What are the precautions for growing the goldfish plant?
Other precautions
During the cultivation of the goldfish plant, it should be pruned and shaped regularly.
When the goldfish plant is in bloom, fertilizing should be stopped, and it is better to keep the soil on the drier side, so watering can be reduced.
Caring for the goldfish plant is not very difficult, so as long as you tend it carefully and attentively, you can grow it both vigorous and beautiful.
How to grow the goldfish plant: growing methods and precautions for the goldfish plant
The goldfish plant (Nematanthus gregarius) - just hearing this name may mislead quite a few flower lovers. In fact, flower lovers who have seen the goldfish plant are easily drawn in by the unique shape of its flowers. Its flowers look just like whales freely swimming in the sea, except they lack the frightening appearance of a whale and instead show more of the beauty of a flower. So what growing methods and precautions are there for this unique ornamental plant? Follow the editor to find out.
How to grow the goldfish plant
1. Soil
A loose, water-permeable and airy substrate is best, such as peat moss + perlite, wood shavings, or sphagnum moss, planted in one or a mixture of several of these substrates. The substrate is best slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.2.
2. Propagation
It can be propagated by cuttings, either tip cuttings or stem-section cuttings. Spring and autumn are the suitable periods. When taking cuttings, the cuttings can have a single node or multiple nodes. Insert the cuttings into peat moss + perlite, wood shavings, or sphagnum moss, maintain humidity at 40% to 60%, and roots will form in about 20 to 30 days.
To keep the plant's shape graceful, with evenly distributed branches and abundant flowering, it is best to re-root cuttings every year to renew its growth.
3. Fertilizer and water
It is a fertilizer-loving flowering plant, so give it appropriate liquid fertilizer regularly; depending on plant size and variety differences, the EC value is 1.0 to 1.5. During the growing period, supply enough water, but avoid watering with cold water. Keep the potting soil moist and raise the air humidity. During extreme heat or cold, water supply needs to be reduced; slightly drier substrate is actually more beneficial.
4. Pest and disease control
Common problems include leaf spot, gray mold, soft rot, and scale insects. Among these, leaf spot is relatively common.
Growing methods and precautions for the goldfish plant
I. Growing methods for the goldfish plant
1. Soil
The goldfish plant likes well-drained, airy soil, so it requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil. You can use a mix of leaf mold, wood shavings, and perlite, and add some fine sand to increase air permeability.
2. Watering
The goldfish plant likes a moist environment. During the growing period, give it plenty of water to keep the potting soil moist, and at the same time increase the air humidity around it by misting. During high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures, reduce the water supply and keep the potting soil dry, which is more beneficial to the growth of the goldfish plant.
3. Fertilizing
The goldfish plant is a fertilizer-loving plant, so liquid fertilizer should be given regularly. During the growing season, fertilize once every 15-20 days, and it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. The goldfish plant generally receives more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn. When the flower buds are growing, apply 1-2 times a liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus fertilizer.
4. Temperature
The goldfish plant likes a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The suitable temperature for growth is between 18-22°C, the overwintering temperature should be above 10°C, and the daytime temperature in winter needs to be kept above 15°C.
5. Light
The goldfish plant likes bright, indirect light. Under eaves or on windowsills with good lighting are suitable places to grow it. Normally, the goldfish plant can be exposed to more sunlight, but in summer take care, as the goldfish plant dislikes direct strong light.
II. Growing precautions
1. During the cultivation of the goldfish plant, it should be pruned and shaped regularly.
2. When the goldfish plant is in bloom, fertilizing should be stopped, and it is better to keep the soil on the drier side, so watering can be reduced.
Is the goldfish plant toxic?
The goldfish plant is not toxic. Not only is it non-toxic, it also has good medicinal value, and the whole plant can be used as medicine. It can clear heat and relieve cough; invigorate blood and dissipate stasis; and remove toxin and reduce swelling. It is mainly used for fever in children; cough due to lung heat; lymphatic tuberculosis; rheumatic arthralgia; fractures; otitis media; and venomous snake bites. The usual dosage is 1-2 qian. For external use, use an appropriate amount of the fresh plant, crush and squeeze the juice, and drip it into the ear.
Introduction to the goldfish plant
1. Alternative names
Because the flower shape of the goldfish plant looks somewhat like a fish, it has the alternative names shark flower and goldfish vine.
2. Morphological characteristics
The goldfish plant is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. It is trailing, with rather slender branches and stems covered with reddish-brown fine hairs. The leaves of the goldfish plant are dark green, ovate, with pointed leaf tips, and the leaves are opposite.
The goldfish plant blooms with single flowers, axillary, with flower colors mainly orange-red, and the throat of the flower is pale yellow. The shape of the goldfish plant's flower looks like a shark in the sea opening its big mouth.
3. Growth habits
The goldfish plant likes a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The suitable temperature is about 18-22°C, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 10°C for it to overwinter safely.
The goldfish plant requires loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. In terms of fertilizing, during the growing season fertilize the goldfish plant 1-2 times per month, and it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. Generally, apply more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn. During cultivation, it should be pruned and shaped regularly.
4. Propagation methods
Propagation of the goldfish plant includes several methods: cuttings, division, or seed propagation.
The goldfish plant is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Nematanthus in the family Gesneriaceae. It has many propagation methods, and its general ecological form is epiphytic and hanging. So flower lovers who like it can grow it at home as a hanging plant for trailing ornamental display.
Growing methods and precautions for the goldfish plant
Growing methods for the goldfish plant
Soil
The goldfish plant likes well-drained, airy soil, so it requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil. You can use a mix of leaf mold, wood shavings, and perlite, and add some fine sand to increase air permeability.
Water and fertilizer management
The goldfish plant likes a moist environment. During the growing period, give it plenty of water to keep the potting soil moist, and at the same time increase the air humidity around it by misting. During high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures, reduce the water supply and keep the potting soil dry, which is more beneficial to the growth of the goldfish plant.
The goldfish plant is a fertilizer-loving plant, so liquid fertilizer should be given regularly. During the growing season, fertilize once every 15-20 days, and it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. The goldfish plant generally receives more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn. When the flower buds are growing, apply 1-2 times a liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus fertilizer.
Light and temperature
The goldfish plant likes a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The suitable temperature for growth is between 18-22°C, the overwintering temperature should be above 10°C, and the daytime temperature in winter needs to be kept above 15°C.
The goldfish plant likes bright, indirect light. Under eaves or on windowsills with good lighting are suitable places to grow it. Normally, the goldfish plant can be exposed to more sunlight, but in summer take care, as the goldfish plant dislikes direct strong light.
Growing precautions for the goldfish plant
Propagation methods
When propagating the goldfish plant, cuttings, division, or seed propagation are commonly used, and it can be done in spring or autumn.
Other precautions
During the cultivation of the goldfish plant, it should be pruned and shaped regularly.
When the goldfish plant is in bloom, fertilizing should be stopped, and it is better to keep the soil on the drier side, so watering can be reduced.