Maderian Mystery.

I brought a cutting from this interesting foliage plant from my hols. in Maderia this year and it's looking good..............I am sure I wrote the name down someware,but lost it..............need help in ID...

 

That is Iresine herbstii or Beefsteak plant.

 

Evening You.

Your mystery plant from Madeira is an Iresine, the Bloodleaf or Beafsteak Plant. We grow them outdoors here in sheltered positions.

They are a houseplant popular in America but less so in the UK. They are sun lovers and away from a South facing window the colours will tend to fade and the plant become lanky. You can nip out the growing tip to bush it and it's fine to have it outdoors in the summer. They like average warmth but not less than 50-55C in the winter.

Hope this helps.

 

I use it as a bedding plant and take fresh cuttings each autumn.

Mine looks much redder than yours though Roders.

 

Thanks Mick and LoL appreciated.

Pete I always thought you were a bit of a red lol..........
The truth of the matter is it was shoved at the back of the greenhouse and now Autumn stock take, and I thought What's this ........as you do.
In Maderia they grow swathes of them and they do look good.....What low do you think they will take over here?

 

Hi Roders off to Madeira on 1st Dec, cant wait. going to have a good scout round the market place to see if anything takes my fancy.:thmb::D 02

 

02 keep an eye open for the Madeira orchid Dactylorhiza foliosa it's quite common there I believe and you may be able to purchase seeds,if some should come your way I would be grateful if you would consider winging some this way to a fellow gardener, of course full renumeration would be given etc:luv::thmb:

 

No problemo Walnut, if I can find it its yours. :wink::thmb: 02

 

Me red?
I dont know what you mean.

I keep my cuttings in the conservatory, my frost free greenhouse is not really warm enough.

Min 10C I would say.