Mussaenda erythrophylla, commonly known as Ashanti blood, red flag bush and tropical dogwood, is an evergreen West African shrub. The bracts of the shrub may have different shades, including red, rose, white, pale pink or some mixtures. Mussaenda erythrophylla grows best in warmly temperate or subtropical areas and is semideciduous in cooler parts. In its natural habitat the shrub may scramble up to 10 m (33 ft), but is kept compact under cultivation.The star-like flowers of the shrub are 10 mm (0.39 in) in diameter and have a single, modified sepal.
Ashanti Blood Care
Mussaenda Erythrophylla
What is the plant
humidity
Normal
lighting
Full Sun
temperature
7°C - 16°C
hardiness zone
9b - 11
difficulty
Medium
hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
The plant requires regular watering. Allow the top soil to dry out before watering again.
Pruning
Cut the flowers off of the bush as they fade. Prune in late winter. Remove branch sections that were damaged by frost and trim the rest of the branches back to control the height of very large species.
Fertilizer
Spray the bush with a foliar fertilizer that contains trace elements every three to four months.
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Sunlight
It requires a full sun exposition.
Soil
Provide the Red Velvet Mussaenda or Ashanti Blood with an a moderately rich, acidic to neutral, moist but sharp draining, preferably sandy potting soil.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures should be approximately 65-75ºF + (18-24ºC +), closer to 70ºF is best.
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108 people already have this plant 25 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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