Kangaroo flower, also known as goldfish flower and pufferfish flower, belongs to the family Gesneriaceae. Kangaroo flower is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. The stems and branches are reddish-brown, growing downward and bending, with a plant height of 20-30cm. The leaves are opposite, oval, fleshy and leathery, arranged neatly and compactly, 1.5-2cm long, the surface of the leaves is dark green and glossy, and the middle of the back of the leaf is reddish brown; the flowers are solitary in the leaf axils, the flower shape is strange, the middle part is enlarged, and the two ends are narrow and tapered. , looks like a kangaroo, hence the name kangaroo flower. The flowers are orange-yellow, the tips of the sepals are orange-red, the flowers are small, and the texture is like plastic. It can be used to decorate the balcony or placed indoors to view leaves and flowers, and the effect is very ideal.
Biological characteristics
Kangaroo flower is native to Brazil, South America. It likes a warm and sunny environment. Insufficient sunlight can easily cause the leaves to become thinner, the petioles to be slender, and it is difficult to bloom. Tolerant to drought and moisture, it grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. The most blooming period is in winter and spring, but it can bloom frequently under suitable conditions.
Cultivation management
Soil Soil is the basis for plant growth and a hotbed for roots. Its quality directly affects the growth of plants. The pot soil for cultivating kangaroo flowers should be loose and fertile. , sandy loam soil with good drainage and aeration, rich in organic matter, it is best to use peat soil or humus soil for planting, or use soil prepared by mixing perlite and peat soil in different proportions, and use broken tiles to make a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. To facilitate drainage.
Water Kangaroo flower is a succulent plant, so it needs to be watered appropriately, preferably less than too much. Because we don’t like extreme dryness and excessive humidity, we generally water it once after planting. In the future, it can be watered once every 2 weeks depending on the soil drought conditions. In summer, it can be watered once every 4 to 5 days. In hot and high-temperature seasons, when the air is drier, you can use a small sprayer regularly Spray water on the leaves to increase air humidity. Pay attention to keeping it slightly dry during the rainy season and winter. If the leaves lose luster and a large number of leaves fall off during the growth process, it may be caused by excessive watering leading to fibrous root rot. At this time, the soil ball must be taken out of the pot and the rotten fibrous roots must be cut off. Mix the soil with drier soil and replant.
Light Kangaroo flower likes bright light and can receive full sunlight in spring and autumn. In summer, it is required to build a shade shed or place it on the north windowsill to avoid at least a few hours of direct sunlight before and after noon. Long-term exposure to 50 to 60 hours of sunshine is the best for fertility. Therefore, it should not be placed in a dark living room when growing, but should be placed on a balcony with strong sunlight, otherwise it will easily cause leaf fall. Frequent exposure to sunlight outdoors can promote more flowering.
Temperature Kangaroo flowers like to be cool, and the suitable growth temperature is 20℃~25℃. If the temperature is too high or too low, its growth will be affected. In the warm spring and autumn, the branches can continue to sprout new leaves; when the temperature exceeds 30°C, growth will stagnate. Therefore, when the temperature is lower than 10°C in summer, it will enter a dormant state and should be moved indoors to overwinter, and the overwintering room temperature must not be lower than 5℃, otherwise it will be susceptible to freezing damage.
Fertilization The amount of fertilizer required by kangaroo flowers depends on the growth status of the plant. Under normal circumstances, when transplanting seedlings, add 20 to 30 slow-release organic compound fertilizer particles to 1/3 of the pot soil, and then bury the organic fertilizer again in conjunction with changing pots. Applying less thin pancake fertilizer or phosphorus and potassium fertilizer every season can promote more flowering of plants. After the plants stop growing in summer and go dormant in winter, fertilization should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage and root damage.
Pest and Disease Control
Pests and pests on kangaroo flowers are less common. In places with excessive humidity and poor environment, some overwintering small flying insects may overwinter on the branches, but they will not Affecting the growth of plants; sometimes Spodoptera litura larvae will eat the mesophylls and leaves on branches in summer, and the leaves will appear mesh-like or only the veins will remain. At this time, you can spray the plants and soil with 800 times of Lesbon liquid for 2~ 3 times. Be sure to be careful and thoughtful when spraying, and you can also combine it with manual hunting. After the pests are eliminated, normal maintenance can be carried out.
Diseases of kangaroo flowers are mainly fungal diseases. In the early stage of the disease, the leaves curl and become water-soaked, followed by yellow-brown patches. At this time, 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder can be used 600 times of solution or a mixture of 27 high lipid film and 1000 times of salicylic acid 1000 times sprayed on the leaves for 2 to 3 times for control, the effect is better. While using pesticides for control, management must be strengthened to enhance ventilation and breathability, and timely treatment Remove diseased branches to reduce sources of infection.