Bertolonia

(Bertolo'nia)

DESCRIPTION: These plants are native to Brazil. They are grown for their ornamental leaves. These plants are grown in a hot house or greenhouse having a minimum winter temperature of 60 degrees. The color of the foliage varies with the different types. The leaves may be shimmery white and purple, pink and purple, green and carmine or coppery-colored. There are also many garden hybrids that have variegated leaves. These plants bear small, pink flowers.

POTTING: Bertolonias need a warm and very humid atmosphere. It would be beneficial to cover them with bell jars or grow them in a glass case in the greenhouse or room where it doesn't fall below the required 60-degree minimum temperature. The soil mixture to use for these plants consists of equal parts of peat and leaf mold with quite a bit of sand added. They need a lot of water throughout the summer. Much less water is needed in the winter, though the soil should never become dry.

PROPAGATION: In the spring, cuttings, made from the ends of the shoots, may be inserted into pots of sandy peat. Place them in a propagating case in the hothouse. You should make sure to have a constant supply of young plants because they have the most vividly colored leaves.

VARIETIES: B. marmorata; B. maculata; B. Houtteana; B. marmorata aenea.

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