Alata (Thunbergia)
Latin Name: Thunbergia alata
Item #: 5070702
Difficulty:
Easy
Suitable for Containers:
Yes
Hanging Basket Type
Yes
THUNBERGIA (Trailing Types)
Annual Approx. 500-1,000 seeds per oz/28. Variable seed size.
GREENHOUSE: Sow Feb. 20th for May sales in 2.25 in/6 cm peat pot strips, 1/8-1/4 in/3-6 mm deep at 2 seeds per pot. Germination may be irregular unless you keep your soil temp. fairly high, about 75-80°F/24-27°C for 15-20 days. Grow seedlings rather cool at 50°F/10°C to prevent soft spindly growth. As seedlings become established space them out a bit, so that plants do not become entangled. Some growers use 6 in/15 cm bamboo sticks in each pot to encourage climbing. Thunbergia is one of the most popular annual climbers, or hanging basket material. Full sun plantings should be transplanted closer (3 in/8 cm apart) to protect tender root systems from drying out.
DIRECT SOWING: Plants are rather slow growing and seed needs lots of heat for Germination, so outdoor seeding should not be attempted until mid June. At this late date you may not have much of a show until mid August. Therefore indoor sowings are more practical. Sow indoors Apr. 1st (as above).
