Description

An evergreen shrub of ‘epiphyte’ background, it has low arching branches from a large woody tuber which bears rows of small, glossy, leathery, leaves and single rows of hanging tubular waxy pink flowers in summer. Each flower has 5 distinct angles and a pattern of V shaped bars of deep pink. Prefers to be grown in a large pot but adapts readily enough to garden conditions. Grows to a height of no more than 1m in height but may be twice that in width.

Cultivation

Agapetes grow in a fertile, moist but well drained soil in part or full sun. Its key demand is for a well drained soil of open texture and needs to be planted high, with the tuber or root bases exposed or covered only by coarse humus. They enjoy shelter and humidity. Pruning is at the gardener’s discretion, more for reasons of shape and size. Generally this plant resists pests but scale insects may be a problem.