Goldfish are in the columnea family and come from the tropical areas of Central and South America. This vining plant has unusually-shaped blooms in reds, yellows, and oranges that make for a lovely hanging basket. Goldfish have a reputation for being fussy plants, but a little care to give them enough indirect light and not too much water goes a long way to help these exotic plants thrive.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Goldfish, we recommend using a balanced fertilizer on a constant feed program of 150 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.5 - 6.5. Be careful not to over-water or these plants will succumb to root rot.
Pinching
We recommend that you pinch Goldfish Hybrid Assorted 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Additional pinching may be necessary for the final shape of the pot.
Spacing
Goldfish should be spaced adequately to allow airflow and light penetration between the foliage. Usually 2’ centers on baskets will be enough.
Height Control
We do not recommend plant growth regulators for Goldfish. Control growth through proper pinching.
Pests
Aphids, mealybugs, and thrips are the primary pests attracted to Goldfish.
Disease
Goldfish Hybrid Assorted are subject to root rot. Use a well-drained soil and avoid over-watering. Water in the morning to allow plants all day to dry out before the cool of evening returns.
Watch for botrytis while the days are short. This grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Goldfish Hybrid Assorted Liners
- We recommend planting 5 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4” pots, 3 plants per pot should be sufficient. Plant them in a triangle in the middle of your pot.
- Pinch Goldfish Hybrid Assorted 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Additional pinches may be required to shape your final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Goldfish Hybrid Assorted Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 4-6 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | 8-10 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Constant |
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| Color | Varied |
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| Habit | Cascading/Trailing |
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| Height | 8 Inches |
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| Light | Bright Indirect/Filtered |
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| Minimum Temp | 60 |
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| Perennial Zone | 10 |
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| Water Needs | Light-Moderate |
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