MEDINILLA MYRIANTHA
Malaysian Grapes
A very pretty tropical plant great for the shade and
containers. It can grow well as a house plant as well
if you give it the right conditions. This medinilla is
an epiphyte in nature, like orchids, therefore the potting
soil has to be porous. I suggest that you get a good quality
potting soil and mix about 1/3 of an orchid mix (bark,
perlite, charcoal.) This medinilla has very pretty flowers.
They start off a light pink color and start turning a
darker magenta and finally the flowers turn into dark
purple resembling "berries" or "grapes."
Although they do look like grapes, they are not edible.
This medinilla blooms a lot and you can see flowers almost
year round. The foliage is also very pretty, nice glossy
green leaves. It is best to avoid freezing temperatures.
FAMILY
: Melastomaceae
ORIGIN : Malaysia
SIZE : up to 4'
LIGHT
REQUIREMENTS : bright
shade
WATER
REQUIREMENTS : let
the soil dry before watering
MIN. TEMP. : low 30's
FLOWER : on and off all most year round
COMMENTS : likes
a loose soil. Add 30% of orchid mix to regular potting soil
