lilies, etc.

Second, bulbs. The underground stems are spherical or oblate, with obvious ring nodes, lateral buds on the nodes, covered with membranous sheaths, and well-developed terminal buds. Fine roots grow at the base of the bulbs, and thick traction roots grow before and after flowering, which not only support the aboveground part but also keep the new bulbs growing on the mother bulb from being exposed to the ground. This type of bulbous flowers includes gladiolus, freesia, Spanish iris, etc.

Third, tubers. The underground stems are block-shaped, with irregular shapes and no ring-shaped node marks on the surface. The roots grow from the bottom of the tuber, and there are several budding points at the top. This type of bulbous flowers includes white peony, calamus, calla lily, cyclamen, gloxinia, bulbous begonia, ranunculus, etc.

Fourth, rhizomes. The underground stems are enlarged and root-like, with obvious nodes and internodes. There are small and degenerate scale leaves on the nodes, axillary buds in the leaf axils, and more lateral buds at the top of the rhizome, which develop into above-ground branches and produce adventitious roots. This type of bulbous flowers includes canna, lotus, ginger flower, water lily, hosta, etc.

Fifth, tuberous roots. The underground taproot is enlarged and tuberous. Dormant buds grow near the root collar, from which new shoots sprout. After the new roots elongate, many new tuberous roots are generated at the bottom. When propagating by division, the root collar at the end of the tuber must be attached. This type of bulbous flowers includes dahlias, etc.

What is the role of vertical greening? Which flowers can be used for vertical greening?

Vertical greening, also known as three-dimensional greening, is to make full use of space by planting climbing plants on walls, balconies, window sills, roofs, trellises, etc., to increase green coverage and improve the living environment. Vertical greening plays a unique role in overcoming the lack of greening area in urban households and improving adverse environments.

Vertical greening can reduce direct sunlight and lower the temperature. According to measurements, the light intensity in places shaded by wisteria sheds is only a few tenths of that in places with direct sunlight. The dense wisteria branches and leaves are like a thick carpet, which reduces the intensity of solar radiation and also reduces the temperature. The reflection of urban walls and roads is very strong. Vertical greening of walls can reduce the wall temperature by 2-7 degrees Celsius, especially the cooling effect of west-facing walls covered with greening is more significant. At the same time, after the walls and sheds are covered with greening, the air humidity can be increased by 10-20%, which greatly helps people eliminate fatigue and increase comfort in the hot summer.

The site conditions for vertical greening are relatively poor, so the selected plant materials are generally required to have shallow roots, tolerance to barrenness, drought, water and humidity, and high adaptability to sunlight. For example, climbing plants include creeping plants, morning glory, ivy, grapes, morning glory, tripterygium, wisteria, creeping cypress, etc.; positive plants include sunflowers, five-color grass, irises, sedums, strawberries, etc.; negative plants include saxifrage, clover, spearmint, hosta, and dieffenbachia, etc.

The design of vertical greening should be different according to the location. For example, a trellis can be built at the entrance and climbing plants can be planted; or hedges, flower hedges or trellises with climbing plants can be used instead of walls. Balconies and windowsills can be decorated with flowers or planted with climbing plants to provide greenery and shade. Walls can be covered with climbing plants. The ground can be covered with turf.

What kinds of flowers can be used in hanging pots?

Hanging pot flowers are a type of indoor decorative flowers that are becoming more and more popular among people. They make full use of the effective space in the room and fully express the three-dimensional beauty of the flowers' graceful and swaying postures, making people feel as if they are in nature at home and enjoy the fun of nature.

Hanging pot flowers usually require small leaves and small plants. In summary, they can be roughly divided into three categories. The first category is the species with lush branches and leaves, such as light bamboo leaves, ivy, spider plants, trachelospermum, small green radish varieties, pepper grass, syngonium, hanging bamboo grass, purple duck toe grass, etc. Because the flower pots of these flowers are quickly covered by branches and leaves, they can also be planted in not very beautiful hanging pots. The second category is the species that cannot cover the flower pots after the flowers grow. Some of these species generally do not droop, and the plants grow upright, such as Boston fern, kidney fern, African impatiens, begonia, goldfish flower, coleus, asparagus, net-grass, etc. These varieties should be planted in beautiful and elegant flower pots. Other species also have drooping stems, but the leaves are thinner, such as green beads and hanging money, and they also need to choose beautiful hanging pots for planting. The third type is to use metal wire or bamboo strips to weave a net, make a cylindrical or flat container instead of a flower pot, and then put the culture soil in the middle to plant the flowers. This type of flower species includes ivy, four-season begonia, impatiens, African violet, etc. At present, plastic hanging pots are very popular for hanging plants because of their beautiful styles and low prices.

Hanging pots are usually placed indoors, so they are usually shade plants. If you want to place them outdoors where they can get sunlight, you must choose positive flower varieties. The location of the hanging pot should not interfere with people's daily activities.

What are the characteristics of hybrid flowers?

After hybridization of flowers of different varieties or systems, the first generation of hybrids often show growth potential, plant height, plant width, leaf size, number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers, flower size, root system development, flower color, maturity period, disease and insect resistance, and resistance to adverse environments that exceed the parents. This phenomenon is called hybrid vigor. The breeding method that utilizes this advantage is called superior breeding, or first-generation hybrid breeding method.

Foreign countries started to use the first-generation hybrid breeding method earlier, especially for one- and two-year-old herbaceous flowers. For example, the first-generation hybrid flower varieties bred by this method, such as snapdragon, petunia, violet, pansy, and calceolaria, have the advantages of strong growth, well-developed root system, neat growth, many and large flowers, bright colors, and strong resistance to adverse environments. In addition, if the seeds of the first-generation hybrid flower varieties are used to reproduce offspring, the offspring will no longer be able to show hybrid advantages. This is also one of the main reasons why foreign flower seed companies like to produce first-generation hybrid flower seeds. Because the first-generation hybrid flower seeds can only be used once and cannot be used for reproduction, the seeds must be purchased again each time they are used, so that the production rights of the seeds can be fully controlled.

Hybrid vigor is ubiquitous, but not all hybrids can show hybrid vigor. Moreover, even for the same hybrid combination, the degree of advantage of different traits is different. Therefore, the parents of the hybrid generation must be strictly selected, and they must have more advantages and outstanding advantages. Among them, it is better to choose materials with distant kinship as hybrid materials, because the offspring they produce have stronger vitality. In addition, it is best to choose self-incompatibility or male sterility systems as materials, which can greatly save labor, reduce costs, and facilitate application in production.

What is the relationship between flowers and temperature?

Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the growth and development of flowers. The temperature range for plant growth is generally 4-36 degrees Celsius, with 15-30 degrees Celsius being the most suitable. However, due to different plant species and development periods, the temperature requirements also vary greatly. Within a certain range, the higher the temperature, the more vigorous the plant's respiration and photosynthesis. Between 10-35 degrees Celsius, the intensity of life activities increases by 1-2 times for every 10 degrees Celsius increase, and respiration is strongest at 30-40 degrees Celsius. However, if the temperature is too high, the consumption of respiration exceeds the synthesis of photosynthesis, and the plant growth weakens. Each type of flower has three basic points for temperature requirements, namely the minimum temperature, the optimum temperature and the maximum temperature. When the temperature exceeds the maximum and minimum temperature limits that the plant can tolerate, the normal physiological activities of the plant and its assimilation and alienation balance will be destroyed, causing damage to some organs or even the death of the entire plant.

The temperature requirements of a flower change constantly from seed germination to maturity. For example, annual herbaceous flowers can germinate at a higher temperature, and require a lower temperature during the seedling period, but as the seedlings gradually grow to flowering and fruiting, the temperature requirements gradually increase.

Temperature has a significant effect on the differentiation of flower buds. For example, for biennial herbaceous flowers, seeds germinate at a relatively low temperature, require even lower temperatures during the seedling period, and require slightly higher temperatures during flowering and fruiting than during the vegetative growth period. The reason why they require lower temperatures during the seedling period is because of the need for flower bud differentiation. Low temperatures can promote the differentiation of flower buds, and this phenomenon is called vernalization.

For flowers to bloom, they must first go through flower bud differentiation. After flower bud differentiation, they must go through the process of flower bud expansion, scale cracking, bud opening and blooming. This process is also controlled by temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster this process will be.

Temperature can also affect the color of certain flowers.

What harm does low temperature do to flowers? How to keep flowers safe during the winter?

There are tens of thousands of flower species, and each flower has a minimum temperature requirement. That is to say, the cold tolerance of each flower is different. When the temperature exceeds the lowest temperature limit that the flower can tolerate, some organs of the plant will be damaged, such as yellowing of the stem tip or leaves, and in severe cases, the whole plant will die.

Flowers can be roughly divided into the following three categories according to their cold resistance:

The first category is cold-resistant flowers: these flowers are mostly native to frigid and temperate zones, can withstand temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, and can naturally overwinter in the open air in most parts of the north, such as forsythia and arborvitae.

The second category is semi-cold-resistant flowers: most of these flowers are native to warmer temperate regions and can safely overwinter in the open field in the Yangtze River Basin. In North China, Northwest China and Northeast China, some need to be buried in the soil to protect against the cold overwintering, some need to be covered with grass for protection overwintering, and some need to be placed in a cold room or cellar overwintering, such as peony and plum blossom.

The third category is cold-intolerant flowers: these flowers are native to tropical and subtropical regions and cannot tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, and some cannot even tolerate temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius. Some of these flowers can overwinter in the open in the south, while others must be placed in plastic greenhouses or greenhouses. In the north, they can only be placed in greenhouses in winter, such as Croton and Net-grained Grass.

Due to the diversity of climate types, the lowest temperatures in winter vary greatly in different places. Therefore, in order to ensure that flowers can survive the winter safely, different measures must be taken for different flowers according to the local lowest temperature. For example, for flowers that are not cold-resistant, they must be placed in a greenhouse in winter to survive the winter in the north. In northern families, since there is heating indoors, potted flowers can be placed indoors in winter to avoid freezing. In Guangzhou, for flowers that are not cold-resistant, because Guangzhou has a temperature below 5 degrees Celsius in winter, for species that cannot tolerate temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius, they must be placed in a glass greenhouse or plastic greenhouse to avoid freezing. If they are planted at home, potted flowers should be placed indoors in winter. Especially at night, potted flowers should be placed away from windows, because the closer to the window, the lower the temperature.

What harm does high temperature do to flowers? How can we keep flowers safe in summer?

There are tens of thousands of flower species, and each flower has a maximum temperature requirement. The heat resistance of flowers refers to the highest temperature that flowers can tolerate. If the temperature is higher than the highest temperature that the flower can tolerate, the normal physiological activities of the plant and its balance of assimilation and alienation will be destroyed, causing damage to some organs or even death of the whole plant. Generally speaking, the heat resistance and cold resistance of flowers are related. Flowers with strong heat resistance have poor cold resistance, and flowers with poor heat resistance have strong cold resistance. However, there are some exceptions, such as freesia and daffodils, which have poor heat and cold resistance.

Among all kinds of flowers, aquatic flowers have the strongest heat resistance, followed by cacti and annual grass flowers, as well as hibiscus, gladiolus, oleander, crape myrtle, etc. that can bloom continuously in summer, and foliage flowers such as rubber fig, palm, cycad, etc. Peony, peony, dahlia, etc. that bloom in spring and autumn have poor heat resistance. In addition to autumn-planted bulbous flowers, the worst heat resistance also includes many flowers native to tropical and subtropical mountains and rain forests, such as cyclamen and fuchsia.

Due to the diversity of climate types, the maximum summer temperature varies from place to place. Therefore, when growing flowers at home, it is necessary to determine whether cooling measures are needed based on the maximum temperature that the flowers can tolerate and compare it with the local maximum temperature.

In summer, if the temperature of potted plants is too high and needs to be cooled, especially at noon and in the west sun, you can move the potted flowers under the shade of trees or in a cool place with good ventilation to prevent the potted flowers from being harmed by high temperatures. If possible, spray water on the leaves of the plants frequently to achieve the purpose of cooling.

What effect does light intensity have on the growth and development of flowers? How to adjust the light intensity of potted flowers? What effect does light length have on the growth and development of flowers? How to adjust the light length of potted flowers?

Light intensity will affect the growth and flowering of flowers. Flowers have different requirements for light due to their different origins. Flowers can be roughly divided into the following three categories:

First, negative flowers. These flowers are mostly native to tropical rain forests, or distributed in the shade of high mountains and trees, as well as dark mountain streams. They grow well under moderate shade conditions and cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, these flowers should be placed indoors or on the east or north balcony, or in shaded places such as under trees.

Second, positive flowers. These flowers are native to tropical, subtropical and temperate plains, or the southern slopes of plateaus and the sunny rocks of high mountains. They grow well when there is plenty of sunlight and are not shade-tolerant. Therefore, these flowers should be placed in places without sunshades or on south or west-facing balconies, and should not be placed indoors.

Third, neutral flowers. These flowers are mostly native to tropical and subtropical regions. They require light intensity between negative and positive. They are not very shade-tolerant, but afraid of direct sunlight in summer. Therefore, these flowers need proper shade in summer and sufficient sunlight at other times.

The length of light has a significant impact on the flower bud differentiation and flowering of flowers. Flowers can be divided into three categories according to their different requirements for light length:

The first is long-day flowers. This type of flowers requires more than 12 hours of sunlight per day to form flower buds and bloom normally, otherwise they will delay flowering or not bloom, such as gladiolus.

The second is short-day flowers. This type of flowers requires less than 12 hours of sunlight per day to facilitate the formation of flower buds and flowering, such as chrysanthemums.

The third is day-neutral flowers. This type of flowers is not sensitive to the length of sunshine, and can bloom as long as the temperature is suitable, such as roses.

Therefore, we can use artificial methods to change the length of daylight, so as to change the flowering time of long-day or short-day flowers. Generally, to make the daylight longer, you can use electric lights at night; to make the daylight shorter, you can put the potted flowers in a dark room during the day or cover them with black plastic cloth.

What effect does air humidity have on the growth and development of flowers? How to increase the air humidity of potted flowers indoors?

There are many kinds of flowers, and their requirements for air humidity vary due to different climatic conditions in their places of origin. Many flowers that originate in tropical rainforests or grow beside mountain streams not only require more soil moisture, but also require greater air humidity. The requirements for air humidity for many species are even more important than soil watering. For example, ferns and some epiphytic flowers. If the air is too dry, it is easy to have undesirable phenomena such as rough leaves, scorched edges, yellowing leaves, and curling leaves, which seriously affect their ornamental value.

Many of the foliage plants currently displayed indoors come from tropical rainforests and require higher air humidity, with relative air humidity preferably maintained at 60-80%. So in the dry season, is there any way to increase the air humidity around indoor potted flowers?

First, spray or sprinkle water on the leaves of the plants frequently, especially around noon. The disadvantage of this method is that the effective time of each spray is too short. In addition, the leaves of plants such as Gloxinia are prone to rot after being watered, so it is only appropriate to spray water around the plants. In addition, it is not appropriate and unnecessary to spray at night.

Second, find a shallow dish or other shallow container that does not leak water, put a layer of small stones about 10 cm deep in it, add water to a level not higher than the stone layer, and then put the potted flowers on the stones. When the water in the dish is almost dry, add water. In this way, the water in the dish will continue to evaporate, so that there is a stable moisture around the potted flowers.

Third, find a larger flowerpot, put the potted flowers in it, and stuff the gap between the two pots with highly absorbent materials such as sphagnum moss, sponges, etc. Water the flowers when the absorbent materials are almost dry. This will also create stable moisture around the flowers.

Fourth, cover the potted flowers with transparent plastic film to create a closed microclimate. This can increase and maintain air humidity, reduce watering times, and prevent dust.

What is the effect of soil moisture on the growth and development of flowers? How to water potted flowers properly? What remedial measures can be taken if potted flowers are overwatered or underwatered?

Flowers mainly absorb water from the soil through their roots and consume a large amount of water through transpiration. Generally, there are three situations in the balance between the absorption and consumption of water by flowers: when the absorption is greater than the consumption, the plant grows weak, the cold resistance decreases, the flower buds fall off, and in severe cases, the roots and stems rot, leading to death; when the absorption is less than the consumption, all physiological and biochemical activities in the plant cannot proceed normally, the leaves wilt, and the whole plant will die of dehydration over a long period of time; only when the absorption and consumption are balanced can it be beneficial to the normal growth and development of the plant.

There are many kinds of flowers, and the conditions of their origin are different, and their requirements for water are also different. Flowers can be roughly divided into five types:

First, drought-tolerant flowers. These flowers are drought-tolerant and can survive long-term soil droughts, such as cacti.

Second, semi-drought-tolerant flowers. These flowers are less drought-tolerant than drought-tolerant flowers, such as camellia and azalea.

Third, mesophytic flowers. This type of flowers requires more soil moisture than semi-drought-tolerant flowers, but they cannot grow in completely wet soil, such as roses and cycads.

Fourth, moisture-resistant flowers. These flowers like moist soil and avoid dry soil, such as Dieffenbachia and ferns.

Fifth, aquatic flowers. These flowers must grow in water, such as lotus and water lily.

How to water potted flowers properly at home? The answer is to master two main principles:

First, in winter, most flowers are in a dormant or semi-dormant state, so watering should be restrained, about once every 5-7 days, and should be done at noon.

Second, in other seasons, watering is generally based on the moisture content of the soil, depending on the different requirements of flowers for water. For example, for drought-tolerant flowers, watering should be done only when the pot soil is completely dry. Avoid keeping the soil wet for a long time. If you cannot correctly grasp the watering principles, you should pay attention to keeping the soil "dry rather than wet"; for mesopsis flowers, watering is required when the pot soil surface is dry about 3 cm deep; for moisture-tolerant flowers, the soil needs to be kept moist, so watering is required as soon as the pot soil surface is a little dry. Watering should be done in the morning or evening, especially in summer, do not water at noon.

Sometimes, due to failure to water the plant in time, the soil in the pot becomes too dry, and the plant's branches droop and leaves wilt. At this time, do not water the plant in large quantities immediately. Instead, place the flowerpot in a shady place with high humidity, and then gradually water it in small amounts. As the plant gradually regains its upright position, increase the amount of watering.

Sometimes, due to excessive watering, continuous rain or water accumulation in the pot, the plant wilts or the leaves darken. This is waterlogging. At this time, you can remove the plant from the pot with mud and place it in a cool, ventilated and rain-proof place to dissipate the moisture, and spray a small amount of water on the leaves. After 3-5 days, the plant will recover and then be repotted.

How to prevent potted flowers from lacking water when no one is at home?

When growing flowers at home, you may encounter the problem of no one watering the flowers because the owner is away on business. For flowers that are drought-tolerant, sometimes it is not a problem to not water them for a week, but for flowers that like moisture, sometimes they need to be watered every day. What should you do when you encounter this situation? Here are a few feasible solutions:

First, use drip irrigation: use a drip irrigation device like hanging salt water to drip water into the base of the stem, so that the water droplets continue to penetrate and diffuse into the soil and be absorbed by the roots. The dripping speed is adjusted according to the type and size of flowers and trees. This method is more advanced and the effect is better, but it must be done with a drip irrigation device.

Second, use the capillary action method: use a wick or cloth strip, place one end on the potting soil, and the other end in a container filled with water. The water level in the container should be higher than the potting soil. In this way, through capillary action, water can be continuously supplied to the potting soil.

Third, use the method of covering with a plastic bag: first water the plant thoroughly, then cover the entire plant with a plastic bag and tie it to the pot. Because the plastic bag covers it, the water vapor can be preserved inside. If water droplets form on the plastic sheet, the water droplets can drip back into the pot soil. The plastic bag can retain moisture for two to three weeks. If you are away from home for less than 10 days, just let the plastic bag cover the plant loosely. It is worth noting that the leaves should not come into contact with the plastic sheet, and the flower pot covered with a plastic bag should not be placed in a place with direct sunlight. For convenience and effectiveness, when putting on the plastic bag, first insert 3-4 thin sticks into the soil beside the pot, and the height of the inserted thin sticks should be higher than the height of the plant.

What are the main types of soils commonly used for growing potted flowers?

A common question for home flower growers is what kind of soil to use for growing flowers. There are five common types of soil that can be used for growing flowers:

The first is pond mud. Pond mud is very common in Guangdong for growing flowers, and can be used to plant potted flowers directly. There are a large number of fish ponds in Guangdong. When the ponds are dry in winter, the topsoil at the bottom of the ponds is dug up, dried in the sun, and then broken into small pieces of 1-1.5 cm for potted flowers. The pond mud is gray-black and contains a lot of humus and nutrients. Even if it is watered frequently, the soil will not loosen, and the gaps between the soil blocks are conducive to drainage and ventilation. Pond mud is a soil that is very effective for growing flowers, but its disadvantage is that it is heavy.

The second type is garden soil. Garden soil is also called vegetable garden soil or farmland soil. It is often fertilized and cultivated, so it has high fertility and contains more humus. The disadvantage is that the topsoil is easy to compact when dry, and has poor water permeability and air permeability when wet. Garden soil is generally not used alone as potting soil, but can be used as the main raw material for culture soil.

The third type is leaf humus. There are two types of leaf humus: natural and artificial. Natural leaf humus is collected from the mountains and is formed by the natural accumulation and decay of dead branches and fallen leaves. In addition to being used to prepare culture soil, leaf humus can also be used alone to plant flowers that prefer acidic soil, such as azaleas and camellia.

The fourth type is compost soil. It is made from plant debris, old soil after repotting, garbage, grass, and dried plants, which are fermented and decomposed over a period of time. Compost soil contains more humus and certain nutrients, retains water and fertilizer, and is generally neutral or slightly alkaline.

The fifth type is moss. Moss is very loose and has a strong ability to absorb water. It is a good planting material and packaging material for flowers. After drying the moss, it can be mixed into the culture soil to improve water permeability and air permeability. Japan and Taiwan often use moss to grow Chinese orchids.

What is peat? What are the benefits of using it to grow flowers?

Peat, also known as peat, peat soil, black soil, and peat, is usually divided into high-level peat and low-level peat. High-level peat is formed by sphagnum moss, sheep's beard grass, etc., and is mainly distributed in high-altitude cold areas, with a lot of northeastern and southwestern plateaus. High-level peat contains a large amount of organic matter, with a poor degree of decomposition, low nitrogen and ash content, high acidity, and a pH value of about 6-6.5 or more acidic. Low-level peat is formed by the accumulation of many years of plants that need more inorganic salt nutrients, such as mosses, reeds, and various plant debris and leaves from alluvial deposits, which grow in low-lying areas, seasonal waterlogging or perennial waterlogging. There are a large number of distributions in the southwest, central China, north China and northeast China. Low-level peat generally has a high degree of decomposition, low acidity, and high ash content. Low-level peat often has a large difference in quality due to different origins.

Peat is a very good soil for potted flowers. Because it contains a lot of organic matter, is loose, has good air permeability and water permeability, has strong water and fertilizer retention capacity, is light in texture, and has no disease spores and insect eggs. At present, in foreign countries with developed horticulture industries, peat is often used as the main potting medium in flower cultivation, especially in seedling cultivation and potted flowers, while leaf mold and humus soil have long become a thing of the past. In recent years, peat has begun to become popular in Guangdong. Peat is produced and sold in Zhaoqing, Zengcheng and other places.

During the formation process, peat undergoes long-term leaching and its own decomposition degree is poor, so it contains few nutrients. When preparing the culture soil, you can add enough nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements as needed, or give topdressing supplements in time during the flower planting process. Peat can be used alone for potted plants, or it can be used in combination with perlite, vermiculite, river sand, coconut bran, etc. The so-called flower culture soil currently available on the market is mainly composed of peat.

How to make your own soil for potted flowers?

To grow flowers well, soil plays a very important role. The general requirements for potted flowers on soil are: rich in organic matter, fertile, loose, well-drained and breathable, water and fertilizer retention, free of pests and diseases, and appropriate pH value. Common soils for planting potted flowers include garden soil, leaf mold, compost soil, peat, pond mud, moss, etc. Leaf mold, peat, etc. can be used to plant potted flowers directly. However, when a certain type of soil is used alone, there will definitely be one or another deficiency, such as pond mud is too heavy, peat lacks nutrition, etc. Therefore, when planting potted flowers, several soils or other substrates are often mixed together for planting flowers. This artificially prepared culture soil combines the advantages of various soils or substrates, and the effect is quite good.

Due to various reasons, the formula of artificial culture soil varies from place to place, both abroad and at home, and there are also different formulas for different flower types. Here we introduce a formula: for general grass flowers, 5 parts of garden soil, 3 parts of leaf humus and 2 parts of river sand can be mixed as culture soil; for general woody flowers, 5 parts of garden soil, 4 parts of leaf humus and 1 part of river sand can be mixed as culture soil. In this formula, garden soil and river sand are easier to obtain, and if leaf humus is not available, you can make it yourself.

The method of making leaf humus is: collect leaves and pile them with a layer of garden soil about 10 cm thick, one layer of leaves and one layer of garden soil, pile them up layer by layer, and water them frequently. If possible, add a layer of manure between the leaves and the garden soil, and use thin human feces or swill when watering. After nearly a year of composting, the leaves rot into powder, and then after turning, mixing and screening, they become good potting soil. The leaf humus made in this way contains a lot of humus and nutrients, is loose and breathable, and retains water and fertilizer. It can also be used directly to plant potted flowers.

Can I use sawdust or coal slag to grow potted flowers?

After being processed, sawdust can be used to plant flowers. Flowers generally need to be well-drained and breathable in the soil to grow well. When the soil is heavy and sticky, it is difficult for flowers to grow well. Sawdust is light and loose with large porosity, so it can be used to improve clay soil.

The method of using sawdust is: put sawdust into a tank, mix some cake fertilizer or animal feces, add water to let it ferment and decompose, then dig it out and cool it to half dry before use. Add about 1/3 of this decomposed sawdust to the clay that needs to be improved, then mix it evenly, and it can be used to plant flowers. After 1-2 months, the sawdust will gradually decompose and release nutrients, thereby improving the fertility of the soil. In addition, sawdust can neutralize the acidity and alkalinity of the soil to varying degrees, which is greatly beneficial to the growth of flowers and trees. Usually, adding sawdust once can work for about 3 months. After 3 months, sawdust needs to be added again.

Coal slag can be said to be a good material for planting flowers, because coal slag is water-permeable and air-permeable, and has a certain ability to retain water and fertilizer. In addition, coal slag also contains certain nutrients. According to measurements, the content of phosphorus and potassium in coal slag is similar to that of pond mud. In addition, general coal slag, especially newly produced coal slag, is clean and free of pests and diseases.

The method of using coal slag is: pick out the unburned black charcoal in the coal slag, then break up the coal slag, spread the large pieces of coal slag at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage, and then spread fine coal slag on top. After planting flowers and trees, spread a layer of coarse slag on the surface to play a role in waterproofing and fertilizer preservation. Since coal slag contains a lot of phosphorus and potassium, it is advisable to apply more nitrogen fertilizer when topdressing. When potting, it is best to apply a layer of organic fertilizer. Using coal slag to plant Milan, jasmine, crabapple, pomegranate, etc., the effect is quite good.

How to disinfect the soil for planting flowers?

In order to avoid infection, breeding and harm from pests and diseases and weeds and to improve the survival rate, it is best to disinfect the culture soil, especially when propagating by cuttings, to prevent pathogens from invading the cuttings through the incision and causing the cuttings to rot. Perlite and vermiculite are no longer bacteria-free after high temperatures; river sand is generally cleaner and only needs to be rinsed slightly; peat does not contain pathogen spores and insect eggs, while leaf mold, garden soil, compost soil, etc. often contain some pathogens and insect eggs that harm flowers, as well as some nematodes, which need to be killed. The degree of soil disinfection is to preserve beneficial microorganisms as much as possible, kill harmful microorganisms and pests, and kill weed seeds at the same time. Common soil disinfection methods are:

The first is to burn the soil for disinfection, that is, put the soil on an iron pan or iron plate and stir-fry it. This method is simple, safe and reliable, but it is only suitable for disinfecting a small amount of soil. Generally, harmful microorganisms can be killed at 80 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. If the time is too long, beneficial microorganisms will also be killed.

The second is steam sterilization, which uses the heat of the released steam to sterilize. This method is the most effective and reliable. After the temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it can be sterilized by keeping it for 10 minutes. A small amount of soil can also be steamed in a steamer for 2 hours to achieve the purpose. A pressure cooker can also be used for sterilization.

The third is drug treatment, which is to use drugs to disinfect the soil. Commonly used drugs are formalin, methanol bromide and chloropicrin. The method of disinfection is: dilute the drug with water (please refer to the instructions on the bottle for the concentration), spray it on the soil, mix it evenly, and then cover the soil with plastic film. After a few days, remove the film, spread the soil, and turn it over several times. It will take about 1 week for the drug gas to fully evaporate without leaving any residue. If there is any drug left in the soil, it will cause drug damage to the plants.

What are the requirements of some common flowers for soil pH?

The pH value of the soil where flowers and trees are planted has a great impact on their growth. The pH value is used to measure the pH value. The soil pH value of 7.0 is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline; the soil is acidic when the pH value is less than 7.0; the soil is alkaline when the pH value is greater than 7.0. The pH value of the soil is different in different places. The main factor affecting the pH value of the soil is rainfall. Because calcium and magnesium in the soil are minerals that can neutralize acidity and increase the pH value, the greater the rainfall, the more calcium and magnesium are washed away from the soil, and the more acidic the soil. There is a lot of rain in the south, and the soil is acidic, while the soil in the north is alkaline.

Most flowers and trees prefer to grow in slightly acidic soil because the soil pH value affects whether the nutrients can be absorbed and utilized by the roots. When the soil pH value is about 6.5, various nutrients are available.

Different flowers have different requirements for soil pH. Some common flowers have the following requirements for soil acidity and alkalinity: rose pH is 6-6.5, camellia is 5.5-6.5, azalea is 4-5.5, osmanthus is 5.5-6.5, hibiscus is 6.5-7.0, poinsettia is 5.5-6.5, chrysanthemum is 5.5-6.5, carnation is 6-6.5, gladiolus is 6.0-7.0, baby's breath is 7.0-7.2, lily is about 6.5, tulip is 6.0-7.8, lisianthus is about 6.5, gerbera is about 6.5, peony is 6.0-6.5, etc.

What are the nutritional requirements of flowers? What are the functions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to flowers?

There is a farmer's proverb that says: "Whether there is a harvest or not depends on water, and whether there is a large harvest or a small harvest depends on fertilizer." From this sentence, we can see how important fertilizer is to plant growth. According to analysis, the dry matter of plants is composed of 16 basic elements. If a plant lacks any of these basic elements, it cannot successfully complete its life cycle. These 16 basic elements are: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and chlorine. Among them, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are obtained by plants absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, and other elements are obtained by the roots from the soil.

Among the other 13 elements besides carbon, hydrogen and oxygen , flower lovers should pay the most attention to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, also known as the three elements of fertilizer. Because plants need more of them than the other 10 elements, they are easily lacking in the soil and must be applied to the soil regularly to allow plants to grow better. The following is a brief introduction to the role of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the growth and development of flowers:

First, nitrogen: Nitrogen is the most important limiting factor for the growth and development of flowers. It can promote the vegetative growth of plants, increase the production of chlorophyll, make flowers larger, and produce more seeds. However, if the nitrogen exceeds the growth needs of plants, it will cause the stems to grow too long, reduce disease resistance, and delay flowering.

Second, phosphorus: Phosphorus can promote seed germination, enhance root development, make stems tough and resistant to lodging, enhance the plant's resistance to adverse environments and pests and diseases, adjust the shortcomings caused by excessive nitrogen fertilizer, and promote flowering and fruiting.

Third, potassium: Potassium can make plants grow strong and tough, promote the formation of chlorophyll and photosynthesis, promote the expansion of root systems, promote bright flower colors, and improve the ability of plants to resist adverse environments. However, if the potassium content is too high, the plant will grow short, the internodes will be shortened, and the leaves will turn yellow, brown, and shrink.

What is basal fertilizer? Why can't we apply uncomposted organic fertilizer?

Flowers need many nutrients to grow and develop, and most of them are absorbed from the soil by the roots. Since the nutrients contained in the soil itself are not comprehensive or insufficient, they need to be supplemented artificially. In other words, fertilization is the main source of nutrition for flowers. Generally speaking, in the life of flowers, the most nutrients are consumed by flowers, fruits and seeds. In order to obtain flower products with large flowers, bright colors and fragrant smells, organic fertilizers, chemical fertilizers and trace elements are often used in production.

Fertilization can be divided into two types: basal fertilizer and topdressing. The so-called basal fertilizer is the fertilizer applied before the flowers are planted. Basal fertilizer is generally based on organic fertilizer, and its application amount needs to be determined according to the soil quality, soil fertility, flower type, etc. For example, if the soil aggregate structure is poor and the fertility is insufficient, more fertilizer is needed; perennial woody flowers can be applied more. Commonly used organic fertilizers include pig manure, cow manure, chicken and duck manure, peanut bran, wood ash, bone meal, etc. In addition to organic fertilizers, some chemical fertilizers can also be used as basal fertilizers, especially phosphate fertilizer superphosphate, which is often mixed with organic fertilizers as basal fertilizer.

Organic fertilizers must be decomposed before they can be applied to the soil. Raw chicken manure, pig manure, etc., if applied to the soil and encounter moisture, will ferment and generate high temperatures, thus burning the root system, and in severe cases, the plant will die. Some flower lovers often bury rotten eggs, chicken, duck, fish and other internal organs, meat skin, etc. directly in the pot, which is also wrong, and the reason is the same.

What are the commonly used organic fertilizers for potted flowers? How to make organic fertilizers at home?

Organic fertilizer is very beneficial to the growth and development of flowers and trees. In addition to being decomposed by microorganisms and releasing nutrients to be absorbed by the roots, it can also improve the structure of the soil and increase the soil's water and fertilizer retention and permeability. There are many types of organic fertilizers, which can usually be divided into two categories: animal organic fertilizers and plant organic fertilizers. The main types of organic fertilizers are introduced as follows:

First, manure: livestock excrement mixed with leftover grass or feed. It contains mostly nitrogen, but also some phosphorus and potassium.

Second, chicken and duck manure: Chicken, duck manure and other poultry manure are the main sources of phosphorus fertilizer and are suitable for all kinds of flowers, especially for fruit-viewing flowers.

Third, wood ash: Ash from burning dead branches and weeds contains more potassium and is the main source of potassium fertilizer. It is an alkaline fertilizer.

Fourth, peanut bran or peanut cake: It contains more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is cleaner and more hygienic than animal feces.

Fifth, bone meal: it is one of the main sources of phosphate fertilizer.

Growing flowers at home, especially in cities, often makes some flower growers feel that they cannot get organic fertilizers. In fact, as long as you pay attention to regular and timely collection, you can make organic fertilizers. For example, vegetable leaves, bean shells, and melon and fruit peels can be placed in a jar, covered and sealed, and fermented and decomposed for 2-3 months to become very good fertilizers. Deteriorated soybeans, peanuts, etc., after being cooked, as well as fish viscera, fish bones, etc., can also become high-efficiency, high-quality organic fertilizers with high nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content after being placed in a jar with water for fermentation and decomposition. Be sure to pay attention to using them only after they are fully decomposed.

What are the commonly used fertilizers for potted flowers?

The so-called chemical fertilizer refers to the fertilizer rich in mineral nutrients made by chemical synthesis or processed from natural ores, so it can also be called mineral fertilizer.

Flowers need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium the most in their life, and these three elements are often insufficient in the soil, so they need to be supplemented with fertilizers frequently to make the flowers grow well. Among fertilizers, chemical fertilizers have the advantages of fast fertilizer effect and clean and hygienic. There are many types of chemical fertilizers. For example, common fertilizers containing nitrogen as a nutrient element include urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, etc., fertilizers containing potassium as a nutrient element include potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, etc., and fertilizers containing phosphorus as a nutrient element are mainly superphosphate. Among chemical fertilizers, some fertilizers contain two or three elements, which we call compound fertilizers. For example, common potassium nitrate belongs to nitrogen-potassium compound fertilizers, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate belongs to phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers. Fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are called nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers, and some people call them complete fertilizers. The flower fertilizers currently sold on the market are basically this type of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers. The advantages of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers are comprehensive nutrition and easy use. However, it also has disadvantages, because the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium it contains is fixed, and different flower species and different growth and development stages have different requirements for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, using only one nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer for different flower species and different growth and development stages cannot achieve the best effect. In actual application, it is necessary to pay attention to the supplementary application of other fertilizers to coordinate the optimal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. At present, some manufacturers in the market have launched nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizers that are specially suitable for certain types of flowers, such as orchid fertilizers, foliage fertilizers, fruit-viewing flower fertilizers, etc. Some also contain other trace elements. These fertilizers are very suitable for home flower growers.

What are the benefits of foliar fertilization for flowers? How to carry out foliar fertilization?

Foliar fertilization is a method of fertilizing by spraying diluted chemical fertilizers or trace elements on the leaves, which are absorbed and utilized by the plants through the stomata of the leaves, so it is also called foliar fertilization. The advantages of foliar fertilization are: small dosage, rapid and significant fertilizer effect, fertilizer will not be fixed by the soil, and will not be affected by the root absorption function. Usually, inorganic fertilizers are sprayed on the leaves, which can be absorbed within 5 hours after spraying, and 50-75% can be absorbed within 24 hours. The fertilizer effect lasts for 7-10 days, so it is advisable to spray foliar fertilization once every 7-10 days.

Foliar fertilization can be applied at any time except during the flowering period, but it is usually applied when flowers and trees are growing vigorously or lack certain elements. The issues to pay attention to when applying foliar fertilization are:

First, not all fertilizers can be used as foliar fertilizers. Only some fertilizers with good solubility, such as urea, potassium sulfate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, superphosphate, etc., are often used as foliar fertilizers.

Second, the concentration of fertilizer used during foliar topdressing should be low. For example, the concentration of urea spraying should not exceed 0.1%, the concentration of superphosphate is generally 1-3%, the concentration of potassium dihydrogen phosphate is 0.1-0.2%, the concentration of ferrous sulfate is 0.2-0.5%, and so on.

Third, generally choose clear and windless weather to carry out foliar fertilization after 3-4 pm. Of course, it can also be done in the morning, but not at noon to avoid leaf burns.

Fourth, when spraying the leaves, be even and thorough, because the back of the leaves contains a large number of pores, which absorb fertilizer faster than the leaves, so it is best to spray the fertilizer solution on the back of the leaves as well. The amount of spraying should be enough to moisten the leaf surface.

Fifth, the fertilizer must be fully dissolved and evenly before spraying, and any insoluble matter must be filtered out. In addition, pesticides or fungicides can be mixed in and used together to achieve the purpose of treating diseases and insects at the same time.

How to fertilize flowers properly?

Flowers need enough nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow and bloom well. Because the soil often contains insufficient nutrients, it is necessary to find ways to supplement them. Fertilization is the main means to ensure that flowers obtain sufficient nutrition. Fertilization can be divided into two types: basal fertilizer and topdressing. Basal fertilizer is generally based on organic fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer applied varies with soil quality, soil fertility and flower types. For example, if the soil has poor aggregate structure and insufficient fertility, more fertilizer is needed. Perennial woody flowers can be given more fertilizer.

Topdressing is the process of applying additional fertilizers during the growth and development of flowers to make up for the lack of base fertilizer. The most commonly used topdressing fertilizer is chemical fertilizer, which is diluted with water and used to irrigate the roots or applied directly to the soil. The amount of nutrition required by flowers is closely related to factors such as species, growth and development period, soil texture and fertility, seasonal environment, etc. However, the common points that should be paid attention to when applying topdressing to each type of flower are:

The first is timely, that is, fertilizing according to the needs of flowers. For example, spring and autumn are generally the peak growth and development period of flowers, and are also the appropriate time for topdressing. In winter, the temperature is low, the plants grow slowly or even dormant, so less or no fertilizer can be applied. Yellow or light green leaves, small and thin leaves, insufficient flower bud formation, thin and weak plants, short side branches, etc. are mostly manifestations of fertilizer deficiency, and topdressing should be given in time.

The second is appropriateness, that is, fertilization should be carried out according to the fertilizer requirements in different growth and development periods, such as applying more nitrogen fertilizers in the seedling stage; applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the flowering and fruiting period; and for flowers before wintering, more potassium fertilizers should be applied to facilitate wintering.

The third is the right amount. When applying fertilizer, be careful not to use too high a concentration, otherwise it will burn the roots and harm the plants. The concentration of chemical fertilizers used as topdressing should generally not exceed 1-3%. In addition, the amount of fertilizer should not be too much, as long as the roots can all be exposed to the fertilizer solution. Too much will cause unnecessary waste. Another point is that when applying chemical fertilizers, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium must be mastered.

How can we tell from the appearance what nutrients flowers are lacking?

In order for flowers to grow and bloom well, they must have sufficient nutrition. Generally, if a certain nutrient element is insufficient during the growth and development of flowers, this nutrient deficiency will appear on the plant, that is, certain symptoms will appear on the plant. If you can master the diagnosis method of this nutrient deficiency in home flower cultivation, you can prescribe the right medicine, add fertilizer, and let the potted flowers grow healthy and strong again. The following are the symptoms that plants may show when they lack several major nutrients:

First, nitrogen deficiency: the leaves of the plant turn yellow or even dry, the leaves are small, the plant is thin, the stems are thin and cracked, and the number of flowers is sparse.

Second, phosphorus deficiency: dark green leaves, slow growth, yellowing between the veins of the lower leaves, often with purple, especially on the petioles, early leaf fall, small and few flowers, poor color, and poor fruit development.

Third, potassium deficiency: there are spots on the lower leaves, and dead parts often appear at the leaf tips and edges. The yellowing part spreads from the edge to the middle, and then the edge turns brown and shrinks downward, and finally the lower leaves and old leaves fall off.

Fourth, magnesium deficiency: The lower leaves turn yellow, and dead spots often appear in the late stage. Yellowing appears between the leaf veins, while the leaf veins are still green. The leaf edges bend upward or downward to form wrinkles, and dead spots often appear between the leaf veins within a day.

Fifth, calcium deficiency: The tips and edges of young leaves rot, and the tips of young leaves often become hooked. The roots die before the above symptoms appear. The terminal buds usually die.

Sixth, iron deficiency: The disease occurs in new leaves, with yellowing between veins, while the veins remain green. Spots rarely appear. In severe cases, the leaf edges and tips dry up, sometimes expanding inwards to form a larger area, with only the larger veins remaining green.

7. Manganese deficiency: Symptoms occur on new leaves, with spots usually appearing and distributed over the entire leaf surface. The very fine veins remain green, forming a fine mesh. The flowers are small and the color is poor.

Can chicken and duck feathers be used as fertilizer? What are the advantages and disadvantages of eggshells and tea dregs for flowers?

Chicken and duck feathers, as well as feathers of other poultry, can be used as fertilizers. According to analysis, chicken feathers contain 9.64% nitrogen, 0.11% phosphorus, and 0.15% potassium, while duck feathers contain similar nutrients as chicken feathers. Therefore, it can be said that chicken and duck feathers are a comprehensive organic fertilizer mainly containing nitrogen. Moreover, chicken and duck feathers are relatively safe to use and are not prone to fertilizer damage. There are two ways to use chicken and duck feathers. The first is to put the chicken and duck feathers into a small tank or a small jar, soak them in water, and seal them to ferment. Then take the fermented liquid and add an appropriate amount of water to pour into the potting soil. The second method is to wash the chicken and duck feathers and bury them directly on the periphery of the potting soil without exposing them. After slowly decomposing, the nutrients can be released.

Often, home gardeners put eggshells or tea dregs directly into the topsoil of flowerpots, thinking that this is good for the growth of flowers. In fact, this practice is incorrect. When eggshells are placed in flowerpots, the egg white remaining in the shells will flow into the potting soil, generate heat after fermentation, and directly burn the root system. At the same time, the egg white will produce a bad smell after fermentation, attracting flies and maggots, biting the roots, and then easily inducing the occurrence of diseases. Tea dregs contain theophylline, caffeine and other alkaloids, which have a relatively destructive effect on the organic matter components in the soil. At the same time, the tea dregs cover the surface of the pot, the pile becomes thicker and thicker, and will gradually ferment and rot over time, thus hindering the ventilation of the potting soil, causing hypoxia in the potting soil, affecting the respiration of the roots, and being very unfavorable to the growth of flowers.

Nevertheless, eggshells and tea dregs can still be used to grow flowers after proper treatment. For example, washing and crushing eggshells and adding them to the potting soil can help with drainage, and the eggshells contain calcium carbonate, which can reduce the acidity of the potting soil. Collecting tea dregs, composting them, and then mixing them into the potting soil can increase nutrition and improve the soil structure.

How to prepare the land and apply base fertilizer when growing flowers in the open field?

Land preparation and tillage are necessary preparatory work before planting flowers in the open field. Their purpose is to improve the physical structure of the soil, improve ventilation and water permeability, accelerate the decomposition and transformation of organic matter, and kill some diseases and pests.

The land used in spring should be plowed in the autumn of the previous year. The land used in autumn should be plowed immediately after the last crop of flower seedlings are planted. When the soil moisture content is 40-50%, it is conducive to plowing. If the soil is too dry, the soil clods are difficult to break, which is laborious; if the soil is too wet, the soil clods are easy to stick together, destroying the soil granular structure, which is also laborious. Generally, the soil clods are plowed into 0.5-2 cm particles. If the sowing or flower seedlings are small, it is better to plow fine, and in rainy seasons, it is better to plow coarse. While plowing, it is often combined with the removal of stones, tiles, glass and other debris and weeding.

In order to provide sufficient nutrition for flowers and improve the soil, more organic fertilizers need to be applied. The application of organic fertilizers is often combined with tillage. Depending on the situation, dig a trench or a hole to a certain depth, put the organic fertilizer in, then pile up the soil, and then till the topsoil.

The depth of tillage depends on the soil conditions and the type of flowers. Generally, sandy soil should be shallow, while clay soil should be deep. One- and two-year-old grasses have a short growth period and shallow root systems, so generally 20 cm of tillage is sufficient. Perennial and bulbous flowers have larger root systems and require 30-40 cm of tillage. Woody flowers are mostly planted in holes, with a hole depth of 80-100 cm for large seedlings, 60-80 cm for medium seedlings, and 30-40 cm for small seedlings.

The way of making ridges varies according to the region, terrain, flower species and cultivation purpose. High ridges are mostly used in the rainy areas in the south and in places with low terrain and high water levels to facilitate drainage; low ridges are suitable for areas with less rain and high and dry terrain. The width of the ridge is based on the principle of ease of operation, generally 1-1.5 meters. The direction of the ridge should be north-south.

What role do plastic greenhouses and shade nets play in growing flowers?

In Guangzhou’s flower farms, we often see plastic greenhouses and black shade nets. What role do these two things play in growing flowers?

As we know, Guangdong is the largest producer of foliage plants in China. Most foliage plants are native to low-latitude areas in America, southern Africa and tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. Most of them are not cold-resistant, and some species cannot even tolerate temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius, otherwise they will be harmed or even die. However, Guangzhou is located in the subtropics, with a low temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius in winter. Such a temperature will cause harm to some foliage plants, and Guangzhou sometimes has cold waves. Once a cold wave arrives, in addition to a sudden drop in temperature, a sudden drop in temperature is more likely to harm flowers. Therefore, in order to prevent foliage plants from being attacked by low temperatures in winter, plastic greenhouses are needed. Plastic greenhouses are large-scale flower wintering equipment without heating. Because plastic has good light transmittance, sunlight can shine through the film to the soil during the day, and the ground temperature can be increased by about 3 degrees Celsius. When the temperature drops at night, the film is airtight, which reduces the heat dissipation and plays a role in heat preservation. When the temperature rises in spring and the temperature difference between day and night is large, the warming effect of plastic greenhouses is more obvious. Of course, plastic greenhouses also have the function of rainproof and moisture retention.

Shade nets are also called shading nets or cool yarns, and are mostly black. Most foliage plants originate from rain forests, or are distributed in the shade of high mountains, under trees, and in dark mountain streams. They have strong shade tolerance and low light compensation points. If strong light is directly exposed, the leaves will turn yellow and wither, and will die after a long time. Therefore, in order to grow these foliage plants well, strong direct sunlight must be avoided, and the shade net has the effect of reducing direct sunlight, so the foliage plants planted under the shade net will grow well.

What are the methods of propagating flowers?

Flower propagation is a means of reproducing flower offspring and preserving germplasm resources. There are many types of flowers and many ways to propagate them. According to their nature, they can be divided into two categories: sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction.

Sexual reproduction is also called sowing reproduction or seed reproduction, which is the process of reproduction by seeds. The seedlings produced are called seedlings. Sexual reproduction is the most commonly used method of reproduction for annual and biennial herbaceous flowers. Some bulbous, perennial and woody flowers are also suitable. The advantages of sexual reproduction are: the plant has a strong root system, strong vitality, strong adaptability, and a large number of seedlings can be obtained in a short period of time. The disadvantage is that it is easy to lose the excellent characteristics of the mother plant and bloom and bear fruit later.

Asexual reproduction, also known as vegetative reproduction, is a method of obtaining new plants by using parts of the plant's vegetative organs, such as roots, stems, leaves, and buds. Asexual reproduction is usually divided into four types: division, cuttings, layering, and grafting. The seedlings produced by the first three methods are called self-rooted seedlings, and the seedlings produced by grafting are called grafted seedlings.

The individual development stage of seedlings propagated by asexual reproduction is based on the development stage of the plant organs or propagation parts used, so they do not need to go through the initial stage that seedlings must go through. Therefore, asexual reproduction is faster than seed reproduction, blooms and bears fruit earlier, and has less genetic variation, and can maintain the germplasm characteristics of the mother plant. However, the root system of self-rooted seedlings in asexual reproduction is not as well developed as that of seedlings, and taproots cannot be formed. They have poor adaptability to the environment and a short lifespan.

The tissue culture technology currently widely used in flowers is actually also a category of asexual reproduction. The seedlings propagated by tissue culture are referred to as tissue culture seedlings.

How to collect high-quality flower seeds? How to store flower seeds?

Flower seeds should generally be harvested after they are fully mature. The maturity period of seeds varies depending on the plant type, growth environment and flowering part, so it is necessary to observe the maturity and harvest in time. Otherwise, if the seeds are harvested too early, the seeds have not yet matured and the germination rate is low. In this case, because the seed coat has not yet fully developed, the embryo and endosperm are prone to lose water and dry out. In addition, the organic matter contained in immature seeds is easily soluble. These organic matters will diffuse outward and become good nutrition for microorganisms and quickly infect mold, so the seeds lose their vitality. If harvested too late, the seeds are easily lost.

Each flower has its own characteristics when its seeds mature, and these characteristics can be used to harvest them in time. For example, the seeds of cockscomb, snapdragon, and phoenix ball are black when they mature; those of salvia and impatiens are dark brown. For seeds that fly or fall off on their own after maturity, such as pansy, impatiens, and morning glory, they should be harvested in batches at any time; for seeds whose fruits do not crack and seeds do not scatter, such as zinnia, fishtail daisy, and marigold, they can be harvested together when most of the seeds of the whole plant are mature, and the seeds can be harvested after being bundled into bundles or spread out to dry.

Be selective when harvesting seeds. On the same plant, generally choose seeds from flowers that bloom early, especially those grown on the main stem or branches. Seeds from flowers that bloom after the peak flowering period and on weak side branches should not be kept for seed use.

The following method can be used to store flower seeds at home: dry the harvested seeds in a ventilated environment, and be careful not to expose them to strong sunlight. Find a container such as a glass bottle, plastic bottle, jar, aluminum box, etc., put the seeds in, the fuller the better, that is, try to leave as little air in the container as possible, then seal the container, and then put the container in a cool place, ideally at a constant temperature of 0-5 degrees Celsius. In this dry, air-less and low-temperature condition, the seeds can be stored for a long time.

What conditions are needed for flower seeds to germinate?

Generally, in order for flower seeds to germinate successfully, three basic conditions must be met:

The first is that there needs to be enough water. In order for the seeds to germinate, they must first be supplied with sufficient water to moisten the seed coat and kernel. When the seeds absorb water and swell, the endosperm or cotyledons inside the seeds begin to carry out a series of biochemical activities, converting starch into sugars that are used by the radicle and hypocotyl. The growing radicle and hypocotyl then break through the moist seed coat and emerge.

The second is the need for sufficient oxygen. While the seeds absorb water, the nutrients in the kernel begin to decompose and transform under the action of enzymes. At this time, respiration intensifies, so sufficient oxygen is needed. If the soil is poorly ventilated or the soil water content is saturated for a long time, most seeds will suffocate due to lack of oxygen and rot and die.

The third is the need for a suitable temperature. The decomposition of nutrients inside the seeds and a series of other physiological activities all need to be carried out at a suitable temperature. Each flower has its own suitable germination temperature. If the temperature is too low, the seeds cannot germinate, and if the temperature is too high, they are prone to mold and rot. Generally, the suitable germination temperature of flower seeds is between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius, and the Victoria amazonica, which is native to the tropics, even requires a high temperature of more than 30 degrees Celsius to germinate. If you want the seedlings to emerge quickly and neatly after sowing, the soil temperature should remain relatively stable, not fluctuating, and the amplitude of the change should not exceed 5 degrees Celsius.

How to sow flower seeds at home?

There are many kinds of flowers. When sowing them at home, you should pay attention to the following issues:

The first is the sowing time. Generally, annual herbaceous flowers are weak in cold resistance and should be sown in spring, while biennial herbaceous flowers are more cold resistant and should be sown in autumn. The sowing period of perennial flowers varies depending on their cold resistance. Cold-resistant perennial flowers can be sown in spring, summer or autumn, especially after the seeds are mature. Cold-intolerant evergreen perennial flowers should be sown in spring or after the seeds are mature.

The second is the sowing depth. The sowing depth depends on the seed size, germination type, soil moisture, etc. Usually, the soil covering depth for large seeds is about three times the thickness of the seeds, and the depth for small seeds is so deep that the seeds are not visible. Some very small seeds may not need to be covered with soil. When sowing, small seeds are not easy to sow evenly, so you can mix appropriate fine soil into the seeds before sowing.

The third is the sowing method. When growing flowers at home, the number of seeds sown is generally not large, so pot sowing can be carried out. Fill the flower pot with sandy loam that is rich in organic matter, light and fertile, and level the topsoil. For small seeds, the topsoil needs to be made very fine. Generally, small seeds are sown by broadcasting, and large seeds are sown by spot sowing. Water the seeds immediately after sowing. For larger seeds, you can water them with a fine-hole spray pot; for small seeds, do not use a pot to water them, so as not to impulsively water the seeds. You must use the immersion pot method to water them: that is, put the entire flower pot into the water, and be careful not to let the water surface exceed the height of the pot soil, so that the water enters from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and makes the pot soil completely wet through the capillary action. Then move the pot out of the water, cover it with a layer of plastic film and tie it around with ropes, or directly cover it with glass, so that the humidity in the pot can be maintained for a long time and the workload of watering in the future can be reduced. Finally, put the pot in the shade. After the seeds germinate and emerge from the soil, remove the film or glass and gradually move the pot to a sunny place to prevent the seedlings from growing too tall.

What are scion and rootstock? What are the benefits of flower grafting?

Grafting is a method of propagation in which a part of a plant's vegetative organs, i.e. a branch or bud, is grafted onto another plant so that the two can heal and grow together to form a new individual. The branch or bud taken is called a scion, and the part that bears the scion is called a rootstock. Seedlings propagated by grafting are called grafted seedlings. The characteristic of grafted seedlings is that the nutrients and water absorbed by the rootstock are transferred to the scion, and the scion in turn transfers the assimilated substances to the rootstock, forming a symbiotic relationship between the two.

The advantages of grafting propagation are: fast seedling growth and early flowering; when using seedlings, especially seedlings of some wild varieties as rootstocks, the grafted seedlings have better resistance and adaptability to adverse environmental conditions, grow more vigorously, and have a longer life span; when introducing precious varieties, the use of grafting propagation can also greatly save propagation materials and increase seedling production.

Grafting has a special meaning for flowers. It can adjust the plant shape and cultivate potted plants with artistic value, or graft several varieties on the same rootstock to make flowers of several colors bloom on one plant at the same time, thereby increasing artistic interest and improving ornamental value.

Although grafting has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages. The operation process is cumbersome and requires high technical requirements. It also requires a rootstock that has a strong affinity with the scion and the rootstock seedlings to be cultivated in advance. The production process is relatively complicated. Therefore, in general, there is no need to carry out grafting for species that can be propagated by cuttings or layering.

What should we pay attention to when grafting flowers?

Whether grafting is successful depends on many factors. When grafting, you should pay attention to the following issues:

First, the issue of grafting affinity: Whether flower grafting can survive depends on grafting affinity, that is, whether the rootstock and scion can be combined with each other through certain tissues to survive. The strength of affinity is related to the closeness of plant kinship. Generally, the closer the kinship, the stronger the affinity. Grafting affinity between the same variety or species is the strongest and most likely to survive. The affinity between different species of the same genus varies depending on the tree species.

Second, the quality of the rootstock and scion: The rootstock and scion contain more nutrients and are generally easier to survive. Therefore, when grafting, it is advisable to choose strong, full, short and heavy internode branches. Choose full buds or branch segments with full buds on a branch, and avoid using weak branches and long branches. It is best to use seedlings as rootstocks because they have a long lifespan, strong adaptability to adverse environments, and a young age at the stage of development, which will not affect the excellent traits of the scion.

Third, grafting technology issues: Grafting technology is reflected in the smoothness of the cut surface, the grafting speed and whether the cambium of the stock and scion is aligned. If the cut surface is not smooth, the diaphragm will be thicker and difficult to break through, which will affect the healing. Even if it is slightly healed, it will germinate late and grow weak. The scion will be in danger of falling off from the joint later. Fast and skilled grafting can avoid oxidation and discoloration of the cut surface and improve the survival rate of grafting. The cambium of the stock and scion must be aligned for the graft to survive.

Fourth, environmental factors: When the temperature is 29 degrees Celsius, the formation of healing tissue can be promoted. After grafting, it is necessary to prevent the fragile healing tissue from drying up and causing grafting failure. Wax needs to be applied to the interface. At present, plastic film is often used as a binding material, which can also retain moisture well.

How to bud flowers?

The first is the time of budding. Most flower budding should be done in late summer to early autumn, when many flower plants are easier to peel, and the sap flow in the body is also more vigorous, and most of the nutrients are concentrated in the branches, so the survival rate is high.

The second is the preparation of the scion. Select fully mature branches of the current year, which must have full and plump axillary buds. After cutting them from the mother plant, cut off the leaves immediately, but keep the petioles, and then wrap them with wet cloth, do not soak them in water, and prepare for grafting.

The third step is bud grafting. Let us first introduce the "T-shaped bud grafting": first select the full axillary bud in the middle of the cut branch, make a horizontal cut about 0.3 cm above it, and go about 0.1 cm into the wood. Then push the knife from 0.5-0.6 cm below the axillary bud to the wood and push upward until the incision above the axillary bud. Then remove the grafted bud and peel off the wood inside the bud with your fingernails, and immediately put it in your mouth. Then choose a relatively smooth skin surface between 10-15 cm from the ground on the north side of the rootstock seedling, and cut a "T"-shaped incision in the phloem. Its size should be consistent with the grafted bud. Then insert the shield-shaped bud into the cortex of the rootstock from above the T-shaped incision, so that the upper incision of the shield-shaped bud fits closely with the "T"-shaped upper incision of the rootstock, and finally tie it with a plastic strip.

The speed of "T" budding is relatively slow, so another kind of "chip budding" has been derived. The difference between "chip budding" and "T" budding is that instead of just cutting a T-shaped wound on the cortex of the rootstock, the cortex of the rootstock is peeled off according to the size and shape of the scion bud. Commonly used forms of budding and peeling include flake, ring and shield.

The fourth is the management and inspection after bud grafting. The survival can be checked one week after bud grafting. The method is: touch the petiole retained on the bud with your hand. If it falls off as soon as it is touched, it means that the graft has survived. Otherwise, the bud must have died and should be re-grafted immediately. The buds that survive will sprout and produce new branches. When they grow to more than 10 cm, the branches of the rootstock seedling should be cut off from above the grafted bud as soon as possible, and the side branches and root suckers that sprout on the rootstock below the grafted bud should be cut off at the same time.

How to graft flowers?

The so-called branch grafting is the grafting of branches as scions. According to the thickness of the rootstock, it can be divided into two types: cut grafting and cleft grafting.

Cutting grafting is often carried out in spring when the terminal buds have just sprouted and the new shoots have not yet grown. At this time, the sap in the branches has begun to flow, the interface is easy to heal, and the survival rate of the graft is high. The specific method is: select a full annual branch, cut it into 6-10 cm long stem segments, each segment must have more than 2 axillary buds, and then use a sharp grafting knife to cut two symmetrical bevels of different sizes at the base of the scion, one side is about 2 cm long, and the other side is about 1 cm long. The cut surface must be smooth, preferably cut in one go. Then, cut the stock about 20 cm from the ground, and then choose a suitable position on the north side of the cross section of the stock according to the thickness of the scion, and use a knife to split a crack from top to bottom, about 2.5 cm deep. Then insert the long cut surface of the scion inward into the incision of the stock, align the cambium on both sides, and finally tie the interface with a plastic strip. For some relatively tender scions, in order to prevent the scion from drying out before the interface is integrated, especially when grafting evergreen flowers and trees, it is best to cover the scion and the interface with a small plastic bag, and then remove it after the scion sprouts new shoots.

When the rootstock is much thicker than the scion, cleft grafting is required for reproduction. Cleft grafting has many similarities with cut grafting, except that: after the rootstock is cut short, the interface on the cross section should be located in the center of the cross section, and the cut surfaces on both sides of the lower part of the scion should be of the same length. In order to improve the survival rate, two scions are often inserted on both sides of the cut of the rootstock, and only the cambium on the outside of the scion is aligned with the cambium on one side of the rootstock, and finally tied. Since the wound on the cross section of the rootstock is large during cleft grafting, it should be sealed with plastic tape or wax after grafting to prevent the wound from losing water and drying and affecting survival. The time for cleft grafting of deciduous flowers and trees is the same as that for cut grafting, while that of evergreen flowers and trees is mostly carried out after autumn.

How to propagate flowers by cuttings?

The so-called cutting propagation is a propagation method that utilizes the characteristics of plant vegetative organs that can produce adventitious buds and adventitious roots, cuts off part or all of its roots, stems, leaves, and buds, and then inserts them into the substrate to make them take root and sprout under suitable environmental conditions, thus becoming a complete and independent new plant. The part taken is called a cutting. Depending on the materials used for cuttings, cuttings can be divided into branch cuttings, leaf cuttings, bud cuttings, and root cuttings, and branch cuttings can be divided into two types: green branch cuttings and broken branch cuttings.

Here we mainly introduce green branch cuttings. Green branch cuttings, also known as tender branch cuttings, are cuttings made during the growth period using semi-lignified or unlignified branches. They are mostly used for evergreen woody flowers, herbaceous flowers, cacti and succulents. Some semi-evergreen woody flowers also often use tender branches for cutting propagation. The general practice of green branch cuttings is: select tender branches that have developed fully in the current year, cut them into 8-12 cm branch segments, each segment must have more than 2 buds, and each segment retains 2-4 leaves. If the leaves are larger, 1/2-2/3 of the leaves can be cut off. The upper end of the branch is cut about 1.5 cm above the bud, and the lower end is cut about 0.3 cm below the bud, and then inserted into the substrate. The scissors or knives used for cutting should be sharp, and a small wooden stick slightly thicker than the cutting should be used to make a hole in the substrate before inserting to prevent the cambium at the base wound from being damaged when the cutting is directly inserted into the substrate. The cutting depth should be flexibly controlled according to the different flowers. Species that can produce adventitious roots from the cambium under the internode skin should be deeply inserted, leaving 1-2 side buds on it, such as rubber trees; species that can only root from the cambium of the cut callus should be shallowly inserted, mostly 2-3 cm, to facilitate ventilation and prevent mold and rot, such as chrysanthemums and red sage. As long as the temperature is controlled well, softwood cuttings are easy to root.

What are the factors that affect the rooting of cuttings? How to improve the survival rate of cuttings?

There are two types of factors that affect rooting of cuttings: internal factors and external factors. Internal factors include:

First, auxin: Normal stem rooting is triggered by the accumulation of auxin at the base of the cuttings. Generally, tree species that contain more auxin are easier to root in cuttings.

Second, nutrients: Generally, high levels of carbohydrates are related to root strength, while nitrogen affects the number of roots.

Third, stem rooting also varies depending on the developmental period, branch age, stem shape and position, and season.

External factors include:

First, temperature: different species require different cutting temperatures. The suitable temperature for cuttings of most flowers is 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Second, humidity: Generally, cuttings require air humidity above 60%, while softwood cuttings require above 80%. The water content of the substrate is moderate at 50-60%.

Third, light: Generally, appropriate shade is required during cuttings.

Fourth, oxygen: The formation of callus tissue at the base of the cuttings and rooting require oxygen, so the substrate should be loose and breathable.

Fifth, substrate: The cutting substrate should be clean, permeable and breathable while retaining water.

To improve the survival rate of cuttings when cutting softwood cuttings, the following measures can be taken:

The first is to choose good cuttings. Cuttings require short internodes, thick branches and leaves, and full bud tips.

The second is to choose a good substrate. The best cutting substrate is perlite or vermiculite, but generally cheaper river sand is used.

The third is to treat with hormones. Treating the base of the cuttings with hormones can make the roots grow faster and more.

The fourth is to create environmental conditions suitable for rooting. Keep the cuttings in suitable temperature, moisture, air humidity and light.

How to prepare and use hormones to promote rooting of cuttings?

The method of treating the base of stem cuttings with hormones has been widely used in production. Commonly used hormones are indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid and naphthylacetic acid. The treatment methods include powder treatment, liquid treatment, fat treatment, spraying or injection of the mother plant, etc. Among them, powder treatment and liquid treatment are the most common.

The preparation of powder is generally based on talcum powder. Because hormones are insoluble in water, the hormones are first dissolved in a small amount of 95% alcohol, and then the alcohol solution is mixed with a certain amount of talcum powder, fully stirred, and then spread in a porcelain basin to dry in the dark, and finally ground into a very fine powder for use. The concentration of general cuttings is 500-2000ppm (0.05-0.2%), and it can be increased to 10000-20000ppm (1-2%) for those that are difficult to root. The use of two auxins mixed together often makes the cuttings take root faster than the single auxin preparation, and the number of roots is also more. When cutting, first dip the base of the cuttings in the powder and then insert it into the matrix.

The preparation method of the liquid is: first dissolve the auxin in a small amount of alcohol, then add water to a certain concentration. The concentration for herbaceous flowers is 5-10ppm (0.0005-0.001%), and the concentration for woody flowers is 40-200ppm (0.004-0.02%). When cutting, soak the cuttings in the hormone solution for 24 hours before cutting. The hormone solution is easy to lose its effectiveness after preparation, so it is better to prepare it temporarily. Alcohol liquid can also be made into concentrated solutions, such as using 50% alcohol to prepare an indolebutyric acid solution with a concentration of 4000-10000ppm (0.4-1.0%). When cutting, first immerse the base of the cuttings in the liquid for one or two seconds, then take it out and cut it again.

How to propagate flowers by division?

The so-called division propagation is a method of propagation in which the root suckers, suckers, bulbils, runners, and stolons produced on the mother plant are divided and planted to form independent plants. Division propagation is the simplest and most reliable method of flower propagation, with a high survival rate and fast seedling formation. Its disadvantage is that the propagation coefficient is low and the seedling production is small in a short period of time.

The division propagation method is suitable for perennial flowers and woody flowers with strong clumping and tillering ability, such as the division of tillers of orchids, bamboo palms, pomegranates, the division of suckers of ornamental pineapples and aloe vera, the division of runners of spider plants and lucky grasses, and the division of stolons of dogtooth grass and buffalo grass.

The period of division propagation varies depending on the type of flowers. It is generally carried out in spring and autumn when the pots are repotted and the soil is changed. The spring flowering ones are divided in autumn, and the autumn flowering ones are divided in spring. The specific method of general division propagation is: dig out the mother plant, drain the soil, find the natural divergence of the root system, spread the young plants by hand or cut them with a sharp knife, and the separated young plants are required to have fine roots, branches and buds. Then replant the separated young plants in the pot, water them thoroughly, and then place them in a cool place. Be careful not to place the potted plants in direct sunlight or in a hot and dry place, otherwise the roots of the young plants cannot absorb water normally at this time, which may cause the young plants to lose water and die easily. Wait until the young plants resume growth before carrying out normal cultivation and management. Because the young plants themselves have roots, stems and leaves, they are easy to survive.

How to propagate flowers by layering?

The so-called layering propagation is a method of using the rooting ability of the plant branches to process the branches of the mother plant and then press them into the soil or surround them with culture soil to make them take root, and then separate them from the mother plant to form independent plants. Layering propagation is suitable for some woody flowers whose stem nodes are easy to root and difficult to survive by cuttings. It is characterized by simple operation and easy survival, but the propagation coefficient is small and occupies a large area. There are two main methods of layering propagation:

The first is the ordinary layering method. For short shrubs, bend the branches outside the mother plant and bury them in the soil. The buried part must be ring-peeled or scored first, and the bent part must be fixed tightly with bricks, wire hooks, etc. After a period of time, new roots will grow from the ring-peeled or scored parts buried in the soil. Then cut it off from the mother plant and replant it to become a new plant. Milan, osmanthus, winter jasmine, forsythia, wisteria, honeysuckle, wintersweet, gardenia, hydrangea, etc. can be propagated by this method.

The second method is air layering. Air layering is suitable for evergreen woody flowers whose branches are difficult to bend to the ground. The specific method is: perform ring peeling on the branches to be propagated, with a width of no more than 0.5 cm, then scrape the remaining cambium on the wood, then wrap the wound with moist soil or moss, and then wrap the soil or moss with plastic film, and tie it up and down with ropes. Usually, pay attention to maintaining the humidity inside. If it dries, loosen the upper rope and add water inside. As long as it is tied tightly, it is generally not easy to dry. After rooting, cut it from the bottom, remove the film and replant. Because the film is transparent, you can observe whether the roots have grown. In addition, be careful when removing the film, and it is best to keep the mud ball intact before planting. Rubber trees, white magnolias, Michelia, camellia, roses, etc. can be propagated by this method.

Why do flowers need to be transplanted? How to transplant them?

For sowing flowers, except for those that are not tolerant to transplantation, most of them are first raised in seedbeds or pots, and then transplanted. The number of transplants can be one or more, and finally planted. The main functions of transplantation are: increasing the distance between plants, that is, expanding the nutritional area of ​​the seedlings, increasing sunlight, facilitating ventilation, and making the seedlings grow strong; cutting off the main root during transplantation can promote the occurrence of lateral roots, and it is easier to resume growth when transplanted again; transplantation has the effect of inhibiting excessive growth, making the seedlings grow full and the plants dense.

Transplantation is divided into two parts: lifting the seedlings and planting. When lifting the seedlings, use bamboo strips to dig up the seedlings with soil, then gently shake off the soil near the root group to minimize root damage, and then plant. Before planting, dig a ditch or a hole, then stretch the roots in the ditch or hole, minimize the bending and overlapping of the roots, and then cover with soil. In order to make the roots in close contact with the soil, do not press hard on the base of the stem to avoid crushing the plant. The planting depth should be the same as the depth before transplantation. After planting, use a fine spray bottle to irrigate fully. This watering is generally called "rooting water". After the rooting water is sufficient, do not water too much before the new roots grow, otherwise the roots will easily rot. If the bare-root transplant can be shaded after planting, it will be more conducive to the plant's recovery of growth.

The best time to transplant is when the evaporation of seedling water is extremely low, so it is ideal to transplant on a windless, cloudy day, and the survival rate of transplanting before rainfall is higher. In terms of one day, it is best to transplant in the evening, because this will give the seedlings a night to grow, which is more conducive to survival.

How to prune and shape flowers and trees?

Pruning refers to the specific arrangement of a part or an organ of a plant. Pruning can make the tree shape round and compact, improve the ventilation and light conditions in the plant, save nutrients, and coordinate the physiological functions of various organs of the plant, so as to achieve balanced growth, prevent excessive growth, promote flowering and fruiting, and improve the ornamental value. Shaping means arranging the appearance and skeleton of the plant through pruning, setting up pillars and supports, pulling branches, bending branches, etc., so as to achieve the purpose of beautiful plant shape and regulating growth and development.

For potted flowers, pruning can be divided into two types according to the different periods of pruning: growing season pruning and dormant period pruning. Growing season pruning is mainly carried out in spring, summer and autumn, with a small amount of pruning, including pinching, bud removal, bud removal, yellow leaf removal, pruning, etc., and species that are mainly for viewing fruits should also be thinned out in time. Dormant period pruning is often carried out from late autumn to before budding in the next spring. Pruning should be carried out in combination with the flowering habits of flowers. Hibiscus, fuchsia, bougainvillea, etc. that bloom on the branches of the current year should be pruned in spring, while some azaleas and camellias that bloom on biennial branches should have their branches cut short after flowering to form more side branches as soon as possible to prepare for increasing the flowering parts next year. For some species with low fruit ornamental value, the remaining flowers should be cut off in time after flowering.

The shaping of potted flowers varies with the purpose of cultivation and the type of flowers. Generally, there are two types: natural and artificial. The natural style uses the natural plant shape of flowers and slightly trims them to make the branch layout more reasonable. It is mostly used for tall foliage flowers. The artificial style takes measures to force the plants to grow according to people's different preferences.

When shaping, you must have a full understanding of the habits of flowers. For those with thin or weak branches, it is advisable to shape them into a racket shape, arch shape, disc shape or S shape, such as ivy, asparagus fern, nasturtium, poinsettia, etc. For those with hard branches, use a knife to cut the bend before bending, and then shape them into S shape, cloud shape or other various shapes, as well as words such as "Fu, Lu, Shou", such as wintersweet and hibiscus.

Why do flowers need to be pinched? Which flowers are suitable for pinching?

The so-called pinching of flowers means pinching off the terminal buds on the main branches or side branches of the plant with fingers or scissors. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the growth point together with the few tender leaves on the top. The role of pinching is: pinching can inhibit the growth of the main branches, promote the growth of more side branches, and make the plants shorter and fuller, increase the location and number of flowers, and pinching can also delay the flowering period or promote the second flowering of the plants. Although pinching has many benefits, it does not mean that every flower needs to be pinched or can be pinched. For example, some species whose flowers grow on the main branches cannot be pinched; some plants are short and have strong clumping properties, so pinching is not suitable; after pinching, the flower spikes become shorter, and the species that cannot promote branching after pinching are also not suitable for pinching.

Flowers suitable for pinching include: salvia, aster, cosmos, globe amaranth, marigold, ageratum, rudbeckia, coleus, silver primrose, petunia, snapdragon, osmanthus, chrysanthemum, dahlia, phlox, begonia, geranium, fuchsia, poinsettia, etc.

Flowers that are not suitable for pinching include: cockscomb, amaranth, sunflower, poppy, California poppy, poppy, hollyhock, mallow, hibiscus, impatiens, violet, straw daisy, etc.

Flowers that do not need to be pinched include: half-flowered lily, pansy, daisy, dwarf snow wheel, sweet alyssum, coreopsis, broom grass, verbena, marigold, dianthus, etc.

What is columnar cultivation? Which foliage plants can be cultivated in columnar form?

The so-called columnar cultivation is to insert a pillar in the center of the flowerpot for plants to climb, and plant several climbing or winding plants around the pillar. The plants grow upward with the help of the pillar, thus forming a "ground-type" "three-dimensional cultivation". This pillar of columnar cultivation is also called a "totem pole". The general method of making a totem pole is: use a thick bamboo stick and tie it with palm clothes. Nowadays, some people also use plastic pipes as pillars, and the tying material can also be a shading net, which is also called a shade net or cool yarn. The height of the totem pole can be customized according to needs.

Columnar cultivation technology has both similarities and differences with general potted or hanging pot cultivation. Most plants suitable for columnar cultivation have aerial roots, and aerial roots also have the ability to absorb water and fertilizer. Therefore, when cultivating, attention should be paid to the management of water and fertilizer in the underground part as well as the aboveground part, such as frequent foliar topdressing. In addition, flower pots are generally deep pots. At present, almost all plants cultivated in columnar form are indoor foliage plants. Common foliage plants include: Syngonium, Pothos, Philodendron, Monstera, Cordyceps sinensis, Ivy, etc.

Columnar potted flowers can be used to decorate hallways, corners, corridors, etc., where you can enjoy the colorful leaves of the plants and beautify the environment. Columnar cultivation is very common. Products grown in columnar form are best when the leaves are bright, free of disease and insect pests, evenly distributed in the upper, middle and lower parts of the leaves, and the pillars are shaded without gaps.

What flowers are suitable for planting in the garden?

For some people, especially those living in the suburbs, county towns or rural areas, since they have private houses with open space in front and behind their houses, it is the dream of many people to green and beautify these open spaces and build a garden for viewing and rest and entertainment. Here we mainly talk about the selection of flowers and trees for gardens.

A garden is an ideal place to plant flowers and trees. Many flowers and trees can be planted, and it is also quite convenient to manage. The choice of flowers and trees should be determined according to the size of the site, the direction and location, and the purpose. For example, shade plants should be selected in places facing north and near high buildings. If the site is large, you can plant osmanthus, camellia sinensis, forsythia, holly, etc. as hedges around. If the site is not large, you can plant grass flowers and build a grass flower bed.

The types of flowers and trees that can be planted in the garden include trees such as osmanthus, plum blossom, peach blossom, pomegranate, Chinese pomegranate, white magnolia, etc.; shrubs include azalea, camellia, jasmine, hibiscus, oleander, rose, etc.; bulbous flowers include canna, dahlia, gladiolus, tulip, white lily, iris, etc.; perennials include chrysanthemum, peony, peony, hosta, daylily, orchid, dieffenbachia, and lucky grass, etc.; climbing vines include trumpet creeper, wisteria, grape, honeysuckle, morning glory, morning glory, etc.; aquatic flowers include lotus and water lily, etc.

The arrangement of flowers and trees in the garden should take into account the different requirements of different flowers and trees for sunlight. For example, azaleas are more shade-tolerant and can be planted under large trees. At the same time, the hierarchy of flowers and trees from high to low should be considered. For example, the highest is the tree, followed by the shrub, and then the grass flowers. The ground can be paved with lawn grass or ground cover plants such as step grass, so that it looks patchwork. Another thing to consider is the flowering season of different flowers and trees. Choose flowers and trees that bloom in different seasons and match them reasonably to achieve the goal of continuous flowers and fragrance in the garden all year round.

Which flowers are suitable for planting on the balcony? What should be paid attention to when planting flowers on the balcony?

Balconies are divided into south-facing balconies, north-facing balconies, east-facing balconies and west-facing balconies according to their orientation. Balconies with different orientations mainly have different light intensity and time, so the types of flowers suitable for planting are also different. South-facing balconies have sufficient sunlight and can be exposed to the sun all day long. At the same time, the higher the floor, the stronger the sunlight, so south-facing balconies need to choose positive flowers such as bougainvillea, roses, hibiscus, cacti and succulents, Milan, chrysanthemums, jasmine, citrus, pomegranates, poinsettias, and saffron; north-facing balconies only have some sunlight in the morning and evening, or even no sunlight, so negative flowers such as evergreens, ferns, monstera, spider plants, etc. need to be selected; east-facing balconies only have sunlight in the morning, and the sunlight in the morning is not so strong, so neutral flowers such as Milan, Michelia, Clivia, etc. and some negative flowers need to be selected; west-facing balconies only have sunlight in the afternoon, and the western sun in the afternoon in summer is particularly strong, so some positive flowers also need to be selected.

In addition to light, balcony flower planting is also different from general flower planting. The temperature on the balcony fluctuates, and when it is high, the temperature is higher than that on the ground, and in winter, it is directly attacked by the cold; and the balcony is windy and the air is very dry, so it is more difficult to grow flowers on the balcony, and more delicate cultivation management is required. In addition to choosing the right flower pots and preparing the culture soil, and doing a good job of pest control, more attention should be paid to the management of fertilizer and water: watering should be done more often. During the high temperature and dry period, water should be poured once in the morning and afternoon every day, and water should be sprayed on the leaves and the ground to increase the air humidity and cool down. At the same time, fertilizer should be applied every 10-15 days during the growth period, preferably organic fertilizer water. In addition, around noon in midsummer, bamboo curtains should be hung on the south-facing balcony as much as possible to provide shade to prevent exposure to the scorching sun.

What are the benefits of growing flowers on the roof? What should you pay attention to when growing flowers on the roof?

In recent years, growing flowers on the roof has become an important part of greening construction in some places. Growing flowers on the roof makes full use of space and creates a more beautiful living environment for people. It also has the function of heat insulation in summer and heat preservation in winter. On the roof, due to good ventilation, sufficient light, and large temperature difference between day and night, the growth of flowers on the roof is better than that on the flat ground under the same conditions of water, fertilizer, etc. In foreign countries, such as the United States, Japan, Canada, etc., they have planned roof gardens when designing buildings. In addition to planting grass flowers, lawn grass, trees and shrubs, they also have fountains, pools, winding paths, pavilions and seats. People can not only take a walk and rest, but also enjoy the city and overlook the beautiful scenery.

After all, the conditions on the roof are somewhat different from those on flat ground. When growing flowers on the roof, you should pay attention to the following issues.

The first is that the roof is windy and not suitable for flowers with tall crowns. The soil or medium used on the roof is shallow and not suitable for the growth of deep-rooted flowers.

The second reason is that the roof is hot and windy, so water evaporates quickly and is prone to drought, so watering should be more frequent. In addition to water pipes, the roof should also be equipped with water storage equipment.

Third, the current roofs of buildings are generally not designed to support roof gardens. For safety reasons, do not copy or copycat, but first estimate the load-bearing capacity before designing and planting different flowers and trees.

The fourth is growing flowers on the roof. Water comes into contact with the roof every day, which makes the roof leak faster, so it is necessary to do a good job of preventing water leakage. For example, you can lay two layers of thin fiberglass cloth, which will have very good waterproof performance.

What should we pay attention to when managing indoor foliage plants?

Foliage plants refer to plants whose leaves are used as ornamental objects, including some plants whose leaves and flowers are appreciated together. Most foliage plants are native to the shade of trees and do not require strong light. They are suitable for indoor or interior landscape decoration. This type of foliage plants is also called indoor foliage plants or shade-loving foliage plants.

At present, indoor foliage plants have entered thousands of households, but some people just can't grow them well. So, what should we pay attention to when managing indoor foliage plants?

The first is to protect against cold in winter. Most indoor foliage plants are native to tropical rainforests, so most of them are not cold-resistant and cannot tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. Some species even need to be kept warm when temperatures are below 10 degrees Celsius.

The second is to keep the plants moist during dry periods. Many indoor foliage plants require high air humidity. For example, in Guangzhou, autumn is very dry. In order to increase the air humidity around the plants, it is necessary to take measures such as frequently watering the leaves or the surrounding areas.

The third is to place it in a suitable location. Although indoor foliage plants are suitable for indoor decoration, it should be noted that not all indoor foliage plants can be placed in any corner of the room for a long time, because each indoor foliage plant has certain requirements for light, and the light in every corner of the room is not the same. Generally, indoor foliage plants, especially those with variegated leaves, are best placed in places with bright light, such as by the window.

Fourth, pay attention to watering. Most indoor foliage plants like water, so when they are placed at home, in addition to controlling watering in winter, in spring, summer and autumn, as long as you see that the surface of the pot soil is dry, you should water it in time, but don't water it excessively.

What are physiological diseases of flowers? What are the causes?

The growth and development of flowers require certain external environmental conditions, such as temperature, light, water, nutrition, etc. Each flower requires a living environment that is most suitable for its growth and development during its growth process. Only when the external environmental factors can meet its growth and development needs can the plant's metabolic activities proceed normally, so that the plant can grow healthily. However, if the plant is affected by unsuitable environmental conditions such as harsh climatic conditions, poor soil, harmful substances, etc. during the growth process, the plant's metabolism will be disturbed or destroyed, causing changes in physiological functions and tissue morphology, and then the symptoms will appear in the external morphology of the plant. This disease directly caused by unsuitable non-biological factors is called a non-infectious disease, also known as a physiological disease.

Physiological diseases are very common and sometimes very serious in flowers, so it is very important to prevent and control such diseases. However, since the issue of physiological diseases involves disciplines such as plant physiology, pathology, floriculture, meteorology, soil and fertilizer science, etc., the scope is very wide and the influencing factors are complex. One adverse phenomenon is often caused by multiple factors, which brings difficulties to the research work. Therefore, to this day, many physiological disease problems are still not fully understood and need to be further studied and explored.

There are many causes of physiological diseases, but the most important ones are climate conditions and soil conditions. Therefore, improving the environmental conditions for flower growth and strengthening the management of flower cultivation can greatly reduce the occurrence of physiological diseases of flowers.

What are the symptoms of flower physiological diseases?

Symptoms of physiological diseases of flowers and plants are sometimes difficult to distinguish from some infectious diseases, especially viral diseases. Symptoms of common physiological diseases are:

The first is leaf discoloration. The leaf color becomes lighter, or turns yellow, white, or develops red, yellow or purple spots. If some nutrients are insufficient, it is very easy to cause the leaves of the plant to change color. For example, when the plant lacks iron, the new leaves will turn yellow; manganese deficiency will cause the leaf flesh to turn yellow and form small yellow spots; phosphorus and potassium deficiency will also cause the leaves to lose their green color and wither.

The second is necrosis. The plant necrose locally and produced dead spots. For example, the most common symptoms of cold damage to flower plants are discoloration, necrosis and spots on the surface; lack of the nutrient element boron will cause the base of young leaves to rot and die.

The third is leaf, flower and fruit drop. For example, sudden changes in temperature and light intensity can cause leaf drop; lack of the nutrient element phosphorus can cause early leaf drop; phosphorus deficiency can also cause flower and bud drop; after flower bud differentiation, improper watering and alternating dry and wet soil can also easily cause bud and flower drop.

The fourth is dwarfing, leggy growth, small leaves or small fruits. For example, if the nutrient element magnesium is lacking, the plant will be dwarfed; if the nutrient element sulfur is lacking, the plant will also become short and the leaves will become slender; if the nutrient element nitrogen is lacking, the leaves will become smaller, but too much nitrogen will cause the plant to grow leggy; insufficient light will also cause the plant to grow leggy.

The fifth is wilting. For example, if the plant is not watered enough, it will wilt. On the contrary, if the pot soil is waterlogged, the plant roots will lack oxygen, which will affect respiration and water absorption by the roots, and the plant will also wilt.

How to diagnose physiological disorders of potted flowers?

If potted flowers develop physiological diseases during daily maintenance, symptoms will easily appear on the leaves.

If the young leaves turn yellow, or the lower leaves curl and wilt and keep falling off, the most common reason is overwatering. However, it must be noted that nutrient deficiency can also easily cause young leaves to turn yellow. For example, iron deficiency often causes the leaves of flowers that prefer acidic soil to turn yellow-white, or the leaf flesh turns yellow while the veins remain green.

If the tips of young leaves are scorched, it is mostly due to too much light, too little watering, or too dry air. If the edges of leaves curl, it is mostly due to too dry air.

If the edges of old leaves are burnt, it is often caused by excessive fertilization or improper watering.

If the leaves are slender, crisp and tender, but the edges turn yellow and burn and fall off, it is mostly caused by insufficient light, dry air, too wet soil in the pot, insufficient nutrients, etc. This phenomenon is most obvious on white magnolia.

If brown spots or brown edges appear on the leaves, it is mostly caused by sunburn or drought. For example, in the north, this phenomenon is most likely to occur on the newly sprouted leaves of flowers such as magnolia, Milan, and Michelia that have just been taken out of the house in spring.

If the leaves fall suddenly, it is mainly due to temperature fluctuations or large changes in light. For example, some foliage plants planted in a place with strong light will soon fall if they are suddenly moved indoors to a place with insufficient light. Some flowers, such as Clivia and Michelia, are prone to leaf shedding when the temperature difference between day and night is too large.

Why do the leaves of potted flowers turn yellow easily?

Due to the limitations of the pot and soil, the roots of potted flowers cannot fully expand. If not managed properly, they are more likely to have yellow leaves than outdoor flowers. The main reasons for yellowing leaves of potted flowers include:

One of the reasons is too much water. The soil in the pot is too wet for a long time, which causes the soil to lack oxygen and causes root rot. After being affected, the young leaves first turn light yellow, and then the old leaves gradually turn dark yellow.

The second reason is drought and dehydration. If flowers are not watered or watered only halfway for a long time, that is, wet on the top and dry on the bottom, the leaves will become dull and lusterless, and the leaves will wilt and droop. The lower leaves will age first, and then turn yellow and scorch from the bottom to the top.

The third reason is long-term lack of fertilizer. If there is no fertilizer or the soil in the pot is not changed for a long time, the soil lacks nutrients, resulting in weak branches and leaves and yellowing of leaves.

The fourth reason is excessive fertilization. Excessive fertilization concentration leads to extravasation of root cell fluid, resulting in plasmolysis, causing the edges of old leaves to dry up and even the death of the entire plant.

The fifth reason is heat. Flowers that like coolness or shade, such as Clivia, Cyclamen, and Fuchsia, can easily cause the tips of young leaves or the edges of leaves to burn if they are placed in high temperature and exposed to direct sunlight.

The sixth reason is excessive shading. If light-loving flowers are placed in a place with insufficient light, the plants will grow weak, the leaves will be thin and yellow, and they will rarely or never bloom.

The seventh reason is dry air. Flowers that like a humid environment will have their leaf tips or edges burnt, or have burnt spots or curled edges if the air is too dry.

The eighth reason is nutrient deficiency. Deficiency of potassium, magnesium and other nutrients can also cause yellowing of leaves.

The ninth reason is pest damage. For example, leaf spot disease can cause the entire leaf to turn yellow and fall off in severe cases. Red spider mites can cause partial or even entire leaves to turn yellow.

What could be the reason why flowers do not bloom or drop buds or flowers?

There are several possible reasons why flowers do not bloom or drop buds or flowers:

First, improper water and fertilizer: During the growth period of flowers, if the water and fertilizer are excessive, especially too much nitrogen fertilizer, it will cause the branches and leaves to grow too long, and the nutrients will be used for the growth of stems, leaves and roots, which will affect the differentiation and formation of flower buds, resulting in no flowering or very little flowering. Even if it can bloom, it is easy to drop flowers and buds. Fertilizing too much during the bud formation period, or watering too much or too little, can also easily cause flowers and buds to drop.

Second, the light or temperature is not suitable: Due to the different origins of flowers, their ecological habits are different. Some like sunlight, some prefer semi-shade; some like warmth, some like coolness. If the light or temperature they need is not met, it is easy to cause flowers and buds to fall off.

Third, the soil has high salinity: Most flowers prefer slightly acidic or neutral soil and are afraid of salinity. Even flowers that are more tolerant to salinity, such as geraniums and roses, will be affected in their growth and flowering when the soil salt content exceeds 0.1% and the pH exceeds 7.5.

Fourth, they have not been pruned for a long time: If some flowers and trees are not pruned and shaped for a long time, it will not only affect the appearance, but also because there are many unnecessary branches, a lot of nutrients are consumed, affecting the formation of flower buds, resulting in less or no flowering of the plants.

Fifth, the room temperature is too high in winter: Most flowers are dormant or semi-dormant in winter, and the room temperature is preferably around 5 degrees Celsius. Even for some flowers that like warmth, such as Milan, the room temperature should generally not exceed 12 degrees Celsius. If the room temperature is too high, it will affect the plant's full dormancy or premature sprouting and leafing, consuming a lot of nutrients, and the plant will grow weak the following year, not bloom or have small flowers that are easy to wither.

Sixth, pests and diseases: If the plant is damaged by pests and diseases, its growth will be damaged, affecting the accumulation of nutrients, which is also a reason for the falling of flowers and buds. In addition, if the flowers or buds are directly damaged by pests and diseases, it is also easy to cause the falling of flowers and buds.

How to arrange indoor flowers and trees?

Using indoor flowers and trees to beautify and decorate living rooms, halls and workplaces can not only beautify the environment, but also purify the air in these environments, killing two birds with one stone.

Indoor plant greening decoration is more lively and energetic than general handicraft decoration, and can make the indoor environment more dynamic. Because indoor flowers and trees have various shapes and colors, they have natural expressiveness, and can also be combined with other interior design methods to create a certain atmosphere and artistic conception in the indoor space.

When arranging indoor flowers and trees, different types of plants should be selected in different locations of the room. For example, in places where the light is stronger in the room, such as near the south-facing windows, it is suitable to place light-loving and heat-resistant cacti, succulents, geraniums, hibiscus, crotons, etc.; the east and west-facing windows have relatively short sunshine and slightly lower temperatures, which are suitable for placing shade-tolerant plants such as asparagus fern, camellia, azalea, ivy, etc.; the north-facing windows have less light, so it is appropriate to place shade-loving plants such as the Hulk, white palm, spider plant, and bamboo palm.

Another thing is that the size of the flowers and trees should be coordinated with the size of the room. Generally speaking, large rooms use large plants, such as the Pothos column, the Brazilian iron column, the Dutch iron column, and the money tree, while small rooms should choose small plants, such as the Asparagus fern, the white net-grained vegetable, the Croton, and the cactus.

Another thing is that the color matching should be reasonable. Generally speaking, the colors of walls, curtains and furniture should be treated with contrasting techniques with the tones of plants. Light-colored walls are matched with colorful foliage and flowering plants, such as Croton, African violet, Rubber fig, Schefflera variegated, Anthurium, etc. Dark walls are matched with light-colored flowers and trees, such as Golden-edged Tiger Tail, Moss variegated, White Rhododendron, etc.; Walls with patterns or variegated colors are suitable for green foliage plants, such as palms, weeping figs, and money trees.

When decorating the living room, the main furnishings are sofas, chairs, coffee tables, TVs or antique shelves. Large plants are used to decorate the corners and sofas. Bonsai or flower arrangements and small potted flowers are placed on the coffee table. 1-2 hanging plants of different heights are hung on the window frames. For the decoration of the study, light and quiet plants such as asparagus fern, orchids, daffodils, etc. should be placed on the desk and bookshelf. In short, the arrangement of indoor flowers and trees requires appropriate placement and coordination to achieve a beautiful overall effect.

How to choose a flower pot?

At present, the common flower pots on the market include plastic pots, tile pots, glazed pots, porcelain pots, purple sand pots, wooden pots, etc. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic basins are light, not easy to break, and can be made into various shapes, specifications, and different colors. They have good decorative effects, are reasonably priced, and are widely used in production, but they have poor water permeability and air permeability, and are not durable.

The texture of a clay pot is rough, brittle and easy to break, but the drainage and ventilation of a clay pot are very good, which is most conducive to the growth of the root system. It is cheap and widely used.

A glazed basin is a clay basin with a layer of glaze on it. It is more beautiful than a clay basin, but not as transparent as a clay basin.

Porcelain pots are gorgeous in appearance and expensive, but they have the worst permeability. They are mostly used as decorative pots for display. You can also plant mature high-end flowers directly in porcelain pots to increase their ornamental value.

Zisha pots are elegant, generous and simple; their transparency is better than porcelain pots but worse than clay pots, and they are generally used for bonsai.

Wooden pots are generally used to grow larger flowers and trees, and usually need to be treated with anti-corrosion first. Wooden frames can also be used to grow plants with strong aerial properties, such as tropical orchids.

Various flower pots have different sizes and specifications, which are often determined by their diameter. For example, a 15 cm pot means that the diameter of the pot mouth is 15 cm. When planting, you should choose a flower pot according to the size of the plant. Small pots are used for seedlings and small plants, and large pots are used for large plants and mature plants.

In addition, you should also choose flower pots according to the growth habits of flowers and trees. If the flowers and trees are shade-tolerant and moisture-tolerant, you can choose plastic pots, porcelain pots, etc.; if the flowers and trees are not moisture-tolerant and prefer soil with good permeability, you can choose clay pots, wooden frames, etc.

What are the basic forms of flower arrangement?

Flower arrangement is a three-dimensional plastic art that uses living flowers as materials to express the artist's aesthetic ideas through shaping. Flower arrangement not only has shape, color, and fragrance, but is also full of spirit and life. It is one of the most beautiful spatial arts in China since ancient times.

The first type is regular flower arrangement. The forms are mostly various geometric shapes, and the common forms are sphere, hemisphere, ellipse, triangle, crescent, horizontal, fan-shaped, etc. This type of flower arrangement uses more branches, giving a sense of flourishing flowers and trees, and pays attention to color coordination, which is rich and gorgeous.

The second type is natural flower arrangement. This type of flower arrangement imitates the natural posture of plants. According to the shape of the main flower material, it can be divided into upright, inclined and drooping types. This type of flower arrangement expresses the natural growth of a single plant. The creation is flexible and varied, and pays attention to artistic conception and interest. It is the main form of oriental flower arrangement.

The third type is landscape flower arrangement. It imitates natural scenery, often showing the landscape of natural communities of several plants or the natural scenery of a small scenic spot, and often uses various props and small ornaments to express its artistic conception. This type of flower arrangement generally uses a large shallow water basin as a flower container.

The fourth type is abstract flower arrangement. Influenced by modernist and abstract paintings and sculptures, the art of flower arrangement also saw the emergence of an abstract non-naturalistic flower arrangement style. This type of flower shape neither expresses natural interest nor forms a pattern. It only uses the characteristics of the flowers to form lines, surfaces, and bodies to show the author's emotional interest.

The fifth type is wild flower arrangement, which is a flower arrangement created by people using wild flowers, weeds and wild fruits as materials.

The sixth type is hanging flower arrangement. It is divided into hanging flowers and hanging flowers. Hanging flowers on the wall or pillars with flowers inside is called hanging flowers. Hanging flowers are flower arrangements in which the flower vases are suspended from the ceiling with ropes and chains. Hanging flower arrangements can fully and cleverly utilize space and achieve the effect of beautifying the environment.

How to match colors for flower arrangement?

In a work, it is not advisable to have too many matching colors, otherwise it will easily make people feel dazzled. Generally , 1-3 colors are suitable. When matching multiple colors, the colors should be primary and secondary. The main color should be selected, and the others should be used as foil colors. Do not divide the colors equally. When matching colors, you should not only consider the color of the flowers, but also the color and tone of the flower pot used and the surrounding environment. Only by coordinating with each other can a beautiful visual effect be produced.

There are four common flower arrangement color combinations:

The first is the same color matching. That is, using a single color in the flower arrangement, but with different shades of the same color, combined in a certain direction or order, will produce a beautiful effect.

The second is similar color matching. Use several colors with similar tones, such as red, orange, and yellow. One color is often the main color, and the others are used as foils. This color matching is easy to coordinate, looks soft and elegant, and is suitable for placement in a relatively quiet environment.

The third is contrasting color matching. It is to match colors with very different colors, such as red and green, yellow and purple, etc. Due to the huge difference in colors, it often produces a strong and vivid feeling. This color matching is suitable for lively occasions such as hotels, restaurants, and living rooms. However, this color matching often gives people a sense of disharmony. It is necessary to use white, gray, silver or small green leaves to intersperse it, or reduce the concentration of the color, use light green, pink, etc., and dark colors to make the color brighter and more harmonious.

The fourth is three equal distance color matching, such as red, yellow and blue. This kind of work is bright and eye-catching, with a warm atmosphere, suitable for festive occasions.

What are the uses of dried flowers? How to make dried flowers?

Dried flowers refer to flowers that have been dried. They are one of the most commonly used decorative plants in modern homes. They are currently very popular in the international market. They have bright colors and can be displayed all year round without replacement. When all flowers are in full bloom, various flowers and plants can be used after being artificially dried. They can be made into various flat or three-dimensional decorations such as dried flower postcards, dried flower bookmarks, dried flower bouquets, flower baskets, and hanging flowers, which play a role in beautifying life. There are two methods for artificially making dried flowers: natural drying and chemical drying.

The natural drying method is to cut the flower branches from the plants, tie them into bundles, and hang them in a well-ventilated place to dry them by themselves. The flowers and plants suitable for this method are those with low water content, such as zinnia, delphinium, sage, globe amaranth, straw chrysanthemum, sweet pea and some grass plants.

The sand drying method is to use pure, dry river sand and flowers without moisture. First, sprinkle a layer of sand in the paper pot, put the flower head down on the sand, and carefully sprinkle sand from top to bottom until all the empty spaces are filled. Place it in a dry and cool place. After 3-5 weeks, it can be dehydrated into dried flowers. Marigolds and zinnias are suitable for this method.

Silica gel drying method. Some materials with high water content are difficult to dry by natural drying, so silica gel is used for drying. Use dried silica gel as a desiccant and bury the flowers in it to dry them. This method is suitable for drying roses and lilies.

Large-scale production uses the world's most advanced microwave drying technology, as well as freeze drying, vacuum drying, etc.

At present, dried flowers are produced in factories at home and abroad, and its production process is relatively complicated. Simply put, first of all, the harvesting time must be mastered, otherwise it is easy to break, and then it is washed, refined, dyed, softened, and dried. Different flowers use different chemicals, and the temperature and time required for each process must be strictly controlled to restore the original appearance of the flowers.