Aeschynanthus
Mother bulbs are expensive to purchase, but case of culture and spectacular flowers make them worthwhile acquisitions. Using pots only slightly larger than the diameter of the bulb, potting up should be undertaken in the autumn, J.I.P.3 being a suitable compost. Whatever compost is used it is essential that it should be rich, and not too thin and light.
Propagate by cuttings about 5 in. in length, preferably in spring, but non-flowering top cuttings should present little difficulty at any time provided there is a warm, close atmosphere in which to house them.
In order to obtain satisfactory results the following year it is important to continue watering and feeding the plant after the flower has died off so that the bulb may build up a food reserve. When the foliage begins to die down naturally water should be gradually withheld until the compost is quite dry.
There are many schools of thought and we are often advised to keep the plant in leaf throughout the year by keeping the compost moist, but it seems that the best flowering results are obtained by allowing the plant to rest. Plants need about two months’ rest from the end of August, and it is particularly important to encourage them gently into new growth, as too much water will often result in the production of early leaves at the expense of flowers.
New plants may he raised from seed, but it is a slow business, taking at least three years before flowers can be expected. New plants may also be raised vegetatively by teasing apart the scales of mature bulbs, ensuring that part of the tough section at the base of the bulb is attached, and planting them in peaty compost.
Propagation is effected in a slightly different way to that described for the aechmea – in fact, there are a number of methods, although not all are satisfictory. As the fruit matures (a stout cane will be needed to hold it in position) a number of voting plantlets will be produced around the top of the act ual fruit. Allow these to attain reasonable size before removing and placing them in a warm propagating bed of peat and sand. However, do not expect too much from this method as these young plants frequently lose all their chlorophyll and eventually rot and die.
