Glowing African violets have provided a pleasant adventure in indoor gardening for the past few years.
However, while I still enjoy working with them, they are now relegated to second place since I discovered 2 years ago the potential glamor encased in a flattened bulb – that of the gloxinia.
For sheer joy, no flower that I have grown indoors can compete with it.
The Start Of My Botanical Adventure
It all began in a single bulb (Fire King, which I ordered from my favorite nursery and received late in March.
Growth was already advanced, and I potted it immediately, watered it carefully, and left it in a warm, dark place for three days, bringing it gradually to full sunlight.
Within a few weeks, great lush, thick, hairy leaves developed to a mammoth size.
Eventually, up from the center of the leafy crown, the calyx of the flowers appeared in spear-like form, followed by the tightly folded tube-shaped corolla, which gradually assumed a tint of pale pink at the outer rim.
Then five-fluted petals appeared at the mouth of the tube, in a breath-taking blending of color, surrounded by buds in various stages of development.
Moving the plant from the direct rays of the sun for a part of each day, we had, all through July, from two to three blossoms, each at least 3” inches in diameter across the petals.
I seldom have a plant in bloom by starting new plants from leaves.
Producing Plants From Leaves
As I mentioned earlier, any number of new plants may be produced from leaves.
And as surprising as it seems, by starting leaves at intervals of 3 or 4 weeks apart, you may have a continuous flower show.
I have a plant, which bloomed late this spring, and instead of becoming dormant as is the habit, it has developed a new plant on another portion of the root.
I await the results on that.
How To Start Using Leaves?
Here’s how to use healthy leaves to produce new plants:
- Cut healthy leaves with about 1″ to 1/2″ inches of stem.
- Place in a glass of water in strong light until a fine network of roots and small rough knobs appear at the end of the stem. This may take several weeks.
- Use potting soil prepared in the proportion of three-quarters leaf mold (or peat moss), loam, and one-fourth sand for drainage.
- A 4-inch pot is about right for either slips or bulbs (of which I will speak later).
- When placing a rooted leaf in a pot, do not press the soil around the leaf firmly enough to injure bulblets.
Do not overwater at this time; keep the soil barely moist.
Some leaves die before growth begins; some stay green. In either case, there will be no sudden magical growth.
Several weeks will pass before you see a speck of green adjacent to the parent leaf. Do not be discouraged, and do not pull up the leaf.
Given time there will be a heavy leafy plant, and I have never had one, started thus, that did not bloom!
Bulbs and plants may be kept growing indefinitely.
Currently, I have two plants resting; one in bud; two rooted leaves, in a sunny window, in the process of making plants; and two in water.
Using Bulbs To Start
If you wish to start with bulbs, they may be obtained from nurseries from December through May.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Place in 4-inch pots in the soil as for leaves.
- If growth has not started when received, place the bulb partially above the soil.
- Keep the bulb warm and shaded from light for about a week, then give plenty of sunlight.
I carried my first plant from one sunny window to another, but with those later, I curbed my impatience and left them in a south window.
They seem to be always thirsty.
In watering, care should be taken so that no water touches the leaves. They burn as easily as the leaves of African violets in the sun.
Things To Do After Blooming Season
After the season for blooming has passed by, usually over 3 weeks to a month, they should be watered sparingly, gradually tapering off completely.
When the leaves dry out and die, the plant should have a rest of from 60 or 90 days in a cool, darkened room, with pots lying on their sides.
I keep mine in the basement, but they must not be under 50° degrees Fahrenheit. Then, as they seldom become wholly dormant, watch for growth toward spring, and bring it up to the light.
It is well to re-pot bulbs and add a pinch of commercial fertilizer to the new soil.
44659 by Ethel E. Mann