Achimenes, Hot Water Plant

Does anyone know why Achimenes are also called "Hot Water Plant"?

I do not know but I am planning on buying some this coming season for the first time.

I tried these once, it was a dismal failure... hope to hear some success stories!

I've grown them successfully in the past, but my last two attempts have ended like yours Pardancanda :(

Think the received wisdom used to be that they liked to be watered with warm water, but I understand that has been found to be untrue. However, as with all my indoor plants, they appreciate room temperature water, not straight out of the cold tap LOL!

They do seem to like to be kept moist (though not wet) Think I let mine get a bit on the dry side this last couple of times, so if i try again i'll be more careful! They are worth the effort once you do get them to flower

I got some from Loriene; not sure if she is from DG or Gardenweb. She has had good luck with them. She said "they will not come up until late spring. I just use ordinary potting soil. They make beautiful baskets....they multiply fast."
I checked the plants database and found they are rather cascading unless tied up because of thin stems. So I plan to pot them with something more upright. Since they break the ground so late, I'm going to start them inside...

I recall T & M used to sell hybrids of these and Smithsonia (?); wish I had bought some, they are no longer found.

Yes, I would be curious too, as I had the same experience as John, the little bulb looks like a little grub like worm and I don't believe I got a one to come up.

well, I can't find how deep to plant them and which end is up. Can anyone help?

These have been very popular indoor plants in Finland in the "old times", and still, especially older ladies grow these. I would like one too, we had some when I was small. They are coming popular again. My friend in SW Finland has great looking Achimenes, here are two pics from her website:

http://www.kukkamaa.com/huonekasvit/mustanmerenruususininen.htm
http://www.kukkamaa.com/huonekasvit/punainenmustanmerenruusu.htm

We call them Mustanmerenruusu = "Black Sea Rose".

Kartuz has tons of these.

Wow Evert, thanks so much. I noticed that they are supposed to be kept cool and dark until they sprout and then brought out to the light. I started mine yesterday, I think they must be slow to get going so I am going to hang in there with them and hope they sprout.
kell, what or who is Kartuz?

sorry
http://members.aol.com/kartuzexotics/achimene.htm

Kell. thanks for that wonderful sight, wow, I am going to do business there. I love all the exotic vines. Is Vista far from you?

Well, the archimenes came up great this time. I think I was more careful about watering them. If they do well, I will get a picture of them for all of you to see. Thank you Loriene.......

That's great news! Look forward to seeing the photos in due course :)

I bought white Achimenes hybrid stumps......
is it easy to get them flowering...

A few years ago, our own Ms.Calla sent me some, and every year they out-do themselves, blooming from early spring until late fall. All I do with them is pot them each spring (Feb.) in fresh potting soil and let mother nature take care of them out on my patio. Each fall, just before frost, I stop watering them, put them in the garage and forget them until the next spring. I really love them. I have purple, red, white and pink.

I wonder if they would do well here in No Ca? I read they like lots of humidity!

Our own Miss Cala has flown this coop it appears............. We miss you Cala!!

Lenjo, I think that is in So Ca...I am in No Ca.

They are called "hot water plants" because the old greenhouses were heated with hot water pipes. The growers put the achimenes near the pipes to encourage them to sprout faster.
They are also called Widow's Tears and Monkey Faced Pansies.

LOL............. I sent Cala this link........daring her to appear for us! She lives! And as usual she is the most knowledgeable person I know about plants!!!!

yes,yes she is and what the heck do they look like????/

they are one of Cala's favorites............ so must be great!

Did you buy any from Kartuz Cala? How were they if you did.

Kell, I haven't decided what to get from Kartuz. Did you know someone sent me a huge gift certificate? I was so surprised and now I can't decide! Here is what some look like
http://www.aggs.org/members_area/bonner/Achimenes.jpg
http://wwwcjb.unige.ch/BotSyst/APG2/Ast_Sup_Hypo/100_GSN_Ac.jpg
http://members.aol.com/kartuzexotics/achpink.jpg

OK ....gotta have it...

I hate when you guys do this....LOL

Why no I didn't Cala, but I bet they were too cheap and you deserved an even bigger one!

They sure look pretty! I always like an erecta but the purple king is calling to me! LOL

Cala & KaY: what do you fertilize them with and how often?

There are small sprouts coming up from the pots where I planted my Achimenes tubers/roots (how should they be called...?) week or two ago :)

I don't use any fertilizer on them - haven't even changed the soil since Calla sent them to me. They just do their thing without any help from me.

Well, I just watered them with a weak Miracle Gro mix. I hope I am not encouraging a lot of growth and little bloom.

Here they are all sprouted. Two more questions: Do I have too many in the pot? Also, I read that they should be pinched back after the first 4 leaves have sprouted. Well, they have 4 leaves or more but are only about 1-1/2 inches tall. Should I pinch them back this young?

Ha, they're growing very well :) Blue one isn't growing yet, but my friend said it grows slower.

Well, I pinched them back and they are spreading out but still no taller than 2 inches. Is that normal? If they are going to start blooming in spring, they'd better hurry up and get started. How much shade can they take?

my small Achimenes michelsen hybrid 'Snow White' started flowering.

That's great Mitjo. The flower looks lovely

thanks Philomel....it`s very big flower if compare to plant size.

What a strange looking thing!

I bought 40 of these tiny bulbs (tubers?) and haven't had any poking up yet. I think room temperature isn't enough heat, so I'll find a warmer spot for them. I'm hoping to use them as trailers in shade planters.

I found it was just too cool in my climate for them. However, now I have a little greenhouse so if anyone has some bulbs, I'd love a few .