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 … Read more
Few if any flowering plants surpass the beauty of a gloxinia. The large, erect, bell-shaped flowers have a richness and variety of colors that make them superb. Even the gloxinia foliage is magnificent—large green leaves with a soft furry texture, beautifully formed and well placed on the plant. When in full flower, hybrid gloxinias are … Read more
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 … Read more
Stand behind a gloxinia sales counter at a country fair, and in a few hours, it is evident how greatly this plant is admired. Many names will call it; gloxinia, gloxinia, tuberous begonia, and even petunia, but on one point, everyone is unanimous—it is the most beautiful plant. However, beauty alone is not the sole … Read more
The Gloxinia Flower! It is a triumph to plant thick, dry, brown, and barren-looking gloxinia tubers and watch them produce a luxuriant plant with layers of large, oval, velvety leaves topped with a crowning glory of immense flaring, tubular flowers in rich patterns and glowing colors. That’s what happens when you grow gloxinias, tuberous-rooted relatives … Read more