Do I need to prune my Spatterdock?
Far from damaging the plant, regular pruning will actually encourage Spatterdock to produce more blooms. There are two primary forms of pruning for Spatterdock. The first is deadheading, which is the gardening term for removing spent flower heads once they start to wither. This concentrates the nutrients for the other flowers and allows the plant to flower better. The final process for pruning Spatterdock is the removal of yellow and diseased leaves, which increases plant ventilation and light penetration and facilitates plant growth. When nature runs its course, Spatterdock will bloom once, produce seed heads, and attempt to reproduce for the rest of the year. But, by consistently removing flower heads before they go to seed, you encourage the plant to continue producing more blooms for a longer flowering time. When the plant starts to wilt during the full, you should cut off the wilted part above the soil as well.
When is the best time to prune my Spatterdock?
There are two primary forms of pruning for Spatterdock. The first is deadheading, which is the gardening term for removing spent flower heads once they start to wither. This concentrates the nutrients for the other flowers and allows the plant to flower better. The final process for pruning Spatterdock is the removal of yellow and diseased leaves, which increases plant ventilation and light penetration and facilitates plant growth. Since Spatterdock requires two types of pruning, you’ll be trimming your plants throughout the growing season. Pinching is most effective in the early spring before the plant develops any flower buds. Removal of yellowing or diseased leaves can be done at any time during the growing season. When nature runs its course, Spatterdock will bloom once, produce seed heads, and attempt to reproduce for the rest of the year. But, by consistently removing flower heads before they go to seed, you encourage the plant to continue producing more blooms for a longer flowering time. Finally, deadheading takes place as soon as the plants are producing full flower heads. Expect to take off spent blossoms from mid-summer through the first frosts of fall. When the plant starts to wilt during the full, you should cut off the wilted part above the soil as well.
What tools should I prepare for pruning my Spatterdock?
Spatterdock doesn’t take much special equipment for pruning. A basic pair of scissors or garden shears should do the trick. It’s a good idea to ensure they are clean before use—you can soak them for thirty minutes in a solution of one part bleach diluted in nine parts water. This reduces the risk of spreading disease lingering on contaminated equipment into your flower garden. Some gardeners avoid using tools altogether and merely pinch off the blossoms with their fingertips. That can be a faster technique, but you run a larger risk of bruising the plant stems or accidentally pulling them out of the ground completely.
Are there any instructions for pruning my Spatterdock?
Here’s an overview of pruning instructions for Spatterdock based on which of the two types you’re completing. By completing these two types of pruning over the lifespan of your Spatterdock, you’ll encourage them to produce bigger, better flowers for far longer than the plants would otherwise. It only takes a few minutes to complete each step of the pruning process, and you’ll reap the rewards of your efforts for weeks to come. Deadheading Deadheading is a fast, easy way to refresh your garden by removing old flowers and providing space for new ones to take their place. You can use your fingers to pop off old flower heads as soon as they look tired, although you’re less likely to damage the plant if you use shears instead. When deadheading, make sure you cut well below the flower so that you aren’t left with a long, flowerless stem sticking out in your garden bed. Instead, cut the stem to just above the point where the side stem joins the main plant. Remove yellow and diseased leaves, this increases the ventilation and light penetration of the plant and facilitates its growth. When pruning, the leaves need to be trimmed off together with the petiole. It is best to use sterilised scissors to cut them off. Note: It’s a good idea to ensure scissors or garden shears are clean before use—you can soak them for thirty minutes in a solution of one part bleach diluted in nine parts water. This reduces the risk of spreading disease lingering on contaminated equipment into your flower garden.
How much sunlight should Spatterdock get per day to grow healthily?
Spatterdock requires about 6 hours of direct and continuous sunlight daily. These are desirable to help them grow healthily, and this will help them grow faster. You might also want to provide these species with supplemental light during the winter with the help of lamps. The species need several hours of unobstructed sunlight to have vibrant foliage, so you might want to place them in the brightest areas of your garden or indoor nursery.
What type of sunlight does Spatterdock need?
They are suited to a full sun and don't tend to tolerate shady areas. It's best to have at least 8 inches of space for each plant especially if you’re planting a lot of them so each can get a lot of sunlight. Generally, the Spatterdock has a high demand for direct, full, and abundant sunlight. During summers, you can place them outside in the morning sun, so they will have enough light to grow. They don't do well with partial sunlight and don't tolerate filtered or part shade. They might also not grow well when a huge tree constantly provides shade, so plant them in areas without obstruction.
Should I protect Spatterdock from sun exposure?
The Spatterdock should never avoid sun exposure because they seek and love the bright light. They love the sun so much that they require at least 6 hours of exposure regardless of the climate. Some areas, especially during the fall and spring, don't need protection because they require full sunlight. However, if you're located in a tropical climate or if the summer sun is too much, it's always possible to transfer the potted species inside until the temperature cools down again. Overall, you don't need to plant them near buildings, tall trees, and other structures because they need full sun for at least 6 hours.
What will happen if Spatterdock gets inadequate sunlight?
If there's insufficient light, the Spatterdock will not thrive. This is going to result in poor growth. Fungi and bacteria can feed on the plants' tissues, which are generally common for the plants grown in shady areas. When the plants receive too little sunlight, they tend to become spindly. They will have weaker stems because they are constantly seeking to receive light, and this can result in wilting or brown leaves. You might want to see if there are insects present or a rhizome rot in Spatterdock as this can be another sign that they are not receiving enough sunlight. If this is the case, put them in another area where they will receive bright and direct light to see if it will make a difference.
Does Spatterdock need special care about sunlight during its different growth stages?
During their growing phase, you need to expose the plants to the sun so that they don't have to stretch and grow upwards. You can avoid the process of etiolation and prevent the stems of Spatterdock from growing weak. This is generally prevalent for those that are receiving no sun or are in a partially shaded area when they are young. When they are already established and have matured, you also need to continuously expose them to a full sun because they need photosynthesis to grow more. When they are placed inside a greenhouse or a nursery for a very long time, and you decide to transfer them into a garden, you need to gradually introduce them to the bright lights. Still, you should never suddenly place them in direct heat, especially if it's mid-afternoon. They need a period to adapt and to become used to the intensity of sunlight in your area, so give them some much-needed time.
How much light does Spatterdock need for photosynthesis?
As mentioned, the Spatterdock needs 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight to do the process of photosynthesis. This helps them produce enough food to grow. You can make this easier for yourself when you group them together and plant them in the same spot in your garden. This way, they will get enough of their light requirements to produce flowers, grow sturdy stems, and produce the glucose that they need for their food.
How to protect Spatterdock from sun and heat damage?
As mentioned, the Spatterdock loves the sun, but sometimes too much can hurt it. However, too much harsh sunlight can actually burn the leaves in the summer. When planted in the ground, you might want to add to their watering schedule so they will have protection. Exposure to the blades can result in sunburn, especially when the day's sun is too strong. It's highly recommended to spray some water to cool down the leaves a bit.
Are there any cautions or tips for sunlight and Spatterdock?
You need to minimize transplanting shock, especially for the young and newly-planted Spatterdock. These species will need time to adjust to their new environment but make sure to choose a location where they will get the full sunlight they need. The amount of sunlight matters as well as the season. Water them during the hottest days to reduce stress, and you might want to cover the young ones when the temperatures are extremely high. Row covers and shade cloths might be applicable for the younger ones, but the mature plants might not need them, especially if they already have established roots and stems. When you see that the Spatterdock begins to lose its color, this might be because it is not receiving enough sunlight to do photosynthesis. There's not enough chlorophyll to depict a green color; if this is the case, you need to transfer it to an area receiving bright sunlight.
What is the optimal temperature for Spatterdock?
Spatterdock prefers cooler weather, and has a specific temperature range you can keep it within to maximize growth. For Spatterdock to be as healthy as it possible can, you could keep them between the temperatures 65~75℉(18~25℃). Spatterdock can handle higher and lower heat levels, but whenever possible, try to keep the area you grow them in within several degrees of 65~75℉(18~25℃). If you can’t keep Spatterdock precisely within that range, it doesn’t mean they will stop growing. Spatterdock can handle a higher and lower range before they begin to suffer damage or reduced growth. On the higher end, that temperature would that would fall between 75~85℉(25~30℃). On the lower end, Spatterdock can handle temperatures as low as 5℉(-15℃). The higher temperature range is the most important to observe, as Spatterdock prefers cooler environments. Letting temperatures get above the upper range may cause growth to slow, and having Spatterdock above 85℉(30℃) could result in the plant dying.
Does Spatterdock require different temperatures for different growing phases?
Too much heat early in the growing stages of Spatterdock may give it an unhealthy appearance, so it's important to keep your growing space between 65~75℉(18~25℃). You’ll want to stay in the colder part of this range as Spatterdock, but make sure not to go below -5℉(-20℃). Extremely cold temperatures can hinder growth at any stage for Spatterdock, though they aren’t nearly as damaging as extremely hot temperatures. If temperatures are kept high during the budding stage, Spatterdock may not flower at all.
Three tips for keeping Spatterdock temperature under control
Tip #1: Grow in the Coldest Room of Your Home If you plan to grow Spatterdock indoors, make sure to choose the coldest room of your home. This will usually be on the side of your house that doesn’t experience the harsh heat that the sun can produce in the middle of the day. At the same time, you’ll need to ensure the room does get a healthy amount of sunlight. While you’ll want to spare your plants from the brightest and hottest part of the day, zero sunlight can drastically reduce Spatterdock ability to grow. Tip #2: If Spatterdock Doesn’t Flower Properly, It May Be Too Hot The growing season for Spatterdock, spring and early summer, can occasionally come with high temperatures. These fluctuations can negatively affect the growing stage of Spatterdock, causing flowering buds to change into non-flowering buds. These buds will open partially, or in some cases not at all, causing Spatterdock to lose some of its aesthetic quality. It's important to stay in the range of 65~75℉(18~25℃), for that reason, so your Spatterdock can flower to its full potential. Tip #3: Avoid Frost While Spatterdock can tolerate lower temperatures, as low as -5℉(-20℃), it will not do well if it encounters significant frost. If left out in the colder temperatures of late fall or winter, Spatterdock will begin to show the signs of frost damage. To recognize the signs of frost damage, you’ll look for several key aesthetic changes. First, parts of Spatterdock will begin to wilt. Then, those sections will start to become discolored, eventually turning brown or black as they die. Any parts of Spatterdock that turn these colors cannot be saved, and will have to be pruned if you intend to keep the plant alive.
Does Spatterdock need different temperatures for different seasons?
It's important to keep the temperature of your growing area steady regardless of season. If you live in an area with harsh winters or very hot summers, it may be best to put your plants inside. That way, you can keep them in a cool room where Spatterdock would be able to grow in the best possible conditions. If you do leave your plants outside, make sure to observe the temperature closely. If the summer’s get especially hot in your climate-zone, make sure that your plants aren’t exposed to temperatures above 85℉(30℃). This will dehydrate and damage Spatterdock quickly, and before long, they will begin to die.
What is the best way to maintain the right temperature for Spatterdock?
If you intend to place Spatterdock outside, you’ll want to make sure that it has shade from the heat of the midday sun. While Spatterdock does need plentiful sunlight to grow to its full potential, direct sunlight can cause a rise in temperature and damage certain elements of the plant. Choose an area that has shade providing structures or tall trees that can shield Spatterdock from the hottest parts of the day. If your climate isn’t appropriate for Spatterdock or you don’t have the proper space in your garden, you can also plant them inside. Controlling the temperature is much easier indoors, and having proper fans, ventilation, or an A/C unit will allow you to stay within the optimum range of 65~75℉(18~25℃).