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Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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Posted by jekyll New Zealand (My Page) on Fri, Nov 16, 07 at 5:33
| I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago (at least that is what I think it is). I got totally sidetracked while buying it as the woman who sold it to me also grows some other cool plants and I ended up in a discussion about Massonia (South Africa bulb). So I forgot to ask her about the care of the Sinningia leucotricha (in fact I forgot to ask her the species name and had to search online).
It's spring here right now and it has 3 stems with leaves and flowers and one small new stem just starting. I wouldn't normally think of repotting at this time, but it is so tight in the pot that the pot is distorted, and water doesn't drain through very well.
I don't know how much light and heat it wants, nor whether I should feed it. I've looked online but can't see much specific information.
I'm in Wellington, New Zealand. Temperate climate, no temperature extremes, lots of rain and an awful lot of strong wind. At the moment it is sitting in a hot sunny room with my succulent collection, my tomato seedlings, a couple of my more delicate carnivorous plants and various other bits and pieces that aren't suitable for outside.
Suggestions appreciated. If you can give me "it grows well in similar conditions to..." that should work as I grow a lot of different things. Also, I'd appreciate thoughts on whether I should repot it now.
Thanks
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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- Posted by komi z7/8 DC (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 16, 07 at 11:33
| It likes to be pot bound, so I wouldn't worry about distorted pots. But you say water doesn't drain well - if it is so pot-bound, isn't the pot mostly full of the tuber? I grow it with things like huernia - but mine are under lights . I also had some leucho hybrids outside down to about 5C without problem - I finally brought them in when we started to get cool temps and rain together. The summer was humid but almost no rain and they did fine. I've only had these for a few years so not a lot of experience to share. |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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| Hi Jekyll - Looks like you do something very right! There is a site about sinningias you can check. Irina |
Here is a link that might be useful: Sinningia site
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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Mine (in the UK) are on a windowsill. My biggest is very pot bound in a distorted pot too. I tend to water it from the bottom, and feed with liquid feed whenever I remember. When the stems either break off accidentally or go yellow and die, stop watering. Then don't water again until the new shoots are about half an inch high and look like strong shoots.
Mine stays in the same place indoors all year, and my central heating tends to be o about 15 c minimum, but I think it would be ok cooler than this.
I believe some people in America leave it in he garden all year.
If you want seed, it's easy to pollinate with a paintbrush or with another flower. |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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- Posted by jekyll New Zealand (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 23, 07 at 4:31
| Thanks for the advice. I scratched at the soil a bit and the tuber isn't completely filling the pot, so I think it's ok. I gave it a really good soak from below and that seems to have done the trick. I'm leaving it in the same pot for now. At least it doesn't sound like it will be easy to kill (as long as I don't put it outside in a typical Wellington gale). |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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| Hi Jekyll Just saw your post of last year, and wondered how your S. leucotricha is doing for you nowadays? I have found its a lovely plant to grow, but then I love Sinningias! lol Cheers |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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| Thanks for asking. It's doing pretty well. I repotted into African violet mix in a similar-sized pot when it was dormant in the winter. It's now flowering and has 3 flower stems, plus it looks like there are a 3-4 more stem buds so maybe I'll get some more. I agree, it is a lovely plant. Jekyll |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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| I also bought a Sinningia last week ... in Cape Town. So your experience is helpful. But mine is labeled Sinningia incotrica, and I find this name only once on the web ... at the site of the local South African breeder, who labels it with the common name Silver Gloxinia. In appearance, it seems identical to leucotricha. Is this a capricious renaming by a local horticultural firm ... or does the name have deeper roots? Anyone have any ideas? |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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| I could not find Sinningia incitrica in either IPNI or The Gesneriad Research Site. I suspect the name was created by misreading another tag since the names are similar. |
RE: Sinningia leucotricha impulse buy - oops
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- Posted by jekyll New Zealand (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 10, 08 at 4:02
| I agree, sounds like someone couldn't quite read the tag and copied it wrong. Imagine a name written on a label then stuck into a pot and the 1st 3 letters wore off or got smeared so whoever was reading the tag got "in" instead of "leu". That's my theory. Yours is presumably on the same seasonal timing as mine - is it flowering? |
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