Syngonanthus chrysanthus 'Mikado'

Syngonanthus chrysanthus 'Mikado' Syngonanthus chrysanthus 'Mikado' foliageSyngonanthus chrysanthus 'Mikado' flower

 
Garden Plant Information

Name

Syngonanthus chrysanthus 'Mikado' (also called 'Mikado')

Genus  

Syngonanthus

Species

chrysanthus

Cultivar/variety

'Mikado'

General description

An elegant and unusual new tender plant, which forms a rosette of foliage from which long straight stems grow, each bearing one, creamy-gold, pin-head flower. Very much an indoor plant in the UK, it could be tried in a warm bright bathroom where it will have the humidity and warmth it needs to thrive.

 

Syngonanthus chrysanthus ‘Mikado’ comes from the family of the Eriocaulaceae and is native to Brasil.

 

As this is a newly acquired plant, I've discovered what I can about it so far, and will add to the page as time and experience go on.

Season of interest

Summer, though may last longer under the right conditions.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit - forms an upright, straight-sided vase shape. H: 15cm, S: approx 8cm.

  2. Stems - straight, leaning, pale green, slightly hairy. Up to 35cm long. From 15-50 stems per plant, depending on maturity.

  3. Leaves - rosette-forming, at the base of the plant. Soft, narrow, lanceolate, mid-green leaves which look similar to grass.

  4. Flowers - one creamy-gold, pin-head like flower borne at the tip of each stem. The flowers have a papery look to them. No scent is apparent. The flowers are reported to last for up to 10 weeks, and flowering can continue for up to 50 weeks.

Cultural details

Aspect

Bright but indirect light. Needs humid surroundings.

Soil

Acid compost (pH of 4-5). Well drained but kept moist at all times.

Hardiness

Tender - best grown between 19-22°C.

Maintenance

Because of its origin as a swamp plant, humidity should be kept high, at around 70% if possible. Keeping the plant in a tall, straight sided glass vase, or a deep bowl, and spraying it regularly with filtered water will help to keep the humidity level up. Water regularly, from the bottom of the pot rather than from above, and don’t allow the compost to dry out. The best place for it would probably be a bright, warm bathroom, unless you can provide its exact requirements elsewhere.

 

May be susceptible to aphids. May be affected by fungal attack if humidity is too high.

Propagation

 

The plant has had patents taken out on it and a licence is needed for propagation.

 

 

Information sources:

Dutch breeders - Anthura

US patent office