Family Gesneriaceae
The hybrid achimenes plants which are grown today are derived mainly from the species chimenes longiflora, a native of Mexico . One of the most successful raisers of modern hybrids is Mr Konrad Michelssen of Hamburg , who has specialised in breeding new hybrids for many years.
Achimenes are grown from rhizomes or tubers, which are scaly in appearance. T h e fleshy scales are arranged in the manner of a closed pine cone and each scale is capable of propagation, but in practice one usually uses the whole tuber. Healthy plants usually produce several new tubers in a season's growth, so once you commence growing these plants your main difficulty is restraining yourself from growing too many plants. Select the biggest and most healthy-looking tubers for the next season's growth and discard the rest if you are unable to give them away.
Achimenes are beautiful plants w h i c h have a long flowering period, particularly if the tubers are started into growth in midwinter. The flowers, whichare usually available in violet, p i n k , red and blue shades, are 1 V 2 - 2 V 2 i n ( 4 - 6 cm) across, and although each individual flower only lasts a few days new flowers are continually opening, giving a constant succession. Each individual flower consists of a tube, growing from the flower stalk, w h i c h flares out into five flat petals. As the colours are bright shades against an attractive green background achimenes are very decorative plants.
