The Achimenes (mother’s tears plant) is a member of the Gesneriad family and is closely related to gloxinias and African violets. Common names are monkey-faced pansy, hot water plant (its tubercles refuse to sprout in the spring unless they are warm), and nut-orchid.
Achimenes Plants “Older” Than African Violet
The Achimenes are old compared with the infant African violet introduced in 1889.
The first achimenes plant or bulbs – the scarlet flowered species Achimenes coccinea – was brought to England from Jamaica in 1778.
I saw a pot of achimenes (a-kim’e-neez) about 30 years ago and, after realizing the vast diversity in flower form, color, and habit of growth, gradually collected 20 or 30 varieties.
The Achimenes Flowers
Flowers appear in the leaf axils, and large, well-grown plants are literally covered with the gleaming flowers which have been compared to single-flowered petunias.
Achimenes flower colors are shades of red, purple, blue, pink, white, or striations.
The Velvety Foliage
The bronze foliage of the Achimenes is somewhat velvety with a burgundy color on the underside of the leaf. Some varieties have green foliage.
Mature plants are about a foot tall and as wide if several of the scaly rhizomes are planted in a large pot.
Taller plants have a more pleasing appearance when well staked.
If the moisture is too low in the air or around the roots, the foliage will brown, and the blooms may drop.
Achimenes Care – Growing, Storage & Propagation
Bulbs Rhizomes and Tubers
The bulbs grow from small rhizomes, often called tubers or tubercles, vary in size and shape among the varieties; some resemble small pine cones, others like pipe cleaners. Depending on the array, others are round or pear-shaped and colored rose, pink or white.
Tubercles may also form in the leaf axils of some varieties in late fall. These will make new plants the same as the underground tubercles.
Planting
The bulbs like the same care and culture as African violets and are equally rewarding.
Achimenes tubercles may be ordered during January and February and are occasionally available until the first of May. Most growers ship tubercles by mid-March.
Plant them immediately upon receiving them, barely covering the tubercles with soil about 1/2 inch deep, using a very light soil mixture – an African violet soil works. Any combination of leaf mold, peat moss, vermiculite, and loam will also work. Make sure to label each pot.
My achimenes are planted in 4″ to 8″ inch pots depending on the number of tubercles I have of each variety. I prefer about 15 tubercles in an eight-inch pot and four or six in the smaller pots. The larger pots hold the moisture better and produce a mass of bloom. Smaller pots dry out too quickly if they are set outside.
Starting Indoors
To give achimenes an early start, keep room temperatures at 70 degrees or higher, and they should come to a-poppin’.
As soon as the sprouts show above the soil in the spring, they should be moved to a lighted window and the soil top-dressed with light fertilizer – outdoors, try well-rotted manure.
They demand a good amount of humidity in the air, and the soil in their pots should never be dry but kept relatively moist at all times.
Fertilizer and Feeding
A weak soluble liquid houseplant fertilizer should be used to feed during the growing and blooming season, usually June through October (longer for some varieties, which are inclined to start into active growth a little later in the spring).
Lighting
Conditions similar to those suitable for African violets will be satisfactory. They need considerable light but resent full sunlight except in the early morning and evening.
In warm weather, I set my plants under a tree sheltered by shrubbery. They are kept moist with the garden hose and sprayed several times on a hot day in their shaded retreat.
Achimenes seem to thrive on heat, and this trait makes them a life-saver for those with a home greenhouse during the summer months.
I know of one home Oklahoma grower who grows 15 or 20 varieties of them in his small greenhouse, and they give it color and life, which it otherwise would not likely have during that season.
No matter where you grow achimenes, give them loose soil with moisture in the soil and the air surrounding them and good light without hot sunshine, and you should be successful.
Make achimenes one of those “new” plants on your list this year. Order three or six each of at least a half dozen varieties; the tubercles are not expensive, and they give a fantastic amount of blossom for so small an amount of time and attention given them.
Overwintering Storage
As autumn approaches and the number of flowers decreases, cut down on the water and allow the plants to dry off.
After the foliage and stems are dry.
Cut the stems above the soil and set the pot, with soil and tubers undisturbed, in the basement or under the greenhouse bench.
It is well to keep the soil in the pots just a tiny bit moist during the dormancy of the tubercles so they will not wholly wilt and die.
Do not disturb them until the tubers sprout again in the spring, except to sprinkle the soil with water from time to time if needed.
Most loss cases over the winter are caused by removing the tubers from the soil and allowing them to dry out. If stored in the pot, undisturbed, the tubers tolerate cold, moisture, or drying. We have had some varieties survive a few degrees of frost, and most are unharmed at temperatures near; freezing for short periods.
The plants will make a fine show if left in the same soil and container for two seasons. If three to five tubers were planted in a 5″ or 6″ inch pot the first spring, the second season should find the pot full of blooming plants. Repot before the third season, however, using fresh potting mix.
Propagation – Naturally Increase
Achimenes increase naturally by their tubers. For most varieties, this method will more than supplying your needs.
However, if more plants are wanted, stem or leaf cuttings, treated similarly to African violet leaf cuttings, will produce several tubers and bloom in a season.
The tubers can also be broken into two or even more pieces; usually, each piece will grow. Even the scales of which the tubers are composed can be gently rubbed off and planted like seeds.
Many will grow if handled carefully and given gentle bottom heat. Achimenes seeds, if obtainable, overgrow when given the same care as an African violet or begonia seed.
Fine new varieties are now constantly being tested for release. It is, of course, impossible to offer a group of types that everyone will consider the best, so find colors you like and try Achimenes out.
Hanging Types
Some varieties show off to the best advantage if grown in hanging baskets. If the plant proves to be of hanging growth, the container can be placed on an inverted pot or other stands to permit the stems to cascade gracefully over the sides.
You can find large flat flowers of the mottled blue, yellow throat, and crimson eye, to dark blue flowers and dark foliage that will create a sensation for the hanging basket.
Several varieties developed from the species Achimenes scheeri and have blue-purple flowers like gloxinias and large velvety green leaves like isoloma (tydaea).
Last but not least is – Venusta, the oldest Achimenes variety known. This is a medium-sized semidouble of rich purple with very dark blue-purple foliage. This variety will make an outstanding display with free blooming and graceful growth.
Searching For New Introductions
From 1838 to 1850, Theodore Hartweg of the Royal Horticultural Society of London and others searched for new plants throughout the Americas. They are naturalized in Mexico and Central America.
Becoming fabulously famous all over western Europe, Numerous Achimenes species were introduced into cultivation.
No matter where you grow achimenes, give them loose soil with moisture in the soil and the air surrounding them and good light without hot sunshine, and you should be successful.
Make achimenes one of those “new” plants on your list this year. Order three or six each of at least a half dozen varieties; the tubercles are not expensive, and they give a fantastic amount of blossom for so small an amount of time and attention given them.
There are many suitable varieties of Achimenes available. If you love African Violets, I know you’ll be enthusiastic about growing achimenes alongside your African violets.
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common Names: Cupid’s Bower, Magic Flower
2844 by NA