Streptocarpus
Streptocarpus is an indoor flower from the familygesnerievyh. His homeland is Madagascar and South Africa. The one who once took care of the violets, there will be no question how to grow a streptocarpus, because these flowers and violets are close relatives, although streptocarpus at home can be found much less often. The reason for this may be that this indoor flower is introduced into culture much later and does not have such a colossal variety of varieties.
This plant has a short straight stem androot rosette of leaves, there are species with one leaf. Flowers are single or collected in the inflorescence, they are white, blue, violet and pink. Recently appeared a variety with yellow flowers.
The flower itself is large, consists of five petals,collected in an elongated corolla. Streptocarpus flowers look like large bells on the photo. It should be taken into account that the streptocarpus on the photo does not look as attractive as it really is; expressive shape of flowers and shiny leaves are guaranteed to attract visitors to the flower exhibitions.
Streptocarpus: varieties
In Russia, the selection of streptocarpuses is carried out by I. Kabanova and E. Trofimenko, famous St. Petersburg collectors of Gesnerian. Probably, they themselves do not know how many varieties were withdrawn, since they work with this flower for a long time and can be considered experts in this matter.
Streptocarpus selection Kabanova, Trofimenko, Enikeeva, Ivanova, Kleshchinskogo, Dimetris (DS), CF (Moscow Center of Violets) are well known and decorate private collections around the world.
Some of the best in the world are considered breeding varietiesDS Margarita with just huge purple flowers, similar to an orchid, dark cherry Elephant and Crystal lace with corrugated lilac petals. Do not lag behind them because of the popularity and size of the flower, the white and crimson variety of Anna breeding Kleshchinsky.
All modern varieties are obtained on the basis of a streptocarpus hybrid, and, looking at their photos, you can endlessly admire the results of the work of masters-breeders.
Growing streptocarpuses
Caring for streptocarpus is the same as forviolet, but with its transplantation into the ground it is desirable to add charcoal. Planting streptocarpus is carried into low pots, the deep plant refuses to bloom, even if it occupies half the volume by drainage. The temperature is needed + 20 - 25 C in summer, + 12 - 14 C in winter. Watering is moderate, in the summer regular feeding is needed.
In general, this plant is hardy. At home, streptocarpus diseases result solely from disturbances in the moisture and temperature regime. They disappear as soon as these indicators are brought to normal.
Reproduction of streptocarpus
This plant can reproduce in severalmethods: seeds, bush division and leaf fragment. The latter method is more productive, since from a small leaf fragment it is possible to obtain about 30 outgrowths.
With a sheet of sharp scissors, the upperhalf and is cut down into a plastic cup with a substrate. It should be loose, damp. When the children grow up, they will need another couple of weeks to gain strength before separating from the leaf. It is important not to separate before the time, wait until it reaches the size of more than 2 cm. And after the separation, place it in comfortable conditions.
