How to Care for a Goldfish Plant
The goldfish plant, with its unique flower shape and evergreen characteristic throughout the year, has become a favorite among many plant enthusiasts. To keep this plant with lustrous leaves and vibrant flowers throughout the year, one needs to master scientific care methods. This article systematically sorts out seven key care points from the selection of growing medium to flowering management.
Elementary Environmental Controls
1.1 Soil Preparation Tips
Healthy roots directly affect the quality of flowering. It is recommended to use a triple mix growing medium: peat moss for humus (50% proportion), perlite for improved aeration (30%), and vermiculite for moisture retention (20%). Add bone meal as a base fertilizer when repotting every two years, which can prevent yellowing of leaves.
1.2 Sunlight Control Rules
In spring and autumn, expose to 3 hours of morning sunlight daily, use double-layer shade nets in summer to filter strong sunlight, and in winter, it can be exposed to full sunlight. Regularly rotate the pot to ensure even sunlight exposure and avoid lopsided growth.
Advanced Water and Fertilizer Management Techniques
2.1 Watering Rhythm Control
Keep the soil moisture at 40%-60% during the growing period. Use the bamboo stake test method: insert into the soil for 2 minutes and remove; if there's no sticking, water the plant. During the dormant period in winter, only need to water 1-2 times a month, and the water temperature should be 3℃ higher than the room temperature.
2.2 Nutrition Supply Plan
Apply diluted phosphorus-potassium liquid fertilizer every 15 days from March to September, and add boron element foliar fertilizer during the budding period. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, as it can lead to excessive枝叶 growth without flowering.
Propagation and Styling Secrets
3.1 Cutting Propagation Steps
Choose semi-woody stems, retain 3 nodes (about 8cm), dip the cut ends in rooting powder, and insert them into a perlite medium. Maintain a constant temperature of 25℃ and use a transparent cover to keep the humidity; new roots can be seen in 20 days. It is recommended to operate around the spring equinox, with a success rate of over 85%.
3.2 Pot爆炸 Styling Techniques
Perform 3 pinching treatments during the seedling stage to promote the growth of lateral branches. Use a circular trellis to guide the stems' growth, and after flowering each year, prune 1/3 of the old branches to maintain a compact plant shape.
Through scientific soil mixing, precise light control, and systematic water and fertilizer management, coupled with regular pruning, the goldfish plant can not only be admired for its green leaves throughout the year but also burst into orange-red flowers during the winter and spring seasons. Mastering these care techniques can help even beginners cultivate a beautiful potted plant with both flowers and leaves.