I think what you observe is called a basket. New starter plant is growing on a bloom stalk out of usually dormant buds.

It is a good way to start a new plant-much faster than from a leaf. Wait until the basket plant develops 3-4 leaves, remove it and root in a soil under a baggie or similar mini-greenhouse arrangement.

Even if you do not want to have 2 plants of the same variety - the spare plant is good as a gift to a plant loving friend. The second use is - eventually to replace the old plant with a new one - their time of good bloom and active growth is limited - and in a year you would need to rejuvenate the original plant anyway. Usually you can cut suckers of on old plant and root them. Old tired plant can be discarded at that point.

Good luck and enjoy your streps. May be you will catch the strep bug and add more to your collection. streptocarpus-info.com has a fantastic gallery of of what is grown now.

i.

That is some great information, Irina. I am new to streps too, so thanks.

Thanks so much Irina
I'm going to start a couple from each plant for replacements. magnificent plants!!!!I counted the blooms on the plant I mentioned -21 blossoms and they are 3" across.
Ralph

Ralph =

you definitely have a strep thumb!

You need more of them. If you like large flowered ones - the guy in CO sells Polish streps on ebay. Enjoy the eye candy.

irina

Here is a link that might be useful: world of streps