Achimenes
The genus Achimenes compromises about 25 species mainly distributed in Mexico and Central America. Most species are very easy to grow and reward you with a great display of flowers during the summer and autumn. Aside from the species, a large number of hybrids have been created and grown for a long time. Some of the oldest cultivars being ‘Camille Brozzoni’, ‘Purple King’ and ‘Ambroise Verschaffelt’.
How to grow Achimenes
Achimenes are fast growing plants that produces scaly rhizomes. These rhizomes are formed under the soil line, usually at the later part of the growing season. Sometimes some varieties produce propaglues which are thinner rhizomes made in the leaf axils above the soil line.
I start the rhizomes in spring or late winter. If the rhizomes still haven’t sprouted i plant them about 1 or 2 cm down in smaller pots. I use a soil mixture of good airy potting soil mixed up with pumice and vermiculite to add extra porosity for the roots. I then water or spray the pots, letting the soil be gently moistened and letting it dry up mostly between the waterings. Before the rhizomes have sprouted above the soil line the pots don’t have to be placed in much light. As soon as the plant brakes the soil line I place them in my light stand in order to get compact plants.
It is quite common for the rhizomes to already have sprouted before planting them. At least if they are kept in room temperature, dark and in zip lock bags half filled with vermiculite. Sometimes the shoots are very leggy and thin, like pale thin noodles. I usually plant these rhizomes a couple of centimeters deeper in the pot, but try to place the tips of the shoots about 1cm below the soil line. Preferrably so that the tips are evenly spread in the pot and the plants won’t emerge too close. If you want more compact and bushy plants you can prune the plants quite early. I sometimes only let two pair of leaves emerge and then cut the tips so that one pair of leaves are left. You can prune the plants a couple of times, only leaving one node to branch.
Personally I don’t always do this and can admire the natural growth habit of many species and cultivars. Many grow very weak stems and get a climbing or hanging growth habit. These varieties are great looking in hanging pots and baskets.
Since Achimenes are fast growing and generously flowering plants it is quite important to give them a regular access to nutrients. Personally I use liquid fertilizer dosed as a weak solution added each time I water the plants. I have also used slow release fertilizer with good results as it’s the same principle – an even and somewhat weaker dose – .
Don’t let your plants dry up too much between the waterings. Achimenes are sensitive to drought and some sensitive species and cultivars can be fooled to go dormant too early if the soil dries up too much. This is more commonly seen in the sister genus Smithiantha.
Achimenes are as easy to propagate by cuttings. One thing to keep in mind though is that Achimenes almost always goes into dormancy during the autumn and winter. That means that cuttings must be taken early enough in the season to that the cutting have enough time to produce rhizomes for the coming winter.
