Goldfish flower

Also known as columbine flower, string goldfish, small leaf goldfish flower, whale flower, button whale flower, small leaf goldfish flower, goldfish spider plant, kangaroo spider plant, kangaroo flower

Classification of Phylum Seed Plants, Subphylum Angiosperm, Class Dicotyledons, Order Scrophulariaceae, Gesneriaceae, Genus Antipodes

Origin Distribution

Antipodes Produced in tropical areas of America

[Edit this paragraph] Morphological characteristics

A perennial herb with a semi-woody base. Stems rise obliquely, 20-40cm long, young stems are green, old stems are reddish-brown; single leaves, opposite, oval, about 3-4cm long, pointed apex, fleshy, dark green on the leaf surface, and the back is close to the main vein Red; the flower is solitary in the leaf axils, about 2-3 cm long, with 5 sepals, the corolla is somewhat lip-shaped, the lower part is enlarged, the apex has 5 small lobes, orange-red, the lobes are yellow, and the interlobes are red; 4 stamens are attached to the petals. Anthers are adherent; pistil is one. Capsule, similar to Scrophulariaceae plants.

[Edit this paragraph] Growth habits

It likes high temperature, high humidity, and a negative environment. If it is placed in the sun for a long time, it will be too dry or the temperature is too low in winter, which will cause leaf fall. Goldfish are most susceptible to defoliation in winter, which is related to temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth of goldfish flowers is 18-22°C, avoid low temperatures. If the temperature is lower than 10°C for two consecutive days, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry, and will fall off at the slightest vibration. In addition to low temperatures, leaves will also fall if the temperature continues to exceed 30°C. Due to the high temperature in summer, goldfish flowers grow very slowly or almost stop growing. At this time, appropriate shading measures should be taken to make them grow vigorously without losing leaves.

[Edit this paragraph] Common varieties

The varieties introduced for cultivation in recent years are: Small-leaved Goldfish C. microphylla, also known as button goldfish flower, is native to Costa Rica. The stem is slender and the branches are spreading. The leaves are opposite and small. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, orange-red. Flowering period is spring and summer. C. stavanger. Also known as Star Goldfish, it is a hybrid variety bred in Norway. Sprawling, hanging. The flowers are large and numerous, crimson, blooming in winter and spring. Big goldfish flower C. magnifica, also known as whale flower. Produced in Costa Rica and Panama. The stems are upright and the branches are hairy. Corolla scarlet. In addition, there are also varieties such as bulb goldfish, hairy goldfish, and Adam goldfish.

[Edit this paragraph] Propagation method

Propagation can be done by cutting the top branches or cutting the stems. It can be done all year round, and it is best to do it indoors after flowering. Cut off annual branches about 10-15cm, keep 3-4 leaves, remove several pairs of leaflets at the base, and insert them into sandy soil. Cover it with glass or plastic film, control the temperature at 20°C, and maintain a high air humidity. Roots will appear in about 3 to 4 weeks. Start topping two months after survival to encourage more branches to facilitate more flowers, and then you can transplant them into pots. The seedlings do not bloom in the first year, but after two or three years, red flowers appear between the leaf axils at the tips of the weeping branches.

Goldfish can be propagated by sowing, dividing and cuttings. Because seeds are difficult to obtain, propagation by sowing is not often used, and propagation by cuttings is generally used. In spring and autumn, cut branches about 10 cm long (3-4 nodes) and insert them on a bed made of river sand or vermiculite to maintain a high humidity. It takes about a month to take root when the temperature is 20-25°C; after the roots have survived, strengthen management to promote the growth of new branches, and perform topping to promote branching. It can be potted and planted after 1-2 months.

Goldfish potted plants require a substrate rich in humus, loose, and well-drained. Peat soil, perlite, and vermiculite are usually mixed in equal amounts, and the soil leaves are made acidic to facilitate growth. Apply liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks during the growth period, and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer during the growth and flowering stages. There is a short dormant period in winter. During this period, you can water less and keep the pot soil properly dry; in winter (i.e., the flowering period), you can water more appropriately; during the growth period, there must be sufficient water, and the pot soil must be kept moist and try to keep it dry. Increase air humidity. High temperatures and high humidity can easily cause soft rot and death of stems and branches. If this happens, cut off the soft and rotten parts immediately.

Goldfish prefers a bright, indirect light environment, so it must be shaded (50 degree shade) when the light is too strong in summer. To promote the formation of flower buds, provide sunlight in autumn and keep the pot soil slightly dry. It is best to place it in the pot when dormant in winter. A dry and cool environment promotes the differentiation of flower buds; before flowering in winter, the light can be appropriately increased, and it must be moved to the brightest window indoors to ensure vigorous growth and flowering.

The goldfish has dense branches and leaves, and the stems and vines hang naturally. During the peak flowering period, a larger plant can bloom more than a hundred flowers at the same time, and the flowers are large and colorful, quite spectacular, so it is an ideal shade-loving plant. Hanging foliage and flowering plants. It is very suitable as an epiphytic potted plant in greenhouses and indoor gardens, and can also be hung for home viewing.

Cultivation technology

Goldfish flower, also known as kangaroo flower, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the Gesneriaceae family. The leaves are leathery, dark green and shiny, and the leaves are arranged neatly and compactly. The flowers are orange in color and unique in shape, with an enlarged middle, small ends, and a small opening in the front. Suitable for small and medium-sized potted plants or indoor hanging and corridor green decorations. Its cultivation characteristics are described as follows:

1. For cultivation, the matrix soil is mixed with leaf humus soil, manure and sand in a ratio of 3:1:1, with a pH value of 6 to 6.5. Topdress with a thin compound fertilizer solution every month. Two months before the flowering period, apply a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer solution every half month. Repot every other year.

2. The suitable growth temperature is 16°C to 28°C. When it is above 30°C, shading and ventilation must be strengthened, otherwise leaves will fall. Keep it above 10°C during winter.

3. Shade-resistant, suitable for places with scattered light, avoid direct sunlight. Water thoroughly when the surface of the pot soil is dry. Spray water frequently on the leaves and around the plants to increase air humidity. Reduce watering in winter.

4. After flowering, all weak branches, top branches and overly long drooping branches should be pruned. In winter, withered flower stems should be cut off from the base and kept dry to facilitate the germination and growth of new flower branches in the following spring. .

5. Mainly propagate by cuttings. You can cut knotted branches, each section is about 8 cm. Cut off half of the upper leaves and all the lower leaves. Maintain a semi-shady and humid environment. Roots can take place in about 30 days. pot. Propagation by division can also be done in early spring or late autumn. Each cluster must have 1 to 2 terminal buds and 2 to 3 plants per pot.

[Edit this paragraph] Cultivation and management

Snapdragon is an epiphyte. The culture medium can be mixed with equal amounts of peat, perlite, and vermiculite; or sphagnum moss and fern roots can be used. , bark blocks and other materials are cultivated in porous flower pots to facilitate ventilation and good drainage. For indoor cultivation, potted plants should be placed in a place free from direct sunlight throughout the day. They can be moved to a sunny place before flowering. Goldfish flowers are more sensitive to low temperatures. When the temperature drops below 10°C, the leaves turn yellow, become mottled and fall off. Avoid hot weather, keep it indoors in summer, pay attention to ventilation and shade, and keep it moist at all times. Watering should be based on the principle of "better to be wet than dry". In the dry seasons of spring and autumn, water evaporation is strong in the leaves, so the frequency of watering should be increased, but be careful not to over-humidify. From December to January of the following year, the plants enter the dormant period. In order to ensure that the flowers bloom luxuriantly in the coming year, the room temperature should be controlled between 14 and 16°C, and the water supply should be controlled to keep it appropriately dry. During the growing season, attention should be paid to maintaining a high-humidity environment. You can use spraying to humidify, or frequently spray potted plants and the surrounding ground with clean water. However, when the buds turn color or enter the flowering stage, the spray should be stopped, otherwise yellow spots will appear on the leaves. During the vigorous growth period, fertilize once every 1 to 2 weeks, and add more phosphate fertilizer to facilitate the formation of flower buds. Goldfish is more resistant to pruning. If it is not pruned for a long time, the flowering part will move upward. After flowering, the main lateral branches can be lightly shortened to form more branches.

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