Gesneriads

[orchidsarefun]

I currently grow Gloxinia ( species sinningia ) but today I discovered a whole new world of orchid companions.
There is a Gesneriad Show at Chicago Botanic Gardens through March 24th. I was there today and purchased some streptocarpus, petrocosmeas and achimenes. What fascinating and interesting plants ! And cheap too !
And perfect for windowsills !
Does anyone else grow these ? I think they will complement my orchids wonderfully......

BTW African Violets are also gesneriads, and they grow well in orchid-like conditions.

[PaphMadMan]

I've been growing some micro mini Sinningia for a couple years. Three species, S. pusilla, S. concinna and S. muscicola, and varieties and hybrids among them. They need terrarium conditions but are pretty much care-free if they get the high humidity they need. They tolerate a pretty wide range of light and mostly don't seem picky about temperature either. Since they are less than 2" plants in 1" pots you can squeeze a few in anywhere. Pretty much in constant bloom, and often self-seed. Small tubers that rarely go dormant. If you have an orchidarium/terrarium/vivarium it is almost effortless to give them a try.

[WhiteRabbit]

Very cool!

I used to have some A/Vs... After a number if years they all succumbed to one thing or another. I really like them, but the orchids have taken over all my space!

[orchidsarefun]

found this reference site

The Gesneriad Reference Web

The micro-minis are appealing but not for me....yet.... in that I won't be able to keep RH high with my set-up ( no greenhouse, all window-sills ). I passed on an episcea, very tempting, for that reason. They were selling those enclosed in ziploc bags.
I have joined a local Gesneriad Society, so things may change !

[Katsols]

Streptocarpuses are also great orchid companions, same care as a/v's but they like to dry out more and can tolerate more light than a/v's and they are crazy bloomers! so many varieties and colors. I have a polish strep i bought on ebay.

[lily99]

I had a nice collection of african violets until they got infested with thrips. I couldn't get rid of the stupid bugs so I had to toss them. I now have 5 episcias in my terrerium. They are loving the humidity and warmth. I couldn't keep them alive outside the terrerium. I might get some more violets some day if I can find space for them.

[Tindomul]

I grow some, but am very new. The ones I have been successful with are Seemania sylvatica Have had them flower for me for the last three years.
I have expanded to Episcias, Aechmenes and micro mini Sinningia, but I killed that one. How much light is too much for those?
Excuse my spelling.

[orchidsarefun]

well the achimenes grew fantastically in part sun.
I say that because out of about 12 bulbs originally, I now have about 40 bulbs in dormancy ! I found them very similar to impatiens, but with much nicer rounded growth habit and blooms.
I plan to put them in a window box, or 2, in 2014 - that should be spectacular.
I subsequently obtained some micro-mini sinningia - these are grown in ziploc bags in high light. Doesn't seem to be practical to me - but they are really tiny, and I don't have a terrarium.

[Tindomul]

I have them all in my terrarium, and at first was growing my micro sinningia on the bottom in ABG soil mix. I saw it wasn't doing to well so I put it about 6 inches away from the light, basically mounted on drift wood high up in the terrarium. I will check tomorrow, but I think its gone. I have not seen it for a while.

[Gthumbz89]

Ya I grow them... They are beasts. They bloom like every month or so like crazy.