How to care for四季 crabapple
Today, let's introduce how to care for 四季 crabapple and share some small experiences in the cultivation of 四季 crabapple flowers, let's get to know them together.
Four-season begonias enjoy sunlight and can tolerate some shade. They should be placed in a ventilated area such as a balcony or courtyard for maintenance. In early spring, they can be exposed to direct sunlight, but as the sunlight intensity increases, they need to be appropriately shaded; in the hot summer, it is essential to avoid direct sunlight on the four-season begonias, as the plants may be sunburned. In winter, when temperatures are low, they require sufficient light and should be allowed to get as much sun as possible. When opening windows for ventilation at home, care should be taken not to place the pots in a drafty area to avoid frost damage to the plants. To ensure even growth of the four-season begonias, the pots should be frequently rotated to receive light evenly. If the four-season begonias are excessively shaded, their growth will become weak and spindly, and the flower color will be faint.
Watering
Four-season begonias prefer a warm and humid environment. During the growing period, water management should be based on the plant's growth and changes in temperature. When watering, it is important to keep the soil moist but not too wet, as excessive moisture can cause the soil to become compacted and waterlogged, leading to root or stem rot. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will wilt or become scorched. Watering should follow the principle of "not watering when not dry, and watering thoroughly when watering," but it should not be allowed to completely dry out before watering. It is important to observe the moisture status of the soil at all times and water when the soil surface turns white.
In spring, which is the vigorous growth period for four-season begonias, the soil needs more water. It is recommended to water every two days and frequently mist the area around the plant to keep it moist. In summer and winter, when the plants are dormant, less water is needed; in winter, the soil should be kept slightly dry. The timing of watering also varies with the seasons: in winter, watering should be done when the sun is strongest, around noon, and in summer, watering is best done in the morning or evening when the temperature difference between the air and the soil is smaller, which is beneficial for the growth of the four-season begonias. When watering, water should be poured along the edge of the pot and never directly onto the stem, as this can easily cause stem and leaf rot. When the foliage is dusty, it can be gently rinsed with water on a windy and warm day.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing four-season begonias should follow the principle of "frequent application of thin fertilizer." Timely fertilizing promotes healthy growth and lush foliage. During the seedling stage, more nitrogen fertilizer should be applied to promote the growth of branches and leaves; during the flowering stage, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied to encourage the formation of more flower buds and improve the quality of the flowers. It is recommended to apply a 20% fermented soybean cake or rapeseed cake water fertilizer every 10-15 days during the growing periods of spring and autumn. After fertilizing, the plant should be sprayed with water to prevent fertilizer from sticking to the leaves and causing yellowing. In the slow-growing seasons of summer and winter, to avoid rot due to tender stems and leaves with weakened resistance to heat and cold, fertilizing should be reduced or stopped. For example, when the temperature is above 25℃, fertilizing for older perennial plants or weak-growing plants should be stopped, and fertilizing can resume after the heatwave to welcome the second blooming season.
Temperature
Four-season begonias are heat-intolerant, cold-intolerant, and prefer a moderate temperature. The optimal temperature for their growth is between 18°C and 22°C.
In the hot summer season, measures should be taken to lower the temperature and keep it below 30°C. This can be done by spraying water on the leaves or sprinkling water around the plant to cool down. Placing the plant on a sand surface and wetting the sand while watering the plant can also help cool down and increase humidity, aiding in flowering.
In the severe cold of winter, as long as the indoor temperature is kept above 10°C, four-season begonias can survive the winter safely. Care should be taken not to place the potted flowers too close to a fire or heating, to avoid burning. When the indoor temperature drops below 5°C, to prevent leaf frost, the plant should be moved to a place farther from the window at night and placed in a sunny area during the day. If the indoor temperature drops to 0°C, three or four thin bamboo sticks can be inserted into the pot as a support, and then the pot can be covered with a transparent plastic bag and sealed at the bottom to keep warm. When the room temperature rises, there will be many dewdrops inside the bag, and the plastic bag should be removed to prevent leaf rot.
Propagation
Four-season begonias can be propagated mainly through sowing, cutting, and division.
Sowing can be done in both spring and autumn. The seeds should be evenly scattered on the potting soil, pressed flat, and no soil needs to be covered. Soak the bottom of the seedling pot with water, then cover it with a piece of glass and place it in a slightly shaded area, maintaining a room temperature of 20°C to 22°C. The seeds will germinate in about 10 days. When there are 2 true leaves, thinning should be done, and when there are 4 true leaves, they can be transplanted to a flower pot.
Cutting is best done in spring and autumn, using sandy soil as the cutting medium, or directly cutting into a plastic pot. Select healthy top shoots as cuttings, cut them to 10 cm long, and insert the nodes into the soil. The cuttings will root in about 2 weeks, and when the roots are 2-3 cm long, they can be transplanted to a flower pot. Four-season begonias with double petals are not easy to collect seeds and are usually propagated through cutting.
Division can be done during potting in spring. Cut the mother plant into several parts and apply charcoal powder to the cuts to prevent rot. The first transplanting should be done when the true leaves are 1-2, and when they reach 4-5 leaves, they can be moved to a flower pot.
Care and Management
Pinching. Pinching is a key part of the care and management of four-season begonias. After flowering in spring and autumn, the top tender stems and残 flowers should be pinched off to encourage branching and flowering of the lower axillary buds. Long branches and old branches should also be pruned promptly to encourage the growth of new lateral branches. About half a month after pinching, new flower buds will appear at the top of the new branches and beautiful flowers will bloom. By repeatedly pinching, branching can be promoted, ensuring continuous flowering. After pinching, the amount of watering should be controlled, and normal watering should only resume after new branches have sprouted to prevent rot. If pinching and pruning are not done, the plant may grow tall and thin, with an unattractive shape and fewer flowers.
Disease and Pest Control
In the hot and humid summer environment, four-season begonias are prone to various diseases. One common disease is bakanae, which mainly affects the base of the stems and leaves near the soil surface. In the early stages of the disease, dark green, water-soaked circular spots appear near the soil surface, which can expand and become brown and rotten. When it infects the leaf stalks, it can cause the plant to fall over or rot. Preventive measures include spraying Bordeaux mixture. Infected leaves should be removed and burned promptly to prevent further spread, and a continuous period of spraying carbendazim for control.
The common pest is the leafroller, whose larvae eat the tender leaves and flowers, directly affecting the growth and flowering of the four-season begonias. If not severe, pests can be manually captured. For severe cases, a dilute solution of dimethoate can be sprayed. Summer is the peak season for aphids and red spiders, and timely use of pesticides is necessary for control.
In spring and summer, placing several pots of four-season begonias at home will create a vibrant spring scene. In autumn and winter, placing them under the eaves of the balcony will add more vitality!
The introduction of how to care for four-season begonias and detailed explanation of the cultivation techniques of begonia flowers mentioned above, hope to bring a little help to your life!