Rhodochiton atrosanguineum |
Syn. Lophospermum atrosanguineum
Syn. Rhodochiton volubile
Native Region: Southwest Mexico
Zone Range: 09-10
Preferred Climate: Subtropical
Harvest Date: Monday 24 September, 2012
Seed count: 30-40
Description:
Native of woodland in Mexico, this attractive plant scrambles through the undergrowth and produces dark purple tubular flowers within a long lasting, papery calyx. The angular heart-shaped leaves are bright green and show off the unusual flowers to good effect. The flowers have an exaggerated bell-shaped calyx in a rich pink to fuchsia colour. The flower is a narrow dark purple to almost black tube that hangs like the clapper of the bell. This annual vine can climb to 10 feet.
Notes:
A delicate but fast growing tropical vine, which works well as an annual flower in hanging baskets and containers if given something to climb up, as the vines twine freely.
Cultivation:
Sow seed in containers in the spring when you would normally start tomatoes or other tender annual plants. Sow individually into pots of sterile growing medium. Germinate at 21ºC (70ºF) then grow on at slightly cooler temperatures. Plant out when night temperatures do not drop much below 10ºC (50ºF). Grow on in containers of good potting mix with good drainage in full to part sun. For maximum freshness, please keep seed refrigerated in its original packaging until it is time to plant.
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