Cultivation methods and precautions of net-grass

Reticulate nettle is a plant of the genus Reticulate nettle of the family Acanthaceae in the order Tubulariaceae. It is native to tropical South America and is often grown on balconies, bedrooms and windowsills for decoration and appreciation. Here we talk about the cultivation methods and precautions of Reticulate nettle.

1. Soil selection

It is best to use loose, fertile soil with good air permeability and drainage to maintain spider grass. You can mix garden soil, medium-coarse river sand and sawdust (vegetable residue) in a ratio of 4:1:2.

2. Light and temperature management

Net-veined grass likes warmth and is not cold-resistant. The suitable temperature for its growth is 18-25℃. Therefore, when the temperature is low in winter, it is best to move it indoors for maintenance. In terms of lighting, spiderwort prefers a bright, diffused light environment and should avoid direct sunlight. When cultivated indoors, it is best to place it next to a sunny window.

3. Watering method

Net-veined grass is a moisture-loving, negative plant that has a great demand for water. We must adhere to the watering principle of "better wet than dry", especially in spring and summer, we must water it more often, but the amount of watering should be appropriate, not too much, so as not to cause root rot. In addition, when watering, you can generally just water along the edge of the pot, and newly potted plants can be watered thoroughly to help them acclimate faster.

4. Reasonable fertilization

Fertilizing spider grass should follow the principle of applying thin fertilizers frequently, and it is not advisable to apply concentrated fertilizers. Generally, you can fertilize once a month, and give a little compound fertilizer or thin liquid fertilizer each time. When applying fertilizer, avoid getting the fertilizer on the leaves, and be careful to avoid applying fertilizer during the high temperatures at noon.

5. Reproduction method

When propagating spiderwort, you can cut cuttings about 10 cm long from the creeping stems growing out of the pot. Generally, leave 3-4 stem nodes, remove the lower leaves, and insert them into the sand bed after drying slightly. Keep the soil temperature between 24-30℃. Generally, the seeds will take root 7-14 days after planting and can be transplanted into pots after 1 month.

6. Notes

(1) When caring for spiderwort, if the indoor humidity and temperature do not meet the requirements, you can put a plastic bag over the spiderwort to achieve the effect of heat preservation and moisture retention.

(2) Net grass should be pruned regularly, mainly to top the plants.

(3) When maintaining the plant indoors, attention should be paid to ventilation, but the invasion of cold wind should be avoided. If individual leaves fall, they should be cleaned up at any time to reduce the incidence of diseases and insect pests.

(4) Pay attention to the prevention and control of leaf rot, root rot, as well as scale insects, snails , red spiders and other pests and diseases.

(5) Net-veined spiderwort usually needs to be repotted every 1-2 years, usually in spring and autumn.

In general, it is relatively easy to grow spider grass. It has a strong adaptability to the environment and grows quickly. Basically, if you do the above maintenance work well, it will not be a problem to achieve a blooming pot.