Oplismenus

These tender perennials are grown for their ornamental foliage. These trailing plants grow wild in tropical countries and belong to the Grass family, Gramineae. O. africanus variety Variegatus, the Variegated Grass, is a creeping plant that grows up to 8 inches high or more and will spread indefinately. The narrowly lance-shaped to oval leaves have wavy edges. They are green, striped with white and usually stained with pink. The inconspicuous flowers are produced intermittently throughout the year. This plant looks nice in hanging baskets, and where it can be grown outdoors, in borders or over terrace walls.

Pot Cultivation

These plants need a minimum temperature of 60 degrees. They should be grown in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in a position with bright, indirect light or partial shade. In cool climates it should be grown in a home or greenhouse in containers filled with equal parts of loam, leaf mold or peat moss and sand. They are especially suitable for hanging baskets. Line the inside of the basket with a thick layer of moss and fill them with the potting soil described. Place small plants a few inches apart at the top of the basket. They may also be inserted around the outside of the basket with the end of a dibble pushed through the moss into the compost. After planting, hang them in a shady place and water and sprits the foliage well until the shoots become established, after which they may be hung in their permanent positions. Potted plants are watered freely while in active growth and applications of a balanced liquid fertilizer should be given every month. Less water is needed in the winter.

Propagation

Rooted stems may be divided in the spring. Shoots, about 2 inches long, may be taken in the spring or summer. A clean cut should be made below the bottom node (joint). A 1-inch layer of crocks should be placed in the bottom of 3-inch pots. Cover these with a thin layer of rough leaves, moss or rough siftings from the compost. They are then filled with the soil mixture. Sprinkle sand on the surface and insert the cuttings to half their length around the edge of the pots. Water them, place in a propagating case, shade from direct sun and keep the case closed, except to wipe off the excess moisture from the glass and let in fresh air. When roots have formed, more air is admitted each day and eventually the case is left open. In a week or so, each potful of rooted cuttings is transplanted to a 5-inch pot. By keeping the cuttings together, bushy plants are produced.

O. africanus

VARIETIES

• O. africanus & var. Variegatus;
• O. hirtellus & var. albidus, variegatus