For many people, the mandala flower is a very mysterious and dangerous plant, in fact, its ornamentality is very good, but many people are very afraid of it. When I was a child, I often saw them in the wasteland at the head and end of the village.
Above is the woody mandala Brugmansia vulcanicola
Mandala is a particularly common wild plant. However, in the north and south regions, the mandala flowers we see will have different forms, such as in Liangguang, Fujian and other areas are places where there is no frost all year round, mainly some woody mandalas, the flowers are low-hanging, the plants will grow taller, can grow into small shrubs, and even small trees.
Above is the herb mandala (Datura)
In the south, there are also some dwarf mandalas that produce trumpet-shaped flowers that are upturned upwards. In the north, such as xinjiang, the figure of mandalas that can also be seen in various regions is some herbaceous plants, that is, the plants are relatively small and grow into a bush in the wild.
Above is the sapling of the herbaceous mandala (Datura)
As long as the temperature is below 0 degrees, these mandalas will not survive the winter, and when there is frost in late autumn, their branches and leaves will wilt, and the seeds will fall into the soil and re-germinate the following year.
Above are the flowers and fruits of the herbaceous mandala (Datura)
The flowers of the mandala flowers are beautiful, when I was a child, there were adults who warned me that these mandala flowers are poisonous, do not tell us not to touch, when I was naughty when I was a child, with the flowers of picking it, there is a fragrance at night, and its fruit has flesh thorns.
First, the three major roles of mandala
After having a deep enough understanding of the mandala, you know that its seeds are very toxic and must be avoided by mistake.
Above is a purple-flowered woody mandala
But mandala is also a very useful medicinal plant. Its leaves, flowers and seeds can be used for medicinal purposes, and the paralyzing effect of seeds is often used to make some anesthetics. Its seeds can also be used to make pesticides or fungicides. It can also be used to treat various diseases.
1. Medicinal effect
You must know that in ancient times, the ancients began to use the seeds of mandalas to make monghan medicine, which is not a legend. In modern medicine, mandala seeds are also used to make anesthetics, and flowers are used for pain relief. Of course, these must be done by professional doctors, after all, mandalas are highly toxic, and must be quantitatively controlled by professional doctors to avoid illegal elements from using them indiscriminately.
Especially in recent years, the medicinal value of mandala has also been recognized for its medicinal value development.
2. DIY insecticide
Mandala is also a more effective organic insecticide in terms of insecticide.
The specific production method is also very simple, that is, the mandala and water are mixed in a ratio of 1:8, and after cooking thoroughly, the original solution for insecticidal can be obtained. After drying to room temperature, it is necessary to mix with water before spraying, and the original solution is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:4, which is more effective against aphids. This is a more effective method of insecticide after practice.
3. Three major roles
Everything is two-sided, the whole plant of mandala is poisonous, the seed is the most toxic, and the flowers and leaves are secondary, so we must avoid accidental eating.
Mandala has a great effect on human beings, has a high medicinal value, and has a good ornamental effect, and the economic value has yet to be developed (can be used to make soap or paint additives), which is the three major roles of mandala.
Second, the relatives of the mandala
Many vegetables belong to the solanaceous family, including common peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, goji berries, etc., while wild nightshade plants are usually poisonous, including common mandalas, belladonnas, horse urine bubbles and fairy fairies.
Classification of mandalas
The mandala is also divided into herbal mandala (Datura) and woody mandala (Brugmansia hybrid).
The more common herbaceous mandalas in China include datura metel, datura inoxia and datura stramonium, which are native varieties in China, generally listed as weeds, and the horticultural value is basically not developed.
3. Woody mandala
Woody mandala (Brugmansia hybrid) is an exotic introduced species, they were originally grown in the tropical regions of the Americas, wild woody mandala has been extinct, and all over the world have been introduced to breed, and now cultivated are some horticultural ornamental varieties, its flowers are large, the amount of flowers, bright flowers, and the flowers are fragrant, there is excellent horticultural ornamental value.
Now we can also see the figure of woody mandala in some scenic spots, or in the yards of some gardening enthusiasts, it is a very spectacular flowering tree, can grow into a shrub-like form, if you want to pot maintenance, you must use a particularly large pot to install it.
Woody mandalas have a lot of colors, the most classic colors are white, yellow, pink, crimson and red varieties. The flowers are available in different varieties of single and heavy petals, and the ornamentality varies.
These woody mandalas are particularly shocking when they bloom, one by one trumpet-shaped flowers hanging low, the flowers are particularly large, its flowers are more than twenty centimeters long and more than ten centimeters wide. Varieties with heavy petals are more ornamental.
Above are rare heavy lobes
The flowers of these woody mandalas are pollinated by moths, so the flowers of these mandalas are particularly strong at night, and some are scented during the day.
Coupled with the fact that his plants are tall and have sufficient light, they are certainly not suitable for planting indoors, and at night, the fragrance of flowers is so strong that people don't want to sleep.
Woody mandala is more suitable for outdoor breeding, preferably planted in the south of China, because it has a very fatal flaw, that is, the cold tolerance is extremely poor.
Only in places above 0 degrees celsius all year round, it can safely overwinter, and if the temperature is below 0 degrees, it will be frostbitten.
Of course, if you want to plant this plant in the north, you can only choose potted plants, after the winter temperature drops below 10 degrees, its leaves will continue to fall and wither, it will enter a semi-dormant state, this time to move indoors, after the spring warm, it can resume growth.
IV. Herbal Mandala
Above is a Datura inoxia
Above is the (purple) chamois Datura metel
The more common in China is the herbaceous mandala, including the golden flower, the hairy mandala and the mandala flower.
1. Mao Mandala
Above is the seedling of the hairy mandala (Datura inoxia)
Above are the flower buds of the Datura inoxia
Flowers of the Mao Mandala
In particular, Mao Mandala, whether it is in Liangguang, Hunan, Fujian, or Xinjiang region, has its figure, and is more common outdoors. Its biggest feature is the small flowers that open to the sky, the flower color is usually white, or with a little lilac, and the leaves and branches are hairless.
Above are the flowers and fruits of the Hair Mandala
The plants of the hairy mandala are short, the bottom of the rhizome is slightly woody, and the ornamentality is not particularly good, so few people have planted this hairy mandala.
2. Ocean gold flower
(Purple) Chamomile Datura Metel
Close-up of the flowers of the purple ocean gold flower
Close-up of the fruit of the purple ocean flower
It is more common in Hong Kong and other southern regions of China, and it has always been classified as an invasive and harmful weed. In fact, it also has certain horticultural value, generally as an ornamental plant in scenic spots or flower beds,
(Yellow) Golden flower Datura metel
The common flower colors of the golden flower are purple, lilac, pink and white flowers.
3. Mandala
Datura stramonium common in the wild
Mandala with white petals and yellow flower buds
Mandala flowers, on the other hand, are some of the herbaceous mandala varieties in addition to the hairy mandala and the golden flower.
White with a hint of lilac mandala flowers
Nowadays, few people will plant herbaceous mandalas at home, because its plants are low, the plants will crawl on the ground, and will not grow particularly tall, the branches and leaves are scattered, the ornamental is not particularly good, the amount of flowers is not very rich, and the flower color is relatively light.
Fifth, mandala maintenance precautions
Above is the red angel mandala (Brugmansia sanguinea)
Red Angel Mandala
Whether it's the herbaceous mandala (Datura) or the woody mandala (Brugmansia hybrid), you can find their seedlings or potted plants. If the home conditions permit, you can properly plant some woody mandalas, ornamental is still good.
Above are potted seedlings of woody mandalas
Planting woody mandala flowers must have sufficient light, and a warm environment all year round, generally until the spring is warm, you can directly buy seedlings for cultivation, and even sow seedlings.
Tips:
It is recommended that there are naughty children or more naughty pets in the family, and it is not recommended to keep this plant.
1. Planting environment
Woody mandalas in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai areas will be more difficult to raise in the winter, and in the southern regions where there is no frost all year round, it can be used as a landscape plant in the yard or balcony terrace.
The maintenance of woody mandala is relatively simple, it is more adaptable to the environment, that is, it is more afraid of cold, and the minimum temperature needs to be maintained above 0 degrees.
The location of the maintenance woody mandala should have as much light as possible, the environment should be ventilated, and there is a certain air humidity, so that it can bloom vigorously.
2. Soil selection
When maintaining, we should pay attention to ensuring that the soil has good drainage, avoid soil water, and ensure that the environment is warm and ventilated.
In terms of soil collocation, you can use ordinary vegetable garden soil, saprophyll soil and compost soil, or mix them appropriately, you can add 10% to 20% coarse sand or perlite in the soil to ensure good drainage of the soil.
3. Supplement fertilizer
In addition, some decomposing sheep manure or earthworm manure can be added to the bottom of the soil to ensure proper fertility and be more vigorous when flowering.
Above is a pink flower woody mandala
If I buy a seedling and the growth of the branches and leaves is not strong enough in the early stage, I can first supplement it with some nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium average ternary compound fertilizer, or general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer, which can be replenished every one or two weeks in the spring, summer and autumn.
The fruit of the mandala
After the plant of woody mandala grows strong, there are flower buds that emerge, and you can start to supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, including potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, every two or three weeks, which can promote flowering.
summary:
The mandala flower is a plant of great value to human beings, and for the plants of nature, we must have a humble attitude and understand them more, rather than fearing them. It would be even better if they could work benignly.