How to grow Fittonia? Mastering these cultivation methods is all you need

How to grow Fittonia: Fittonia (nerve plant) originates from the tropical forests of Africa and prefers cool, shaded, high-temperature and humid environments. It grows very luxuriantly in high-temperature, high-humidity, shaded conditions. In South China, it can be cultivated year-round in shaded greenhouses or air-conditioned rooms. The cultivation temperature for Fittonia should generally be above 18°C; below this temperature, leaf drop will occur.

The optimal temperature for its growth is 20-30°C. Fittonia grows well under diffused light. When the light is too strong, the plant grows slowly and stays short, the leaves curl and lose their original color, affecting its ornamental value. When the room temperature is below 18°C but not less than 12°C, the leaves of the Fittonia plant will drop, but the stems will not freeze to death; when the room temperature exceeds 18°C the following year, new leaves will grow again, and the leafless stems can also be cut and used for cutting propagation; in an environment below 8°C, the plant will freeze to death.

During the growing season, Fittonia requires relatively high air humidity, especially in summer when more attention should be paid to watering to keep it moist. However, when watering, water must not stagnate on the leaves; excessive or prolonged water stagnation will cause leaf rot and drop, or cause stem rot disease leading to plant death. Therefore, when watering potted Fittonia, generally place the flower pot in water for a short soak to let it absorb water thoroughly, thereby reducing the frequency of watering; generally, after 2-3 days, the potting soil can still remain moist. Alternatively, place a small shallow saucer under the bottom of the flower pot, which when watering can both prevent water and soil from flowing out and dirtying the environment, and maintain relatively high air humidity to make the plant grow luxuriantly.

The cultivation medium for Fittonia is best when loose, breathable and fertile. When the medium has poor water permeability and excessive water accumulation, it will cause root rot, leading to poor growth or even death of the plant. The cultivation medium for Fittonia is generally made by mixing 1 part garden soil, 1 part peat soil, river sand soil and a small amount of base fertilizer. Coconut coir and perlite can also be mixed for soilless cultivation. During soilless cultivation, root fertilizer should be applied frequently and foliar fertilizer should be sprayed. The fertilizer used is generally compound fertilizer. Usually, fertilize once a week during the growing season. When fertilizing, special care should be taken not to let too much foliar fertilizer adhere to the leaf surface, otherwise it will cause leaf surface rot, affecting its growth and ornamental value.

In addition, to ensure the beautiful plant shape of Fittonia, newly potted seedlings should be pinched back multiple times to make the plant branch more and have lush foliage. The stems of the lower part of the plant that have lost leaves or have rotten leaves should also be pruned to make the plant shape beautiful and reduce pests and diseases. The above is an introduction to how to grow Fittonia.

How to grow Fittonia: cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia

Cultivation methods for Fittonia: Fittonia is currently a very popular small potted variety in Europe and America. It has a graceful posture and a small, exquisite plant, and is deeply loved by people. So how do you grow Fittonia?

Fittonia prefers a semi-shaded growing environment and does not like direct sunlight. In summer, Fittonia needs to be shaded, blocking most of the sunlight. In winter, Fittonia can be moved indoors to a place where it can receive sunlight for care.

The suitable temperature for Fittonia growth is between 18-24°C. It is relatively intolerant of cold, and the best overwintering temperature in winter is above 10°C, not lower than 8°C.

When planting Fittonia, you can choose soil rich in humus, which requires strong breathability and strong water retention capacity. Peat soil can also be used.

Watering Fittonia requires a certain amount of skill, because Fittonia's root system is relatively shallow, so when watering, whether too much or too little water, the effects are both bad. Basically, keep the potting soil slightly moist, not too dry or too wet. Too dry will cause the leaves to lack water, and too wet will cause the rhizome of Fittonia to rot.

Fittonia has a relatively high demand for fertilizer, but fertilizing should follow the rule of light application and frequent fertilizing. During the vigorous growth period of Fittonia, fertilize Fittonia once every half month. To make the leaves emerald green, you can spray some manganese sulfate solution on the leaves.

During the growth process of Fittonia, pests and diseases often occur, but there are also diseases such as leaf rot and root rot, as well as pests such as scale insects, snails and red spiders.

For leaf rot, spray with 25% carbendazim wettable powder at 1000 times dilution for prevention and control. For root rot, soak the roots with streptomycin at 1000 times dilution to sterilize.

During the growing period of Fittonia, in order to promote more branching and control the height of the plant, it needs to be pinched back frequently. This is conducive to vigorous growth of Fittonia.

When fertilizing, Fittonia also follows the fertilization principle of “light fertilizer applied frequently, small amounts with more applications, complete nutrition”. Just apply compound fertilizer once a month as a top dressing.

The watering time for Fittonia should be arranged as much as possible in the morning when the temperature is lower. In summer, water in the morning or evening when the temperature is low, and also spray the plant frequently. In winter: during the winter dormancy period, arrange the watering time as much as possible at noon on sunny days when the temperature is relatively high.

How to grow Fittonia: cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia / with tips for making it burst into a full pot

Because Fittonia has many effects and functions, and its cultivation method is relatively simple, more and more people are growing it. This small and exquisite plant is generally grown as a potted plant or hanging plant. So how do you grow Fittonia? How do you grow Fittonia to burst into a full pot? The editor has compiled the cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia for everyone's reference.

The growing environment of Fittonia

Fittonia, native to the tropical regions of South America, likes a high-temperature, humid, semi-shaded environment. It is relatively sensitive to temperature and intolerant of low temperatures. In terms of soil, it likes sandy acidic soil. In terms of water, it has relatively high requirements and needs to keep the soil moist. In terms of light, it is relatively afraid of strong light, so it should be properly shaded in summer.

Cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia

1. What kind of pot to use for Fittonia

The flower pot used for planting Fittonia should mainly be one that is relatively breathable, and the color is best lighter, which can set off the leaf veins and leaf color of Fittonia more beautifully. Suitable flower pots include colorful ceramic pots, etc. The size does not need to be too large; generally a diameter of 10 cm and a height of about 13 cm is sufficient.

2. Selection of soil

As for the soil, it is best to choose sandy loam soil containing humus. When potting, you can first put some ceramsite or tile pieces at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer to prevent the water poured in from quickly flowing out of the drainage holes. Then spread some base fertilizer on top, and then add nutrient soil prepared by mixing equal amounts of peat soil, leaf mold and river sand.

3. Temperature control

Since Fittonia is relatively sensitive to temperature, you must pay attention to observing temperature changes when planting. In this regard, how do you grow Fittonia? The answer is that the optimal growth temperature is 18-25°C, but as long as the temperature is kept above 12°C it is sufficient. Below 8°C, it is very easy to suffer cold damage.

4. Adjustment of light

Fittonia likes a semi-shaded environment, so in terms of light, try to avoid direct sunlight on it, but it cannot lack light either. The most ideal position is by a south-facing window, or under the eaves where diffused light can be seen. Having light but not too strong is the most suitable.

5. Appropriate amount of fertilizer and water

Fertilizing and watering are equally important for Fittonia. Too little watering will make the leaves thin and lusterless, while too much watering will make the leaves curl and lose ornamental value. Therefore, watering should follow the principle of keeping the soil moist. Not accumulating water and not going a long time without watering are the most basic requirements. Fertilizing should follow the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently, and attention should be paid to balanced nutrition.

How to grow Fittonia to burst into a full pot

1. Key points for watering

The principle of watering mentioned earlier is not to accumulate water and not to go a long time without watering, while the key point is that watering is best done in the morning. In summer when the temperature is high, water should also be sprayed. In winter, watering can be done at noon when the temperature is relatively high, and in winter attention should also be paid to reducing watering as much as possible.

2. Propagation techniques

Fittonia can be propagated by three methods: division, cuttings and tissue culture. Here the editor suggests using division or cuttings. Each spring, select healthy branches from Fittonia, cut off 10 cm and insert them into a sand bed. After keeping the soil moist, they can root quickly. The operation is simple and survival is easy.

3. Pruning methods

Fittonia is a plant that is relatively tolerant of pruning, and it grows quickly and needs timely pruning. So in terms of pruning, how do you grow Fittonia? Each spring, cut off its dense branches, thin and weak leaves, and withered, yellowed, old branches and leaves. In addition, remove yellow leaves promptly when they appear. In summer, you can also shape it according to your preferences.

4. Repotting methods

Among the cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia, repotting is actually indispensable. Botanists advocate repotting once a year, but the editor here suggests that flower lovers repot according to the soil condition. If the soil is relatively fertile, it can be repotted once every 2 years. While repotting, pruning can also be carried out, which is conducive to Fittonia bursting into a full pot.