Family cultivation and Management of Water Tower Flowers

Water tower flowers, leathery leaves; green and glossy, arranged into a rosette, dignified and beautiful; leaf bases embrace each other, so that the center of the plant into a tube, which can hold water without leakage, so it has the name of water tower flower. In September every year, red torch-shaped inflorescences are drawn from the leaf tube, with red flowers and green leaves in contrast to each other. It is an indoor ornamental flower with beautiful flowers and leaves.

The water tower flower is native to the tropical rainforest of South America. It is an epiphytic plant of Pyraceae, which is born on tree trunks and rocks in the country of origin. it stores water in the center of the plant and can be used in case of drought. Shuitahua prefers warm and humid climate and semi-overcast environment, the suitable growth temperature is 25 ℃, it is not cold-resistant, and the overwintering temperature is not less than 10 ℃. Like acid sandy soil with good drainage.

Potted water tower flowers are generally not easy to bear seeds, so they are often propagated by the method of dividing plants. After flowering every year, the base of the plant will sprout branches, and after it is strong and mature, it will be cut off when changing pots in spring, and planted in the matrix of rotten leaf soil and sand, keeping a high temperature and humidity, and it can take root in about 20 days.

The water tower flower is an epiphytic plant with few roots, and the pot should not be large or deep when potted, so that there can be a certain gap around the plant. The culture soil can be made of 2 parts of rotten leaf soil, 1 part of sand or 1 part of garden soil and 1 part of peat. it is made by adding a small amount of calcium superphosphate and compost. Management during the growing period is relatively simple. The water tower flower does not like the strong light, and the strong sunlight in summer will make its leaves yellow. On the other hand, it grows better when it is placed in the place of bright scattered light. Light can be received in the morning and evening in spring, and shading should be carried out around noon and summer.

The water tower flower needs more water during the peak growth period, but the basin soil should not be too wet. In addition to watering to keep the soil moist, the central tube of the plant can also be filled with water. Watering less in winter, do not add a lot of water to the central tube, keep it moist; usually spray water around the plant to maintain a high environmental humidity, and often scrub the leaves with a soft cloth to keep the leaves clean and bright. Water tower flowers do not have high requirements for fertilizer. Applying cake fertilizer and water once a month or adding some bone meal and chicken baking to the water tower flowers can have epiphytic characteristics and are easy to be hydroponized. Adding a small amount of compound fertilizer or flakes of flower fertilizer in water can meet the needs of plants. In winter, keep a temperature of about 10 degrees where there is plenty of sunshine; if it exceeds 20 ℃, the planting will not be dormant, which will affect the growth in the coming year.

Water tower flower is a famous indoor potted flower with leaves and flowers. Its leaves are green and glossy, and the columnar bright red inflorescences are drawn from the central tube of the leaves when flowering. Potted water tower flowers can choose rotten leaf soil, water moss and garden soil (or coarse sand) mixed with sifted culture soil, plus a small amount of bone powder as base fertilizer. In the growing season, dilute liquid fertilizer is applied every half a month or so, and 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate is applied 1-2 times before flowering, the flower color is more beautiful. Fertilization should be stopped during flowering, post-anthesis and dormant periods. Water tower flowers often use the scaly hairs at the base of the cylindrical water tower to absorb water, so the leaf tube needs to be filled with water during the growth period, and the leaf color is lack of luster and gradually turn yellow. However, we should pay attention to prevent the water quality in the tube from becoming smelly. Generally, we should dump the flowerpot every half a month or so to make the old water flow out and then add new water. At ordinary times, the amount of irrigation should be based on the dry surface of the basin soil, and it should be watered when it is dry. Spray water frequently in summer and dry seasons to maintain high air humidity. Avoid stagnant water in the basin, otherwise it is easy to cause rotten roots and cause plant death. In winter, the plant enters the dormant period, and the life activity is slow. At this time, it should be watered by monarchy to keep the bottom of the vane slightly moist. Water tower flowers like a semi-overcast environment, and family cultivation can grow well in a place with bright scattered light indoors. If you encounter a strong light, it is easy to turn the leaf color yellow and affect the ornamental value. The suitable temperature for growth is 20 ℃-28 ℃. When the temperature exceeds 30 ℃ in midsummer, ventilation and cooling should be done well. The suitable temperature in winter should be kept between 10 ℃-15 ℃, and the flowerpot should be placed near the south window for maintenance.