How to grow Michelia

1. Breeding environment

1. Watering: During the growth period of Michelia, pay attention to keep the soil in the pot moist, but not too wet, otherwise it will affect the root rot. Pay special attention during rainy seasons. Be careful not to let too much water accumulate in the pot after rain, as this will cause root rot. Be careful to control the humidity. Water it more often before it blooms, once a day. When the temperature is relatively high in summer, water the leaves more to maintain humidity. In autumn and winter, when the daylight is short, water it once or twice a week.

2. Fertilization: Michelia likes fertilizer. You can use bone meal, chicken and duck manure, fish intestines, etc. mixed with water. During the growing season, fertilize every 15 days or so, and stop fertilizing during the flowering period and after October.

3. Light: It likes sunlight, but the light should not be too strong during maintenance, especially in summer, it is necessary to provide shade. The light is not very strong in winter, and the plants can be exposed to direct sunlight, but air circulation must be ensured.

2. Breeding Methods

1. Cutting: Spring and summer are more suitable for cutting. In spring, in late March, select 1-2 year old branches and cut them off. Insert them into the prepared seedbed, keep the bed moist, and pot them after they have taken root. In summer, select the woody branches of the current year, using the same method as for spring planting.

2. Grafting: Grafting is most suitable in spring, from late March to early April. The management is also relatively simple, with a survival rate of over 85%. Autumn is from late September to early October. In autumn, grafting requires enhanced care. Generally, the cut grafting method is used. After cutting, moisture must be prevented from invading the cut interface.

3. Common Pests

1. Cutworms: This type of pest will appear in April. It usually bites off the tender shoots or seedlings that have not yet grown. It will directly affect the growth of seedlings, so we must take preventive measures, remove weeds and catch pests in time, and you can also use appropriate amounts of drugs to eliminate them.

2. Scale insects: This type of pest is also the most common pest of Michelia. It will directly affect the growth of new shoots or leaf veins, usually on the back of branches or leaves. After finding them, you can remove them with a small brush or mix petroleum emulsion with water and spray them directly. This will help to completely eliminate the scale insects.