How to grow Michelia in a pot

Soil requirements

Michelia has fleshy roots and requires the potting soil to have good permeability. The potting soil can be prepared with 4 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of garden soil, 2 parts of rotted manure, and 1 part of sandy soil.

Light and temperature requirements

In summer, Michelia plants should not be exposed to the sun and need 30% shade to prevent strong light from burning the leaves. They can be placed in east-facing windows and balconies indoors, or in the shade of trees or sheds outdoors. You can see more sunshine after the cool autumn. Place it in a sunny and ventilated place indoors in winter.

The minimum temperature for Michelia to overwinter is not less than 5 ℃. Once the temperature is below 5 ℃, the normal physiological activities of the plant will be affected, the absorption capacity of the roots will be weakened, and the young branches and leaves of the plant will wilt. At the same time, the maximum temperature cannot exceed 15 ℃. If the temperature is too high, the nutrients inside the plant will be consumed too much, which is not conducive to its growth the following year. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the room temperature between 5 ℃ and 15 ℃ in winter.

Watering method

Michelia is drought-resistant and fertilizer-loving, and grows faster in potted plants. It needs more water during the growing period and before and after flowering. If it lacks water, the plant will wither and the leaves will turn yellow. From March to April, water every 1 to 2 days, and delay watering appropriately on rainy days. Water the plant once a day in sunny, hot, and dry weather. If necessary, spray water on the leaves and the ground to create a humid environment. In autumn and winter, just keep the soil in the pot moist and don't water too much. Do not use well water to water flowers, the water temperature and soil temperature should be not much different. Although Michelia prefers a shady and humid environment, too much watering will cause root rot or cause diseases and insect pests. Pour water down after the rain.

Fertilization method

The applied fertilizer should be fully decomposed and applied in conjunction with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Apply base fertilizer once before new buds sprout, and apply thin liquid fertilizer once every 10 days or so on a sunny day during the growing season (April to September ) . Stop fertilizing after the flowering period (October ) .

Pruning methods

In order to make Michelia grow luxuriantly and bloom more, it needs to be pruned in spring and autumn every year. Michelia sylvestris has strong shade and grows quickly, and can sprout even after the stem is cut. Generally, proper pruning is done when the plant is potted and repotted (late September to late October in autumn, and mid- March to mid- April in spring), and further pruning is done after the flowers bloom - cutting off overgrown branches, diseased branches, and deformed branches. In addition, it can also be trimmed into various postures according to the requirements of the potted plants.