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Cestrum fasciculatum is an evergreen shrub that will reach 10 feet tall with a 6 foot spread in nature. It is a showy plant that does well in pots or tubs. Red Cestrum is a native of Mexico.
Blooming Time: Summer-Fall. The tubular flowers are about 1 inch long and about 3/8 inch wide. Flowers are formed on new growth in clusters at the tip of branches.
Culture: Cestrum fasciculatum need full sun to partial shade with intermediate temperatures. Winter temperatures should not fall below 50°at night. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 2 parts loam to 1 part peat moss to 1 part sand or perlite. The soil should be kept moist at all times. Fertilize weekly during the spring and summer. In the winter months, fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer. Prune all branches back to 4 to 6 buds. This will help in controlling size and create an abundance of flowers.
Propagation: Cestrum fasciculatum is propagated by stem cuttings, layering and by seed. Cuttings are taken in winter and root readily with bottom heat of 70°. Seeds germinate in 14 to 21 days.
Cestrum fasciculatum was featured as Plant of the Week October 27-November 2, 2000.
Guide to Past Plants-of-the-Week:
Cal's Plant of the Week is provided as a service by the University of Oklahoma Department of Botany & Microbiology and specifically Cal Lemke, who is OU's botany greenhouse grower and an avid gardener at home as well. If the above links don't work, then try the overview site. You may also like to look at the thumbnail index. To receive Plant-of-the-Week by e-mail, go to the Plant-of-the-Week listserv subscription page. To contact us, please use this online form. ©1998-2008 All rights reserved.