| Description: |
Plant reaching three feet (90cm) in height, flowering with dense clusters of violet-purple blooms late in the year. |
| Environment: |
Suitable only for a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South |
| Soil Type: |
Use a GOOD (a soil that retains water yet drains well) rich potting soil (lime free) will suffice. If you want to mix your own take:
2 parts peat, 1 part coarse sand or perlite
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed monthly spring through fall with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mildew and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Stem cuttings with heel attached
in the spring.
It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the 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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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and prune at any time to maintain size and shape. This plant must be kept cool. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
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