Chinese rose

Chinese rose

The Chinese rose, or hibiscus, is an evergreen shrub culture from the mallow family. In this genus of hibiscus, there are about two hundred varieties. It originates from Indochina and southern China. Prefers tropical and subtropical climates. In those parts of the planet where planting it in open ground is impossible, it is cultivated in the space of a winter garden, or greenhouses.

About flowering

The culture begins to bloom in the spring period, and ends closer to the onset of the autumn period.

The right light

Two lighting options are suitable for this type: 1) Shaded place; 2) A place with bright, but diffused sunlight

Desired air temperature

In the summer, the culture is suitable for a temperature of eighteen to twenty degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature in the room with the plant should not drop below fifteen degrees Celsius.

Watering mode

Watering is necessary only when the topsoil dries up. Depth from twenty to thirty millimeters

Required percentage of air humidity

The percentage of moisture in the air space is required at a fairly high level. During the period from spring to summer, it is recommended to spray the plant with clean, soft, warm and settled water.

Chinese rose: fertilization and feeding

Top dressing should be stable. The application period begins in the middle of the spring period and ends with the beginning of the autumn period. You need to make it every ten to fifteen days. It is recommended to alternate mineral and organic feedings. If, with the onset of the winter period, the bush does not stop blooming, then fertilizer with potash and phosphorus elements must be applied. But the dosage should be slightly reduced and only one fourth of the recommended dose should be taken.

Time to trim the bush

It is necessary to carry out the pruning process in the spring, even before the flower begins to bloom and form buds.

Chinese rose: how to transplant

Young plants need to be replanted every twelve months, that is, annually. And adult specimens, those who are already five or more years old, need a less frequent transplant, that is, once every three to four years.

How does it multiply

For propagation, you can use seeds and cuttings.

Pest insects that can attack

Most often, the Chinese rose is attacked by: 1) Thrips 2) Aphids; 3) Whitefly 4) Mealybug; 5) Spider mite.

Chinese rose: possible diseases

Hibiscus can be exposed to: 1) Chlorosis; 2) Root rot; 3) Bacterial spotting; 4) Brown rot; 5) Bronze foliage virus; 6) Ring-type spot virus.

Chinese rose: characteristics

The Chinese rose or hibiscus is not a large evergreen crop that is easy to grow in your own home. This plant, if desired, can be grown as a standard shrub.

Height

If you grow it in a large greenhouse, then it can reach three hundred centimeters in height, and if you cultivate it at home, it can easily reach two hundred centimeters.

Foliage

Its leaves are somewhat reminiscent of birch foliage. It is not rough, smooth. Dark greenish hue. The shape is slightly oblong, as if oval. The edges are slightly serrated.

Bloom

Flowering occurs in lonely inflorescences, a very effective appearance. Initially, the bush forms thin buds. As the bud opens, it can be double or simple. The flowers are shaped like a bowl; in their diameter they can reach eight to fourteen centimeters. The color of the flower itself depends on its varietal affiliation, it can be: 1) Lemon yellow; 2) Pale pink; 3) Pure white; 4) Deep red. The lifespan of the inflorescence is only twenty-four to forty-eight hours. But if the culture has proper care, the necessary conditions and abundance in nutrition, then the flowering period can be extended from the beginning of the spring period to the very late autumn.

Chinese rose: how it is used

This species is not only decorative and growing. In those parts of the world where it grows outdoors, its inflorescences are used for the preparation of food colors, as well as for pigments in hair dyes. Young shoots are crumbled into salads. The inflorescences are dried and brewed like tea.

Chinese rose: how to grow from seeds

This method is mainly used by professional breeders or experienced gardeners. For beginners, it is difficult, and they resort to vegetative methods. But still, this culture is not so difficult to propagate both by seeds and cuttings. After all, his seed material has a large percentage of germination. And the seedlings themselves are not demanding on self-care. Also, the seeds retain their germination for about six years, with proper storage.
You need to start sowing on the twentieth of the last month of the winter period.

Before sowing, the seeds must be dipped in a potassium manganese solution for about thirty minutes, it is necessary for the seeds to acquire a pink hue. After that, they need to be washed thoroughly. Then the seeds must be placed in a solution that will stimulate further growth, for example:

1) Zircon based solution;

2) Epin-based solution;

3) Fumar based solution. Keep the seeds in such a solution for twenty-four hours. But it is important to make sure that the stimulating solution only slightly covers the seeds, because due to a lack of oxygen supply, the embryos can die.

Then the seeds need to be transferred to a wet gauze cloth so that they germinate, you also need to take care of regular ventilation, the seeds need fresh air.

For the seed to hatch successfully, it needs a lot of heat and water. Therefore, after packing in gauze, they must additionally be put in a plastic bag with through holes. The plastic bag will create a greenhouse environment, and the holes in it will provide air supply. The first shoots will begin to appear in about twenty-four to forty-eight hours. If sprouts have appeared, then you can start planting.

For planting, you can take plastic cups with a volume of five hundred to one thousand milliliters.

A separate vessel is needed for each seed. The glass should be filled with a suitable potting soil consisting of:

1) Peat land;

2) Coarse sand;

3) Wood ash.

It is very important to observe the root system of the seedlings, the most important root process should not be deformed. After planting, sprinkle the seeds with a thin layer of earth-mixture, and cover the cup itself with plastic wrap or paper. This will create a greenhouse effect and benefit the seedling.
For prophylactic purposes of combating blackleg, plants need to be shed with a solution based on foundationol with a low concentration. For the same purpose - the watering regime should be moderate. For active growth and development, you just need lighting. It is very important that the light is bright but diffused. Avoid direct sunlight.

Chinese rose: how to take care of a plant at home

What should be the lighting

Light should naturally be present, the ideal option would be - a place not far from the window. Places with direct scorching sunlight - should be avoided. If the bush lacks light, then it will bloom less abundantly, or not bloom at all. In spring and summer, when the weather is good outside, the bush can be taken out into the open area. But you will need to protect it from: 1) Cold drafts; 2) Bright sunlight; 3) Strong gusts of wind.

What should be the temperature

For the summer period, the temperature can vary from eighteen to twenty-five degrees Celsius. In winter, you need to ensure that the temperature does not drop below fifteen degrees. If the thermometer falls below ten degrees Celsius, the culture can shed its foliage.

Desired percentage of air humidity

This culture requires a high percentage of air humidity. That is why in the spring-summer period it is necessary to carry out regular spraying with clean, warm, settled, soft water. Also, the bush will need to be sprayed if the winter conditions are warm enough. Sometimes you also need to bathe the plant under a warm shower, this will help wash away dust and dirt from its foliage, as well as small pests. But it is important to ensure that drops of water do not fall on the buds and inflorescences, because they will quickly fall off. In order to ensure the desired level of humidity in the room, you need to: collect expanded clay or large pebbles into the pan, fill it all with water and put the pot with the plant so that the bottom of the container does not come into contact with the water mass.

Chinese rose: watering mode

For active growth and development, you need to organize regular watering. For watering purposes, clean, settled, soft water at room temperature is suitable. You need to start watering only when the upper earth layer dries to a depth of twenty to thirty millimeters.

Chinese rose: fertilization and feeding

You can start the feeding period from the middle of the spring period, and end it at the beginning of the autumn period. The frequency of feeding is once every ten to fifteen days. It is recommended to use universal complex mineral fertilizers for indoor flowering crops. You can also alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. In winter, it is necessary to make top dressing only if there are inflorescences on the bush. For this case, you need to take fertilizers in which composition with a high concentration contains potash and phosphorus elements. When using this fertilizer in winter, you need to take one fourth of the recommended concentration.

Chinese rose: pruning rules

It is necessary to carry out pruning in the spring, for a certain amount of time before the transplanting process, but it is important to make sure that there are no buds and inflorescences on the culture. The advantages of pruning are that: 1) Pruning can stimulate the plant to bloom earlier; 2) The plant will generate more inflorescences; 3) The plant will have more young shoots; 4) The bush will become thicker.When pruning, you need to cut off those shoots that: 1) Painful; 2) Weak; 3) Curves; 4) Elongated; 5) Dried; 6) No foliage; 7) Withered. Healthy and strong shoots should be cut in half. All cut sites must be carefully treated with a broth so that the plant stops producing nutritious juice. Cut parts from healthy shoots can be rooted and a new plant can be obtained in the future.

Chinese rose: renewing pruning of an adult specimen

To rejuvenate an adult specimen, you need to cut all the shoots to a height of fifteen centimeters, but also take into account the fact that at least one flower bud should remain on each shoot. After the young shoots grow, it is necessary to cut off all the weak and dry ones. Only strong and healthy cuttings should remain on the plant. In the summer, you need to do another pruning. On those shoots that have already grown, flower buds will begin to form only at the beginning of the autumn period. However, because of this, the plant will endow you with an abundance of flowers until the very beginning of spring.

Chinese rose: how to transplant

During transplantation, you need to act as carefully as possible so as not to damage the root system of the culture. It is recommended to use the transshipment method.

Suitable container for transplanting

The container for planting should be chosen slightly cramped. If it is too voluminous, then the bush will begin to build up the root system, foliage and there will be very little strength for flowering. Also, the new pot should be twenty to thirty millimeters wider than the old one.

Difference between young and adult specimens

Young bushes need to be replanted every twelve months, that is, annually. A five-year-old plant needs less transplants, that is, they can be reduced to once every three to four years. Very old hibiscus bushes do not need replanting, they just need to change the topsoil with new ones. It is necessary to remove a layer twenty to thirty millimeters thick.

What kind of soil mixture is needed

You can mix the soil substrate yourself, for this you need to mix: 1) Leafy soil; 2) Sod land; 3) Humus earth; 4) Coarse sand. You need to take them in the ratio: two to two to one to one. If you are replanting a young plant, then you need to add two more parts of peat-type soil. It is also imperative to make a drainage layer. To do this, you can put on the bottom of the pot: 1) Brick chips; 2) Expanded clay; 3) Fine gravel; 4) Pebbles. A drainage layer is needed so that excess liquid does not stagnate in an earthen coma, but flows into the pan. This will help prevent root decay.

Chinese rose: how to take care of the plant after the flowering period

With this type of plant, it is very difficult to understand when it falls into a dormant period. But if you want to give the bush a rest, then you can do it artificially. To do this, you need to gradually reduce the frequency and volume of watering the plant. The bush will begin to shed its green mass, then you need to carry out a renewal pruning, shortening each stalk by fifteen centimeters. For the winter time, the bush must be removed in a moderately dark and cool place, the temperature of such a room should vary from ten to twelve degrees Celsius. Watering should be done very rarely. The top of the soil should be covered with a mat or thick paper, this will help the soil to maintain its moisture for a longer time. With the arrival of the spring period, the bush needs to be moved to a warm and bright place, it is important to remember that the lighting should be bright, but diffused. The frequency and volume of watering should be gradually increased to its normal amount. This will help the bush in the growth and development of young shoots.

Chinese rose: how to propagate a culture

Hibiscus propagates fairly easily with seeds.

Using cuttings

You can also apply the cuttings method.For example, strong and healthy shoots are perfect after pruning in the spring. The place of the cut at the cutting should be treated with a stimulant of the root system, for example: 1) Heteroauxin; 2) Cornenvin. After that, you can: 1) Put the cutting in a glass with clean, soft, settled water for rooting; 2) Plant in the soil-a mixture of peat soil and coarse sand, and on top be sure to cover with a plastic cup to form a greenhouse effect. The roots will begin to appear in about twenty to thirty days. When the cuttings have already given roots, they can be transplanted into a special substrate for a Chinese rose. You also need to remember to carry out the pinching procedure so that the shoots on the bush are thicker and more spreading. After about forty to sixty days, when the cuttings have already taken root and adapt, the first buds may appear on them.

Using apical shoots

The top of the shoot must be pinched off from a healthy and strong branch; about two or three internodes should be present on it. You need to start harvesting them in the middle or at the end of the summer period.

Chinese rose: possible insect pests and diseases

Insect pests

Most often, hibiscus attracts such pests as: 1) Aphids; 2) Thrips; 3) Spider mite. Usually they attack weak and not healthy bushes. However, they can also appear due to the too low percentage of air humidity in the room with the plant.

What to do with the affected plant

The affected bush is subject to regular moistening with clean, soft, settled water at room temperature. You also need to pour wet expanded clay or fine pebbles into the pallet.

If there are few pests

If the number of pests is not too large, then you can spray with an infusion based on bitter pepper, which is mixed with soapy water. The frequency of such spraying is once every ten to fifteen days.

If there are many pests

If the number of pests is impressive, then you need to resort to heavy artillery, that is, to chemicals. You can take a remedy called actellika. When using it, it will take fifteen drops of the product to dissolve in one liter of clean, settled, soft water at room temperature.

Chinese rose: why foliage turns yellow

First reason

The foliage may start to turn yellow due to a condition called chlorosis. Chlorosis may appear due to the fact that an excessive amount of chloride and potassium elements is present in the irrigation fluid. To cure the plant, you need to water it only with settled liquid. And also you need to add iron chelate to watering. The required concentration will be indicated on the drug label.

The second reason

Leaves may begin to turn yellow due to too frequent and abundant watering. If you have a perfectly adjusted schedule and a suitable watering fluid, then there may be a drainage problem. If the drainage layer is not good enough, then the liquid simply stagnates in an earthen coma. If there are not so many yellow foliage, then you can temporarily reduce watering, or replace it with spraying with clean, soft, settled water at room temperature. If the foliage has turned yellow very profusely, then you need to transplant the plant into a new soil mixture. When transplanting, pay special attention to the root system, if rotten roots are present, then they need to be cut off. Disinfect the cut sites with charcoal powder.

Third reason

Perhaps the bush does not have enough sunlight. If the bush lacks lighting, then it begins to dry and turn yellow, and also gradually shed its foliage. It may also happen that the bush will lose all its green mass.

Chinese rose: if the bush sheds foliage

For foliage falling, if there are three main reasons: 1) Lack of sunlight; 2) Sharp jumps in temperature from warm to cold; 3) The presence of cold drafts.To prevent the development of the disease, you just need to adjust the care of the plant and give everything you need for active growth and development. But no need to worry if only a few leaves have fallen - this is quite normal for a deciduous shrub.

If the plant dries

The bush may begin to dry due to insufficient watering, or due to moving to a new place. The bush will also react to low temperatures by drying out the foliage. In that case, he will need to provide warm conditions and time for adaptation.

If the bush fades

This can happen due to the fact that the plant receives little liquid. Or the bush only after transplantation and has not yet had time to take root and adapt. There is also the possibility that the root system is affected by rotting. If the root system begins to rot, then you need to get the plant out of its pot, clean the root system from the earthy coma. Mix water and potassium manganese and place the plant root system in the mixture for thirty minutes. After this treatment, you need to transplant the plant into a new, slightly smaller pot. Fill the transplant container with a light substrate. For this, a special soil mixture for the Chinese rose with the addition of vermiculite will go. If you start saving the culture in time, then everything will work out and the plant will live on.

If the bush does not bloom

This culture may not bloom for several reasons: 1) The plant is overfed with fertilizers with nitrogenous elements. It is quite easy to determine - the bush is outwardly healthy and strong, there is a lot of green mass on it; 2) Insufficient lighting; 3) Excessively abundant and frequent watering during active growth and development; 4) Overwintering in a too warm place. In order for hibiscus to start picking up and forming buds, you need to get rid of all existing problems and provide proper care.

Chinese rose: folk parables in which it appears

Due to the fact that this is a fairly well-known plant, which all flower lovers pay attention to, various stories and fables are composed about it. The stories differ. She has a story that says that growing a flower in a house will lead to separation of spouses, and another that a plant in a house in a single woman will attract the opposite sex. There is also a belief that this is a flower of death, that is, if the flower began to bloom at the wrong time, it means that a relative or a close person of the owner will die. One more thing: if the plant begins to abundantly shed green mass, then this means that someone living in the house will be seriously ill. What is most interesting, all these beliefs originate from Russia, while other countries compare it with just a beautiful flower.
Whatever it was, these are just the fantasies of different people. You should not trust this and refuse to grow such a wonderful plant.

Chinese rose: a suitable place to place in the house

As Feng Shui says, it is impossible to grow this plant in the house where you live, as if it absorbs all energy. But whether to start such a plant and whether a plant can absorb energy at all is up to you. The most suitable place for the bush will be the living room, where it will look harmonious, as well as purify the air from harmful compounds. The least suitable for him are bedrooms, both for children and adults.

Chinese rose: conclusion

Such a beautiful, bright and spectacular plant, it is not as difficult to grow, care for and propagate as it might seem at first glance. You just need to provide comfortable conditions and then the bush will thank you with abundant and bright flowering. It is up to you personally to decide whether to pay attention to superstitions, omens and feng shui.