Red Valentine, also known as Chinese Evergreen, is a foliage plant native to China and the Philippines. It offers variegated pink, red, and green ovate leaves with an upright habit of 12-24" tall. Evergreen in zones 10-11, this plant excels in shade with moderate water outdoors or in indirect light or low light as a houseplant. This low-maintenance foliage is a colorful addition to landscape beds, patio containers or any houseplant collection. Create contrast in large containers by growing Red Valentine alongside Snow White.
Red Valentine Selling Tips
Sell Red Valentine to customers looking for a low-maintenance houseplant or a versatile foliage plant for borders or containers in warm climates. This plant has many benefits, including attractive variegated foliage, drought resistance, and shade tolerance. Create a diverse display of texture and color in a houseplant collection by growing this plant alongside Pothos, Sansevieria, Fern, Dieffenbachia, and ZZ plant. Red Valentine is an evergreen perennial in zone 10-11 and excels as a houseplant in any climate.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 12-24" apart in the ground or containers in partial shade or bright indirect light. Use well-drained soil and place houseplants in a location that receives bright indirect light or minimal light.
2. Water regularly when the top of the soil is dry.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Red Valentine, grow one rooted plug per 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.0 and low feed (100-150 ppm N) with a 3-1-2 NPK ratio and additional Copper. Provide temperatures of 65-80 degrees and light between 1,000-2,400 fc. This plant doesn't require pinching or PGRs. Watch for aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and root rot. Six-inch containers finish in nine months; start plants in early fall for spring sales.
Flowering
Grown outdoors, this plant can produce insignficant white flowers followed by orange berries. It's typically grown as a houseplant for its attractive evergreen foliage.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers 12-18" on center for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs and doesn't tend to stretch tall.
Pests
Scout for aphids, mealybugs, scale and spider mites as part of your Integrated Pest Management program.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.
Mealybugs are small, white, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They are covered in powdery wax, which gives them a cottony appearance. They reproduce and spread rapidly. Inspect plants regularly for signs of an infestation, including white, cottony masses on foliage. Always check new plants before bringing them into the greenhouse. Remove any highly infested plants from the greenhouse for quarantine or disposal. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps as biological controls for mealybug populations and apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oils to disrupt lifecycles and feeding. Maintaining a sanitary greenhouse and eliminating debris can deter pest infestations.
Scale are insect pests that feed on plant sap and look like small bumps on leaves or stems. Control damage from this pest by scouting, introducing natural predators, applying horticultural oils or insecticidal soap, and pruning and discarding infested plant parts or whole plants. Be sure to disinfect tools and always use a sanitary growing media and containers. Note that healthy plants are more resistant to pests and disease.
Spider Mites are tiny pests that cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing on foliage by feeding on plant sap. They flourish in warm, dry environments. Use correct water and fertilizing practices; over-fertilizing can attract spider mites. Proper humidity levels, predatory mites or ladybugs, and insecticidal soaps or oils may prevent or address a spider mite infestation.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease but watch for root rot. Practice preventative measures in your commercial greenhouse, including watering at the base of each plant in the mornings, providing good airflow, and spacing plants so sunlight can reach the base and foliage of each plant.
Root Rot occurs in poorly drained or overly wet soil, which becomes the host for several types of fungi. It causes stunted growth, wilting, and root system decay. Prevention is the best treatment, and you will avoid most root rot problems by using clean, well-draining media, appropriate containers, and good watering practices for finishing rooted plugs. Inspect plants for signs of disease regularly. Repot infected plants in well-draining soil, adjust your watering schedule, provide better airflow, and use a fungicide if needed.
Planting Red Valentine Liners
Plant one rooted plug in the center of each 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil and allow up to 9 months for plants to be marketable.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Aglaonema Red Valentine Quick Reference Guide
Color | Pink, Red, Green |
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Habit | Upright |
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Height | 12-24 Inches |
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Light | Bright Indirect/Filtered, Partial Shade |
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Minimum Temp | 65 |
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Perennial Zone | 10-11 |
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Water Needs | Moderate |
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Patented Plant | No |
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