Nematantus

The plant nematanthus (Nematanthus) is a representative of the Gesneriev family. This South American genus includes about 35 species, the bulk of which are epiphytes: shrubs, dwarf shrubs, or lianas. Not so long ago, this genus was combined with another representative of the same family - hypocyrt, therefore, the same plants can be found under both names.

"Nematantus" can be translated as "flower on a thread", it is associated with the thin threadlike pedicels of some members of the genus. Their flowers have a bright red-yellow palette or pink color and fused petals, because of which the corolla may acquire the shape of an ajar pocket or more resemble a berry rather than a flower. Due to the fact that in some species the flowers have a characteristic convex shape, the plants are popularly known as "goldfish".

Description of nematanthus

Nematanthus bushes have medium-sized glossy (less often pubescent) foliage of a succulent type with a dense shell. On the outside, the leaves are green, and their seamy side often has a reddish or purple tint. The inflorescences are found in the leaf axils. Accreted sepals, like flowers, can also have a bright color. Against the background of dark foliage, nematanthus flowers look fun and elegant.

Brief rules for growing nematanthus

The table shows brief rules for caring for nematanthus at home.

Caring for nematanthus at home

Lighting

For full development, nematanthus needs bright, but diffused light for 12 to 14 hours a day. Best of all, such a flower will feel on the east or west windows. On the north side, the lighting will be insufficient in winter. Such conditions can adversely affect the abundance of flowering, so the lack of illumination will have to be compensated for with phytolamps. It is easier to do this with small specimens, but large nematanthus under the lamp may no longer fit. On the south side, the plants will have to be shaded from the sultry midday rays. Otherwise, burns will remain on the foliage of the nematanthus.

Temperature

The entire period of development of the nematanthus should be carried out in a warm room. The optimum temperature for it is 19-24 degrees. In winter, the flower retires, so it should be moved to a cooler (about 14-16 degrees) corner. The plant tolerates short periods of a more significant decrease in temperature, but if it keeps less than 13 degrees in a room with it for a long time, the appearance of the bush may suffer. At 7 degrees or less, he will shed foliage. They do not like plants and extreme heat - at 27 degrees and above, their foliage can begin to dry out. Such conditions should be compensated for by increased humidity. At the same time, daily fluctuations in day and night temperatures by 5 or even 10 degrees will only contribute to the development of the bush.

Warm wintering of nematanthus can have a bad effect on its flowering in the next season. It will be weaker or flowers will not appear at all. To form buds, the bush must rest in the cool for at least 2 months.

Watering

From spring to autumn, when the nematanthus most actively develops the aboveground part, it needs to be watered as the top layer of the soil dries out. Large-leaved nematanthus species require more moisture, therefore, for each species, you should select your own irrigation schedule, focusing both on the size of the bush and on the composition of the soil. When the dormant period begins for the flower, the number of waterings, as well as their intensity, should be reduced. It is especially important to observe this rule if the nematanthus is kept cool.

For watering nematanthus, use soft and well-settled water at room temperature. It is not worth overdrying the soil in a pot. From a lack of moisture, the bushes will begin to shed small foliage or twist larger ones. If the soil lump is still dry, you need to put the pot in a container filled with water. As soon as the substrate has absorbed enough moisture, the flower is removed from the water. Until the plant bounces back, you can put a bag on it to create greenhouse conditions.

The voids formed between the pot and the soil lump are filled with fresh substrate.

Humidity level

Nematanthus prefers an average humidity level of about 50-60%. But the higher the temperature in the room, the higher the humidity should become. It is especially important to follow this rule in the heat (from 27 degrees and above).

In spring and summer, nematanthus foliage can be moistened with a spray bottle. For this, as well as for irrigation, only soft water is used. When the nematanthus hibernates in a cool place, it cannot be sprayed, but if the air in the room becomes excessively dry, other methods of increasing the humidity should be used. So a pot of nematanthus can be put on a tray filled with damp pebbles.

The soil

The soil for planting nematanthus should be sufficiently light and loose, and also allow air and moisture to pass through well. Its reaction can be slightly acidic or neutral. To create a suitable substrate, you can use a double piece of leafy soil, as well as peat, sand and humus. If the nematanthus will be planted in a ready-made mixture, finely chopped sphagnum and crushed charcoal should be added there.

Top dressing

During the entire period of growth, nematanthus is fed every two weeks, using complex mineral compositions, including potassium and phosphorus. Starting in autumn, the number of dressings is gradually reduced, and from mid-October to the end of the winter period, they are not applied at all. Excessive amounts of nutrients can lead to fading of the color of the leaves and flowers of the plant.

Transfer

The nematanthus is transplanted in the spring, but only if necessary, every 2-3 years. For this, the time is chosen when they are just beginning to form fresh shoots. The roots of the nematanthus are not large. The new container for the plant should only slightly (1-2 cm) exceed the old one in size. In a pot that is too voluminous, the bush will begin to build up the root system and will not bloom for some time. The bushes are transplanted into a new container along with a soil clod. It is not worth compacting the soil in the pot. A drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the selected pot to ensure the removal of excess moisture.

Pruning

Pruning of nematanthus is carried out immediately after flowering, shortening the shoots of younger plants by a third, and older ones by half. If the plant is left in a warm room in winter, during this period its shoots can stretch even after pruning. In this case, in the spring they are pruned again, trying to shorten the branches that are too long.

Old nematanthus can be updated by cutting cuttings from it. For this, the strongest and strongest branches are chosen. This will allow one bush that has lost its appearance to turn into several younger and more accurate ones.

Bloom

In nature, the plant blooms in summer, but at home, bright nematanthus flowers appear from spring to mid-autumn. Sometimes, provided there is sufficient light, flowering can begin even in winter. A feature of nematanthus is that the bulk of its flowers appear on fresh growth. Because of this, for full flowering in each season, the bushes should be cut off. This contributes not only to the splendor of flowering, but also to the rejuvenation of the plantings.

Dormant period

The dormant period in nematanthus begins with the arrival of a significant reduction in daylight hours, usually in winter. During these months, the houseplant needs moderate moisture and kept in a bright but cool room.

Nematanthus breeding methods

Growing from seeds

Nematanthus can reproduce by seed both in nature and at home. Ripe boxes with tiny seeds, which form in place of flowers, are removed and their contents are shaken out onto a sheet of paper. A container with loose soil is prepared for sowing. It should be leveled and then moistened. They try to distribute the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil, gradually shaking them off the paper sheet. It is not necessary to sprinkle the crops, but the container itself must be covered with glass or film. Watering is carried out through a pallet so as not to disrupt the arrangement of seeds on the soil. With the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed.

When the seedlings grow up a little, they dive, planting several pieces per pot. This will produce a larger, more lush bush. Flowering will begin one year after sowing.

Cuttings

For propagation of nematanthus, cuttings can also be used. Cuttings are taken from the tops or other part of the stems. You can cut them all year round. It is believed that mature shoots take root better than young ones. The length of the segments should be about 7-10 cm, they may contain about 4-8 internodes. The lower third of the cuttings obtained are cleaned of leaves, and then they are planted in light loose soil or sphagnum. They should be placed so that the node itself is immersed in the soil - it is from it that the stalk will be able to develop aerial roots, which will turn into ordinary ones. It takes 2-3 weeks for rooting. To speed up the process, the seedlings are placed in greenhouse conditions.

The nematantus, from which the planting material was taken, is left in partial shade for some time after pruning. When the cuttings take root, they, like seedlings, are planted in 4-6 pieces in one container.Soon after transplanting, they will start to grow and develop into full-fledged bushes.

Pests and diseases

The main problems with growing nematanthus begin due to mistakes in caring for a flower and non-observance of the conditions necessary for it.

• Flying around the foliage in the autumn-winter period indicates an insufficiently high temperature in the room.
• Brown specks on foliage are the result of using ice water for irrigation. It shouldn't be cooler than 20 degrees. Such spots can also form due to irregular watering or frequent waterlogging of the soil.
• The bush does not bloom - lack of lighting, very cold or dry air in the room, lack of nutrients, improper pruning (or its long absence).
• Flowers turn brown and fall off if moisture drops on them. During the flowering period, the bush should be sprayed especially carefully. Falling buds can also be caused by overflow or cold in the room.
• Drying of the roots - most often occurs in the summer due to insufficiently frequent or abundant watering. Strong drying of the soil should not be allowed.
• The upper part of the leaf blades turns yellow and dries out due to excessively dry air or heat.
• The pallor of the leaves is an excess of nutrients, dry air or too bright light.

Constantly wet soil that does not have time to dry out can lead to the development of gray rot. Watering in this case must be reduced. If the flower is affected by powdery mildew, the bush should be treated with a fungicide.

Aphids, thrips and spider mites are considered pests of the flower. Pests must be dealt with with the help of special means.

Types of nematanthus with photos and names

Riverine nematanthus (Nematanthus fluminensis)

The species is made up of plants with climbing stems. Nematanthus fluminensis has elliptical foliage located opposite to the shoots. The length of the satin leaf plates reaches 5-10 cm. They are green in color, and from the inside out - a purple hue. In the leaf sinuses, flowers about 5 cm in size, pubescent in the tube area, are formed, which have a lemon color with reddish specks.

Nematanthus fritschii

In nature, the size of the bushes of this species reaches 60 cm. Nematanthus fritschii has green foliage with a reddish underside. The length of the plates is about 7.5 cm. The stems and the seamy side of the leaves are pubescent. The curved flowers are bright pink, and their funnel reaches 5 cm in diameter.

Nematanthus longipes

Epiphyte with climbing shoots. Nematanthus longipes has elliptical foliage up to 4 cm wide and 10 cm long. It is opposite and is colored light green. During the flowering period, pedicels up to 10 cm long appear in the axils of the bush. Single funnel-shaped flowers of red with an orange tint open on them. Near the base, the rim is slightly swollen. Each cup contains 5 narrow, notched lobes.

Nematanthus wettsteinii

This species is usually grown as ampelous. Nematanthus wettsteinii has thin branchy shoots up to 90 cm long. Small oval foliage is colored dark green and covered with a waxy coating. Flowers reach 2.5 cm in length. Their coloration includes tones of red, yellow and orange, blending into each other. Flowering is distinguished by its abundance and duration.