Growing Live Trees to Show off during Tet Celebrations

For a long time, live trees have been admired in Vietnam for their beauty. Thanks to skilled gardeners, bonsai live trees have become increasingly popular in decorating gardens, balconies, and work desks. Especially during the Tet holidays, potted live tree flowers are in high demand, resulting in significant profits for garden owners. Although many people enjoy displaying these live trees, caring for them can be challenging without proper knowledge. This article aims to share some essential tips on growing and taking care of live trees specifically for Tet celebrations.

Growing Colorful Life Trees1. When is the best time to plant life trees?– Life trees are easy to grow and can adapt to various weather conditions. They can withstand both cold and hot temperatures, but do not thrive in direct sunlight with strong radiation. The ideal temperature for growth and development is between 20-25°C.– Life trees can be grown in different provinces of Vietnam. In the Northern provinces, the best time to plant them is during autumn, winter, and spring. However, during summer, proper shading is required.– In the cooler provinces and Southern regions, life trees can be grown all year round. But during rainy seasons in Southern provinces, proper drainage should be considered to prevent waterlogging which can kill the trees.– The characteristic of life trees is that they grow stems and leaves throughout the year, but the flowers bloom from February to May annually. This period coincides with the Lunar New Year holiday, making them highly sought after in the market.

Growing trees for a sustainable life on an industrial scale.

2. What are the types of perennial plants available in the market?– There are various types of perennial plants available, with the most popular being the Ta perennial plant (with red lantern-shaped flowers), the Dalat perennial plant (with large leaves and lantern-shaped flowers), the red perennial plant (with smooth red flowers, commonly used during Tet holiday), and the five-color perennial plant (with smooth flowers in five different colors, also commonly used during Tet holiday).

There are more than 20 different types of plants with various colors that thrive in this world.

3. Simple Ways to Propagate Succulent Plants– Succulent plants can be propagated through various methods such as seed sowing, leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, and division. The propagation method depends on the specific type of succulent plant. For example, the Echeveria and Dalat succulents are often propagated through leaf cuttings, while the red and multicolor succulents are propagated through stem cuttings.* Propagating Succulents through Stem Cuttings– The best time to take stem cuttings for propagation is from January to May in the lunar calendar when the mother plant is growing well. Cuttings should be about 5-7 cm long with at least 5 pairs of leaves. As succulent plants tend to produce fewer branches, it may take time to propagate a large number of plants. To speed up the process, it is recommended to plant larger cuttings first and leave smaller ones on the mother plant to grow and cut later. The planting period can extend until July in the lunar calendar. Plants planted after July may not produce large and beautiful flowers or leaves.– The cutting material should be soft and easy to drain. Sand or peat can be used as a rooting medium.– Insert the stem cuttings into the rooting medium and place them in a shady area. After about two weeks, the new plants should have rooted and can be separated for planting.

Growing Simple Plants at Home4. Proper Techniques for Growing Long-Lasting Flowers– The most effective method that gardeners are currently using is planting plants in pots or nylon bags with a size of 15 x 25 cm.– The soil for planting the plants should ensure good drainage and moisture retention since the plants cannot tolerate flooding or drought. Market-available soils such as premium organic soil, T-Rat soil, etc. can be used, or gardeners can mix their own soil according to the ratio of soil (peat soil, black soil), coal slag (sawdust, coconut fiber), and decomposed organic fertilizer (microbial fertilizer) at a ratio of 1/2 soil + 1/4 coal slag + 1/4 decomposed organic fertilizer. Once the soil is mixed, it must be treated for existing fungal diseases using solutions such as Daconil 75 WP (1 g/l water) or Ridomil Gold 68 WG (3 g/l water) sprayed evenly onto the soil (40-50 l/m3 of soil).

Planting a Tree that Lives a Colorful Life– After placing the soil mixture in 2/3 of the predetermined height of the planting container, it is best to arrange the container in a North-South direction.– Choose a cool afternoon for planting. Before planting, moisten the soil mixture. Gently transfer the tree from the container into the pot, avoiding breaking the container and damaging the roots, which can cause the tree to die. Fill a thin layer of soil mixture around the roots, not planting too deep as this can cause root rot and death of the tree. Use your hands to gently press the tree into place. After planting, provide shade for the tree to stabilize for 5-7 days before continuing care.5. Caring for a flowering tree during Tet* Watering regime for a flowering tree– During the planting process, it is necessary to regularly check the soil moisture. Maintain soil moisture levels between 60-70%. If the soil is dry, add water immediately to prevent the tree from wilting. If there is excess water, drain it to ensure good soil ventilation.– For small trees, water twice a day in the early morning and early afternoon (before 9 am and 4 pm). After three months of growth, when the tree has two branches, water once a day before 9 am. When the tree starts to form buds and flowers, water twice a day, being careful not to water the leaves or buds, which can cause them to rot and fall off.

The Beauty of Long-Living Flowers

To ensure that your plants live a long and healthy life, it is important to fertilize them correctly. One way to determine the amount of fertilizer needed is by examining the leaves of the plant. If the leaves are dark green and lush, it means that the plant already has enough nutrients and should not be fertilized further as this may cause damage or attract pests.

When fertilizing your plants, it is recommended to use organic fertilizer combined with NPK fertilizer at different stages of the plant’s growth. Organic fertilizer can be applied once every 5-7 days, with a dosage of 30-50 grams of manure per pot. NPK fertilizer, on the other hand, should be applied every 15 days according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After applying fertilizer, it is important to water the plant lightly to help it absorb the nutrients more effectively. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your flowers thrive and live a long and beautiful life.

Flowers blossom in the springtime of life. To ensure that a tree thrives, it is important to trim and prune its branches. Trimming encourages growth, allowing the tree to produce more branches and ultimately more flowers. It also helps to maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape. To trim a branch, cut it 2-3 cm above the main stem. The number of times a tree should be trimmed depends on the species. Typically, twice a year is sufficient.

In order to prevent pests and diseases from harming the tree, it is important to take proper precautions. If there is excessive rainfall, which can lead to root and stem rot, the tree should be sprayed with a fungicide every 7-10 days. Popular choices include Rovral mixed with Aliette (10g/8L of water), Kasuran (10-15g/8L of water), and others.

Common pests that attack trees include aphids, leaf-eating caterpillars, bagworms, and leaf beetles. There are a variety of pesticides available, such as Sherzol (10-15cc/8L to treat aphids and leaf-eating caterpillars), Cyper and Ofunach (10-15cc/8L to treat bagworms), and Confidor (2.5-5cc/8L to treat leaf beetles). By taking these simple steps, trees can thrive and produce beautiful blooms for years to come.