The name of this beautiful plant comes from the Greek words: nema, meaning "thread", and anthos, translated as "flower". This is due to the fact that in some varieties of this flower a long and thin peduncle.
General information
The popular name of the flower is "Goldfish". The color of its flowers can be yellow, red and orange. In its external characteristics, the nematanthus plant is similar to a columna (several varieties of nematanthus were previously attributed to this genus) and to hypocirrhosis. The genus Nemananthus consists of several varieties of plants belonging to the Gesneriaceae family.
The place of origin of these epiphytic and semi-epiphytic vines, shrubs and shrubs is the tropical forests of Brazil, however, they can be found in the natural environment throughout South America.
Gorgeous flower "Goldfish". How to care for him? This information is presented later in the article.
About the name of the plant
Nematanthus, as noted above, is a genus of the Gesneriaceae family. The latter includes 28 plant species. The flower owes its name to the German doctor of medicine and the professor of botany, Heinrich Adolph von Schroeder, who created the word "nematanthus" meaning "flower on a thin peduncle." And it is called the "Golden Fish" in connection with the similarity of the shape and shade of the flower of the plant.
Today, the genus nematantus is associated with the genus of hypocirrh; therefore, it can rightfully be called the second name. In culture, the plant has been known since 1846.
Kinds
Before we move on to a more detailed description of the Golden Fish, we briefly introduce the species of the nematanthus genus.
- Nemantanthus is riverine. It is a climbing plant. Elliptical glossy leaves are up to 10 cm long and are opposite. The flowers have a bright lemon tint.
- Nemanthus Fritsch. In nature, this plant grows to a height of 60 cm. The length of the leaves is 7.5 cm, the color is reddish below, green above. Bright pink flowers are funnel-shaped.
- Nemanthus Gregarius. This is the Golden Fish flower. Its yellow-red flowers are in the form of aquarium fish.
- Nemantanthus ankle. This is an epiphyte in the form of a bush. The length of the elliptical shape of the leaves reaches 10 cm. Its flowers have a coral red hue.
- Nemantanthus Vetstein. It has long, thin, well-branched stems (approximately 90 cm). This species is grown as an ampelous plant. The flowers are painted red-orange.
- Nematanthus monolithic. This is also an ampel plant with fleshy leaves of a rounded shape (length about 2 cm). The flowers are painted red with a yellowish hue. After flowering, this plant discards all leaves.
- Nematanthus is naked. Semi-ampel plant with glossy, fleshy leaves 4 cm long. Flowers of a bright orange hue.
Description
The leaves of the Golden Fish indoor flower are slightly pubescent, opposite, elliptical, shiny, small, dark green. Young stems are usually erect, but begin to bend and hang from the weight of the leaves.
The axillary inflorescences of nematanthus have short peduncles. The tubular flowers are waxy and have a length of about 5 cm. The corolla is red, pink, dark purple or orange. The stems are creeping, covered with fleshy, glossy, small leaves. Nematanthus flowering is plentiful and long - from spring to autumn. A plant in culture is grown as an ampel - in hanging baskets or pots.
Very unusual flowers are similar in color and shape to a small bright aquarium fish. Due to this flowering, the Nemanthus is usually called the flower "Goldfish" (photo presented in the article).
Choosing a landing spot and lighting
The best place for the continuous growth of any type of nematanthus is the windows on the east or west side of the house. The plant can grow at the northern window, but in this case in autumn and winter it will not be enough light, which can adversely affect flowering. Also, when placing a flower on the south side in the summer, you should arrange shading, as direct sunlight contributes to the appearance of burns on the plant.
In general, daylight hours should be approximately 12-14 hours a day. In winter, you need to use artificial lighting.
Home Care
Flower "" Goldfish is not particularly demanding care. The most comfortable temperature for him in the summer is + 20 + 24 ºC, and in winter - no higher than 16 ºC. Nematanthus may suffer from heat at temperatures above +28 ºC. In this case, he should provide a night temperature below the daytime by 5-10 ºC, so that the plant can rest and restore strength.
Nematanthus also tolerates short-term cooling, but if kept for a long time at temperatures below 12 ºC, the flower loses its decorativeness, and at -7 ºC the leaves turn brown and fall off.
If an earthen lump has moved away from the walls of the pot, it is necessary to pour fresh earth into these slots.
Watering and humidity
Unpretentious and in relation to watering a flower "Goldfish". Caring for him in this regard is simple. During active growth, watering should be plentiful. By winter, it should be gradually reduced, bringing to moderate. Watering the plant is necessary as the surface of the substrate completely dries. To do this, it is advisable to use only settled and soft, room temperature.
For this plant, the humidity level should correspond to the temperature in the room: the higher it is, the higher the humidity should be. For example, at a temperature of around 21 ° C, air humidity should be maintained within 50%, and at temperatures up to 27 ° C, humidity should be approximately 60%. It is advisable to spray from a sprayer daily.
Feeding and trimming nematanthus
And the Golden Fish flower responds well to top dressing. Home care in terms of fertilizer application is also simple. At the stage of active flower growth, it is necessary to apply mineral complex fertilizers approximately once every 14 days. Top dressing should be reduced in the fall (apply about once a month). In winter, top dressing is not needed.
A characteristic feature of nematanthus is that flowers bloom only on young shoots. In this regard, anti-aging pruning of the plant should be carried out regularly. Usually this event needs to be done after flowering. After a warm wintering, it grows again and therefore in spring also requires pruning. Cut shoots can be used to propagate the plant.
Nematanthus blooms usually occur from spring to autumn, however, if sufficient light is provided in winter, the flower may bloom repeatedly.
Breeding
Cultivation of the flower "Goldfish" can be carried out both by seeds and cuttings.
Almost dusty plant seeds from ripened seed boxes are collected on a white sheet of paper, since they are almost invisible.
Landing Rules:
- Spread the seeds evenly on moist and level ground (do not sprinkle with soil on top).
- Spray the surface with water and cover the container with plastic wrap or transparent glass.
- When the first shoots appear, slightly shift the shelter to the edge to ventilate the greenhouse.
- Watering through a pan.
- After the appearance of these two leaves, the sprouts should be dived and planted in separate pots (each with several pieces).
Flowering of stronger seedlings will occur only the next year after planting.
Propagation by cuttings should be done in spring or summer. To do this, cut off the stem or apical stalk about 10 cm long, while the lower cut of the twig should be made at an angle. On the finished handle, remove the 2 lower pairs of leaves. For rooting, you can use peat soil, moss-sphagnum or water.
When rooting in the substrate, the cuttings should be covered with a cap cut out of a plastic bottle or a glass of plastic. It is necessary to maintain the air temperature within 22-24 ° C. The petiole will take root in about 2-3 weeks, after which the plant must be planted in containers with drainage and soil, several in each.
Diseases and Pests
This tropical plant is very popular among lovers of exotic. Home flower "Goldfish" looks great in any interior. However, some problems associated with diseases and pests can spoil its appearance, although the plant is quite resistant to them. Aphids, thrips, mealybug and spider mites can attack it. And these problems are more related to the weakening of the plant that occurs when improper care.
Immediately upon detection of pests, they should be removed mechanically. You can moisten a soft cloth or cotton pad with soapy water and gently wipe all the leaves of the plant. If there is no effect, the flower should be treated with insecticides.
When the plant is kept in a room where there is no ventilation and high temperature prevails, a fungal infection can occur. In this case, treatment with a fungicide (for example, phytosporin) may help.
Other problems
Nematanthus, like many other domestic plants, has certain problems that are quite possible to eliminate.
- The tops of the leaves may dry out due to high air temperature and inappropriate humidity.
- The plant can drop leaves in the presence of sudden changes in air temperature or drafts. This can happen in winter at low air temperatures, when the earth is very wet.
- The appearance of light brown spots on the leaves occurs when the plant is watered with cold water.
- If large drops of water get on the leaves of the plant, they will become brown and fall off.
Falling of small leaves at the Golden Fish flower while twisting large ones indicates insufficient watering of the plant. At the same time, a container with a flower should be installed in a pan with water so that the soil is sufficiently saturated with moisture.