Description
Drosanthemum micans. It is a low-growing, dense, compact, perennial shrublet that can attain a height of 0.6 m under ideal conditions. It has a fibrous root system and is shallow rooted. Like all drosanthemums, it is characterized by the dewdrop-like beads known as papillae found on the branches and flower stems. The leaves are opposite and nearly always equal. The flowers have red outer petals with chrome yellow inner petals. Flowers are borne in spring. Sowing : The small seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sand, any time during the summer months when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the first 3-4 days cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear Perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on misting can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. Locality: Robertson. Harvest: December 2020
