This plant called Achimenes are related
to the African violet and they are also known as mother’s tears, hot water
plants, cupid’s bow and the more common name of magic flower.
Achimenes is a native Mexican plant
species. This plant is an interesting rhizomatous perennial that really produces
flowers from summer to fall. This plant care is easy. This plant called Achimenes
got his nickname as hot water plants due to the fact that a lot of people think
that if they submerge the entire plant pot in hot water, it will really encourage
blooming. Achimenes is an interesting plant that grows from small rhizomes that
multiply rapidly. Also the foliage is bright to dark green and fuzzy. The flowers
are in funnel-shaped and they come in a wide variety of colors including blue, pink,
white, scarlet, lavender or purple. There flowers are really similar to pansies
or petunias and they hang eloquently down the side of containers, which makes
it an excellent choice for a hanging basket.
Steps on how to grow Achimenes Magic
Flowers
A lot of people grow this pretty
flower mostly as a summer container plant. This plant require temperatures of
at least 50 F. (10 C.) at night and also prefer 60 F. (16 C.). during the day, Achimenes
magic flowers really do best in temperatures in the mid 70s (24 C.). Make sure
you put the plants in bright, indirect light or artificial light. The plant flowers
will fade in the fall and the plant will go into dormancy and produce tubers. Some
of these tubers will grow under the soil and at the nodes on the stems. Immediately
all the leaves have fallen off the plant, you can then gather the tubers to be
planted next year. Make sure you place the tubers in pots or bags of soil or
vermiculite and then store them in temperatures between 50 and 70 F. (10-21
C.). In spring, you can plant the tubers ½-inch to 1-inch deep. The plants will
sprout by early summer and they will form flowers shortly after this. You can use
African violet potting mix for best results.
How to care for Achimenes magic flowers
Like I said earlier, this plants are
easy keepers as long as the soil is kept evenly moist, humidity is high, and
the plant is also given a weekly fertilizer feeding during their growing season. You
can pinch the flower back to keep its shape.
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