For years, I’d tried to interest my husband in my indoor gardening activities. Windows full of blooming African violets failed to impress him.
Huge, flaring amaryllis drew a passing glance. Then, one day, we stopped at a greenhouse specializing in African violets—”just to look around.”
While I was lost in admiration of new varieties, my husband wandered off. Later, I asked him how he’d enjoyed the African violets. “Oh, they’re all right,” he replied. “But you should have seen the gloxinias in the other greenhouse! Why don’t you grow more of them?”
My startled reply was something to the effect that I’d like to if only we had more sunny windows. He promptly countered with, “Why not grow them under lights like you do, African violets? They’re from the same plant family, aren’t they?”
This brief exchange catapulted me into a brand-new indoor gardening adventure, which my husband has shared enthusiastically.
As soon as we got home, I started experimenting. I looked at my winter-grown gloxinia seedlings. Those in southern windows were fine specimens, but those in northern exposures were “leggy.” So, I placed a few of the latter under fluorescent lights.
Within ten days, the difference in growth was perceptible, and in two weeks, the plants had become flatter-topped and more symmetrical.
This convinced me then and there that growing gloxinias could be a year-round hobby instead of just a spring and summer one, as it is for most gardeners.
Custom Plant Table For Gloxinias
We went to work in earnest. Experiments soon proved that for small seedlings, the ideal distance from light was 3″ inches.
For Larger ones, 8″ inches, and for older plants, 12″ inches. Foliage and buds are not blasted because the lights throw out negligible heat.
In light of these findings, my husband built a wooden plant table, the frame measuring 5′ feet long by 1′ foot, 10″ inches wide, with legs 2′ feet, 8″ inches high.
A tinner made a galvanized tray inset. A second deck was then added feet long by 1 foot, 4 inches wide, and 14″ inches high. This upper deck we use most of the time for mature bulbs and plants and the lower dock for propagating purposes and seedlings.
A chain suspends two 40-watt daylight fluorescent bulbs from the ceiling, lighting the top deck, and a second pair of bulbs fastened beneath this deck lights the one below.
Lights are on from 7 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. Over the past five years. This system has more than proved itself. We’ve enjoyed a wealth of luxuriant gloxinias in winter, summer, spring, and fall.
Growing Gloxinias From Seeds
Although tubers, leaves, or seeds may propagate gloxinias, propagation by seeds is the most fun.
You never know what’s to come! You’re on a razor’s edge of expectancy from planting time until the first blooms unfold.
Many authorities consider February the ideal time to plant seeds, but I’ve planted them in midsummer with equally good results.
Covered plastic dishes make wonderful seed starters and can be wedged in anywhere. Heat an ice pick and prick holes in the bottom for drainage and in the top for ventilation. Sprinkle crushed charcoal in the bottom, then a layer of soil, and top with vermiculite.
Wet thoroughly with warm water and plant the seeds. You can mix these seeds, which are fine as dust, with sand and pour them into a salt shaker for easier and cheaper planting. Do not press seeds into the vermiculite. Keep covered until germination.
We seldom water the soil until the seedlings are up, for the plastic container acts like a miniature greenhouse.
When seedlings are three weeks to a month old (or have developed a second pair of leaves), shift them into 2-inch pots.
They can be grown to flowering size right in these pots. However, they will bloom more profusely if shifted to 4-inch pots when 10 weeks old.
The soil mixture we use for seedlings and tubers is one part each of sand, loam, rotted leaf mold, and manure.
Propagation Method For Gloxinias
Most growers propagate their first gloxinia from a leaf—culled from a friend’s treasured plant or a choice greenhouse variety.
The best time to take leaf cuttings is late May. However, since we have mature plants year-round, we take leaf cuttings at any time.
Root the leaf “as is” in water, soil, sand or vermiculite. If the leaf is planted directly in the soil, sink the stem firmly and occasionally cover it with a glass and water. If the leaf dies down before a plant appears, don’t fear all is lost.
On the contrary, the leaf has accomplished its mission in life—the formation of a new tuber—and it’s now time for it to bow out. Just keep yourself calm and the soil slightly moistened; the new plant will soon appear!
If you’re starting with new tubers, don’t be alarmed at their size; reach for huge pots to plant them in. Tubers 2 ½” inches across can be grown to maturity in 4-inch pots.
Soil Mixture For Gloxinias
It’s impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast rule for watering because temperatures and soils differ.
Most house plants, including gloxinias, should be watered thoroughly from the top until water runs freely from the drainage hole or the bottom until the surface is damp. Then, it should be allowed to become dry to the touch before watering plants again.
Leaf Cuttings For Propagation
When gloxinias have finished blooming, cut off the top growth and store the pot and tuber in the basement or closet. Sprinkle the soil once a week.
Some tubers rest for three months; others, not at all. When new growth appears, remove an inch of soil, supplement it with a teaspoonful of bonemeal, and replace it. Or remove the tuber and repot in fresh soil.
Control Pest and Disease
Inspect plants frequently for thrips, which can be troublesome. These minute insects produce rusty markings on stems and glassy, silver-brown spots on leaf undersides.
If recognized immediately, they can be quickly eliminated by dusting plants with DDT or spraying with liquid Vape Tone.
If you’re a real gloxinia fancier, that once-a-year blooming period rolls around all too slowly. In that case, you’d better do as we’ve done—install fluorescent lighting and enjoy the tropical glory of gloxinias the entire year.
44659 by Peggie Schulz