Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’ demonstrates how unusual looking plants
can lead to surprising sales figures. For this plant it is its
cork-screwed leaves which ensure that hanging plants are
definitely making a comeback.
Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’ owes its
name to its ornamental leaves that curl both along their length
and breadth. This feature has not been seen before in this
product group and has generated renewed sales impulses. The
plant also has an unusually compact growth habit and this makes
‘Twister’ look much fuller than would normally be expected. The
stems bear the tubular, orange-red clusters of flowers that we
expect from Aeschynanthus. This variety is a mutant of
Aeschynanthus ‘Rasta’.
Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’ (vbn code
24188) is hardier than its relatives which is sure to be of
interest to the trade. It also has a good life expectancy, with
flower clusters keeping their looks for four to six weeks. The
plant is sold in a 14 cm pot with a stickpin. When the plant is
sold the shoots are around 45 cm long and although they
initially grow upright, they later begin to hang of their own
accord.
In March 2005 Aeschynanthus
‘Twister’ was nominated for a FloraHolland Award. The plant was
also awarded the Public’s Prize at the Aalsmeer Market Novelty
Competition in the same year. The effects of this success have
not gone unnoticed, as since May 2005 the hanging plant has been
supplied to the Dutch auctions and already 25,000 Twisters have
been sold. Production
is expected to triple in 2006 in a bid to keep up with rising demand.
