Friday, November 6, 2009

Streptocarpus Plants




In a previous posting I mentioned that two
new plants had been added to the indoor plant
collection.These starts came from an online purchase
from 'The Violet Barn' which also sells them on Ebay
auctions. Going over Rob's website makes your eyes
grow big and round, and a gardener heart go pitty-pat.
(and no I am not affiliated)
For someone who is new to the whole African Violet
and Streptocarpus growing scene I was amazed at the
beauty and the varieties that can be found.
Since I am always looking for flowers to grow indoors
to hold me through the cold, dreary Winter until Spring
arrives these little beauties were just what I needed.
Also my house has no windows that catch direct sunlight
so I am always looking for flowers that will grow in indirect
lighting or just bright light.
I was very pleased with the size of the starter plants
and now they are awaiting new violet pots to be planted into.
Here are the two new Streptocarpus that arrived:




'Streptocarpus Roulette Red'




And 'Streptocarpus Ink Blot'
She is really prettier than this blurry picture shows it.

Detailed Plant Care Instructions ,which I always need plenty of,
is also provided at the Violet Barn website.
Simple instructions though are:

Lighting: Most gesneriads prefer bright light and can be
grown under florescent lights which will always keep
them blooming.

Watering: Use room temperature water, when the
soil surface feels dry to the touch.

Feeding: Regular fertilizing is needed for maximum
growth and bloom so feed with each watering.

Atmosphere: African violets and most other gesneriads
thrive in the same conditions in which people are comfortable
living in - not too hot or not too cold and 40 to 50 % humidity.

Soil: Use a light soil-less mix, consisting of 30 to 50%
vermiculite or perlite. Soil should be light and fluffy.

Potting: Fresh soil about every six months.
They need repotting when the root ball fills the pots
and then only in pots no bigger than a 1/2 inch larger
than the root ball.

Propagation: Use a light rooting medium. Violets can
be rooted from stem cuttings by cutting the leaf stem at 1/2
to 3/4 and pushed into lightly moistened mix.
For streptocarpus, remove the midrib from a leaf, then
firmly insert the two halves into media.Te leaves can be
protected by placing in a clear plastic bag or covered
container. Placed in moderate light.






Today is also Fertilizer Friday sponsored by Tootsie
from Tootsie Time so join us in ' Flaunting Your Flowers.'





Happy Gardening Everyone!

17 comments:

Balisha said...

Pretty pretty. What vibrant colors. Love your new header. Have a great weekend.
Balisha

Helen said...

Those are so pretty. They got to you in good shape. I don't think I have ever seen any of those. The butterfly picture is pretty. Your header picture is beautiful. I haven't seen but a couple of pretty trees around here. The leaves are just turning brown and falling off. I don't understand it because we have had plenty of rain this summer and fall. Helen

Tira said...

Thanks for visiting my site. Your header photo is awash with fall scenes!

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Those look really pretty. A long time ago I grew African Violets. They were so easy and lovely. btw, I love your autumn header photos!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I don't know anything about these plants, thanks for sharing info about them. The leaves remind me of a primrose.

Lona said...

Balisha: I fell in love with the colors and the varieties of them. Have a great weekend!

Helen: I was playing around with Picasa and made a new Fall header ;-)All of the leaves are gone here now. It looks like winter. yuck!

Nicole: Hi and thanks for dropping by. Have a wonderful weekend.

Jean: Thank you. They will have to be easy for them to stay alive in my house ;-)

Catherine: The leaves do remind you of primrose! I never even thought of it until you mentioned it.

Lona said...

Laurie: I would never throw the violet leaves out but I would have been very disappointed if the variegated leaves did not appear on new plants.I thought " how can they get by with selling those leaves" and was ticked off ;-)
Joseph was a good sport about it and said he was mistaken.I told him I was glad he was wrong for once.
Have a great weekend.

Jean Campbell said...

Mr. Loran, at whose greenhouses and florist I used to hang out in the early 1980's, grew streptocarpus from seed. I loved them. Haven't seen one in person since he died.

Phoenix C. said...

Oh, this brings back memories of learning how to take cuttings from Streptocarpus at horticultural college! Happy days!

Anonymous said...

Love your new header, it's fabulous! I have no idea why deer do not bother my garden, we see them right outside our subdivision all the time. I did find a bit of digging around my new bulbs, but they didn't go deep enough. Not sure if it was them, or a dog or cat. No squirrels here either, the trees are too small. You must get to Inniswood someday. Just let me know and I'll meet you there. Our trees are actually pretty bare, those photos are a week old! LOL

Heather said...

Very pretty!

RURAL said...

My fav days at the nursery were when the Streps came in from the Auction. Having first pick of all those beauties kept me there for much longer than I wanted.

I will have to check out this website, because my nursery is now closed forever.

Jen

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I wanted to get some of those too and then Summer came and I forgot to order some. My African Violets kinda took over the house so I am going to have to find a spot for those...lol(-: It is true they do add a lot of cheer through the long winter weeks! Happy FF!!!!

Tootsie said...

let me just say...you have a special touch...it does not matter how hard I try...I kill these even before I get them home!
your blooms are just gorgeous girl...enjoy them!
have a great weekend...I thank you for linking in to share with us!

Anonymous said...

I had to click right over when I saw your post title Lona. I have a streptocarpus ('Black Panther') blooming on my kitchen counter right now and it's making me very happy. I think I could easily become addicted to them. Your 'Roulette Red' is especially striking. I think I bought mine to help me get thru the winter too ~ anything to help the cold weather pass easier and faster. I've had it for quite a while now ~ I hope you have good luck with yours. I'll have to post a pic of mine soon (since I don't have any other flowers blooming right now). Your fall blog header is great too!

Green thumb said...

Hi Lona, your new header is very pretty! Like Catherine too, your new plants remind me of Primroses. Nice info.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I got mine in the mail yesterday...guess what FF post is of???(-: Have a great day!!!