ABSTRACT
Pachystachys lutea Nees, the golden shrimp plant, is easily propagated and grows fast, with attractive dark green foliage, white flowers, and golden bracts which keep well under home conditions. Flowers form a large terminal spike with 2- to 3-cm cordate golden-yellow bracts. Best growth and earliest flowering occur at soil temperatures above 20°C, with day air temperatures of 16 to 19°C and night temperatures of 13°C. Shading in Florida to 40% full sun increased flowering time from 80 to 100 days, and 60% shading increased flowering time to 115 days. Flower numbers were 7.7 in full sun, 2.7 in 40% shade, and 2.2 in 50% shade. Growth retardants shorten plant height but have little effect on flowering, with the exception of ethephon which prevents flowering.
