Introduction
Crab claw is an excellent indoor ornamental plant. It is known as the "Three Treasures of the Balcony" together with longevity flower and geranium. Its beautiful blooms and simple maintenance are very popular among flower lovers. In this issue, I will introduce you to an excellent crab claw orchid variety. I hope you like it.
1. Get to know "Jin Mei"
金美
This kind of crab claw orchid is called "Jin Mei" (not the same species as Jinmei). It is a classic and old variety. It is one of the representatives of the yellow flower series. The flowers are more distinctive and love to bloom, so they are loved by many crab claw orchid lovers. It is also suitable for novices and first-time gardeners who raise crab claw orchid as an "entry" practice variety.
It is very suitable for potting
Jinmei when it is not blooming. It looks similar to other crab claw orchids. It is a rainforest cactus. It has no leaves, thorns have degenerated, the stems are fleshy and have many branches. Most of the plant heights are between 40-50 cm. The uprightness is relatively poor. It is best to put it on a shelf to make the plant look better. It is very suitable for planting in flower pots. It can be grown in flower pots with a diameter of 15cm and a height of 20cm.
Beautifully colored flowers
The golden flowers are large and medium-sized, with a diameter of up to 4-5 cm. The flower shape is elegant, like a dancing fairy, and the color is changeable. The normal color is similar to egg yolk, which will change with factors such as temperature and light. When the temperature is low and the sun is sufficient, the flower color changes from yellow to purple. When the temperature is high and the sun is insufficient, the flower color will turn to light yellow.
Flowers diligently
Jinmei can bloom twice a year, once in spring from April to May, and once in autumn and winter from November to December. There are many flowers. As long as the maintenance is good and the nutrients are kept up, almost every stem has flower buds. Although each flower only blooms for a few days, one bloom can last for nearly an entire time, and the viewing time is quite long.
2. Jin Mei’s planting suggestions
Crab claws are a typical “lazy plant” by nature
Flower lovers who have raised them will think so. They are rainforest cacti with strong vitality and can adapt to a variety of growth environments. They like sunlight and can tolerate semi-shade. They are drought tolerant and can be watered more. They are free from diseases and insect pests and have low maintenance costs. They are friendly to novice gardeners. Here are some maintenance suggestions for novice friends:
Soil: If you want to grow flowers well, choosing the right soil is the first step. Crab claws like soil that is loose, breathable, and rich in humus, such as peat soil and humus soil. Basically, any nutrient soil available on the market will do;
Suitable environment: A sunny southern balcony or a northern balcony with relatively little sunlight. It is recommended to place it there. Grow in a semi-shady environment with astigmatism;
Blooms more vigorously after grafting
Watering: Rainforest cactus is drought-tolerant and can be watered more often. It is recommended to follow "see dryness and wetness". The crab claw orchid grown on the north balcony of my home should be watered once a week all year round;
fertilization: in order to make it bloom more and grow vigorously. Okay, you can give some phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer in spring and autumn, but pay attention to the dosage. Mix the fertilizer with water to water the roots, and the water ratio is 1000:1;
Summer: When the temperature is high and the sun is strong in summer, you should move to a cool and ventilated place to avoid being exposed to the sun. It is not difficult to spend the summer;
Overwintering: What are the advantages of crab claw orchid? What are the shortcomings? Intolerance to cold should be the first one. After all, it is a tropical plant. It is easy to suffer from frostbite when the temperature is below 5℃. It is recommended to move it to a warm indoor environment;
Excellent indoor potted plants
Summary: For most flower lovers, crab claw orchid is a plant that can grow well without taking care of it and watering it occasionally. It does not require a lot of effort to take care of it. The flowering period comes as scheduled every year. It is very cost-effective and is still worth planting. Flower lovers who like it can try it.
