Goldfish Plant Pictures and Detailed Care Methods
SummarySuitable environment: The goldfish plant is suitable for planting in loose, humus-rich soil, with a temperature of 18-22°C being preferable, and it is enough to give it appropriate scattered light. Reasonable fertilisation: apply a dilute organic fertiliser solution once every 15 days, mainly nitrogen fertiliser in autumn and mainly phosphorus and potassium fertiliser in spring. Timely watering: during the vigorous growth period, keep the potting soil moist and frequently spray water around the flower pot, but avoid spraying the leaves; reduce watering in winter. Pruning: prune appropriately after flowering.
I. Suitable Growing Environment
1. Growing soil
The goldfish plant has relatively high requirements for soil and should be planted in soil with good drainage that is loose and rich in humus.
2. Growing humidity
The goldfish plant has a relatively large demand for water during growth, so the potting soil needs to be kept moist, and the air humidity also needs to be increased.
3. Growing temperature
The goldfish plant is not cold-tolerant and is suitable for growing in an environment of around 18-22°C.
4. Light
The goldfish plant is relatively shade-tolerant and should not be exposed to direct strong light; appropriate scattered light is sufficient.
II. Reasonable Fertilisation
1. The goldfish plant generally only needs a dilute organic fertiliser solution applied once about every 15 days, and before budding an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertiliser can be added, which helps promote flowering and makes the flower colour more vivid.
2. Fertilisation is generally carried out in spring and autumn; in autumn, mainly liquid fertiliser based on nitrogen fertiliser is applied, which helps promote lush branches and leaves, while in spring more phosphorus and potassium fertiliser is applied, which helps promote vivid flower colour.
III. Timely Watering
1. During the vigorous growth period, the goldfish plant has a relatively large demand for water, and the potting soil needs to be kept moist. To ensure air humidity, water can be sprayed frequently around the flower pot, but try not to wet the leaves.
2. In winter, the goldfish plant enters dormancy and grows relatively slowly, so a small amount of water can be given; when the flower buds first appear, the amount of watering can be increased appropriately, which helps flowering.
IV. Pruning
After the goldfish plant flowers, it can be pruned appropriately by cutting off overly long trailing branches, weak branches and top branches. In winter, withered flower stems can be cut off and the plant kept dry, which helps new flowering branches grow the following year.
V. Propagation Methods
1. The goldfish plant can be propagated by division, sowing and cuttings. Usually, tip cuttings or stem-section cuttings can be used for propagation throughout the year, and it is generally best to do this indoors after flowering.
2. First select one-year-old branches and cut them into sections of about 10-15cm, leaving only 3-4 leaves, then insert them into the substrate, cover them well with plastic film, keep the temperature stable at around 20°C, and maintain a certain air humidity; roots will form in about 3-4 weeks.
3. After they survive, pinching can be done in about 2 months, which helps promote more branching and more flowering; finally they can be planted out into pots. Generally, seedlings do not flower in the same year, and by the second year they will produce red flowers.
VI. Pest and Disease Control
1. The main diseases of the goldfish plant are leaf spot and anthracnose. If disease is found, it should be controlled promptly. A 500-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim or a 700-fold dilution of 75% chlorothalonil can be used, sprayed on the leaves at an interval of about 7-8 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.
2. The main pests of the goldfish plant are red spider mites and scale insects. A 300-fold dilution of imidacloprid can be used, sprayed on the leaves once every 7-8 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.