How to raise the golden star

Watering

Do not water the gentiana too much during its growing period, and keep the soil in the pot dry. If the soil is too wet, the stems and leaves will easily grow too long, and the leaves and roots will begin to rot, losing its ornamental value. Especially in the low temperature environment in winter, if there is too much water, the roots will easily rot and die.

Do not water too much during the high temperatures in midsummer, otherwise the plant will suffer from physiological water shortage and cause the leaves to wilt. Avoid showers when maintaining the balcony outdoors.

Fertilization

Fertilize once a month during the growing season to keep the leaves crisp and green. However, the fertilizer should not be too concentrated, as it will damage the roots and is not conducive to the growth of the plant. Applying too much fertilizer too frequently will cause the internodes to lengthen and affect the posture. If the branches are too long or old, you can cut them short and then apply fertilizer to promote rejuvenation.

When applying fertilizer, generally choose a thin fertilizer with "low nitrogen, high phosphorus and potassium". When applying fertilizer, be careful not to splash the fertilizer water onto the leaves to avoid forming ugly spots that are difficult to remove.

Dormant period

The gentiana will enter a short dormant period in summer. The leaves at the base will basically fall off slowly, leaving only a few leaves at the top. At this time, the plant is in a slow growth stage. Water it once a month, but don't water it thoroughly, just to maintain basic life. Pay attention to shade and ventilation when the temperature is high.

Disease control

The main diseases of the genus Caryophyllus are leaf spot and rust. When the disease occurs, spray 2000 times diluted carboxin wettable powder in time. Common insect pests include root-knot nematodes and black weevils, which can be killed by spraying 1000 times diluted 40% oxydemeton-methyl emulsifiable concentrate. However, the possibility of insect pests occurring in the home is relatively small.

Breeding precautions

In winter, place it in a sunny place indoors, maintain a temperature of 6℃ to 8℃, and water it sparingly to prevent root rot caused by low temperature and humidity. It is not advisable to water too much during the high temperatures in midsummer, otherwise the leaves will wilt and fall off due to root rot. Increase ventilation and prevent heavy rain from showering.

Repot once every spring, and the soil in the pot should be loose and well-drained. Commonly used fertilizers include 1 part each of leaf mold, garden soil, and coarse sand, which are mixed evenly and used together with a small amount of bone meal as base fertilizer.

After 4 years of maintenance, the plants of the Artemisia selengensis tend to age easily, and new seedlings should be cultivated to renew the old plants.