Achimenes - care and cultivation, propagation, varieties and names

Ornamental indoor achimenes are profusely flowering plants from the Gesneriaceae family, and can be grown indoors if certain care guidelines are followed. Maintaining the proper lighting, watering, temperature, and humidity levels helps prevent most diseases. Particular attention should be paid to pest prevention. Many gardeners will also be interested to learn about the various methods for propagating achimenes: there are many, each with varying effectiveness, but all are worth considering.

Characteristics of the Achimenes indoor plant

According to various sources, the Achimenes genus includes between 25 and 50 species, represented by numerous distinct cultivars. However, they also share some common characteristics.

General features

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of these perennial herbaceous plants is their underground, scaly rhizome, which resembles a cone. It is in these cones that achimenes accumulate nutrients, as the aboveground portion dies off in winter, and new shoots emerge from the rhizomes after the dormant period. The stems are slender, pubescent, and sparsely branched, and can be erect or drooping.

The leaf blades are entire, arranged oppositely, thin, glossy, and sometimes pubescent, with a serrated margin. The coloration ranges from dark green to purple, depending on the variety. Large (up to 5 cm), solitary or clustered axillary flowers of vibrant color have a narrow, short, five-lobed calyx. They can be variegated, with various inclusions and stripes. The corolla, with a long, graceful tube, is dramatically reflexed and spreading.

Names and descriptions of varieties

Flower lovers will be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of achimenes. Below are the names of the most interesting varieties, along with photos and brief descriptions:

1. Chiapas has juicy light purple flowers with a wavy edge.

   

2. Major variety has a largewith bright flowers (up to 8 cm in diameter), standing out from other representatives of the genus.

   

3. Haage also has large flowers, but its main feature is its rich purple throat.

   

4. Juaregia variety, as mentionedThe above-mentioned variety belongs to the longiflorum family. Its snow-white petals are elegantly complemented by a lilac spot at the top of the throat.

   

5. Those who appreciate brighter colors will appreciate the juicy lemon-yellow Clouded Yellow variety, with dark brown speckles in the throat of its medium-sized (3-4 cm) flowers. It's often chosen for its light, sweet aroma.

   

6. Among the terry varieties, it is worth noting the fruit of the labor of breeder Serge Salibe – the delicate lilac Blue Temptation.

   

7. And we can’t ignore the yellowish Blueberry Lemon with purple streaks.

   

8. The hybrid variety Little Beauty with carmine-pink flowers is popular.

   

Secrets of caring for Achimenes at home

Achimenes is not very capricious, but its owners, of course, have special agricultural requirements.

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Lighting

The plant is considered a sun-loving plant. Each achimenes variety has its own light requirements, so the brightness and intensity of the light should be adjusted accordingly. Those with dark leaves require more light than those with variegated leaves. All varieties should be protected from direct sunlight and shaded at midday to prevent sunburn.

Young plants that haven't yet bloomed thrive near south-facing windows, provided they're carefully placed. Once they begin blooming, they should be moved to a less sunny spot. It's important to monitor the condition of the stems: if they stretch and lose their foliage, they're not receiving enough light.

Temperature and humidity

During active growth and development (from spring to fall), achimenes should be kept at a comfortable temperature of 22-24°C. Provided there are no significant temperature fluctuations, the plant can be safely kept outdoors.

This tropical plant prefers high humidity (at least 60%). However, it should be achieved not by misting (this can cause spots on the downy leaves), but by submerging the container in a tray filled with moistened expanded clay or moss. Placing it next to an aquarium or other aquatic plants (such as cyperus) will also help.

Watering and fertilizing

During active growth and flowering, achimenes require regular and abundant watering with warm (room temperature or slightly warmer) and soft water. Moisture should not stagnate in the pot. Water in the tray should also not linger for long, otherwise the roots will rot. Watering the leaves and flowers is contraindicated. Once flowering ends, watering requirements decrease. After the leaves have dried, the soil can be moistened 1-2 times every 30 days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfEnltagU5Q

Twice a month during the growing season the plant needs to be fed. PA standard complex fertilizer used for decorative flowering houseplants is suitable. For example, Fertika Lux, formerly Kemira Lux. After awakening and repotting the achimenes, wait 40-45 days before repotting.

Care during the flowering period

During the budding and flowering periods, drought is especially important. Watering should be regular but moderate. Overdried soil slows shoot growth and causes flowers to wilt. Dying flowers should be removed. This will stimulate the formation of new buds. Fertilizers should be high in potassium and phosphorus.

The quality of flowering, which lasts from late spring to mid-autumn, is also influenced by the quality and quantity of light. The more diffused light, the more luxuriant the achimenes flowers will appear. Protect from direct sunlight. Avoid sudden (even short-term) drops in temperature. Spreading and vigorous bushes require support.

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Pruning and pinching

Pinching is done to achieve abundant flowering. Preferably with nail scissors, when the young shoots have formed 2-3 pairs of leaves. Pinch off the tops of each shoot, and when the shoots emerging from the pinch point reach 2-3 cm, it's recommended to remove the growing point again. Dormant buds will actively grow from the axils to replace them. Three such procedures, spaced two weeks apart, are sufficient to form a beautiful and neat bush.

If the time for pinching has passed, formative pruning can be performed, but only before flowering. This involves cutting the cutting back to the pair of leaves expected to produce replacement shoots. The removed parts can be used for propagation.

Preparing for winter

In autumn, daylight hours gradually decrease, and so does the plant's flowering, preparing for a dormant period. In September, watering and fertilizing should be minimized, and in October (when the foliage begins to dry out), stop altogether. Don't rush pruning. The foliage should dry completely, and the rhizomes should mature and absorb the necessary nutrients. Only then can the above-ground portion be completely cut off and the container with soil and rhizome placed in a cool, dark (16-18°C) location where watering will not be necessary.

Diseases and pests

Improper care leads to various problems:

1. Using cold, unsettled water and keeping plants in a drafty, sunny location can cause ringspot (light spots that later turn brown). These problems should be avoided.
2. To prevent chlorosis (yellowing of the interveinal areas of leaf blades or entire leaves), you need to replenish the plant's need for iron and avoid watering with hard water.
3. Excessive soil and air moisture, low temperatures, and sudden temperature fluctuations can lead to gray mold. This causes leaves to turn brown and die, appearing as a gray coating. Damaged areas should be removed and watering should be temporarily discontinued. Oxychom, Fundazol, and other fungicides can help eliminate phytopathogenic fungi.

   

4. The plant can be attacked by spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Spraying the plant at least twice, with a week's interval, with products such as Fitoverm, Actellic, Akarin, and Neoron will help get rid of the mites. Confidor, Mospilan, and Actellic are best for thrips. Watering the plant with Aktara will help control aphids. All control products should be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Propagation of Achimenes and growing at home

Each method is applicable at a specific stage of the plant's development—for example, cuttings are taken shortly before flowering, and rhizome scales are removed in early spring. To achieve the best results, you can try several propagation methods at your own discretion.

Cuttings

Cuttings are carried out before flowering begins:

1. Use a sharp, disinfected tool to cut the apical cutting from a new shoot and place it in a mixture of moistened sand and leaf mold to root. Cuttings root well in peat pellets.
2. Then cover with transparent material.

   

3. The greenhouse should be ventilated periodically and the soil moisture should be monitored.
4. The first tuber-like formations should appear in a couple of weeks, and after half a month, the young achimenes can be transplanted into a permanent, individual container.

Leaf

The procedure is also carried out before flowering:

1. Carefully cut a leaf from a plant or from a cutting, which is also used for rooting, using sharp pruning shears.
2. Soak in warm, soft water and place in a bright, warm place.
3. When roots appear, the leaf should be provided with the same conditions (soil mixture and greenhouse) and care as the cuttings.

   

4. During the first year, the leaf will focus all its energy on developing its root system and rhizomes. It shouldn't be disturbed until spring, after which it can be transplanted into a larger container. If everything is done correctly, it will delight you with its blooms in the summer.

With scales of rhizomes

Propagation by rhizome scales is a traditional method, as it is the easiest and simplest:

1. In the first month of spring, the rhizome should be removed from the soil, divided into scales, and distributed over the surface of a moisture- and air-permeable substrate.
2. Cover with a small layer (no more than 1 cm) of the same substrate.

   

3. Next, you need to create greenhouse conditions and maintain a moderately moist soil.
4. It won't be long before the seedlings emerge. Once they're stronger, they can be transplanted into new pots.

From seeds

Growing from seed is used primarily by breeders to produce elegant hybrid forms. Those interested can experiment:

1. During flowering, it is necessary to carry out artificial pollination with a brush.
2. After the flowering phase is complete, green capsules will remain.
3. In two months, the small seeds will fill out and ripen. They are best sown in February or March. The seeds should be evenly distributed over a mixture of sand and leaf mold, not sprinkled with anything on top, but simply moistened with a spray bottle.

   

4. It must be kept in a warm place at a temperature of 22-24 °C, regularly ventilating the greenhouse.
5. Watering should be exclusively bottom watering.
6. Seedlings can be expected in 15-20 days. Additional lighting without overheating will be required, and as they grow, they will need to be pruned (at least three times in the spring).
7. After 2 months, plants grown from seeds can be placed in separate pots.

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Peduncles

The plant's resilience allows it to be propagated even by flower stalks, and quite effectively:

1. To do this, place fresh flowers with their stems in a small container of warm, soft water. Then wait for the roots to form.
2. When they appear, the flower fragment of the plant must be planted in a light soil mixture and cared for like young achimenes.

   

3. The roots will quickly develop rhizomes, which will become the basis for the plant's development. With this method, flowering should be expected within a couple of years.

By dividing the roots

A simple method that is best used between the end of February and April:

1. You need to remove the rhizomes from the old flower container and clean them carefully.
2. Manually divide and plant the pieces into individual pots.
3. After this, the roots will quickly grow, gain foliage, and in just four months will be able to delight the gardener with beautiful flowers. This will require appropriate growing conditions for the young seedling, which are no different from those described above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f1Gs_2INNo

Frequently asked questions about growing indoor flowers

Readers are primarily interested in propagation by rhizomes. But flowering itself, or rather the lack thereof, also worries gardeners:

With this information about achimenes and their preferences in mind, you can enthusiastically begin growing these amazing houseplants. They are diverse, graceful, easy to propagate, and yet low-maintenance: moisture without overwatering, bright light without overheating, and pest control are key to healthy plant growth.