Re: Odontonema strictum

Ola Maria,
I think that your Odontonema stricta is just waiting
for some warmer weather to arrive.  I only grow O.
calystachya, which grows quite luxuriously here in
winter if protected from frost and wind, but is very
shy about blooming as compared to locations in Los
Angeles or Florida, where it is in full glorious bloom
all winter where it stays warmer.  I would suggest
that since the O. stricta will also bloom in summer,
that you not worry about it.  If you do want the
winter bloom as well, then try it as a container plant
where you can move it to a warmer/wind protected spot
when the colder weather descends.

I am not as good with the Pseuderanthemums, as they
are also usually more heat loving to do well outdoors
here in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I do have a
Pseuderanthemum grandifolium from Strybing Arboretum,
that is more showy for the huge leaves than the late
fall bloom, and typically starts to bloom early enough
that the cold weather doesn't greatly affect it.
(Although this winter's 3 days of frost back in early
January was enough to make it decide to be deciduous).

Most Pseuderanthemums also prefer warm winters above
5C, 10C is more to their liking, protection from
drought and too much full sun, and rich soils.  It
might also do better as an indoor/outdoor plant over
the winter, or tenting it with plastic to keep it
warmer on those cold nights.  They generally respond
well to fertilizer once the temps warm up in spring,
and being cut back to force new growth.  You might
also be tempted to try Eranthemum pulchellum, which
will bloom all winter in coastal southern California,
but is a shy bloomer similar to Odontonema calystachya
for me here in Berkeley, (or maybe it is just the lack
of enough winter sun, as it seems to be fully hardy in
my winter conditions.)


--- marianoo@wanadoo.es wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> What are the cultivation requirements for this
> plant.  My plant is on
> top of a bank, good drainage, fed/watered fairly
> well (I think), shade
> in the afternoon.  It has been badly knocked back by
> wind/wet this
> winter and perhaps cold last winter.  Still
> surviving but not
> flourishing- it is giving a very unimpressive
> flowering display at the
> moment.  My lows so far about 5 C.
> 
> Pseuderanthemum ID please:  Similar type shrub to
> above, upright, heart
> shaped leaves up to 6" - panicles of flowers are
> small, whitish with
> purple markings ??
> Any ideas and cultivation tips.
> 
> Thanks, Maria
> Balmy day in Costa Blanca, no rain for 6 weeks -
> winter yet to arrive
> 


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