CATDOLL : CATDOLL: How to prune and propagate goldfish plants?

Chlorophytum comosum prefers a hot and dark environment. It does not require much light, but has relatively high requirements for nutrients and water. At the same time, the best growth temperature for Chlorophytum comosum is between 18 and 22 degrees. Once this temperature range is missed, it will show obvious symptoms of slow growth. Therefore, if you want to take cuttings, you must do it as soon as possible. If you miss it, you can only wait until next spring.

prune

The leaves at the root of the goldfish spider plant are prone to yellowing. Some are dry and yellow, some are poorly ventilated, and some are overwatered. Regardless of the reason for the yellow leaves, they must be cut off in time. On the one hand, it saves nutrient consumption, and on the other hand, it increases the ventilation performance of the pot surface, which is more conducive to root growth and avoids more yellow leaves. At the same time, timely cutting off the yellow leaves will also improve the ornamental value of the goldfish spider plant, and it is also conducive to our more intuitive observation of the changes in the goldfish spider plant. If there are yellow leaves, it will be clear at a glance, and the cause can be found and solved in time. Like other flowers, the goldfish spider plant will only bloom on strong branches, not on diseased branches and weak branches. So it is best to check after a period of time to see if there are weak branches and diseased branches, and if there are, trim them all. Although the goldfish spider plant has the word "chrysanthemum", it is not as long as the spider plant. After a period of time, the top of the branches will turn black and bald, and will no longer grow. The goldfish spider plant blooms on the tender branches at the top, and it will not bloom when the top becomes bald. Therefore, we should check the top of the branches of the goldfish plant frequently to see if it has stopped growing.

Cuttings

Step 1: Select cuttings

You need to choose healthy cuttings, generally 10 cm. The bottom needs to be cut at a 45-degree angle, and all the excess branches and leaves below are cleaned up. Only 4 tender leaves are left on the top. In addition, try to ensure that the bevel surface is as flat as possible.

Step 2: Choose the cutting method

If you want to use the trimmed branches of the goldfish plant for cuttings, it is best to choose disinfected river sand. This will facilitate drainage and prevent water accumulation, while also keeping it slightly moist at all times. Insert a few small holes in the river sand in advance, and then insert the processed branches into it.

Finally, place them in a cool and ventilated place for maintenance. It is best to keep them at 20 degrees for the fastest rooting. In addition, you can cover them with a transparent plastic bottle, so that even if they are slightly exposed to the sun, they will not be burned, and it can still accelerate photosynthesis and accumulate nutrients. They will take root in 2 weeks.

Step 3: Rooting and Transplanting

When the goldfish spider plant grows strong roots, it can be transplanted into a loose, breathable, fertile soil environment. It needs to be placed in a position where it can receive scattered light. After the first week of acclimatization, it can be exposed to more light day by day.

Subsequent maintenance

The main thing to care for the goldfish spider plant is to pay attention to timely topdressing to meet the plant's nutrient needs for growth. At the same time, you should also pay attention to regular pinching to remove the top advantage, make the plant fuller and rounder, and at the same time, you should prune the long branches from time to time to reduce unnecessary waste of resources, so that the seedlings can bloom in more than one year of maintenance.

Chlorophytum comosum is relatively resistant to pruning, and it is also necessary to prune it regularly. If you want it to sprout new branches quickly, grow luxuriantly and bloom more, pruning is necessary, and it needs to be done more frequently. Every spring is the peak growth season for flowers and plants. For Chlorophytum comosum, it is recommended to prune it every 10 days.

Since it remains evergreen all year round, as long as the maintenance environment is suitable, it can keep growing, either fast or slow. But in terms of time, it is best to prune it in spring. It can be pruned appropriately in summer and autumn, but not in winter. Because the temperature is low in winter, the plant is easily affected by the low temperature and stops growing.

If pruning is really necessary in winter, it is usually only suitable to prune those branches that are messy and easily destroy the beauty of the plant. Even if pruning is done, it is not advisable to prune too much. In addition, some methods and precautions need to be mastered during pruning.

1. Cutting time

Goldfish Chlorophytum can take root better in a warm environment, with a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees. From the temperature point of view, the best time for cuttings is spring or autumn. Spring is between March and April, and autumn is between September and October. The specific time selection depends on the climate and temperature of the area.

2. Handling cuttings

You must choose strong cuttings for cuttings of goldfish spider plants, which are generally one-year-old, highly active and conducive to rooting. The cuttings do not need to be too bad, about 10 cm. Cut the wound obliquely and cut off the leaves above, leaving only the top four leaves, to reduce water and nutrient consumption.

3. Prepare the matrix

The substrate used for cuttings should be soft and well-ventilated, and should be prepared in advance. When preparing, you can mix perlite, vermiculite, and peat soil. After preparation, disinfection and sterilization should be done to ensure that it is sterile, non-toxic, and free of insect eggs before use.

4. Inserting the seeds into the soil

When cutting, you need to control the depth very well. First, dip the rooting powder at the bottom of the cutting, and then bury it in the soil, about 3 cm deep. After inserting, compact the surrounding soil, water it thoroughly, and make the soil moist. Then put it in a cool environment, control the temperature at about 20 degrees, and wait for it to take root. Transplant and plant it after the root system is stable.

Additional information:

Goldfish Chlorophytum can be propagated by sowing, division and cutting. Because seeds are not easy to obtain, sowing is not used. Generally, cutting is often used for propagation.

Cut branches in spring and autumn, insert them into river sand or vermiculite, maintain a relatively high humidity, and then, when the temperature is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, it will take root and sprout in about a month. After rooting and surviving, the golden jade spider plant should be managed more closely to promote the growth of new branches.

Pruning methods

When the plant is not growing too tall, you can pinch the tops of the branches one by one. This will not only make the plant look good, but also make the branches thicker and more woody, which is good for resisting diseases and supporting the weight of the whole branch. Most importantly, this will increase the number of flowers.

Cutting method

1. Soil preparation: Before cutting, you need to prepare soil that is conducive to rooting. The soil should be loose enough, contain humus, and have good air permeability and drainage. You can mix peat soil, perlite and vermiculite.

2. Cuttings: Select a branch with good growth from the mother plant and cut it off 10cm with scissors. All leaves at the bottom of the branch need to be removed, leaving 3-4 leaves at the top. Cut the base obliquely to help it contact the soil.

3. Cutting: Insert the processed branches upright into the soil, not too deep, 3-4cm is enough. Water it after cutting to maintain a moist environment. When there are white eyes on the cuttings, it means they have survived.

Additional information:

Things to note when pruning:

1. The time of pruning should be controlled well. It should not be too early. Pruning too early will affect the growth of the root system and cause it to grow into weak seedlings. It is not too late to prune when the branches and leaves grow bigger and thicker.

2. After each pruning, the goldfish plant needs to be placed in a sunny place to prevent the new branches and leaves from growing blindly.

3. The time of pruning is mainly determined by the time of flowering and fruiting, and the most important thing is to disinfect and protect the wound after each pruning to prevent infection due to exposed wounds.

Goldfish Chlorophytum should be pruned in time to promote branching and flowering