The genus Achimenes belongs to the Gesneriaceae family and contains approx. 25 members, native to North and Central America. They are known under several common names such as Cupid’s Bowers, Hot Water Plants, Magic Flowers or Widow’s Tears.
Those plants aren’t that popular like the related African Violets (Saintpaulia). Probably because they are growing from rhizomes and going dormant during winter.
There are a lot of Achimenes cultivars available, flowering in white, red, pink, purple or multi colored. Some of them with netted or spotted throats. The green to bronze leaves go from smooth to slightly hairy.
These growing instructions are based on my experiences with the Achimenes hybrids shown on these pages. With the natural forms different conditions can apply.
The members of the genus Achimenes differ from the related African Violets not only by their growth and flowering: they form rhizomes (subterranean offshoots) and remain dormant during the winter.
The cultural conditions during the growth and flowering period, however, are very similar.
Achimenes flourish best in a light location, with morning or evening sunlight. In the direct summer midday sun they should not be placed directly behind the window. A semi-shady location is also in order.
A usual flower or cactus compost can be used. The depth of the rhizomes is about two to four centimetres.
Until the shoots draw back in the autumn, you can water freely. The Achimenes hold as much water until the substrate can take no more. Excess water will soak off into the saucer under the pot. Please pour away this water after a few minutes. Stagnant water can lead to rotting of the rhizomes. Allow the substrate to moderately dry before watering again.
Half diluted liquid flowering plant fertiliser or fertiliser sticks can be used. I use the liquid version once a month from April to September. New or freshly planted plants need no fertiliser for the first six to eight weeks.
If the Achimenes start to yellow in the autumn, then reduce watering and stop fertilising. They can be cut down when they dry until the new growth in the next spring. The pot can be kept in a dark place at a temperature of between 10-15 °c/50-59 °f. During this time i just give them a drop of water about once a month.
When the new growth tips show in the spring, the plants can be brought back to their old location. Now is a good time for re-potting.
Propagation with cuttings
The simplest way of increasing achimenes is by leaf cuttings. Sliver off one or more shoots and put them in a glass of water to root. This is best in a warm location, at temperatures upwards of 20 °c/68 °f. Roots can then show after about 10 to 14 days.
Like a lot of other Gesneriads, members of the genus Achimenes can increase with leaf cuttings. Just separate the desired number of leaves and stick them into the substrate. I have used normal flower compost. This must be well dampened during the first four weeks, thereafter just evenly moist.
In order to increase the air dampness, you can place a freezer bag over the top of the pot. You must, however air the plants once a day. The ideal location to root the leaf cutting is light, but not in direct sunlight, at temperatures from 20 °c/68 °f.
The roots form at the end of the leaf stems.
Achimenes “Blue Sparks” is a compact and dwarf growing cultivar, flowering in white with purple and blue sparks. It’s also offered as Achimenes “Blue Spark”.
Achimenes “Peach Blossom”
Hybrids (crossings) between members of the genus’ Achimenes and Smithiantha are called × Achimenantha.
Jamii ya Achimenes ni ya familia ya Gesneriaceae na ina takriban. Miongoni mwao ni watu 25 kutoka Amerika ya Kaskazini na Amerika ya Kati. Wanajulikana chini ya majina kadhaa ya kawaida kama vile Bowers ya Cupid, Mimea ya Maji ya Moto, Maua ya Uchawi au Machozi ya Mjane. Mimea hiyo si maarufu kama violets za Kiafrika (Saintpaulia). Yaelekea ni kwa sababu zinakua kutoka kwenye mizizi na hazifanyi kazi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Kuna aina nyingi za Achimenes zinazopatikana, zinazozaa maua meupe, nyekundu, waridi, zambarau au rangi nyingi. Baadhi yao walikuwa na koo zenye nyavu au zenye madoa. Majani yake ya rangi ya kijani-kibichi hadi ya shaba huwa laini hadi yenye nywele kidogo. Maagizo haya ya kukuza yanategemea uzoefu wangu na mchanganyiko wa Achimenes ulioonyeshwa kwenye kurasa hizi. Kwa fomu za asili hali tofauti zinaweza kutumika. Aina ya violet ya Achimenes ni tofauti na aina ya violet ya Afrika kwa sababu ya ukuaji na maua yake, lakini pia kwa sababu ya kuunda mizizi (mimea ya chini ya ardhi) na kubaki katika hali ya usingizi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Hata hivyo, hali za kitamaduni wakati wa ukuzi na kipindi cha maua ni sawa sana. Achimenes hukua vizuri zaidi mahali penye nuru, na jua la asubuhi au la jioni. Katika jua la moja kwa moja la adhuhuri la kiangazi hazipaswi kuwekwa moja kwa moja nyuma ya dirisha. Eneo lenye kivuli pia linastahili kupewa nafasi. Mbolea ya kawaida ya maua au ya kaktusi yaweza kutumiwa. Urefu wa rhizomes ni karibu sentimeta mbili hadi nne. Mpaka majani yanaporudi nyuma katika vuli, unaweza kunyunyizia maji kwa uhuru. Achimenes huhifadhi maji mengi hadi msingi hauwezi kuchukua zaidi. Maji ya ziada yatamwagika ndani ya bakuli lililo chini ya chungu. Tafadhali timiza maji haya baada ya dakika chache. Maji yaliyozidi kuongezeka yanaweza kusababisha kuoza kwa mizizi. Acha substrate kukauka kwa kiasi kabla ya kunyunyizia tena. Nusu diluted kioevu maua mimea mbolea au mbolea vijiti inaweza kutumika. Mimi hutumia toleo la kioevu mara moja kwa mwezi kuanzia Aprili hadi Septemba. Mimea mipya au iliyopandwa hivi karibuni haihitaji mbolea kwa majuma sita hadi manane ya kwanza. Ikiwa Achimenes huanza kuwa manjano wakati wa vuli, basi punguza umwagiliaji maji na uache kumwagilia mbolea. Wanaweza kukatwa wanapokauka hadi mimea mpya itakapokuwa imechipuka katika majira ya kuchipua yanayofuata. Chungu cha maji kinaweza kuhifadhiwa mahali penye giza kwa joto la kati ya 10-15 ° C na 50 ° F. Wakati huu mimi huwapa tone la maji mara moja kwa mwezi. Wakati ncha mpya za ukuzi zinapoonekana wakati wa majira ya kuchipua, mimea hiyo yaweza kurudishwa mahali pake pa zamani. Sasa ni wakati mzuri wa kupanda upya. Kueneza kwa vichaka Njia rahisi zaidi ya kuongeza achimenes ni kwa vichaka vya majani. Tupa shina moja au zaidi na uziweke ndani ya glasi ya maji ili ziweze kupanuka. Hii ni bora katika eneo la joto, kwa joto juu ya 20 ° C. Mizizi inaweza kuonekana baada ya siku 10 hadi 14. Kama Gesneriads nyingine nyingi, washiriki wa jenasi ya Achimenes wanaweza kuongezeka kwa kukata majani. Tenganisha tu idadi ya majani unayohitaji na uyapige kwenye substrate. Nimetumia mbolea ya kawaida ya maua. Ni lazima maji hayo yawe na unyevu mzuri katika majuma manne ya kwanza, na baada ya hapo yawe na unyevu sawa. Ili kuongeza unyevu wa hewa, unaweza kuweka mfuko wa kufungia juu ya sufuria. Hata hivyo, ni lazima uangaze mimea hiyo mara moja kwa siku. Mahali pazuri pa kupanua majani ni kwenye mwanga, lakini sio kwenye mwangaza wa jua, kwa joto la 20 ° C. Mizizi hufanyizwa mwishoni mwa shina la jani. Achimenes <unk>Blue Sparks<unk> ni compact na dwarf kukua cultivar, maua katika nyeupe na rangi ya zambarau na bluu sparks. Pia inapatikana kama Achimenes <unk>Blue Spark<unk>. Achimenes <unk> Peach Blossom <unk> Hybrids (msalaba) kati ya wanachama wa jenasi <unk> Achimenes na Smithiantha huitwa <unk> Achimenantha.