An award-winning double gloxinia was grown originally from seed flowered in about 11 months. It was transplanted first into a two-inch and later into a 4-inch plastic pot.
It was allowed to flower once and from that point was grown for about 3 months for tuber development.
Any flower buds that developed during this period were removed immediately.
Thus, all growing strength was centered in the tuber to replace the energy lost in producing blooms and build up its flowering potential for the next season.
Isn’t it amazing that a 2-inch tuber can form from a tiny gloxinia seed within a few months?
Next, this plant enjoyed a rest period of approximately 3 months. Finally, it was placed in a dark corner of our cool basement. Its foliage died down.
A small amount of watering was done monthly, just enough to prevent tuber shrinkage.
How To Plant a Gloxinia Tuber
A 5-inch pot and new soil were used to replant the gloxinia tuber the following year.
We used prepared African violet soil, adding ⅓ perlite to improve aeration.
In the bottom of the pot, we placed a layer of charcoal and gravel, then added the soil mixture, leaving enough room for placement of the tuber concave side up and more soil to cover it. Again, dry soil was used for potting.
After planting, the soil was settled by tapping the pot against a table, then watered.
The growing spot was warm and sunny, ranging from 62° degrees Fahrenheit at night to an average of 75° degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime.
Watering And Feeding Gloxinias
In about 3 weeks, a pair of leaves poking through the soil. Watering is most important at this stage.
During the beginning weeks, watering was done only when the soil was dry.
As the plant increased in size and buds were set, watering was stepped up, so the soil was kept evenly moist. (Caution: Don’t ever let it be soggy!)
As with all house plants, the higher the humidity, the better the growth.
The simplest way of attaining humidity is by growing many plants and grouping them together.
Damp perlite was kept underneath our plant. No fertilization was given until the leaves extended beyond the pot’s rim.
From this time, fish emulsion, one teaspoon to a quart of water, was a part of the regular watering every tenth day.
Our Clayberg Hybrid, grown as described, flowered in 5 ½ months after its rest period and remained in bloom for two months.
When the plant received its Silver Medal, it had been flowering for 6 weeks.
Propagating The Prizewinner
Because some of the new double gloxinias do not have stems sturdy enough to bear the weight of the blooms, this plant was recognized as one worthy of propagation.
The blossoms open up completely, and this is another attribute in its favor.
To propagate this plant, several small center leaves were taken near the end of the flowering period.
After dipping the stem ends in a rooting hormone, we planted them in a tray filled with equal parts moist soil and perlite.
The leaf stems were cut as short as possible and yet left long enough to stand at a slanting upright in the rooting medium.
New tubers formed at the base of these stems, and as they show new plantlets, they will be planted in 2 ¼-inch individual pots.
They can be expected to make showy, flowering plants within a year.
Starting A Collection Of Gloxinias
You can start a collection of gloxinias by planting seeds by obtaining young plants through the mail whenever the weather is warm or by obtaining mature tubers in fall, winter, or early spring.
Hybrids like Albert H. Buell, Antonelli Brothers, Bruce Thompson, and Michael Kartuz produce exciting results.