Achimenes grow and care – herbaceous rhizome of the genus Achimenes also known as Magic flowers or Orchid Pansy, Achimenes perennial evergreen plant or deciduous in hardiness zone 8-10a, used as ornamental plant, can grow in tropic, subtropical or mediterranean or temperate climate and growing in hardiness zone 8+, in colder hardiness zone it’s possible also to grow but take care of the rhizomes by take them in the autumn and plant them in the spring.
Leaves color green light to dark, in oval to elliptic shape, margin can be serrated.
How to grow Achimenes – Orchid Pansy growing and care:
Moist soil, rich soil
How to care:
Fertilize at least once a year, add organic matter and humus, in the winter better to add mulch especially in cold area under 10a, if not might not survive
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed (explanation bellow) / Rhizomes (bulbs) when start by rhizomes better to plant in the spring) / Vegetative reproduction
How to propagate: Propagation by cutting use peat soil, root growth hormone, keep high humidity and moist soil
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No, but it can ensure the color of the flowers, and it’s easier to start by rhizomes than seeds
Difficulties or problems when growing: ?
Planting season: Spring in hardiness zone 4-8 and don’t forget to pull out in the autumn the rhizomes, when plant rhizomes it’s only in the spring, plants spring to summer in hardiness zone 8-10a, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 10b-11, all year in hardiness zone 12+
Pests and diseases: Aphids
Pruning season: Autumn / Winter
How to prune: Just for design
Size of the plant? 30-45cm, 12-18 inches.
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing / Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water (do not overwater sensitive to puddle)
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun / Half Shade
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, when growing in container need to take at least 12L but better bigger, every few years need to switch the soil better to use potting mix or peat soil possible with little perlite, the soil need to be well ventilated and rich soil, put organic matter and humus, except this better to fertilize 1-2 times a year.
Blooming information
Bloom season? Spring / Summer / Autumn
General information about the flower: Trumpet shape in colors purple, red, pink, orange, white or mix
How to Achimenes plant from seeds
Sowing requirement: Day and night is important for the plant to germinate at least 12 hours day and night, a lot of light without direct sun
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark location
Sowing season: Spring
How to plant: Light soil better vermiculite
Planting spacing: 3*5cm (1.3-2 inches) and need to transplant it when it’s arrive to above than 5 leaves
Depth of Sowing: ~1cm (0.5 inch)
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil, at least 25C (77F), high humidity
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water
Germination time: 20-30 days
Condition of seedling: Moist soil and above 25C (77F) for at least 2 month
Cultivars
Achimenes grandiflora – The leaves are hairy and dark green. Flowers color is reddish-purple. Blooming period is from summer to late autumn. When mature, the plant can reach 60cm (24 inches).
Achimenes longiflora – The leaves are bright to dark green. Flowers come in a wide variety of colors like blue, purple, pink, white, red and yellow.
Achimenes erecta – bright red-orange flowers in a trumpet-shaped with a dark green foliage. When mature, the plant can reach 60cm (24 inches).
