What should I do if the stems of goldfish hanging plant grow long but the leaves are very small?
Goldfish hanging plant (Nematanthus gregarius) is a common potted plant in many gardeners' homes. It is not only evergreen all year round, but also blooms very beautifully, just like little goldfish, very cute. But if we are usually negligent in management or improper care, its ornamental value will also be completely lost.
Recently, a gardener reported that the potted goldfish hanging plant they grow has slender stems and thin, sparse leaves. What is going on? What should we do when the goldfish hanging plant shows this condition?
If the goldfish hanging plant is grown well, not only will the potted plant have a beautiful shape with compact, lush branches and leaves, but it will also be covered with lovely little goldfish during the flowering period. If its stems grow relatively slender and its leaves are sparse and small, not only will the potted plant look unattractive, but it will also inevitably be difficult for it to bloom later. It is clear that the plant must have a growth problem.
In fact, slender stems and small leaves in potted plants are an obvious sign of leggy growth. The same is true for the goldfish hanging plant, and the adverse consequences of leggy growth are also very obvious. If we want the potted goldfish hanging plant to return to its originally beautiful growth state, we first need to solve the leggy growth problem.
The reason is that leggy growth in the goldfish hanging plant is mainly caused by a lack of light in the care environment. Moreover, if water and fertilizer are relatively sufficient, it will also accelerate its leggy growth. If we want to solve the leggy growth of the goldfish hanging plant, we first need to promptly improve the care environment, and then quickly adjust management methods.
1. Change the care environment
Although the goldfish hanging plant relatively prefers a cool and moist growing environment, if you want it to grow normally, you also need to ensure sufficient light. If the care environment is shaded and lacks light for a long time, it is also prone to leggy growth, since it grows quickly and has strong sprouting ability. If water is relatively sufficient at this time, it will also accelerate leggy growth.
Therefore, at this time we should promptly place the potted plant in a place with sufficient light to ensure normal photosynthesis. Considering that the goldfish hanging plant likes cool, ventilated conditions and cannot tolerate direct strong light, it is recommended to place it in a bright, ventilated place with sufficient scattered light for care.
2. Properly control water and fertilizer
The goldfish hanging plant grows quickly and has a relatively large demand for water and fertilizer, but if water and fertilizer are given too generously in an environment lacking light, it will further intensify leggy growth. As a result, its stems grow relatively slender, its leaves are also sparse and small, and the branches and leaves may even become crooked.
So while increasing light, we also need to properly control water and fertilizer, especially by promptly reducing watering. At least for a short period, do not water too generously. Generally, by placing it in a bright, ventilated place with sufficient light and properly controlling water for a period of care, the leggy growth can be noticeably curbed.
3. Prune scientifically
If the leggy growth of the goldfish hanging plant is relatively severe, although the above two measures can control it well, the original relatively slender stems will still look rather unattractive, and the effect of sprouting new branches and leaves will not be obvious. So at this time we also need to use pruning methods for scientific treatment.
Generally, those slender and crooked stems need to be cut off, and other longer stems should be properly shortened. Through pruning, not only can the plant be stimulated to sprout new branches and leaves, but the shape of the potted plant is also further controlled. The newly sprouted branches of the goldfish hanging plant are also sturdier, the leaves are also broader and more glossy green, and the leggy growth phenomenon will disappear accordingly. Moreover, later the goldfish hanging plant will also grow vigorously and bloom more easily.