Achimenes --- The beginning of the campaign - Part I

Achimenes 'DOT' - Hybrid from Romania

Achimenes --- The beginning of the campaign.  Part I

 

            Will Achimenes (Ah-KIM-en-eez) become a major new commercial crop?

 

            No one knows anything about this flowering houseplant that can go out into your shady patio planters.

 

            When these flowering shade plants start showing up in your garden center, will you buy one?

 

            They will be premium priced like other new products.  But new is fun, so try one.

 

            So where to put it?

 

            Achimenes can be grown as houseplants at bright windows or under fluorescent lights.  Hobby growers start their Achimenes by planting their rhizomes, harvested from last year’s pot.  Rhizomes can be planted 1” -2” from the surface, watered, grown in warm, high light.  When you have 2-3 pair of leaves, pinch (cut the top off) to cause branching.  Continue high light until buds and flowers.

 

            But if you buy a finished pot at the garden center, this has already been done for you.

 

            Your flowering pot can be inside for decoration until warm weather of Spring and then moved out into your patio planters.

 

            Achimenes prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.  The leaves will burn if put in full sun.  It’s not like a Geranium, it’s more like an Impatiens.