Nematanthus (or hypocyrta) - a plant with coin leaves and fish flowers at home

Botanical description of the hypocyrt plant

The genus Nematanthus includes 6 species. Among them are epiphytic and semi-epiphytic vines, as well as shrubs and subshrubs.

Based on the botanical description of the hypocyrt, the stems of these plants are thin, flexible, in young specimens they are straight, in older specimens they are creeping, because over time they become very long and bend under their own weight.

The leaves are arranged oppositely along the entire length of the stem. The leaf blades are dense, fleshy, oval or elliptical, smooth, shiny. The leaves are dark green on top, and violet, red, purple on the reverse side. Aerial roots and inflorescences form in the leaf axils.

The leaves of some species have pubescence, and it is denser; if the bush grows in partial shade and shade, in the sun the leaf plates do not acquire hair.

The peduncles of representatives of this genus can be long or short, depending on the species. The flowers are tubular, 4–5 cm long. The corolla is rich yellow, red, pink, purple or orange. The petals are fused inside, the edges at the base are bent. Due to these features, the flower has a specific shape. This plant begins to bloom in March-April, flowering lasts until September, sometimes longer. In bright light it can bloom in winter.

At home, nematanthus is grown in hanging pots and flowerpots as an hanging plant. Both young and mature overgrown bushes look very impressive, so this crop is considered one of the most popular among connoisseurs of indoor plants.

How impressive and extraordinary the indoor hypocyrtus flower (nematanthus) looks can be seen in the photo below, where you can see the unusual buds and beautiful foliage:

About the name of the plant

Nematanthus, as noted above, is a genus of the Gesneriaceae family. The latter includes 28 plant species. The flower owes its name to the German doctor of medicine and professor of botany Heinrich Adolf von Schröder, who created the word “nematanthus,” meaning “flower on a thin peduncle.” And it is called “Goldfish” due to the similarity of the shape and shade of the plant’s flower.

Today, the genus Nematanthus and the genus Hypocyrtus are combined, so it can rightfully be called by a second name. The plant has been known in cultivation since 1846.

Description

The leaves of the indoor flower "Goldfish" are slightly pubescent, opposite, elliptical, shiny, small, dark green. Young stems are usually erect, but begin to bend and droop from the weight of the leaves.

The axillary inflorescences of nematanthus have short peduncles. The tubular-shaped flowers are waxy and have a length of about 5 cm. The corolla has a red, pink, dark purple or orange color. The stems are creeping, covered with fleshy, glossy, small leaves. Nematanthus blooms abundantly and for a long time - from spring to autumn. The plant is cultivated as a hanging plant - in hanging baskets or flowerpots.

Very unusual flowers in color and shape are similar to small bright aquarium fish. Thanks to such flowering, nemananthus is usually called the “Goldfish” flower (photo presented in the article).

Nematanthus tropicalis

Nemantanthus tropicalis or tropicana is a tall plant with a thin, highly branched stem. The leaves on the shoots are located opposite. They have an oval shape. The edge is slightly pointed. The leaves have an attractive glossy sheen.

During flowering, small flowers bloom on the plant. They have an unusual color. Golden stripes stand out against a pleasant orange-yellow background.

Variety of species

In the Nematanthus genus, botanists count 28 species, approximately 7–8 of them grow in the flower beds of amateur plant growers around the world.

• Nematanthus Gregarius is perhaps the most spectacular and is therefore most often cultivated by flower lovers. It is he who is known by his second name - “Goldfish”. This species of Nematanthus has thick, dark green leaves and bright red-orange flowers that actually resemble aquarium fish. There are several varieties of Gregarius, the most famous being the Australian subspecies. It looks best in wall or hanging pots: with this type of cultivation, it does not need to cut off its shoots, let its vines flow beautifully. This is a spectacle for true exotic lovers.
• The Wetstein species is also very common. It produces many liana-like shoots up to 90 cm long. The leaves of this plant are small, oval in shape. Their surface is glossy waxy, the color is rich dark green. The flowers are tubular, yellow, orange-red, slightly swollen, up to 2.5 cm long. They look magical against the background of dark green foliage. Like other members of the genus, Nematanthus Wetstein blooms continuously from spring to mid-autumn.
• Fritsch's view. Less common than the previous two, but still well known. Nematanthus Fritsch is a relatively large, beautiful species with fairly large leaves that have a slight edge on the underside. Nematanthus Fritsch forms bushes up to 60 cm tall. Its flowers are gracefully curved, bright pink, and shaped like a funnel.
• Nematanthus finely bristle is a small bush 20–25 cm high, producing straight ascending shoots that are quite branched. The leaves of this type of nematanthus are oval, shiny, small, single or collected in threes. The flowers are tubular with a spherical swelling, with a corolla that has a slight bend. The color of the buds is bright yellow-orange, classic for the Nematanthus genus.
• Nematanthus locustus belongs to the type of climbing subshrubs. Its leaves are light green and large, reaching a length of 7–10 cm. The pedicels are equally long, with single red flowers, strongly swollen on the tube.
• Prirechny view. This is also a very graceful climbing plant. The leaves of Nematanthus riverine are large, ellipsoid, about 10 cm long, their reverse side is purple. The flowers are lemon yellow, up to 5 cm long. The flower's throat, unlike most nematanthus, is unfolded, the tube is pubescent on the outside.
• Nematanthus Tropicana stands out from other nematanthus with large, pitcher-shaped flowers. In the lower part they are swollen, their color is yellow-orange, bright. Stripes of red-brown and golden-burgundy color stand out noticeably on the buds. The bracts are red-orange. The inflorescences are incredibly beautiful. The underside of the dark green, dense, glossy Tropicana leaves has a reddish tint. The shape of the leaves is oval, pointed. The shoots are erect, but over time they droop and branch. The Nematanthus Tropicana species is very popular among plant growers because it blooms profusely and effectively for a long time.
• The unique species of Nematanthus Santa Teresa is considered to be less common, but it cannot be confused with others due to its striking large flowers. They reach 5 cm in length, are white or cream in color and are abundantly dotted with yellow dots and spots. The shape is tubular, the pubescence is weak. The flowers emit a delightful aroma reminiscent of zest and olive oil. The throats of Nematanthus Santa Teresa flowers, unlike other species, are wide open to attract insects for the purpose of pollination. Large (up to 7 cm) dark green elongated leaves of Nematanthus Santa Teresa have reddish veins and pubescence on the underside. The shoots can reach 70 cm, but during the growth process they droop and branch.
• The variegated (variegated) forms of nematanthus are worth special mention. Such forms of plants arise due to genetic mutations: some leaf cells do not produce chlorophyll, so the leaves acquire light green or white spots. Variegated nematanthus are extremely beautiful.

Types and varieties of “goldfish” for indoor breeding

The genus Nematanthus includes about 30 species.

What types of nematanthus are grown at home?

Several varieties of hypocyrta are grown at home. Nematanthus, namely its character depends on the species. There are only 6 copies that will perfectly complement the flower collection.

Nematanthus tropicana

Hypocyrta with oval leaves. The plate has a sharp tip and a smooth, leathery surface. The structure of the flower is similar to a slightly tilted jug. The corolla is yellow, orange or dirty brown. There are random red or burgundy spots on the tube, as well as a golden stripe.

Gregarius - hypocyrta "goldfish"

The leaves are glossy and smooth. During the flowering period, swollen buds of yellow or red color are formed. If you look at the photo, it will immediately become clear why this variety of nematanthus is compared to goldfish.

Naked hypocyrta

When young, the plant has straight stems. They grow vertically. Mature crops can hardly be called hanging crops, but they can be grown in hanging pots. Leaves are medium sized (up to 4 cm). They are glossy, fleshy, covered with a leathery plate.

Coinfolia Nematanthus

This particular species is a money plant. Hypocyrta has small green leaves, shaped like coins with a crenate edge. Red flowers with a yellow edge appear in spring. The species is grown as an ampelous plant. An important feature of the nematanthus is that it sheds its leaves in the fall as soon as the last buds fade.

The most popular hypocyrt variety is Albus . It is very rare, has green foliage and incredibly beautiful white buds with brown speckles.

Riverine nematanthus

A beautiful variety with stems that develop like a vine. This is a climbing plant, capable of clinging to ledges with its shoots. The leaf blades are ellipsoidal, up to 10 cm long. The reverse side of the blades are painted red or burgundy. During flowering, yellow buds are formed on long flowering stems.

Nematanthus anklet

Epiphytic shrub with an aerial root system. The leaf blades are rounded and light green in color. The leaf is long, up to 10 cm and up to 4 cm wide. Hypocyrta blooms with red single buds. It has long peduncles - up to 10-12 cm.

Nematanthus corticicola

One of the largest representatives of the family. Nematanthus corticicola can reach a height of 1.2 meters. Feels good in partial shade. The stems are quite thin and branched. The leaves of the plant are quite large. Painted dark green. In the wild, it is most often found in eastern Brazil. Likes to hide among trees or in rocky areas.

A distinctive feature of the plant is its large clusters of showy flowers. They hang on long stalks. The size of each flower does not exceed 5 cm. They have an attractive red-scarlet color.

Caring for nematanthus at home

Illumination

In order for the nematanthus to grow and develop within normal limits, it will need bright, diffused lighting, and the daylight hours should be from 12 to 14 hours. When choosing a suitable place for such a flower, preference should be given to window sills located in the western or eastern part of the room. This flower can also be grown on a north-facing window, but it should be taken into account that in the cold season the flower may not have enough light, which can have an extremely negative effect on flowering. If the flower is placed on a southern windowsill, then in summer it will require obligatory shading during the midday hours from the scorching direct rays of the sun, otherwise burns may appear on the surface of the leaves. In winter, the plant needs a lot of bright light just as much as in summer. If sunlight is not enough for the nematanthus, then it can be supplemented by installing, for example, a phytolamp. If the flower is very large, then placing it under a fluorescent lamp will be quite problematic.

Temperature

Throughout the growing season, the flower should be kept warm. It grows best at this time at an air temperature of 19–24 degrees. In winter, the nematanthus has a dormant period, during which the flower should be in a cooler place (from 14 to 16 degrees). The plant tolerates short-term temperature drops normally. However, if the room in which it is located is colder than 13 degrees for a long time, then this will have an extremely negative impact on its decorative effect. If the air temperature in the room drops to 7 degrees, then the foliage will turn brown and fly off. If, on the contrary, it is very hot (27 degrees or more), then this will also negatively affect the development of the flower. The flower responds well to a decrease in air temperature at night by 5–10 degrees.

Watering

In the warm season, during the period of active growth, the nematanthus is watered regularly and abundantly, immediately after the top layer of the soil mixture in the container has dried. With the onset of the dormant period in the cold season, the abundance and frequency of watering must be reduced, especially if the flower is in a cool room. You only need to moisten the soil mixture in a flower pot with well-settled, soft water, the temperature of which should be close to room temperature. If a species is grown with fairly large leaf blades that absorb a larger volume of water, then it is recommended to resort to differentiated watering, and it is necessary to take into account the size of the bush, the size of the foliage and the composition of the soil mixture.

You can understand that the plant does not have enough water by the following signs: small leaf plates fly around, and large leaf plates curl. If the earthen lump is very dry in the pot, then you will need to immerse the bush along with the container in a basin filled with water. After the dried substrate is saturated with water, the pot with nematanthus is pulled out of the basin. If there is a void between the lump of earth and the pot, then it needs to be filled with fresh substrate.

Air humidity

The optimal air humidity level for indoor nematanthus is about 50%. It should be taken into account that the warmer the room, the higher the air humidity level should be and vice versa. If the air temperature in the room is no more than 21 degrees, then the air humidity should be about 50%. At air temperatures up to 27 degrees, the air humidity level must be increased to 60%.

In the spring-summer period, the flower responds well to daily moistening from a sprayer; for this it is recommended to use warm and soft water. During cool wintering, the bush cannot be moistened, but if there is a need to increase the level of air humidity, then take a tray filled with wet pebbles or expanded clay, and place a pot with nematanthus on it.

Top dressing

During the growing season, the plant is fed regularly once every 15 days, using complex mineral fertilizer. In autumn, the flower is fed less often, and in winter, fertilizers are not added to the soil mixture at all.

Flowering and pruning

Nematanthus flowering begins in spring and ends in autumn. However, if the flower receives enough light in winter, it may begin to bloom. This plant differs from many others grown indoors in that its flowers form only on young shoots. In this regard, for lush and spectacular flowering, it is necessary to systematically carry out rejuvenating pruning of the bush. As a rule, the bush is pruned immediately after it has finished flowering. If in winter the flower is not moved to a cool place, then its shoots become very elongated. In this case, another pruning will be required in early spring in order to shorten the stems that are too long.

If the bush is already very old, it may lose its decorative effect. But don't rush to throw it away. Cut off its most powerful shoots and root them like regular cuttings. Thanks to this, instead of one old one, you will have several young and beautiful bushes.

Stimulating nematanthus flowering with formative pruning

Every year, before the dormant period in autumn (October), the nematanthus is pruned to stimulate flowering for the next active period. If the plant overwinters in a warm room, the formation process is postponed until spring. This will heal and rejuvenate the goldfish.

Remove diseased, thin stems. Healthy young shoots are shortened by 1/3, aged ones by half.

Transfer

Nematanthus is replanted in the spring, but only when necessary. When choosing a new pot for replanting, you should take into account that it should be only slightly larger than the old one, since in a container that is too spacious, the bush may not bloom for a long time. So, the new container should be 10–20 mm larger in diameter than the old one.

It is imperative to make a good drainage layer at the bottom of the pot so that there is no stagnation of liquid in the substrate, which must be loose. The soil mixture should be light, loose, well-permeable to water and air, neutral or slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5–6. The approximate composition of a soil mixture suitable for growing nematanthus can be as follows: leaf soil, sand, peat and humus, taken in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. It is recommended to add small pieces of charcoal and sphagnum moss chopped with scissors to the finished substrate.

How and when to replant nematanthus

Nematanthus is a slow growing flower. Young ones are replanted only after 2-3 years, and adults - when the roots come out of the drainage holes. They do this in the spring.

Take a small container, about 2 cm wider than the previous one.

The following substrate options are used:

• soil for violets:
• leaf, peat, sand (1:1:1) with the addition of crushed bark and moss;
• leaf, humus, peat, sand (2:1:1:1), charcoal crumbs.

The container and soil are disinfected (boiled in a water bath or doused with boiling water). Drainage is important (expanded clay, pebbles, vermiculite).

Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method, taking care not to damage the delicate roots. Afterwards, water the plant with warm water, spray it, and place it in the chosen place.

Infrequent repotting, small pot

Nematanthus does not grow very quickly, in this it is also similar to a succulent. It grows rather slowly in the above-ground part and even more slowly in the underground. Therefore, the plant does not need frequent replanting. Even young nematanthus are replanted, or rather replanted, every 2–3 years. By the way, a cramped pot is a stimulus for the formation of buds. The flower itself will signal that it is time to start replanting. The growth from above will be more modest, and the roots will appear in the drainage holes. As a rule, the procedure is carried out in early spring, when the plant is just starting to grow.

The new container for nematanthus should not be overly spacious, only 2–3 cm larger than the old one. Otherwise it will not bloom. In addition, a large pot increases the risk of putrefactive diseases. In a large volume of soil, moisture stagnates longer and parasites settle. And the very tender nematanthus root can become diseased.

Prepare the soil for nematanthus that is loose and airy, slightly acidic or neutral. Approximate composition options:

• ready-made soil for Saintpaulias;
• leaf soil, peat and sand in equal parts, for looseness add crushed pine bark or chopped moss;
• a mixture of two parts of leaf soil and one each of humus, peat and sand with the addition of charcoal crumbs.

High-quality drainage (expanded clay, brick chips, vermiculite, pebbles) is required for nematanthus; it will help prevent moisture from stagnating at the roots. How to replant a fish plant?

1. Take a suitable container with large holes and place a drainage layer at the bottom. Everything needs to be disinfected, boiled, or at least doused with boiling water.
2. Spread sterilized soil on top. Don't compact it too hard; it should remain airy.
3. Remove the nematanthus from the old pot, trying to preserve the earthen lump. Handle the roots very carefully.
4. Protect healthy roots, even small ones, from injury; there is no need to trim them. The root system of nematanthus grows slowly.
5. Place the earthen ball with nematanthus in a new pot. Add some soil. Lightly compact the substrate at the roots. Leave the soil loose.
6. After transplanting, water the plant with warm water, you can spray it.
7. Place the transplanted nematanthus in a permanent place.

For information on how to properly root a hypocyrta cutting and control its survival rate, read the chapter “Reproduction of a fish plant.”

Reproduction of nematanthus, obtaining new fish flowers

Nematanthus is propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Seminal

This method is labor-intensive and time-consuming:

• Prepare a tray and a container with drainage holes, add peat and sand, and moisten it.
• Ripe seed boxes are opened, the latter are poured onto paper, then distributed over the substrate and covered with a transparent material (glass, film).
• Water into a tray and ventilate regularly.
• After the sprouts appear, the shelter is removed.
• After 2 weeks they are picked.
• 3-4 seedlings are placed in one pot. Young nematanthus bloom the next year.

Cuttings

After pruning, healthy approximately 10 cm (4-5 nodes) cuttings are rooted in peat, moss, and water.

• The lower sheets are removed, the sections are treated with Zircon or Epin, immersing the planting material 1 cm in the solution.
• The cutting node on which roots are formed is deepened into a rooting container and covered with a glass jar.
• They create +22…+25 °C and light.
• After 2-3 weeks, they are planted in small pots of about 10 cm, 3-4 pieces each.

Flower propagation methods

Hypocyrtha can be grown from seeds or cuttings, or you can buy a seedling in a store.

Growing from seeds

You need to prepare the substrate for the seeds in advance. Before planting, it must be loosened and watered. Nematanthus seeds are very small, resembling dust, so they must be handled very carefully. They are poured out of the seed pod, laid out on the surface of the soil and covered with glass. Then you need to wait a few days until the seeds sprout, and then move the glass a little. The strengthened sprouts are transplanted into pots with 5–6 seedlings in each.

Cuttings

There is a much easier way to grow nematanthus. Propagation by cuttings will help the flower grow much faster. First, the substrate is prepared, then several cuttings 8–10 cm long are cut from an adult plant. Leaves are removed from the lower part of the cutting, and then it is planted in the soil.

Variegated (variegated)

Errors in caring for nematanthus, pests and diseases

When grown in the wrong conditions, nematanthus can get sick and be attacked by insects.

Possible difficulties

Weak flowering or no flowering. The reason for this is poor lighting, lack of nutrients, too dry or cold air, and possibly lack of pruning of the plant.

There are light brown spots on the surface of the leaves. A possible reason is that the water is too cold; it should be warm (20°C) for irrigation.

The plant sheds its leaves. If this happens in the autumn-winter period, then the likely cause is too low a temperature. If in the summer, and the substrate is dry, then the plant suffers from severe drying out of the root ball.

The tips of the leaves dry out and turn yellow. The reason is too high temperature and low humidity.

When the plant is flowering, when spraying, it is necessary to avoid getting large drops of water on the flowers, as they may turn brown and fall off prematurely.

, gray rot appears .

Leaves lose color intensity. There may be several reasons: direct sunlight, too dry air, or overfeeding with fertilizers.

Nematanthus variegated

This type of hypocyrta is distinguished by its double-colored leaves. Their surface can be rich green with a light center or a white border around the edge. They may have veins a couple of tones lighter than the main color.

The flowers of the plant are spherical in shape on a hollow tube. Painted in a pleasant orange color.

Nematanthus has a large number of varieties. Gregarius, riverine and tropical hypocyrta are suitable for home cultivation. With proper care and favorable conditions, the plant will delight you for a long time with its spectacular appearance and vigorous flowering.

Hypocyrta (nematanthus) - folk superstitions

There are folk tales and ancient legends about many flowers and plants. All that is known about nematanthus is that it brings happiness and good luck to its owner. It also purifies the air and decorates the house. If it looks healthy and well-groomed, it lifts the mood of the owners, since bright and unusual nematanthus create an atmosphere of real tropics in the home. That's probably all that can be said about this indoor plant. But if you know more about Nematanthus hypocyrtus than we do, be sure to share your knowledge with us.

Sources

• https://kvetok.ru/komnatnye-rasteniya/nematantus-gipocirta-harakteristika-vidov-uslovija-vyrashhivanija
• https://FB.ru/article/438521/tsvetok-zolotaya-ryibka-opisanie-s-foto-razvedenie-posadka-vyiraschivanie-i-pravila-uhoda
• https://diz-cafe.com/rastenija/nematantus-uhod-v-domashnih-usloviyah-foto.html
• https://cvetochkino.ru/?p=1056
• https://rastenievod.com/nematantus.html
• https://MrDachnik.com/nematantus
• https://flora.dobro-est.com/nematantus-nematanthus-ili-gipotsirta-hypocyrta-opisanie-vidyi-i-uhod-za-nematantusom.html
• https://green-color.ru/2968-nematantus-posadka-vyraschivanie-i-uhod.html

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