ACHIMENES (Hot Water Plant or Cupids Bower)       GESNERIACAEA
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 Type -TUBER    Flower Colour -VARIED    Minimum Temp 55°F  13°C
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 Average sized plants which are ideal for hanging baskets,for the stems are
 weak and need support if they are to be grown normally.
           Flowering period is June to October,pinch out the growing points
 occasionally to make bushier plants.
 The plants are grown from small tubers in Spring.Plant 1 inch apart and 1½
 
 inches deep in a 5 inch pot.Keep at 60°F 16°C,and water with warm or tepid
 water.AS the plants start to grow,shade from direct sunshine,but in a well
 lit position,a North window is ok.
           After flowering is over,stop watering and when the foliage has
 died,cut back the stems and keep the pots dry during the Winter.Repot in
 Spring and repeat as above.Propagation can be by seed or cuttings.
           Sow seed on previously watered compost in March in a temperature
of 75°F 24°C.If pot or pan needs rewatering then water from the bottom by
standing pot in a bowl filled with 1 inch of warm water,at no time let the
surface of the compost dry out or seeds may fail to germinate.
          Cuttings are taken in April from new shoots.See PROPAGATION on
 MENU page. --- END.