Liriodendron is a semi-trailing shrub or small tree with many branches and short internodes. The leaves are palmately compound, like duck feet, with 6-9 leaflets on the petiole, leathery, dark green and shiny. The stems of the seedlings are green and turn brown in the later stage. Inflorescences are arranged in an umbrella shape, the whole edge is conical and there are two branches at the top; The flowers are small green and white, and then become pale peach white, with fragrance. At present, most of Liriodendron radiata is cultivated, and its variety Liriodendron mosaic is also widely cultivated, with irregular yellow patches on its leaves, which has high ornamental value.
Liriodendron is native to Australia and other places, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, and is now widely cultivated in South China and East China. Its nature likes sunny, warm and humid environment; It has certain shade tolerance and drought resistance; The winter temperature is 5℃, but the winter temperature of mosaic varieties is 8- 10℃. I like loose, fertile, breathable and well-drained sandy loam.
Liriodendron chinense can be propagated by cutting and high pressure. Cutting is carried out in spring (April-May) and autumn (9-65438+1October) with high temperature. Choose mature branches with 3-5 nodes a year and about 8- 10 cm in length as cuttings, remove the lower leaves and leave 1-2 leaves at the tip (if the leaves are large, you can cut off 1/3 leaves; The cuttings are soaked in water for a while and stained with yellow mud, and then inserted into the trough bed (based on river sand mixed with peat soil or mixture of vermiculite and perlite); Maintain high air humidity and provide sufficient moisture. The temperature is about 25℃, and it can take root and come out of the pot in about a month. You can also choose strong and mature branches for girdling, wrapped with water moss and propagated under high pressure.
Potted Liriodendron chinense can be planted in clay mixed with humus and cow dung, or peat soil, humus plus 1/3 perlite and a small amount of base fertilizer can be used as culture soil. Liquid fertilizer should be applied every 1-2 weeks in the growing season. It is not suitable to apply too much fertilizer (especially nitrogen fertilizer) to mosaic varieties, otherwise the leaves will turn green and lose their original variety characteristics. In order to keep the soil moist, water it in time before it dries. When the weather is dry, it should also be sprayed to moisten plants. Liriodendron is growing rapidly and should be able to grow long branches. Usually, we should pay attention to shaping and pruning, promote the germination of side branches and maintain a good tree shape. It likes a little brighter light. In summer, it should be prevented from being exposed to the scorching sun, so as not to burn the leaves and dim them. Most suitable for semi-cloudy conditions, especially variegated varieties. Too strong or too weak light will make the patches of leaves inconspicuous and lose their due ornamental value.
Liriodendron chinense is a popular potted foliage plant in recent years, with plump and beautiful plant shape and strong adaptability. Small potted plants are placed in the living room, study, porch and windowsill desk for decoration, which has a unique phoenix flavor. It can also be cultivated into dry large and medium-sized potted plants and placed in a larger space environment, with phoenix light in tropical jungle and luxurious and rich style.