Japanese name: エスキナンサス Scientific name:Aeschynanthus
[Overview]
In its native habitat, an evergreen climbing perennial or subshrub that grows attached to trees and rocks.
The stems are thin and creep or hang down for a long distance.
Leaves are simple, opposite or whorled, thick in texture, with nearly entire margins.
Flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils or at the stem tips, or singly.
The flowers are loosely curved, tubular and two-lipped, with the stamens protruding from the flower.
Flower colors include red, orange, purple and yellowish green.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It tolerates 5–15°C in winter, but it is safer to keep it at 15°C or above.
It prefers well-drained soil; from autumn to spring place it in full sun, and in summer move it to partial shade, since strong direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Take care not to overwater; from spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep on the dry side in winter.
It is resistant to dryness.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests include scale insects and aphids.
