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| Sinningia | Common name; Gloxinia |
A greenhouse pot plant that is also suited for growing indoors.
They grow to 250-300mm (10"-12") high with a similar spread, flowering from late May through to September.
Feed the plants with liquid fertiliser, at seven to ten day intervals, from the time the flower buds are visible.
Keep the plants moist throughout their growing period.
As the leaves turn yellow, gradually cease watering & feeding, and remove any dead flowers and leaves.
Store tubers in a dry place at a minimum of 16°C (60°F)
Discard tubers that are more than three years old.
Week 6; Place the dormant tubers in pots/trays of moist compost and start them into growth at a temperature of 21°C (70°F).
When the young growth is about 50mm (2") high, pot them up into 150mm (6") pots proprietary soiless compost, placing the top of the tubers level with the surface of the compost.
Grow the plants on in a shaded greenhouse with a humid atmosphere and at a minimum temperature of 13°-21°C (55°-70°F).
Week 10; Sow seeds on the surface of a proprietary seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 20°-24°C (68°-75°F).
Germination should take around three weeks
When the second true leaves have developed,(approx 5 weeks) prick the seedlings into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow on at a minimum temperature of 13°-21°C (55°-70°F).
Pot on as necessary, until reaching their final pot size.
Grow the plants on in a shaded greenhouse with a humid atmosphere and at a temperature of around 13°-21°C (55°-70°F).
n.b. Year old plants will often produce flowers in late summer.
Week 14; Divide tubers into pieces, each having one or two growing shoots.
n.b. Gloxinias can also be increased by taking 'basal' or 'leaf' cuttings (see below)
Cauterise (seal) the cuts with flowers of sulphur or powdered charcoal.
Pot the pieces separately into 3 in. pots containing the growing mixture.
Week 18; Take 50-70mm (2"-3") long basal shoots with a sliver of tubers, and insert the cuttings into compost consisting of equal parts (by volume) peat and sand, then place in a propagator at a temperature of 21°C (70°F).
Once the cuttings have rooted pot them up into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow on.
They should reach flowering size in four to six months.
Week 26; Take leaf cuttings by removing complete leaves.
Slash the veins on the underside of each leaf with a sharp knife, make the cut just below the junction of the main veins.
Place the leaves, cut side downwards, on the surface of a compost consisting of equal parts (by volume) peat and sand, then place in a propagator at a temperature of 21°C (70 F).
Roots will develop from the cuts and mature into small plants
Week 44; As foliage begins to yellow gradually reduce watering.
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