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A well - grown Streptocarpus ( cape primrose ) is a joyousness . The many hybrids provide pleasing color and dashing combination in sunglasses of ruby , pinkish , blue , reddish blue and snowy .
contrast line and blotches of vivacious color diversify from the throats of the prime to add interestingness .
These fuzzy - leave plants are link up to Saintpaulias ( African violets),Columneasand gloxinia – all of them members of the gesneriad family .
The natural home ground of streptocarpus is mainly in Africa and Madagascar . There they turn in cool , humid , wooded wad ravine where sheltered hoummos provides wet for the root .
The Good Book streptocarpus is not as enigmatical as it appear . It is a compounding of two Greek words , streptos(twisted ) andkarpus(seed pod ) . The twisted seed capsule , on most varieties , is longer than a toothpick and nearly as thin .
The First Streptocarpus Arrives
The first streptocarpus species collected was bring from the African estate of George Rex , and it bloomed in England ’s Kew Gardens in 1826 .
This gloxinia - like piffling plant receive a generous welcome and was before long make Streptocarpus rexii . It germinate thick rosettes of fluted , dark green leaves .
From the axils of these come six to eight - inch stems , each check one or two tube-shaped flowers of rich blue . Today , this specie visualize in the ground of many outstanding hybrids , such as the Weismoors , and is still grown by collectors .
At least two species of streptocarpus , S. wendlandiiandS. grandis , develop only one magnanimous foliage . It matures in a year or more when numerous flowering stem derive from the base of the strong mid - vein of the leaf .
These individual leaves may raise to two or three feet in duration when the plant is give abundant moisture .
I experience this when develop S. wendlandii in a especially prepared border due north of my house .
Even the width of the leaf was 12 ” inch . Imagine the trouble encountered at pot - up time before frost !
I solved the dilemma by using a large flock and placing it on a table on the porch where the leaf could repose in its innate position .
However , now I am growing S. wendlandii and S. grandis in four - in raft and the leafage measure about 18 ” by eight inches , and they seem depicted object in this size pot .
S. grandis has a leafage of lighter dark-green than that of S. wendlandii , and it is thin .
These streptocarpus are annuals – they bloom once , then die .
The Leafy Stem Cape Primrose Streptocarpus
Another streptocarpus group is compose of species with erect , leafy stems .
The most familiar is Steptocarpus saxorum , seeds of which were institute to the United States from Tanganyika ( present - day Tanzania ) by L. J. Brass of Florida in 1950 .
It is well grow and propagated .
I ’ve maturate it in an east window and even in a south windowpane during winter while the sun is far south . The Lord’s Day brings out the treat blue flowers , each held by its own wiry , three - column inch , red - disgraceful stalk .
When these come along in profusion , they are indicatory of subdivision hand out to flap blue flag all around the works .
Streptocarpus saxorum is a branching plant life with a multitude of stems . The largest single leaves are slimly less than an column inch long , and about one - one-half inch widely .
They are lush and hairy . prow cuttings root well in vermiculite , in a mixture of peat moss and sand , or in a compounding of peat and perlite .
Streptocarpus kirkii of this group has branched stems and nub - form leaves about 1 ½ ” inch in diameter . Each flower stem may hold as many as 25 or more light blue flower .
Propagation
Cape primrose may be circularise by seed or cutting just as easy as African violet .
Also , the same territory African Violet grease salmagundi may be used .
honorable drain is necessary , but the dirt should never dry out or the leafage edges will turn brown . Streptocarpus resent air that is excessively blistering and dry .
In the window garden , it avail to set them on a aerofoil of moist sand , peat moss or perlite .
S. rexii and the other hybrids may be rise at cooler temperatures than are commonly provided for African violet and gloxinias – down to 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit at dark .
Give them plenty of sun in winter .
The one - folio species , S. wendlandii and S. grandis , have done well for me in a wide range of condition , seeming to fly high best with a moist atmosphere , and a temperature range of 62 ° to 75 ° degrees Fahrenheit in the wintertime .
S. saxorum needs passion , some sunlight and high humidity .
I have found streptocarpus worthful in my outside garden during warm weather .
The roots seem to appreciate the chance to meander deep into moist foliage mould . Early morning and recent afternoon sun promote summary growth and profuse flowering .
Watering is done with a flared hose nozzle , and on extremely hot day the plants are chill by the hose several time a twenty-four hour period .
During the summer , streptocarpus outdoors relish the dew , pelting and cool night air .
By Florence Knock
