Hypoestes forskaolii, also called as White ribbon bush is found growing under bushes and trees at elevations of 150-2300 meters above sea level...
Hypoestes forskaolii, also called as White ribbon bush, Hypoestes paniculata, Justicia forskaolii, Justicia paniculata, is a species of the genus Hypoestes. This species was described by Robert Brown in 1814.
IDENTIFY HYPOESTES FORSKAOLII - WHITE RIBBON BUSH
Hypoestes forskaolii is native to Africa to Southwestern Arabian Peninsula. It is found growing under bushes and trees in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Repu, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Free State, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe at elevations of 150-2300 meters above sea level.
It is an annual or perennial herb which reaching up to 1m in height with green to greyish green stem, sometimes with a woody rootstock. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate, 2-8 cm long, glabrous to finely puberulous, covered in short hairs. It is extremely toxic to all livestock.
White ribbon bush blooms in Feb - Dec in terminal and axillary clusters, held in glandular hairy bracts. The flowers are pale pink or white. Corolla 2-lipped, white to pale pinkish with dark lilac markings. The plants often die back in the dry winter months but are more lush and permanent in moist forested habitats.
HYPOESTES FORSKAOLII - WHITE RIBBON BUSH CARE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Hypoestes forskaolii grows best in bright, filtered light, but tolerates some sun. It's very sensitive to how much light it takes in. Too much or too little light will cause the colors on the leaves to fade. If you notice that your plant's leaves are curling this could be a sign of too much sun, same goes for brown spots. Try moving it to a shadier spot with indirect sun.
They can also be grown under artificial light. The lack of light on cloudy days and in autumn and winter needs to be compensated by auxiliary light. Otherwise, there is no way to avoid color loss and uprooting. Always refer to the leaves: their patterns and colors will be more vivid when they are comfortable.
Humidity:
It prefers a humid environment, preferring a minimum humidity level of 50%. If you need to raise the humidity, you can mist your plant’s leaves or place its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water. The plant should be quite happy outdoors in the Midwest in summer, but may need periodic misting indoors during the winter.
Temperature:
White ribbon bush can tolerate the temperature of 15 °C, but will lose its decorative qualities if the temperatures drop below 18 °C. The ideal temperature is between 21-25 °C. Avoid cold drafts and direct airflow from heaters in the winter months. They should be planted outside in the spring after the threat of frost has passed and brought inside if you plan to overwinter them well before the first frost of the fall.
Substrate and growing media:
Hypoestes forskaolii need a well-draining soil to avoid getting root rot from the constant moisture. You can use a porous soil mix high in organic matter. Charcoal and loosening agents (perlite, coconut fiber, coarse sand) can be added to the soil, but a high drainage layer is usually sufficient.
Repot each year in early spring (when active growth begins) and transfer the plant to a new container only if it is to be used as a perennial. If young cuttings are used to replace existing plant, no transplanting is required.
Watering:
Although it is somewhat drought tolerant, it does grow better with plenty of water. Water well when they are growing actively, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, which can cause the foliage to wilt and make the plant struggle to survive. Never let the soil become soggy, which can cause root rot and kill the plant.
Fertilizer:
White ribbon bush should be fertilized with dilute liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer and once a month during the dormant season at half the rate. These plants are heavy feeders. If planting in-ground, mix a layer of compost into the soil each spring.
Pruning:
Hypoestes forskaolii will get leggy as they age, particularly in lower than ideal light. Regular pinching back will keep the plants more compact, but eventually the plants will need to be replaced. Also some people choose to trim off the flowers that may bloom on this plant because they aren't as interesting as the leaves and take the energy that can be used elsewhere.
Winter period:
In winter, slightly reduce watering and resume your routine once growth picks up again in the spring. Avoid cold drafts and direct airflow from heaters in the winter months. It will not survive frosty weather. Before the first frost, you can cut stems from the plant, root them indoors in a small potting container or jar of water. If kept outdoors in a container, bring these plants indoors to a partially sunny indoor spot. In the spring, you can replant it in the garden after the threat of frost is over.
Propagation:
Stem cuttings are easily rooted to create new plants. They quickly produce roots when placed in water and they often will grow when just stuck into moist potting mix, sand or vermiculite, especially in spring and summer. Take cuttings 4 inches long and remove the lower leaves.
The plants can also sow by seeds. Sow seed 8-10 weeks before the average last date of frost for plants intended for the garden. Seeds will germinate as quickly as 4 days when held at 20 °C. The cotyledons of are green, but the first set of true leaves are colored. Seedlings should be transplanted when they have 4 true leaves, individually into small pots or several together in larger containers. Three seedlings can be planted in a 3-inch pot and five per 4-inch pot. Use potting mixes high in organic matter such as peat moss or leaf mold. Wait until temperatures are consistently above 10 °C to plant outdoors; it doesn’t grow well until temperatures are over 16 °C.
Pests and diseases:
White ribbon bush has few pest problems, but is susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot, and may become infested with whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. Use a solution of 1/2 strength soap and water to gently wipe the critters off of the leaves. If you over water the plant you may also notice some powdery mildew on the plant. Cut back on the water a bit to stop this issue.
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