| Description: |
Evergreen perennials with leathery rounded leaves in clumps. The flower sprays stand above the foliage. |
| Environment: |
Suitable only for a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
2 parts garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite and 1 part peat.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist but reduce watering during the winter months. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to thrips. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Division and seeds
in the spring.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while.
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