How Do You Propagate The Jacobinia Tropical Plant?
Jacobinia (technically, Justicia carnea) is also called Flamingo Plant or the Brazilian Plume Flower. A rapid-growing, shade-loving evergreen perennial, it originates from South America, but can be grown outdoors in the United States in USDA zones 8b through 11. It grows 3 to 7 feet tall, and the white, pink, red, orange or yellow blossoms are lightly fragrant, profuse and tubular in shape. Gardeners can propagate new plants from soft wood cuttings, which root readily. Cut section tips of soft new growth from the jacobinia, using a very sharp knife. Choose sections that have many leaves emerging from the sides, and cut each section about 3 inches long. Put each cutting in the plastic sandwich bag immediately after cutting, keep the cuttings out of the sun, and work quickly. Wilted cuttings won’t develop roots. Fill the seeding flat to a depth of 3 inches with the compost or peat moss. Water the seed flat with a fine spray of water from the watering can until the compost or peat moss is
