Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (Latin scientific name: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum), also known as: Red succeeding wood, red sandalwood, red shackle wood, red Loropetalum chinense, red sandalwood, red shackle flower, red flower succeeding wood, is a variety of Loropetalum chinense in Hamamelidaceae and Loropetalum, an evergreen shrub or small tree. The bark is dark gray or light gray brown, with many branches. The tender branches are reddish brown, densely covered with stellate hairs. The leaves are leathery and alternate, oval or elliptic, 2-5cm long, with a short pointed apex, a round and oblique base, asymmetric, stellate hairs on both sides, entire, dark red on the leaf surface and gray on the back. There are 4 petals, 1-2cm long in purplish red linear shape, and 3-8 flowers clustered at the branchlets. Capsule brown, subovate. The flowering period is from April to may, and the flowering period is long, about 30 to 40 days. The national day energy saving will bloom again. 3-8 flowers clustered on the total stem in terminal head, purplish red. The fruit period is August. It is mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in the South and north of India. Flowers, roots and leaves can be used medicinally.
Growth habit:
It likes light and is slightly resistant to shade, but the leaf color tends to turn green in shade. Strong adaptability and drought resistance. It is warm and cold resistant. It has strong sprouting and branching power and is resistant to pruning. It is resistant to barren soil, but suitable for growing in fertile and humid slightly acidic soil.
Curing method:
The cultivation of Loropetalum chinense should be conducted with large amount of fertilizer and water. Fertilization shall adhere to the principle of thin fertilizer and multiple application. During the growth period, the diluted retting cake fertilizer and water can be applied twice a month, and 1% urea can be added in between. Spraying 800-1000 times potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution before the flowering period can promote flower bud differentiation and enhance flower color. No fertilizer is applied during the flowering and dormant periods, and 0.5% ferrous sulfate solution should be sprayed once a season to keep the soil acidic. Fertilization should be carried out on cloudy or sunny evenings.
