NEMANTHUS HOUSE

Nematanthus photo

Bought a nematanthus last fall. Immediately transplanted into universal soil, adding vermiculite, ash and drainage from coconut fiber. I put it on the east window sill. The plant has been sitting in one place for a long time., then it went up, but started to stretch. What conditions and care do nematanthus need?

Jeanne

In care, the nematanthus is close to its related Saintpaulia.

Afraid of cold drafts and dry air.

demanding on lighting, half a day needs a very good. However, burns are possible on the southern windowsill, and in the north there will not be enough light, therefore it is optimal to keep on the east or west. If there is a lack of lighting, there will be no flowering., and the shoots will stretch out a lot. To keep this from happening, in winter, the temperature of the content is reduced to +15 city, (stimulates flowering in spring) or illuminated with phytolamps.

Nematanthus at home

In summer, the plant is comfortable with +20-25 city, afternoon, down to +15 city, at night.

Water the nematanthus after the top layer of soil dries out., reducing frequency and abundance when kept cool in winter.

Feed during the period of active growth with complex mineral fertilizer for indoor species.

You don't need a big pot to transplant., the plant develops better and blooms in close quarters. And do not add ash to the substrate (does not tolerate alkalization of the soil).

The buds are laid in the axils of the leaves on young shoots.. If you need to cut long branches, do it after the end of flowering.

NEMANTUS ON VIDEO

© Author: Natalia SEMENOVA, biologist, collector