Who is into Gesneriads?? Terrariums and frog people look here also.

[Tindomul]

Hi all,

Sooooo.... Just wondering who here has been hit by the Gesneriad bug? Who collects them, grows them passively etc....
Especially who grows them in terrariums?

About 1 1/2 years ago I fell in love with Seemania sylvatica, and found out that it grows and blooms rather easily for me. I figured it might do well in a terrarium. Haven't tried that yet, but will soon. I looked up some info online and found out that a lot of Gesneriads can be placed in terrariums. Then I saw how pretty many of them are.

I ordered two from Black Junlge Terrarium supply
Nematanthus corticola - Not sure if I can fit this one in my tall terrarium, but I will try. Does anyone know if this one will make it in low humidity situations, just in case I have to grow outside a terrarium. Here is a picture I found of one.
Petal Tones: Nematanthus corticola

I also ordered this one
Sinningia sp. 'Rio das Piedras' Micro-Mini
I know next to nothing about this one. I think it has a tuber which can be grown epiphytically on mossy substrates (which I have available). Am I right about that???

And in case you guys didn't see it in an earlier posting, here is my Seemania sylvatica which I grew from seed after selfing the parent plant 10 months earlier. From seed to bloom in ten months, thats pretty good I think.

Seemania sylvatica 'Bolivian Sunset'-14 by tindomul1of9, on Flickr

Seemania sylvatica 'Bolivian Sunset'-11 by tindomul1of9, on Flickr

Seemania sylvatica 'Bolivian Sunset'-13 by tindomul1of9, on Flickr

Seemania sylvatica 'Bolivian Sunset'-13 by tindomul1of9, on Flickr

[stefpix]

That is really nice! I just got what was sold me as a tiny $2 Lipstick plant at the farmers' market. I believe it is Aeschyanthus lobbianus. I read that is epiphytic.

[littlefrog]

Now that you've grown the seemania from seed, can it be propagated in the traditional gesneriad easy fashion? I'd certainly take a few pieces, that is pretty cool.

[Tindomul]

I don;t know what the traditional gesneriad easy fashion is. The seed seems very easy to me.
What is the easy method, thanks.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by stefpix

That is really nice! I just got what was sold me as a tiny $2 Lipstick plant at the farmers' market. I believe it is Aeschyanthus lobbianus. I read that is epiphytic.

Say that is awesome looking. Thanks for the suggestion. How do you grow it?

[stefpix]

I just got it Saturday in Union sq. in a 2" pot. I put it on my southern window with those mesh screens for mosquitoes. I read it can take bright light / morning sun. I saw a huge one at the Montreal BG that looked great

[Tindomul]

Oh thats cool. Maybe I will check out the farmers market at Union Square, they always have good stuff.

[stefpix]

it is the guy that sells ferns and other stuff across the street from Barnes & Nobles. form LI.

[littlefrog]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I don;t know what the traditional gesneriad easy fashion is. The seed seems very easy to me.
What is the easy method, thanks.

Most gesneriads root easily from almost any sort of cutting (leaf, stem, flower stalk). At least most of the ones I've tried. I never tried seed...

[greenbean]

I've grown a few Gessies. I've only dabbled because most of what I've tried needed longer day length than what I could provide, so I'm waiting until I can get an artificial light setup. I currently grow Aeschynanthus Mona Lisa, Columnia Janella, Saintpaulia Twinkle Blue, Streptocarpus Black Light, and Streptocarpus Nightfall.

I've admired your Seemania since the first time I saw you post it. I would love a cutting myself, if you don't get too many other requests.