Gesneriads Are Great!

Sinningia 'Peridots Sand Pebbles'

I love being a member of plant societies! Why? Because, that is where I learn. I will never be the person that says, "I know everything about houseplants." I know a lot, more than the average person, but I know there is always more to learn. Much more. That is why I join societies. I'm in two African violet clubs, and the cactus and succulent society. I plan on joining an orchid society this month. Believe me, these people are passionate about their chosen plants and know more than I could ever learn. My problem is that I like (okay, am obsessed) with ALL houseplants. I try to learn as much about every plant and plant family as I can.
 A few weeks ago,  at the African violet meeting I attended, we learned about  gesneriads other than African violets. Many of these plants are grown more often for their fabulous foliage rather than their flowers. The flowers are gorgeous, but many are just not that floriferous.

Sinningia 'Peridots Sand Pebbles' tuber

Sinningias are grown from tubers and are quite easy to cultivate. Sinningia speciosa is incorrectly known as "florist gloxinia'. They are grown like African violets but do need more light to stay compact. Instead of 10-12 hours, 12-14 hours of fluorescent light daily would be better. The tubers can go dormant, and if they do, move to lower light levels and water less until new growth appears. Fertilize regularly and let them dry slightly between waterings.

Sinningia 'Peridots Darth Vader'

Sinningia 'Merry Christmas'

Sinningia

Petrocosmea forrestii

Petrocosmea are beautiful symmetrically growing gesneriads. To me they look like water lilies. They do flower, but it wouldn't matter to me if they didn't. The flowers resemble those of wild violets, but with better foliage. The leaves overlap each other and the entire plant is very flat.  These plants can be placed at the end of the light tubes needing less light, and on the lowest level, where it is cooler. 

Petrocosmea

Streptocarpus 'Brooklin's Bubble Gum'

Streptocarpus are some of my favorites after African violets. They are easy to grow and I love the flowers, since they look like pansies. Streptocarpus are commonly called cape primrose, as they come from the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and the foliage resembles that of the common garden primrose. These plants take the same care as African violets, but are more forgiving of drying out. It has been said,  you know it is time to water streptocarpus when they have wilted. Now, I will tell you, that isn't the best policy, but they do bounce back. A more consistent watering schedule does make for a happier, healthier plant.

This Streptocarpus flower resembles a pansy.

Streptocarpus 'Gwen'

Episcia 'Lemon Zest'

Episcia 'Kee Wee'

Episcia 'Kee Wee' leaf

Episcias have the most beautiful foliage of all the gesneriads. The flowers are pretty, but it really is all about the foliage with this group of plants. They are commonly called "flame violets" as their flowers are usually red tubular flowers. These plants need  to be placed in a bright window, or need 14 hours of fluorescent light a day. This helps keep their colors at their brightest, though too intense light can bleach their foliage. Humidity is the key to happiness with episcias. They prefer very high humidity, so they are quite often grown in terrariums. They are stoloniferous plants, meaning they send out stems with miniature plants on the ends. These can be pinned to a pot of soil to make more plants. Because of this habit, they also look good growing in hanging baskets.

Episcia 'Cleopatra'

Kohleria 'Peridots Mango Martini'

Kohlerias are grown from rhizomes. Bearded or German iris are also grown from rhizomes if that helps visualize it. These are planted horizontally, and the rhizomes or rootless stems send foliage up from the top and grow roots on the bottom side. Kohlerias can go dormant for a period of approximately 3 months and then start to grow again.

Primulina (Chirita) 'Crossroads'

Primulinas, formerly chiritas, are very easy plants to grow. I have found from first hand experience, that these plants are very adaptable. Mine is on the same light stand as my African violets and blooms well there. They can be grown at the end of the light tubes, as they need less light and on the bottom shelf, where it is cooler. Their thick, quilted leaves are quite beautiful and I've found them to be less demanding of water.

Columnea 'Orange Prince'

Columneas are beautiful plants, usually grown as hanging baskets. That is how this 'Light Prince' was growing when I purchased it. Read more about this particular plant here: http://www.houseplantguru.blogspot.com/2013/02/heres-to-you-fabio.html .


Whether you stick with the ever-popular African violet or venture into the world of its gesneriad cousins, I think you'll find these are an easy to grow group of plants. They ask for no more than bright light, consistent water, and regular fertilizer to keep them happy, blooming, and healthy. What more could you ask for?

A Hidden Jewel

Bougainvillea 'Orange Ice'

I know my husband loves me. Our Valentine's Day was a trip to Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michigan. He is a plant person, but definitely enjoys outdoor plants more. He doesn't understand why we go to see houseplants when we are surrounded at home. Whatever..... It was cold but we did see some plants outside, as well. We had the conservatory all to ourselves, and it was so nice and peaceful.
Hidden Lake Gardens was donated to Michigan State University, then college, by Harry A. Fee in 1945. At that time it was only 200 acres, but has grown to encompass 755 acres. The conservatory was added in 1968. Of course, this is my favorite part. The garden also includes a fabulous conifer, hosta, and bonsai collection. We go there a few times a year and there is always something different to see. 
There are 3 different areas of the conservatory; the Arid Dome, the Temperate House, and the Tropical Dome. 

The Arid Dome

My 6'5" husband by the Agave salmiana.

Bowiea volubilis or climbing onion

The Arid Dome was just recently renovated with help from the owners of the Root System Nursery, a specialty cactus and succulent nursery in nearby Jonesville. When they refurbished the Arid house they kept some of the larger plants, which were irreplaceable. The picture of the agave and opuntia above with my husband, shows how large the plants are-he is 6'5" tall. All the plants have labels with the botanical name and the common one if available.

Euphorbia millii hybrid or Crown of Thorns

Close-up of Echeveria 'Blue Waves'

Echeveria 'Bluewaves'

Crassula ovata or Jade plant in full bloom.

The Temperate House

2011 Spring display

The next area is the Temperate house and it contains begonias, orchids, camellias, bromeliads, and more. It is also the house where they host seasonal displays. It is cooler than the Tropical dome and less humid. There are a large amount of plants in bloom here and the cooler temperature helps the flowers last longer.

Streptosolen jamesonii or Marmalade Bush

Begonia

The begonias were in full bloom last week. The flowers are just a bonus to the fabulous foliage of begonias.

Begonia flowers

Begonia masoniana or Iron Cross Begonia

Pelargonium 'Mrs. Cox'

There were flowers on these geraniums, but who needs flowers when a plant has foliage like this!

Pelargonium 'Vancouver Centennial'

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Kohleria

 Kohlerias are gesneriads, cousins to African violets.

Camellia

 

As I have described in a previous post, there is a difference between the Thanksgiving and  Christmas cactus. This is a huge, old Christmas cactus blooming, with many more blooms to come. They bloom later than the Thanksgiving cactus, obviously even into February and from the amount of buds, even into March.  

  

The Tropical Dome

The view looking up to the top of the dome.

Philodendron leaf

 

The Tropical dome is very warm and humid. It has plants like cocoa, citrus, papaya, coffee, and vanilla.

Trevesia sundaica blossoms

Anthurium spathe and flower.

Papaya plant

We had a great day at Hidden Lake!  Find a conservatory near you, and take a day to visit. There is nothing like a warm, blossom filled conservatory to warm you up, and soothe the soul in the dead of winter.

Kissin' Cousins

Kohleria 'Peridots Mango Martini'

Recently, I attended my African violet club meeting, and the speaker introduced us to some cousins of the African Violet. The subject was rhizomatous gesneriads and the one that I came home with is a kohleria. I love it! This is my first kohleria, but I do have experience with its cousins, African violets and streptocarpus. I'm assuming this will require similar growing conditions. I have researched it and  found they are from Central and South America, and prefer high humidity and warm temperatures. It's cousins also prefer warmth and humidity. They also have fuzzy leaves. The big difference is obviously the rhizomatous properties of this plant. They grow from scaly rhizomes under the soil and new plants can pop up from the base of the plant. Propagation can be accomplished by separating the rhizomes and also by foliar tip cuttings.  The plants can go dormant for short periods of time, so don't throw them away. Wait, and foliage will reappear. Kohlerias are fast, vigorous growers and so must be cut back occasionally to help with fuller growth and at the same time, it will promote more flowers. They prefer filtered sunlight or should be placed under fluorescent lights that are on for 14-16 hours per day. If the light is too low, or the room too warm, they will get spindly.

This tubular, speckled flowered, fuzzy leaved plant has me hooked and I can't wait to see how it grows and if I can keep it healthy and happy.