OT: Anyone grow Gesneriads

14 years ago

I have a Kohleria rhizome question. I posted on the Gesneriad forum but it's slow or they just don't like me. lol I have a Kohleria that went dormant. It had been in the same pot for several years so I was advised to dig up the rhizome(s) and replant them. I finally got around to doing it last night and this plant has the absolute strangest rhizomes that I've ever seen. It's closest to an achimenes rhizome, I guess but some of the rhizomes (if that's what they are called) have really big scales that are all separate and drop off. The other rhizomes are smaller and compacted like the achimenes. I was wondering if each scale would give rise to a new plant if potted? I wish I'd taken pics. It's hard to describe. Here's a pic from the web of what the smaller compact rhizomes looked like. Just imagine those but each section is separate. They look like wedges, about 1/2" each.

Here is a link that might be useful: kohleria rhizome

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Comments (11)

givelittle_getlots
14 years ago
of course it all sounds like you are talking french....but thanks to the picture...I UNDERSTAND a lot :-)

Karyn the Rhizomes look a lot like how the Oxalis' grow. I usually separate them all and plant each rhizomes by itself and from the top comes out a new growth.

Am I close in answering SOMETHING?

I sure hope someone can help you!!! What a shame that other forums let you hang when you really need help :-(

Lucy
karyn1
Original Author
14 years ago
You're right Lucy. It does look like an oxalis rhizome. I did plant the whole rhizomes but what's strange about one part is that each scale is separate instead of laying like a shingle and the sections would drop off. I wanted to know if each little wedge shaped section would produce a new plant?
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givelittle_getlots
14 years ago
I would think not. If it has the same growth pattern as an Oxalis rhizome. I have never seen that one grow from any other place but the very top point.

But who knows :-)

Hope you get maybe lots of new plants that way!!!

Lucy
haase
14 years ago
Boy that's ugly! It scared me for a moment when the picture popped up.
I gave my Mom a gloxinia for every mothers day. I believe that's in the same family?

Ingrid
PKponder TX Z7B
14 years ago
That is cool looking, almost worm like. Makes me think of the movie "Tremors"

Pam
eloise_ca
14 years ago
Sorry no info here as I don't grow these. I'm with Ingrid, the roots are gross, LOL! Did goggle the flower and it is a beauty.
karyn1
Original Author
14 years ago
The rhizomes look like giant grubs.
givelittle_getlots
14 years ago
ok forget breakfast roflmao

Lucy
karyn1
Original Author
14 years ago
I finally got an answer. The single scales can produce a new plant but it's not always successful. I'll give it a try. It's kind of like planting scales from an Asiatic lily bulb which I've had decent success with. They just take such a long time to reach blooming size. I wonder if the Kohleria does too?
givelittle_getlots
14 years ago
well time will tell :-) Glad you got the answer.

Lucy
eloise_ca
14 years ago
Glad you got your answer Karyn, and yes, they do look like giant grubs. The small ones are bad enough to find in the soil; can you imagine if we found these, yuck!