Achimenes originate from Central and South America, and are related to African Violets and Gloxinias and are mainly grown as summer-flowering house or greenhouse plants.
The common name; ‘Hot Water Plants’ is thought to be derived from the idea that plunging the entire pot into hot water, (not boiling), promotes flowering.
There are many varieties of Achimenes with flower colours ranging white, yellow, scarlet, salmon, pink, blue, lavender, or purple, and bloom from late spring to autumn.
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They have a prostrate growth habit which is topped with a profusion of 25-75mm (1”-3”) diameter funnel-shaped flowers that resemble pansies or petunias.
They prefer daytime temperatures of around 24°C (75º F) and night temperatures of 16°-21°C (60º - 70º F) and should never be allowed to go below 10°C (50º F).
Grow them in indirect light and or sunlit conditions that is humid and draughtproof.
The pots should contain well drained, humus rich potting compost.
Keep the compost moist and fertilise fortnightly during the growing season.
Allow the compost to dry out slightly between waterings, and provide a high-potash feed to keep plants flowering.
Pinch out tips as necessary to induce bushy habit.
Keep a watchful eye open for signs of aphids and Red Spider mites and treat accordingly.
When the flowers begin to fade, reduce watering, and this will cause the plants to go dormant and begin to form tubers.
Once the leaves have fallen, the fragile tubers can be gathered and saved for replanting the following season.
Store the tubers at around 10°-21°C (50º- 70º F) in boxes/pots sphagnum moss, or vermiculite.
Alternatively; leave them in their existing pots and store at around 10°-21°C (50º- 70º F) for dividing the following season.
Cultivation;
Week 6; Sow seeds in a fine well drained seed compost and grow on at a temperature of around 21°-24°C (70°-75º F)
Week 11; Re-pot up the tubers in pots of well-drained, humus-rich potting compost, and start into growth in a heated propagator or warm room indoors.
Increase stock by removing the root ball from the pot, then tease out the tubercles (these resemble small white fleshy catkins) and divide the plants
Space out tubers, say 6 to a 150mm (6”) pot and cover with 25mm (1”) of compost.
Maintain a minimum temperature of 16°C (60°F) and water cautiously until growth gets underway.
Week 27; Take tip cuttings of young shoots.
