Achimenes (Magic-Flower)

Temperature:
60-65 F

If you have a spot in the greenhouse that will maintain a 60 F night temperature, try a few of these unusual-looking rhizomes, scaly enough to be mistaken for elongated pine cones. They are so prolific that even a single separated scale will produce a new plant. They are also propagated in spring by stem cuttings planted in damp sphagnum moss. The rhizomes may be planted any time from February to May in damp sphagnum moss or vermiculite.

As soon as plants are large enough to handle, transfer to pots containing a soil mixture of equal parts sand, garden loam, and peatmoss or leafmold. Several plants to a bulb-pan make an interesting display, and the trailing species and hybrids are magnificent basket plants. Achimenes like a little sun in spring, bright shade in summer, and benefit from twice-monthly feedings. When blooming shows signs of tapering off, usually in October, hold back on the water and allow plants to finish their growing cycle. When growth ceases, remove the rhizomes (you will find they have multiplied prodigiously) from the pots or baskets, clean them off, and store in dry sand or vermiculite in a temperature of about 50 F until spring, when they can again be potted.

Flowers will appear all summer in shades of pink, red, orange, white, and shades of blue to purple, if plantings are staggered. Warning: regardless of their stage of growth, achimenes will go into dormancy if the planting medium dries out just once, so keep the soil evenly moist but well drained.