How to grow potted heather

1. Maintenance methods

1. Soil: Heather is suitable for growing in loose, fertile, acidic soil. The soil should have good drainage and air permeability to facilitate root breathing. Generally, humus soil is used for preparation. Broken tiles or coarse sand can be added to the pot to enhance drainage capacity.

2. Light: Heather has high requirements for light. In spring and fall, place it outside in full sun. But in summer, because strong light can easily burn the leaves, it needs appropriate shade, or put it in semi-shade.

3. Watering: The growth of heather cannot be separated from sufficient water. Especially in summer, watering is necessary. In addition to watering every day, you can also spray water on the leaves. First, it keeps the environment moist, and second, it can lower the temperature. But the amount of water should not be too large, so as to avoid water accumulation and submerging the roots.

4. Fertilization: Heather has a greater demand for fertilizer during the growing period. Fertilize once a month. It is advisable to use a compound fertilizer with a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content, and avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer alone. However, appropriate amount of topdressing can be applied during the seedling stage to help its growth.

2. Breeding techniques

1. Cuttings: Heather is mostly propagated by cuttings. It is usually carried out in summer and autumn. Cut a thick branch, about 3-4 cm long. Insert it into sandy soil and place it in a cool place for maintenance. It will take about a month for the roots to grow and then you can transplant them into pots.

2. Sowing: The growth cycle of sowing is relatively long and is generally carried out in spring. The temperature should be controlled between 15-25℃, and the seeds will germinate about 10 days after sowing.

3. Pest and disease control

1. Diseases: Leaf spot and rust are common diseases. After becoming infected, spots or blisters will appear on the leaves, and these diseased leaves need to be picked off and then sprayed with carbendazim or diniconazole solution for prevention and control.

2. Pests: Mainly aphids and scale insects. Once discovered, the pests should be captured and eliminated immediately, and controlled with pesticides such as imidacloprid.