HousePlants Now » gesneriads

Kohleria ‘Manchu’ flowering…in water

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:09:50 +0000

Kohleria Manchu is in the same family as African violets, the Gesneriads. These plants produce brilliantly spotted flowers above fuzzy green foliage. While plants can get quite leggy and large, this miniature vase of ‘living’ Kohleria flowers has been blooming in this tiny vase(about 5″ high) for months! It can be placed and enjoyed anyone there is good light and takes up very little room. Here’s how we did it.

Kohleria 'Manchu' flowering in water

When our larger plant comes into bloom, we simply snipped off a few flowering stems with both buds and flowered. Placed in the vase with water, we found that the plants will root and keep blooming as if nothing has happened.

The stems will keep producing flowers over several months, with only the occasional few drops of liquid flowering plant fertilizer to keep them happy. And of course a bright spot by the window or under lights will keep the flowers coming.

Kohleria 'Manchu' close-up

Eventually, they will be done blooming and the water will get clogged up with little rhizomes snaking their way up to the surface. At this point its best to plant your cuttings in soil, to grow as a regular container house plant.

In another post, I’ll share some photos of the mother plant from which these cuttings were taken, and some tips on growing Kohlerias which are not as difficult to grow as they might look!

Sinningia Doll Baby

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:16:48 +0000

Sinningia Doll Baby, close-up

Sinningia Doll Baby is a delightful miniature Sinningia that will never need anything bigger than a 2.5″ pot to thrive. It produce several rounds of flowers with each blooming cycle, and often has two flowers open at the same time. The flowers are similar in shape and form to a miniature pusilla.

I find that these miniature Sinningias thrive in the warmer humid conditions of summer. They grow easily in a bright window with indirect light or under artifical lights. After flowering, the original growth dies down but newer growths are always developing and blooming as long as growing conditions are ideal. I grow it an an African violet mix, and keep it moist, but not wet, while actively growing.

Sinningia Doll Baby growing in a 1.5 inch tall bonsai pot!

This plant was planted in a miniature bonsai pot! The bottom two thirds of the pot were filled with perlite to facilitate drainage since these plants do not seem to grow very deep roots. You can see the penny near the base of the plant to give you an idea of the small size of the plant and pot.

Gesneriads Galore in D.C.

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:38:18 +0000

The National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society recently held its annual show at U.S. National Arboretum. The most popular gesneriads are, of course African violets, one of the most popular houseplants in the world, probably followed by the florist Gloxinia, and the Cape Primrose(Streptocarpus). But there are many more unusual and beautiful genera and this show is a great opportunity to see some of these. They range in size from plants more than one foot across to miniatures that can fit in the palm of your hand. Many of them make great houseplants, while others require special conditions to thrive. Here are a few photos from the 2010 show.

Sinningia Orange Zinger

Saintpaulia Pixie Redhead--one of the few African violets on display

Streptocarpus Roulette Cherry

Genseriad Society members were on hand to answer questions–the members are very friendly and happy to offer advice on how to grow these gems. Many gesneriads, such a the Cape Primrose and Kohlerias will even thrive in a bright window as houseplants, while others do very well in terrariums. There is also a sales table where you can pick up young plants, cuttings, and seed at very reasonable prices.

Chirita brassicoides 'Marble Leaf'

Sinningia 'Georgia Sunset'

Petrocosmea begoniifolia-grown for its perfect symmetry and richly textured leaves

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Kohleria Peridot's Rolo

For more information visit The National Capital Chapter of The Gesneriad Society. Meetings are held several time a year at the National Arboretum and new members are always welcome to learn how to grow gesneriads as house plants, trade plants and cuttings, and enjoy the gesneriad plants on display by members.

Smithiantha-a luxuriant tropical houseplant

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:13:55 +0000

Smithiantha- a tropical luxuriant houseplant

Smithianthas also known as temple bells, are related to african violets. The giveaway, is their fuzzy velvety leaves, but that’s where the resemblance ends. People often confuse the intricately patterned and mottled leaves for begonias. In some species, such as the Smithiantha zebrina pictured here, the leaves can be up to 6 inches wide and equally long! Most houseplants will probably be on the smaller side but still be equally dramatic as the one photographed.

Smithiantha--foliage close-up

We found that growing ours in moderately bright light resulted in larger, more luxuriant, foliage. These plants also appreciate warm humid conditions and adequate moisture, but allow them to dry just a little bit in between waterings. The root systems quite shallow and mine seems to be doing very well in a hal-pot. A standard African violet mix suits these plants fine.

While for many, the beautiful foliage would be enough, Smithianthas is also produce spikes of brightly colored flowers, that dangle like temple bells, in the winter months. If ours blooms, which it should, we’ll post a photograph!

Source: Orchid Enterprise

Sinningia Cherry Sprite-a miniature houseplant

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:21:53 +0000

Miniature sinnnigia makes a great houseplant

Sinningia Cherry Sprite-flower close-up

Sinningia Cherry Sprite is putting a great show on for us this summer! Obviously, the warm humid summer temperatures in Washington D.C. suit it well. This plant is actually growing in a ceramic self-watering pot often used for miniature African violets. The inner pot in which the sinningia tuber is growing, is about 3″ across.The whole plants is no more than 5″ across.

While this self-watering method seems to keep the plant adequately watered during the warmer months, I’ll probably let it dry out a little before refilling the reservoir, once growth slows down in the fall. Usually, the plant goes dormant during the colder months. I keep it on the drier side and when growth resumes, start watering again. With these types of pots its important to have good drainage so some additional perlite in the potting mix helps.

Even in between blooms, the dark green glossy leaves of this miniature sinningia are especially attractive.