I DO NOT know whether the first slipper-type gloxinia I acquired in 1941 is one of the original species, Sinningia speciosa, or one of the early hybrids from which the present-day gloxinias were developed. But I do know that it is still a lovely plant, producing blossoms in great abundance, often from 50 to 100 … Read more
Gloxinias are the royalty of all house plants and are easily grown in a window garden. Coming in all colors except yellow, the plants provide an array of colors set off against a foil of large, velvety leaves. Tubers require little or no experience to grow to bloom size if directions are followed carefully. They … Read more
Eleven years ago, Albert H. Buell hardly knew a petunia from a pansy. Today, he’s the proud originator and grower of his strains of hybrid gloxinias, judged by experts to be among the finest available anywhere in the world. His rise to fame has all the elements of a Horatio Alger story, except that, in … Read more
True gloxinias, charming plants for window gardens, the home greenhouse, or protected shady spots outdoors in the summer, may start from tubers, young plants, leaf cuttings, or seeds. During the spring months, seeds will sprout quickly to develop into large enough plants to transplant and then produce their first flowers, often in five months. The … Read more
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 … Read more
If you want color on your windowsill, try growing gloxinias. No other house plants can provide the interesting variations and color range of the new gloxinia hybrids, and no other plants will reward you so handsomely for the small effort it takes to flower theme. Their colors run the gamut from delicate orchid pink to … Read more
Although the bulbs of this summer-flowering plant are usually not shipped until January to April, there is such a demand for named varieties that it is well to get orders weeks or months in advance. Gloxinias are natives of Brazil, where it is not only warm but humid. That explains why the bulbs do not … Read more
During the past 10 years, the African violet has been the only house plant to gain more popularity than gloxinia. A recent popularity poll made it the number two house plant in the country, a distinction that this most spectacular member of the gesneriad family richly deserves. Gloxinias were discovered in 1785 and named in … Read more
Perhaps few flowers are more beautiful or give more pleasure than a well-grown gloxinia in bloom. Yet many who are fond of these tender plants seem to have difficulty in raising them from seed. After considerable experimentation, I have worked out a plan which gives me quick results and may be helpful to others. Raising … Read more
Few can equal a gloxinia in full bloom for a spectacular house plant. Once you have experienced the thrill of producing a blooming plant from a tuber, you won’t be satisfied with one tuber. You will want to explore the gloxinia catalogs and add some of the enticing colors and patterns to your collection. When … Read more