Odontonema cuspidatum syn. Thyrsacanthus cuspidatus
Fire Spike
Odontonema are tropical perennials or shrubs native to Columbia. They have large leaves and flowers which are clustered in the axils of bracts,that form a plume-shaped flower-head. Odontonema cuspidatum bears red tubular flowers in late Summer and Autumn, that may be followed by hairless, club-shaped seed capsules.
Contributed by @carol13450
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Full sun
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Occasional watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Fire Spike
Latin name
Odontonema cuspidatum syn. Thyrsacanthus cuspidatus
type
Evergreen Shrub
family
Acanthaceae
ph
5.5 - 8.5 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
Odontonema cuspidatum syn. Thyrsacanthus cuspidatus
Odontonema are tropical perennials or shrubs native to Columbia. They have large leaves and flowers which are clustered in the axils of bracts,that form a plume-shaped flower-head. Odontonema cuspidatum bears red tubular flowers in late Summer and Autumn, that may be followed by hairless, club-shaped seed capsules.
Flowering
From Late Summer TO Mid Autumn
Tubular red flowers appear from late Summer to Autumn
Propagating by cuttings
From Late Spring TO Early Summer
Take softwood cuttings from new growth early in the day in Spring or early Summer. Cut, neatly, a 4" approx. piece of a non-flowering shoot, pinch out the tip, and cut off the bottom leaves. Dip the bottom of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, and carefully place in a pot of cutting compost with the leaves just above the level of the compost. Water, label, cover with a polythene bag, and place in a warm, bright place, out of direct sunlight. Take the polythene bag off periodically for a while for ventilation (at least twice a week)
Planting
From Early Spring TO Late Spring
Unless you are in an area with a tropical or sub-tropical climate this is a plant that will need to be grown in a container indoors. Grow in John Innes No. 3 compost, and place the container in bright, filtered light. If grown outdoors, plant in a sheltered sunny spot in moist but free-draining soil