| Description: |
Short-lived small shrubs that give a mass of flowers if grown with enough light. Slipper-like or pouched flowers in dense groups on short plants. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the East |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) (lime free) will suffice. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite and 1 part peat
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 every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer during growth but do not feed during flowering. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to aphids and whitefly. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Stem cuttings and seeds
in the summer.
It is best to propagate any type of cuttings or 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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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Keep away from drafts and discard after flowering. Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). 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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