Nandina domestica maintenance and management techniques

Nandina domestica is a common foliage plant that bears fruit in autumn and has high ornamental value. Many people have potted plants in their homes. Here are some tips on how to care for Nandina domestica.

1. Soil

Nandina domestica prefers slightly acidic soil conditions that are fertile and have good drainage. It can be cultivated in humus soil or pond mud mixed with sand. To enhance soil fertility, a little manure can be added as base fertilizer when growing Nandina domestica.

2. Watering

Nandina domestica likes a humid environment. You can water it more during the flowering period to keep the soil moist. When watering normally, it is best to follow the climate and weather. When it is relatively dry, water it frequently to keep the soil moist. You can water it every day in summer and spray it when necessary. However, Nandina domestica is in a dormant period in winter. The plant is dormant, so you don’t need to water it too much and the soil should not be too moist.

3. Lighting

Nandina domestica is a sun-loving plant and will grow well under sufficient sunlight. However, this does not mean that Nandina domestica can be grown in a place with strong sunlight. In summer, the sunlight is strong and shade is needed in time.

4. Temperature

Nandina domestica prefers a warm and humid environment and has poor cold resistance. The most suitable temperature for growth is 15-25 degrees Celsius. The temperature should be kept above 5 degrees Celsius in winter to prevent the plants from being frozen.

5. Fertilization

When planting Nandina domestica, you need to apply enough base fertilizer. At other times, just apply appropriate fertilizer. Generally, during the growth period, you can apply fertilizer once a month, mainly thin fertilizer. In May, you can apply some potassium fertilizer.

6. Pruning

Pay attention to pruning Nandina domestica. When the plant enters a dormant or semi-dormant period in winter, remove weak, diseased, insect-infested, dead, or overcrowded branches.

7. Repotting

Nandina domestica needs to be repotted once every 1-2 years. Usually, the plant is taken out of the pot, the old soil is removed, most of the roots are cut off, 3-5 branches are retained, and it is planted in a pot with culture soil and shaded. It can be managed normally after half a month.

8. Pest and disease control

Nandina domestica is susceptible to red spot disease and anthracnose, while the main insect pest is the looper. Before the occurrence of spring red spot disease, spray it with 800-1000 times diluted 70% methyl thiophanate wettable powder or 500 times diluted 70% mancozeb wettable powder, once every 10-15 days, and spray 2-3 times in a row.

For anthracnose, spray 400-500 times diluted 50% methyl thiophanate wettable powder during the disease period, once every 10-15 days, and spray three times in a row for prevention and control.

As for the prevention and control of loopers, you can manually dig out the pupae in early spring or late autumn, or you can use black light to lure and kill them during the adult emergence period. In addition, before the 4th instar of the looper larvae, cypermethrin or 300 times diluted 90% dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane should be sprayed.

That’s it