Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 16ş to 18ş C.

Division of the clump during winter. Remove damaged or disease, foliage and replant with the crown 20 mm above the soil and keep moist.

Culture
They are grown best in raised beds to ensure good drainage and the plant collapses in wet soils.
When watering during summer, avoid wetting the foliage as this encourages fungal diseases and when pruning remove spent flowers or damaged and disease leaves.


Botanic information
Leaf: The leaves are elliptical to ovate with an entire to slightly serrated margin. They are arranged in whorls of 3 to 4 or decussate and have a slightly succulent texture. The colour is mid to dark green and some cultivars may have red markings.

Flower: Flowers from the species are orange to red, and yellow and orange. They are held above the foliage on a leafless scape that is up to 500mm (20in) tall. The cultivars are available in single, semi-double or double in a wide variety of colours, including scarlet, apricot, orange, white, red, pink and often two tones. There are no blue or purple coloured flowers and the main flowering period is from mid spring to mid autumn.

Fruit: The small berries produce many seeds. Under cultivation the fruit may not be allowed to develop and the plant is usually reproduced vegetatively. Careful as the fruit may stain clothing.