Purple Velvet Plant/ Velvet violet plant/ Gynura Aurantiaca

PURPLE VELVET PLANT/ PURPLE PASSION PLANT:

The leaves of the plant are a major attraction, which are purple and sometimes green coloured. These plants grow upright, and are not vining type.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANT:

SOIL:

• A well-draining, loamy soil of acidic pH 5.0-6.5.
• These plants prefer moist and humid soil.

LIGHT:

• Position your plant such that it gets indirect bright sunlight and protection from strong sunlight in the afternoon or else it will scorch/burn the leaf/ leaf fall.
• They require indirect sunlight for their optimum growth. More bright indirect light will lead to dark purple colours on the plant.

WATERING:

• Water the plant only when 2-2.5 inches of the top soil has dried.
• Watering schedules to be taken care of especially during the warmest months of the year and hence requires a more frequent waterings.
• Overwatering will lead to rotting of the roots.

FERTILIZING:

• Fertilizing throughout the growing season i.e., spring to fall (April-November), preferably every 4 weeks or so will boost growth of the plant and faster bloom.

?

PROPAGATION OF PLANT:

These plants after maturation i.e., producing flowers will die off. Hence, stem cuttings are to be propagated and re-potted to continue the availability of Gynura aurantiaca. The flowwrs of purple passion are orange coloured accompanied with an unpleasant odor.

Stem cutting:

1. Cut a stem of 3-4 inches long, with 2 and more leaves.
2. Plant these stems in 1-3 inches deep moist soil, away from direct sun.
3. Plant in spring or summer (as the roots will develop faster)
4. The roots will develop within 4 weeks of time.

Quantity: A well-rooted plant in a jiffy pot. (3 -4 leaves minimum)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dikebyAeSnM