Longevity plum

As a plant of the genus Chaenomeles in the Rosaceae family, the longevity plum is native to Hokkaido, Japan. Because of its slow growth and long life, it has become an ideal choice for handed-down potted plants. Its leaves are small, thick, and shiny, and its branches are short and dense and resistant to pruning. It has a long flowering period and many flowers, with bright colors, either red or white, which resembles plum blossoms. After the flowers fall, the fruits hang, and the fragrance is overflowing, and they can last for a long time. The branches are strong and powerful, simple and exquisite, and are the best choice for bonsai materials.

Planting time: Longevity plum is suitable for planting around September and October to avoid high temperature causing root nodule disease. The soil requires looseness, breathability, and fertility. Garden soil, humus soil and sandy soil can be mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1, and disinfected to prevent diseases. Akadama soil is also a good choice, but its water retention is weak.

Longevity plum likes a semi-shady and humid environment and is not resistant to strong light. In summer, it should be properly shaded, ventilated, and the pot soil moist; it can be placed in a diffused light indoors on cloudy days. Proper shade is also required in winter to ensure sufficient diffuse light. The optimal growth temperature is 15-25℃, and the wintering temperature is around 4-13℃. When the temperature is below 4℃, it is recommended to move it indoors for maintenance or take insulation measures.

Follow the principle of watering when it is dry and wet, and keep the pot soil moist. Be careful not to water the flowers during the flowering period to avoid falling flowers. When fertilizing, apply thin fertilizer frequently as the principle, and avoid concentrated fertilizer. You can use special compound fertilizer for longevity plum, dilute it and use it. Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once half a month after the flowers fade, and use foliar fertilizer to promote long-term flowering.

Picking flowers and thinning fruits is an important part of caring for longevity plums to avoid excessive nutrient consumption, which affects plant growth and next year’s flowers and fruits. Repotting should be done every 2-3 years, and the best time is after the leaves fall. Use a clay pot with good drainage and air permeability, cut off the rotten roots, and fill the soil with slightly moist roots without sticking to the soil.

In terms of pest control, longevity plum is prone to aphids and thrips. The physical method of pest control is to cut off the young shoots that are infested with insects, but it is more recommended to regularly eliminate insects for prevention. Disinfect and kill insects before bringing the plants indoors in winter, and ensure that the indoor air is well ventilated, which is conducive to the healthy growth of plants and reduces the occurrence of diseases.