I use the basics, pumice, perlite, and cactus mix. Depending on what I’m potting up I will adjust the ratio of everything. If I’m potting up a regular arid type cactus the mix is about 60% pumice, 20% perlite, and 20% cactus mix. I rinse and strain the pumice and perlite first with an old veggie strainer. A lot of the fines come out the bottom of the strainer. Also I premix in the big container above and the fines settle to the bottom with a little mixing. The reason why I don’t use gritty is I think it would dry out way too fast during the dry months, but if I lived in a wetter damper climate I would def use gritty. I think your climate is Mediterranean like mine if I remember correctly. So that’s why I keep a little cactus soil because it keeps moisture for a little longer. Not all that much longer too be honest, in the summer pots don’t stay wet for more than two or three days depending how much shade the plant gets. If I’m potting up something that enjoys a little more water I will put up to 40% cactus mix. When I first discovered pumice I was only using pumice and cactus mix, but I was finding I was going through the pumice super fast. So I decided to try perlite in the mix. I definitely don’t go through the pumice nearly as fast, and the perlite lightens the mix. The perlite particles I get are smaller than the pumice pieces and I like the combo. Don’t ask me why because I couldn’t tell you;). I see you plant succulents in the yard and when I plant in ground I will mix my pumice/perlite/cactus mix in with California;). I’m curious what is your natural soil like? Mine is full of clay. Lastly, I do notice plants take off the second or third year. So sometimes ya gotta be a little patient with them;). If this hoppy has taught me anything it’s to have a little more patience.

Correct! treat it like you would a succulent. As much sun as possible and little water. Not meant for indoors but it'll last for some time.

Yes. Chaenomeles.

There are other Torenia forms where the flower color fades as the still open flowers age, that is probably what is happening in this case also. All the more so because the structure of the specimen shown looks to be that of a single plant, with all of the evenly distributed stems coming from the same very small base.