Propagation and maintenance techniques of succulent blue stone lotus

Propagation and maintenance techniques of succulent blue stone lotus

1 preface

Blue stone lotus (Echeveriapeacockii "desmetiana"), alias skin stone lotus, is a kind of succulent plant of stone lotus genus of crassulaceae. Because the rosette leaf plate resembles a blooming lotus, it is known as "the flower that will never wither". Its unique shape, colorful leaves, simple maintenance, like living handicrafts [1-3], very suitable for family cultivation, is one of the more popular small succulent plants in recent years.

2 Life habits and ornamental value

Blue stone lotus is suitable for growing in sunny places, like warm, dry and sunny environment, drought-resistant, not cold-resistant, slightly resistant to semi-shade.

The blue stone lotus flower has a peculiar shape and is a good indoor ornamental plant. The old pile blue stone lotus is blue and white for most of the year, and it is a classic stone lotus. When the sunshine is sufficient, the edge of the leaves will turn pink, which is of great ornamental value.

Blue stone lotus can be watched in pots, and can also be combined with succulent plants with similar ecological habits to make potted plants, flower baskets and other shapes, as well as floral works of art. can be placed in the living room, desk, table case, several, windowsill, balcony [2jue 4] and other well-ventilated, well-lit environment, with tea sets and other effects are better. It can also be used to decorate rock garden, sand botanical garden and various celebrations and other places, fashionable and fresh, full of interest.

3Propagation technology

3.1 seed propagation

Sowing is generally carried out in spring or autumn, blue stone lotus seeds are very small, like dust. You can fold the seeds in half with a piece of white paper, carefully place the seeds on the white paper, and gently tap on the back of the white paper, so that the seeds are scattered evenly into the soil sowing area. The intensity of percussion is the key to determine the quality of seed sowing, which needs to be explored and practiced many times. Cover with a piece of glass after sowing to keep the seed and the surrounding soil moist, which is conducive to seed germination. It can germinate 7-10 days after sowing.

3.2 Cuttage propagation

Blue stone lotus can use both leaf cuttings and stem cuttings, generally mainly leaf cuttings, because there are more leaves and can grow again, and the leaves with growing points can grow into a new plant after leaving the mother. The seedling rate of leaf cuttings is closely related not only to different substrates and ratios, but also to the period of leaf insertion and different environments, especially temperature and humidity. Flowerpots with good drainage and special soil for succulent plants should be prepared before cutting succulent plants.

3.2.1 Matrix selection

Each succulent plant lover has a different choice for the preparation of soil substrate. Most of them choose sandy soil with moist soil, good air permeability, loose and fertile soil and good drainage, and can choose 3 parts of peat soil, 2 parts of red jade soil, 3 parts of river sand and 1 part of garden soil as cutting substrate. This formula is economical and practical, and the survival rate of cutting is high.

3.2.2 Cuttage method

In the growing season, select the thick and complete leaves, break off the leaves, air them for 3 to 5 days, wait for the water in the wound to dry, put them flat in a flowerpot with a moist substrate in the soil, put the leaves directly on the top, the leaves face up, and the back is laid flat, placed in a warm shade and ventilated place, about 7 to 14 days can sprout and take roots, during which there is no need to watering, but to observe carefully. Multiple leaves can be placed in each pot, depending on the size of the flowerpot. After about 1-2 weeks, the base can take root and bud, and when the bud grows up, it can be transplanted into a new basin. After 30 days, the germination rate was 100%.

The double-headed blue stone lotus can also be inserted into the stem, break off the lateral buds and obliquely insert them into the soil for reproduction.

Just planted blue stone lotus do not immediately take to bask in the sun, should slowly bask in the sun after 7 days, first see the light in the morning, and then gradually increase the light. Just planted blue stone lotus do not rush to water, after 5 days to water, the first time do not water too much, so that the soil can be completely moist.

4 maintenance and management technology of blue stone lotus

4.1 Lighting

Blue stone lotus likes ventilated, dry, sunny environment, summer needs proper shade, drought resistance, not cold resistance, slightly resistant to semi-shade. The plant has a short dormancy period at high temperature in summer, and the plant growth is slow or completely stagnant, so it is necessary to prevent direct sunlight. Spring, autumn and early summer are the main growth periods of the plant, which can be given sufficient light [Jishan Hua Yao].

4.2 temperature

Blue stone lotus likes a warm environment, but it is not resistant to high temperature. when the summer sun is strong, it should be placed in a cool place, and in other seasons, it should be placed in a warm, dry and sunny environment.

4.3 humidity and moisture

Blue stone lotus high temperature period should be less watering, dormant period can not be blindly watered, exuberant growth, should give sufficient water, so that plant growth is exuberant [5]. During the growing period, the principle of "dry and wet, water thoroughly" should be followed, and watering should be controlled when the winter temperature is lower than 5 ℃. When planting, maintain a proper dry environment, the air humidity can be slightly higher, but the basin soil should not accumulate water, otherwise it is easy to rot and die. Plants grow slowly at high temperatures in summer and should be placed in a well-ventilated environment to avoid sun exposure and to refrain from watering and fertilization. When the air is dry, you can spray water around the plant to keep the air moist, but the center of the leaves should not accumulate water, otherwise it will be rotten, and in serious cases it will lead to death.

4.4 soil and nutrients

Blue stone lotus likes fertile, well-drained soil. It is not allowed to apply fertilizer during the high temperature dormancy period in summer, it can be fertilized properly during the growing period, and special fertilizer for succulent plants can be applied. During the growing season, rarefied liquid fertilizer or low nitrogen and high phosphorus potassium compound fertilizer should be applied every 20 days or so. Avoid spilling fertilizer on the leaves when fertilizing. Fertilization generally chooses sunny morning or evening, and should be watered once after fertilization. If the indoor temperature is lower than 5 ℃ in winter, fertilization should be avoided.