PlantFiles: Mariposita (Little Butterfly), Poor Man's Orchid
Schizanthus tricolor

This is an herbaceous annual that loves full sun to partial shade and medium watering. They can reach up to 50cm height, grows very fast and it is recommended to plant them some 30cm apart.

Schizanthus tricolor does best if directly sowed, but can also be sowed in trays and transplanted.

Sowing recommendations: autumn sowing in a mixture of equal parts of compost and sharp river sand. Make sure to use a deep tray, since they develop large roots. Cover the mix with a layer of sand, place the seeds and slightly cover with more sand. Place the tray in a cold frame or cold greenhouse. Sometimes Schizanthus are a bit stubborn to germinate. In such case, place them in a shady or dark place until germination occurs. Seedlings can be picked and transplanted once they have two true leaves.

I bought this seed from Ursula and did very little beyond planting it, letting it sit in the greenhouse and watering it. Blooming beautifully now. Took five or six months from seed to flower.