How should we grow flowers in the summer?

Most flowers and other plants begin to grow vigorously during the summer. However, growth can be affected if they are poorly managed during hot summer days under strong sunlight. Careful protection must be provided to the plants and flowers you grow. Ventilation, watering, fertilizing and trimming are key in this process.

1.Good ventilation

The plants and flowers that are ill-suited to high temperatures and sunlight should be placed in a shaded area where ventilation is good. Orchidaceae and araceae plants should be put under weak or scattered lights, shielded from sunlight and sprayed with water. For plants that love sunlight, place them in areas where sunlight is abundant. However, ventilation is key even for plants and flowers that love sunlight and are resistant to high temperatures and high humidity. In stuffy or poorly ventilated environments, sunlight results in high temperatures that can kill plants.

2.Watering

During hot summer days, water evaporates quickly and watering must be performed in a timely manner. Do not water the plants around midday when they are under direct sunlight. Water the plants only when the pot’s soil temperature is the same as or similar to the water temperature or ambient temperature. Plants that love humidity need sufficient water while those that love moisture can be watered twice a day, in the morning and at dusk.

3.Fertilizing

Fertilizer must be sufficient because plants grow quickly during the summer. Thoroughly decomposed thin liquid fertilizer can be applied once every seven to ten days. For plants that love acidic soil, manure can be added to the liquid every ten days. When applying the fertilizer, make sure that it does not sprinkle on the leaves, as this can contaminate or damage them. Application of fertilizer is best conducted at dusk during the summer. Make sure that the soil has been loosened before application. Loosened soil results in better absorption by the roots. It also helps microorganisms multiply, speeds up the decomposition of organic materials and supplies more nutrients needed by potted flowers to grow. Water should be supplemented on the day after fertilizing.

4.Trimming

Excessive growth easily occurs during hot summer days. To avoid this, plants must be trimmed in a timely manner. For some grass flowers planted in the spring, weak shoots must be pinched when the plants reach a certain height so there are more branches and flowers. For some woody plants, when the branches have grown 15cm to 20cm in the current year, weak shoots should also be pinched to benefit flowering and fruit bearing. Adventitious buds often occur at the base of the stem or the trunk stem, and this consumes nutrients and disturbs the plant pattern. They must be pinched to make flowers larger and brighter.

5.Disease prevention and disinsectization

Plant diseases and insect pests are prevalent during hot, humid summer days. We should both treat the problem as well as prevent it from happening so that plants can grow healthily.

Round scabs occur on leaves that have been infected with bacteria. Purplish brown or dark brown colors appear at the edges of the leaves while they are light brown or whitish gray in the middle. Tiny black dots in circles in can be found on the scabs. Leaves, stems and flowers are often attacked and turn brown or purplish brown and start to decay. In wet days, gray mold occurs on the scabs and in serious cases the plant dies.

There are three methods of prevention and treatment:

(1)Get rid of dry branches and fallen leaves in the early morning and trim off and destroy diseased leaves, stems and buds to eliminate the sources of bacteria.

(2)Manage cultivation, fertilize and water when appropriate, and ventilate so the plants become strong and disease-resistant.

(3)Spray 50% Carbendazim in the early disease stage.

Pesticides easily evaporate during hot summer days. Sweat also comes from the human body, which means that poisonous substances can enter the human body easily because skin is very absorbent. Therefore, pesticides should be applied outdoors in the morning or in the evening.