Japanese crabapple

Japanese crabapple, its flowers are very similar to those of Chinese crabapple, but the leaves are slightly thinner. Its trunk is mostly clustered and branched, with wart-like protrusions and fine thorns on the branches. The flower colors are bright red and pink, and the flowering period is from March to April. Each cluster of flowers consists of several flowers, which are close to the branches, gorgeous and charming. After flowering, spherical fruits are formed, yellow, and the fruit diameter is about 3 cm. It can be planted in courtyards, roadsides, and slopes. It is also often used as potted plants and placed on balconies and indoors for viewing.

Japanese crabapple likes plenty of sunlight, is also tolerant to semi-shade, and is slightly cold-resistant. Use 5 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of field soil, and 2 parts of sand to make a culture soil. Acidic and neutral soils are preferred. It grows poorly in saline-alkali soil and clay soil. It likes moisture, but is afraid of waterlogging and root rot. Flower buds form from August to September. At this time, the temperature is relatively high. Avoid large amounts of water and fertilizer. It should be dry and wet, otherwise it is not conducive to flower bud differentiation. Branches can be pruned before germination in spring, cutting off the top and leaving the buds in the middle and lower parts. Propagation is mainly by cuttings, which are carried out in spring and autumn. Cut a strong branch about 10 cm long, insert it into plain sandy soil, water it to keep it moist, place it in the shade, and take root in about 30 days. Transplant it in the spring of the following year. Grafting is also commonly used for propagation, with cutting grafting in spring and grafting from April to July. It can also be propagated by division, which can be carried out in spring and autumn, and it is easy to survive.

Japanese begonia | Suitable growth temperature: 10-40, light habit: neutral, dry and wet habit: neutral.

Potted Japanese begonias are better with acidic and neutral soils, and they grow poorly in saline-alkali soils and clay soils. They like moisture, but are afraid of waterlogging and root rot. Flower buds form from August to September. At this time, the temperature is relatively high. Avoid large amounts of water and fertilizer. It should be dry and wet, otherwise it will be unfavorable for flower bud differentiation. Branches can be pruned before germination in spring, cutting off the top and leaving the buds in the middle and lower parts. Propagation is mainly by cuttings, which are carried out in spring and autumn. Cut a strong branch about 10 cm long, insert it into plain sandy soil, water it to keep it moist, place it in the shade, and take root in about 30 days. Transplant it in the spring of the following year. Grafting is also commonly used for propagation, with cutting grafting in spring and grafting from April to July. It can also be propagated by division, which can be carried out in spring and autumn, and it is easy to survive.

In early July, move the potted Japanese crabapple tree to a cool place to avoid rain to cool down, reduce light, and control watering. Watering must be reduced slowly until the leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall off by themselves, so as to induce dormancy. Then continue to water in small amounts to maintain life and prevent new buds from sprouting. After a dormant period of 35-45 days, the plant is placed under full light, watered thoroughly, and liquid fertilizer is applied to wake it up and sprout new buds (leaf buds and flower buds grow together. After another 5-7 days, you can see the bright and eye-catching Japanese crabapple flowers.

In addition, you can also take advantage of the temperature-sensitive habit of its buds. In the middle of winter, you can use the method of heating to promote flowering. Move the potted Japanese crabapple stakes into the sunny place of the greenhouse, water them thoroughly, add liquid fertilizer, and then spray water on the branches and trunks of the plants appropriately every day. Keep the room temperature at 20-25℃. After 30-40 days, it can also bloom and can be used for New Year’s Day or Spring Festival decorations. Water-grown large branches and cut flowers can also be promoted in the greenhouse. They can be water-grown in batches throughout the winter and used as they bloom.