Narrow leaf angelon

Common name: Narrow leaf angelon

Scientific name:Angelonia angustifolia

Family: Plantaginaceae

Distribution: Native to Mexico, Central America and Tropical South America.
Characteristics
Growth:
perennial

• fast-growing
• The plants usually grow to a width of 10 to 30 centimetres.

Leaves:

• Deciduous
• Simple leaves are opposite
• Lanceolate with dentate margins.
• Leaves have a glabrous surface.

Flowers

• spikes of light purple labiate flowers

Cultivation
Soil and Climate

• prefer a sunny situation
• Prefer sandy loam or gritty loam
• pH between 5,5 and 6,5
• The plants tolerate temperatures only above at least 1°C.

Care and special practices

• The plants need little to no maintenance if grown under suitable conditions.
• Allow the soil to become slightly dry in between watering.

Fertilizer application

• Give compost at planting.

Propagation

• By seed or by cuttings.

Pests and diseases
Insect pests
Aphids:

• Symptoms:Honeydew, galls and distorted leaves are a sign for an infestation with aphids.
• Management:Use an insecticide or control biologically, e.g. with parasitic wasps or predators such as Aphidoletes aphidimyza.

Diseases:
Botrytis Rot:

• Rot on leaves, shoots, flowers or fruits indicated an infection with grey mould (botrytis).

Management:

• Remove and destroy affected plants.

Apply fungicide.

• Improve ventilation and hygiene and avoid injuring the plants to prevent infections.

2. Powdery mildew:
Symptoms:
A powdery white coat on the plants indicates an infection with powdery mildew.
Management:

• Remove affected plants and apply a fungicide.
• To prevent infection improve ventilation, keep the roots moist and do not water the plants from above.

Downy mildew:
Symptoms:

• White tufts or white covering on the lower surface of the leaves indicates an infection with downy mildew.

Management:

• Remove affected plants and apply a fungicide.
• To prevent infection improve ventilation, keep the roots moist and do not water the plants from above.

Rhizoctonia root rot:
Symptoms:

• Withered seedling or rotting roots and discoloured leaves on older plants indicated a fungal infection (rhizoctonia).

Management:

• Remove affected parts and apply fungicide. Prevent infection by improving hygiene