Splash Select™ Red (Polka Dot Plant)

HYPOESTES - Polka Dot Plant (Sanquinolonta)

GREENHOUSE: One of the easiest foliage plants to grow from seed. Sow anytime - seeds produce excellent 4 in/10 cm plants about 12 weeks from sowing. Germinates easily at 65 - 70°F/18 - 21°C soil temp. Seed is about the same size as pansy seed, so it should be lightly covered, 1/8in/3 mm deep and firmed. Use a mixture of 3/4 Jiffy Mix, 1/4 garden loam to germinate seeds. transplant into pots about 20 days after sowing. Transplants will literally "grow like a weed" if you give them too much moisture - so we like to use a mixture of 50% Jiffy Mix - 50% soil for transplanting. Also water and fertilize sparingly. Plants grow readily in poor light, so direct sun light will help to keep them dwarf. Keep young transplants at about 55 - 60°F/13 - 16°C. to control growth. The use of a growth retardant may be advisable for plants sold to chain stores, where poor light conditions may cause spindly plants. Central growth should be pinched about 5 or 6 days after transplanting. Over-mature Polka Dot plants can be transplanted into 10 or 12 in./25 - 31 cm patio tubs at 4 pots per tub. They make an attractive foliage subject for full sun or partial shade. Plants should be pinched back once a month to sustain a nice bushy appearance. Cuttings can be easily rooted.

HOME GARDENER: This is one of the easiest things to germinate! Follow the above suggestions. Start seed anytime - don't forget to cover your seed flat with a piece of clear plastic or glass to prevent the seed from drying out. Seeds germinate in 2 or 3 days and should be transplanted in 14 to 20 days after sowing.