Pocketbook FLower, Calceolaria crenatiflora

[Tindomul]

Hi all,

On the day that I went to the New York Botanical Gardens and took all those pics of the Aloe's and a few Orchids, I also found and brought this little plant home with me. Its Calceolaria crenatiflora, I think. At first I thought it was a Gesneriad, but later found out its in the family Calceolariaceae which turns out to be a sister group of the Gesneriads.
It is also called lady's purse, slipper flower and pocketbook flower, or slipperwort.

If anyone has experience with this, please let me have some of your know-how because I have no idea what to do with it really.
Thanks.

Calceolaria crenatiflora by tindomul1of9, on Flickr
Calceolaria crenatiflora by tindomul1of9, on Flickr
Calceolaria crenatiflora by tindomul1of9, on Flickr

[Ordphien]

I want this.
So cool

[Paul]

Cute little bugger! Don't see them often. They can be very difficult plants for most folks unfortunately.

They are biennials.
They require cool temps year round. (Day temps in the low 70sF down into the 60s with the latter being best. Night temps should be in the 50s -- preferably low 50s.)
They rarely reflower for folks ... likely due to the unsatisfactory conditions in most homes.
Bright indirect light (no direct sun).
Water -- keep moist but not wet and never allow it to dry out.
Humidity - 50% or better.

[orchidsarefun]

I bought one from HD last year - magnificent. But they are extremely difficult to grow, well at least in my conditions. I did get it to rebloom but I couldn't manage to consistently keep the mix moist. Also attracted pests.
As they were so cheap, I might get one again. I am sure HD will offer them for sale.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Paul

Cute little bugger! Don't see them often. They can be very difficult plants for most folks unfortunately.

They are biennials.
They require cool temps year round. (Day temps in the low 70sF down into the 60s with the latter being best. Night temps should be in the 50s -- preferably low 50s.)
They rarely reflower for folks ... likely due to the unsatisfactory conditions in most homes.
Bright indirect light (no direct sun).
Water -- keep moist but not wet and never allow it to dry out.
Humidity - 50% or better.

Do they go through any seasonal changes? The conditions sound great for my on of my terrariums, the one that doesn't get misted. I say that one because I also read you are not supposed to water them from the top due to leaf damage?

[Ordphien]

Well... I actually kept my eye out and I purchased one.
It's so cute.
Precious little info on reblooming.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Do they go through any seasonal changes? The conditions sound great for my on of my terrariums, the one that doesn't get misted. I say that one because I also read you are not supposed to water them from the top due to leaf damage?

Don't know about seasonal changes, but I'd say not getting the leaves wet is nothing but hokum. After all, what is a plant in the wild going to do -- carry an umbrella? If anything, good air circulation is probably what would be called for.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Paul

Don't know about seasonal changes, but I'd say not getting the leaves wet is nothing but hokum. After all, what is a plant in the wild going to do -- carry an umbrella? If anything, good air circulation is probably what would be called for.

Sounds good!


---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Well... I actually kept my eye out and I purchased one.
It's so cute.
Precious little info on reblooming.

Very nice!!! I'm glad you found some. Mine has lost all it's flowers but the ones I pollinated seem to be making seeds.

[RosieC]

This is incredibly cool. Saw this on your flickr page a while back and it just didn't look real. Really love the colour and what great shape flowers.

[Tindomul]

Thanks Rosie, I thought it was out of this world too, which is why I bought it. The plant is almost dead though. However I got seeds out of it and spread them around a bit. Hopefully I get a bunch of new plants.