Gloxinia - Sinningia speciosa) is one of the most spectacular houseplants, which does not require special care and is well adapted to environmental conditions in our homes.
Flowering period lasts from May to August but forced cultures sold in flower shops can bloom at any time of year.
Blooms come on short flower stems in a wide variety of colors from white to pink to purple solid colors, with white edging or bicolor ones. The bell shaped flowers come in a great variety of single or double flowers, plain or ruffled petals.
Its hairy, oval leaves with toothed edges arise from tubers.
Being a close relative of the African violet, Gloxinia requires the same care, soil and humidity with a little bit more light requirements as African violet.
The essential difference between the two is that Gloxinias need a period of dormancy during winter (on the northen emisphere), before they start blooming again.
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Flowering period lasts from May to August but forced cultures sold in flower shops can bloom at any time of year.
Blooms come on short flower stems in a wide variety of colors from white to pink to purple solid colors, with white edging or bicolor ones. The bell shaped flowers come in a great variety of single or double flowers, plain or ruffled petals.
Its hairy, oval leaves with toothed edges arise from tubers.
Being a close relative of the African violet, Gloxinia requires the same care, soil and humidity with a little bit more light requirements as African violet.
The essential difference between the two is that Gloxinias need a period of dormancy during winter (on the northen emisphere), before they start blooming again.
Gloxinia - Sinningia speciosa care:
- Light conditions
Gloxinia requires bright, indirect light but it doesn't tolerate direct sunlight. - Watering
Gloxinia (Sinningia) prefer evenly moist soil and plenty of humidity.
When watering the plant, fill the saucer under the pot and irrigate from the bottom. Let it soak up water for an hour and then dump excess water out
Avoid watering the crown of the plant as it will tend to rot.
Avoid getting water on the hairy foliage as this will produce brown spots on the leaves. - Feeding
Feed regularly with a general, liquid houseplant fertilizer at intervals of two weeks, while the plant is growing and blooming.
As soon as it stops putting out blooms, stop feeding so the tuber can grow dormant. - Soils
Use soil high in humus; the same commercial potting soil mixture as for African violets will do. Make sure it drains well. - Dormancy
After the flowering period, around October or November, the plant will start to wind down. It's time for the plant to rest. At this time reduce watering each week.The leaves will slowly go yellow and dry as the plant goes dormant.
Leave it in the pot and allow the soil to go quite dry. Move the pot with the tubers in a cool, dark room 5-10°C (40-50°F) for the next 3-4 month.
After several months new growth will start. Bring back the plant to a well lit, warm room at 16-26°C (60-79°F) and start watering, feeding again. - Repotting
It is advised to repot the gloxinia in spring or when it goes dormant, so the new growth will happen into a bigger pot with fresh soil.
