How to Cultivate Fittonia
Do you know about this? Let's dive into the cultivation and detailed maintenance knowledge of Fittonia, a green ornamental plant. Here's what you should know.
Fittonia is native to the tropical regions of South America and belongs to the Fittonia genus of the Acanthaceae family. It is commonly cultivated in bedrooms, balconies, and window sills for ornamental and decorative purposes. Next, let's introduce the cultivation methods and precautions for Fittonia.
I. Cultivation Methods
1. Soil
It is best to use loose, fertile soil with good aeration and drainage. A sandy loam rich in humus is ideal, or you can mix snake wood chips, peat moss, and river sand in a ratio of 5:2:3. Alternatively, you can blend peat soil, decomposed leaf soil, and river sand in an appropriate ratio.
2. Light
Fittonia enjoys light but can tolerate shade and is afraid of direct sunlight. During the summer, care should be taken to avoid strong direct sunlight. In the milder seasons of spring, autumn, and winter, the plant can be placed in the sun to receive moderate light to promote photosynthesis.
3. Watering
Watering should be moderate, keeping the soil slightly moist. If the watering frequency is too low or the amount of water is too little, causing the soil to be completely dry, it can lead to curling and even falling of the leaves. If excessive watering occurs, it can lead to waterlogging in the pot, root and stem rot, and plant death.
4. Temperature
Fittonia prefers warm temperatures and is not cold-resistant. The optimal temperature range for Fittonia growth is 18-25 degrees Celsius. When the temperature in winter drops below 12 degrees, frost damage may occur. If the temperature drops below 8 degrees, the plant may stop growing or even die. Therefore, measures should be taken to insulate the plant in winter.
5. Fertilization
Fittonia enjoys fertilizer, which can promote plant growth. When fertilizing, follow the principle of frequent application of thin fertilizer and avoid using thick or raw fertilizer. Instead, use diluted compound fertilizer, with nitrogen as the main component.
6. Propagation
The main method of propagation for Fittonia is cutting. Choose a healthy and robust branch, cut about 10 centimeters, remove the bottom leaves, and then insert it directly into the prepared potting soil. It will root in about 1-2 weeks, and after a month, it can be transplanted into a pot for normal care.
II. Precautions
1. Diseases and Pests
Leaf rot and root rot are the main diseases of Fittonia, while red spiders and snails are the main pests. For leaf rot, you can spray the plant with carbendazim. For root rot, you can soak the plant's roots in a diluted streptomycin solution to kill the bacteria. For red spiders, you can spray the plant with diluted dimethoate, while for snails, manual pest control methods are mainly used.
2. Pruning
Regular pruning is required for Fittonia, mainly to pinch the tips and remove the top growth. When Fittonia grows too vigorously, with long branches and excessive height, the top branches should be cut short to promote branching and more luxuriant growth.
3. Repotting
Fittonia should be repotted regularly to avoid malnutrition and soil compaction, which can affect plant growth. When repotting, care should be taken not to damage the roots, and soil and fertilizer should be separated to prevent root burns. After repotting, water the plant and then it can be planted.
The above sharing on how to cultivate Fittonia and detailed maintenance knowledge is hoped to be helpful to you. Don't forget to check out more experience and common sense!