Nemantanthus is a plant that has recently been grown at home. As a rule, it is found in South America. For this reason, few growers know how to look after it. In appearance, the plant resembles zipocirth or columnia. Nemantanthus care at home requires some effort, but they more than pay off the result. With proper watering and falling sunlight, it will delight you with beautiful flowers.
Appearance
Nematanthus flower grows in the Amazon forests, which are distinguished by high humidity. The leaves of the plant are dark green, in the form of an egg or an ellipse, sometimes there are streaks of a bluish tint on them. The length of the specimen is from 30 to 100 mm. The underside of the leaves is soft, may have a purple tint.
Nemantanthus - South American Exotic Flower
Nematanthus gregarius has an unusual shape of flowers. There are several types of plants, each of which differs in the color of the buds. Blooms in the jungle only in summer. At home, the flowering time can last from March to November.
Plant flowers are similar to aquarium fish
Important! An omen is associated with the plant. It is believed that in the house where it blooms, there will always be joy and well-being.
Nematanthus Goldfish has approximately 35 species. About 7-8 of them are grown at home around the world:
- The most spectacular is Nematanthus Gregarius. It is he who is called the Golden Fish. Best suited for pots. Beautifully falling creepers will appeal to all lovers of the unusual.
- Riverside. The species has large leaves, approximately 10 cm in length. Lemon yellow flowers. The pharynx is deployed, which is uncharacteristic for most nematanthus.
- View of Wastestein. The leaves are small, have an oval shape. Their surface is smooth, similar to wax. Gives shoots in the form of vines, which can reach a meter. The flowers are tubular, red-orange or yellow, 25 mm long.
- Nemanthus Tropicana. It has large flowers in the form of yellow-orange water lilies.
- Santa Teresa is a unique and almost uncommon species. The length of the flowers reaches 50 mm. Cream or white color predominates. There are yellow spots on the surface.
- Variegated nematanthus should be singled out separately. Their occurrence is due to genetic mutations due to insufficient production of chlorophyll leaves. Nemantanthus hybrid looks unusually beautiful.
- Nemantanthus Golden West. It has thick leaves with a creamy yellow canvas. The hue of the flowers is red-orange.
Nemantanthus tropicana - beautiful plant
There are other species of Nematanthus. All of them differ in the form of leaves and a shade of flowers.
Care Features
The plant will not exist by itself. Nematanthus care should be thorough. Everything will have to be taken into account: top dressing, watering, lighting. It is not difficult to create the required conditions, but they are constantly supported.
Temperature
When flowering, the plant should be indoors with a temperature of 19 to 24 degrees. In winter, 17 degrees will be enough, since the gregarius is at rest. Due to excessively high or low temperature, the plant will begin to die.
Lighting
An ideal option for a nematanthus indoor flower is bright diffused light. The plant will be comfortable on the windowsill, located in the eastern or western part of the room. Due to the lack of light, it will cease to bloom. For this reason, the flower is illuminated using a phytolamp.
Watering
When flowering nematanthus gregarius radicans, watering should be regular and plentiful. In winter, they cut it. Water for irrigation is taken at room temperature. In the case of growing a species with large leaves provide delimited watering. If there is not enough water, the leaves curl and fly around.
For additional lighting use a phytolamp
Spraying
In every season (except winter), the flower needs to be moistened - sprayed. To do this, take warm water. If it is cold, the bush does not need additional moisture.
Humidity
The optimum humidity in the room should be 50%. If the temperature in the room is high, then the humidity should be increased. This nuance cannot be overlooked.
Priming
When growing hypocirrhoida nematanthus requires loose soil. Ready-made substrate can be bought in stores. When creating a soil mixture with their own hands in equal doses take sand, peat and humus. For better water drainage (drainage) add small foam balls, brick chips or vermiculite.
Top dressing
To maintain the flowering of a nematanthus plant, top dressing is necessary. The ideal option is special solutions. They can be bought in stores for gardeners.
Important! To prevent a chemical burn, fertilizers are added in the evening.
Flowering nematanthus
For a goldfish flower, home care should be done carefully. If you perform all the required actions, it will bloom from mid-May to the end of September. When kept in suitable conditions, the plant may bloom in winter.
The lower part of the flower looks like exotic berries
The flowers have an unusual resemblance to aquarium inhabitants, so the plant is called the goldfish. The shade of flowers can be different: orange, red, yellow. Petals of the corolla fuse together, becoming similar to a pocket. Inside this "pocket" there is a tubular pharynx. The lower part of the flower seems bloated, becoming like fantastic fruits.
Nematanthus breeding
Propagation of the plant is possible in two ways:
- Seeds;
- Cuttings.
Seed cultivation
It is associated with some difficulties, since the seeds are very small in size. They are carefully distributed over the surface of the soil mixture and sprayed with a spray gun. It is forbidden to fall asleep. After performing the necessary manipulations, cover with a film. Watering should be low and sparse. When a sprout appears, the film is removed. After the formation of three leaves, plants can be transplanted into separate pots.
Cuttings
In nematanthus, propagation by cuttings is simpler than by seed. It can be done in summer and spring. Cuttings of 12 cm in size are cut from a long shoot, after which all the leaves located in the lower part are removed. Sprigs need to be rooted in water or in moist soil. Pre-sprouts are treated with a stimulator of root formation. Then immediately all the cuttings are planted in one pot. After they take root, pinching will be required.
Important! Nematanthus grown from seeds will not bloom in the first year.
Transplant after purchase
Immediately after the purchase, you should not transplant the flower. For a young plant, transplants are performed once a year. For an adult - as the space in the pot decreases. The pot should not be much larger than the previous one. The fact is that in an excessively large capacity, the roots can rot. To prevent stagnation of moisture provide high-quality drainage.
If the pot is too spacious, the plant will not bloom
Possible growing problems
Growing a flower can be fraught with some difficulties.
Dropping leaves and buds
This problem often occurs in cold weather. The fact is that the plant has an excess of moisture. To fix the problem, the nematanthus needs a transplant and fix watering.
The tips are dry
Too much sun falls on the flower. To fix the problem, they put it in the shade.
Other problems
Brown spots may be observed on the leaves of the plant. They are the result of a burn when spraying in the light. It is recommended to remove the flower in a darker place.
If the plant withers, the roots probably got burned by overfeeding. Rinse and dry them. After this, the plant is transplanted.
In the event of an attack of a spider mite, scab, aphid or whitefly, the flower is treated with insecticide preparations.
Nemantanthus is an exotic plant that will become a worthy decoration of any interior. It will cheer you up and can be presented as a gift. If you properly care for the plant, the nematanthus will delight with long and unusual flowering.
