In recent years, fig and crane orchid (bird of paradise) are becoming more and more popular, often planted as indoor plants, but many people can not raise crane orchid indoors, often appear dry edges, leaves hanging low and unable to flower.
Above is the Great Crane Orchid (Nikolai Crane Orchid)
In the southern part of the continent, such as Liangguang, Yunnan, Fujian and Hainan, Hewanglan is planted directly outdoors as a garden plant. In most parts of the Yangtze River Basin and north of the Yangtze River, it can only be cultivated into potted plants.
First, the two common varieties of Crane Orchid
Two common varieties of Crane Orchid include the species: Strelitzia reginae and Great Crane Orchid (Nikolai Orchid, Strelitzia nicolai)
Above are the flowers of the crane orchid "Strelitzia reginae" and the large crane orchid (Nikolai orchid, Strelitzia nicolai).
1. Strelitzia reginae
In the flower market, I saw that the crane orchid, which had a small plant and had also blossomed, planted a fake flower
Crane Orchid reginale plant is small, generally grow to 1 to 2 meters tall, generally not more than two meters, compared to Nikolai Crane Orchid, its leaves will be more slender, if you can raise it flowering, you can find its flowers with orange and blue petals.
2. Big Crane Orchid (Nikolai Crane Orchid, Strelitzia nicolai)
Another kind of crane orchid that is often cultivated indoor large green plants is the big crane orchid, its plant is particularly tall, this is a large crane orchid variety, if it is planted outdoors, it can grow to 5 to 6 meters high. Indoor potted plants can also grow to two or three meters tall.
If it is raised as a houseplant, it rarely flowers, because it needs a warm and sunny environment all year round to conceive flowers, and its flowers are white and black as a whole.
Second, the environment for growth
Our understanding of the environment in which Tsurugi originally grew is also helpful for us to raise this plant, which is a perennial herb belonging to the Family Hewanglan (previously classified as Plantain or Traveler's Banana). Its conservation methods are similar to that of plantains, and its flowers are somewhat similar to those of the plantain, an evergreen plant native to South Africa.
More and more flower lovers raise potted crane orchids indoors, which is attracted by its banana-like leaves, adding some tropical small landscapes to the interior, which is also suitable for matching the simple indoor home style.
In landscaping and landscape arrangement, most of them use Crane Wang Lan Reinae, because its plants are small and suitable for use in various flower landscapes and plant collocations; The great crane orchid is more suitable for sale as a large leafy green plant, and its status among houseplants has always been high.
If the environment is suitable, the big crane orchid can grow directly to the ceiling, but for most flower friends, it is difficult to raise it better, basically when it was first bought, it was in its best state.
Third, maintenance precautions:
1. Lighting
For newbies in raising flowers, the most important thing to ignore is the light, especially the big crane orchid (Nikolai Crane orchid), novices like to put them in the corner, these dark places, in fact, only suitable for raising some simulated flowers (fake flowers).
Above it is the ground-planted Crane Wanglan
Crane Wanglan is particularly fond of light, and the location at home is full of light, which is suitable for raising it in which location.
If it is a newly bought Crane Wanglan, you can first raise it in a ventilated and transparent place slowly, but after a week or so, you must let it gradually increase the light, and there is more than 4 to 6 hours of light per day in the later stage, which is the best for its growth.
In the summer when the temperature is excessive, the potted crane orchid needs proper shade in the afternoon to avoid excessive exposure to the leaves. In the cool season, you can let the crane look at the lando in the sun, which can make it in better condition and growth.
As shown below, on the side of this west-based window sill, Hewanglan is also placed in the best position in the sun, and the potted Cranewanglan can be placed one or two meters away from the window (if the light is too strong, you can even pull on the yarn net).
2. Water
In the rapidly growing season, such as spring and summer, if you can raise the Crane Orchid in a position with more sunlight, you need to water frequently, and the topsoil is particularly dry to the touch, and you can water it once in time.
If the potted Crane Orchid is raised in excessive shade, lack of light, poor ventilation, and often watered, the potting soil has not been dry, Hewanglan will soon rot roots, showing that the leaves are yellow and black.
If it is a low temperature in the winter, the temperature is lower than 12 degrees, it basically does not grow much, this time it is more necessary to control water, the potting soil to maintain a slightly dry state, the potting soil is particularly dry, it is necessary to pour a little water on it (with indoor room temperature of clean water), etc. If the temperature is below 7 degrees, it is basically necessary to stop watering.
Whether it is summer or winter, we must remember that it is best to use indoor room temperature of clean water, it is best to use rainwater to replenish water, if it is a place where the water quality in the north is alkaline, we must also pay attention to avoid long-term direct use of tap water to replenish water to plants.
In the growing season of Hewanglan to water the plants, we must pay attention to watering thoroughly, do not think that seeing the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot has water dripping out is watering, some pots are dry, not much water absorption, this time want to water thoroughly, you have to slowly continue to water many times, or directly dip the pot.
3. Humidity and temperature
Hewanglan's requirements for humidity are not particularly high, maintaining 40% to 65% air humidity is completely fine, over-drying, occasionally there will be leaf cracking, but the problem is not big.
In the indoor potted crane orchid pay attention to maintain a certain degree of ventilation, do not put it next to the heater or air conditioner.
Hewanglan does not like sudden changes in temperature, its best growth temperature is in 20 to 30 degrees, the night temperature is above 13 degrees, the daytime temperature is above 20 degrees, such a temperature range is its favorite. The minimum temperature in winter is kept above 7 degrees, which is basically relatively safe.
4. Clean the leaves
Usually indoor potted crane orchid, pay attention to regular cleaning of leaves, this is quite critical, its large leaves are easy to deposit dust, if it is outdoors, rainy days can make its leaves clean. However, the indoor Crane Wanglan can only rely on us to manually clean the leaves, if the dust is deposited, the leaves cannot photosynthesize, resulting in a worse and worse state.
You can spray directly with a pressure watering can, or if it is not suitable for spraying water, wipe it with a damp soft cloth.
5. Fertilize
Crane orchid does not like excessive frequent fertilization, especially after the cultivation of indoor pots, only in their peak season, after seeing it grow new leaves, you can add water-soluble fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks, with a general-purpose fertilizer, diluted with water to half of the usual concentration, if the fertilizer is too thick, the leaves will slowly turn brown (brown markings). If it is raised in excessive shade, it basically does not grow, and it is even more unnecessary to give fat.
6. Pests and diseases
Hewanglan itself is not easy to infect with diseases and insect pests, will breed insect pests, generally due to poor environment, such as poor ventilation, too dry air, may be infected with red spiders. Pay attention to enhanced ventilation and avoid being raised in a confined space.
Most of the yellow leaves, scorched leaves or leaves hanging low, usually the environment is not suitable for the cause, the yellow leaves are cut off, do not have to cut to the bottom of the plant, leave a little appropriately, let it dry up naturally, improve the environment, move to a well-ventilated, there are more scattered light positions, pay attention to keep the pot soil dry and wet cycle, in the warm season, Hewanglan will soon grow new leaves.
7. Change the pots
Hewanglan does not need to change pots frequently, and if the root system is full of pots (pictured above), you can choose to change pots after the spring is warm. Replace the pot soil when it is slightly dry to reduce root damage.
If it is a small plant of Crane Orchid pot, you can change the pot every one or two years, which is still in the environment of rapid root growth and suitable environment. If the environment is too bad, Hewanglan basically does not grow, and can only survive, then there is no need to change the pot (to change the environment).
If it is a mature crane orchid, it is basically enough to change the pot every 3 years or so.
8. Soil
Planting potted crane orchid does not need to use too complex soil, generally choose fine coconut bran, coarse coconut shell (or bark) mixed with appropriate perlite on the line, such as about 5:3:2, appropriate mixing of some slow-release fertilizer, basically can meet the growth needs of Crane orchid.
9. Flower pots
Indoor crane wanglan is really not recommended to use cement basin, if you really like cement basin, you can first plant crane orchid in plastic basin (such as root control basin or a new generation of gallon basin, etc.), and then put in the cement basin, so that it does not affect the ornamentation.
Cement pots are usually used to match the simulated flowers of Hewanglan, all year round are so good-looking, hewanglan's simulated flowers can really be fake and real, for people who do not know how to do it, if you are covering the bottom of the stem of the hewang orchid simulation flower, if you are covered with pottery grains and other coverings, even if you look close to a little, it is difficult to distinguish.