Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus is a genus of herbaceous plants in the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae, closely related to the genus Saintpaulia. The genus is native to parts of Africa, Madagascar and Asia in forested areas. more...

About 130 species of Streptocarpus have been identified, the first described being S. rexii. They are found growing on the ground, rock crevices, and almost anywhere the seed can germinate and grow. Many streptocarpus species such as S. dunnii are unifoliate, the plant only producing one leaf, flowers to produce seeds, and dies once the seeds have ripened; this is also called monocarpic (directly means only produces fruit once). Other species are perennial and come into flower during different parts of the year.

Selected species

Cultivation

Recent hybrids are able to remain in bloom throughout the year, and also have been bred to overcome the unifoliate form. Over the past few years work has been done through hybridizing to bring other traits, such as red flowers to our modern hybrids that are available today. There are thousands of cultivars that are now grown as both houseplants and in the garden. The colors of the flowers range anywhere from red, white, yellow, blue, and everything in between including nearly black, except for a deep orange. Many flowers have markings in the "throat". Because the shape of the flower is close to that of an orchid, they can be mistaken.

Streptocarpus are propagated by seeds, divisions, and leaf cuttings. Seeds are readily produced on Streptocarpus and make an easy and fun way to multiply a collection. The leafs can be cut down the middle to remove the central vein and then planted horizontally in light potting soil containing vermiculite and perlite. Many plants can be produced in a short time with this method of propagation. Below is a list of steps that a newly planted leaf will go through to produce more plants.

1. A few days after planting a leaf section it will seem limp and wilted. A little wilted is normal; it is is completely laying down it is going to need more moisture.

A) Add moisture by placing the cutting in a sealed bag or other container.

B) Make sure the potting medium is moist

1. About 2 weeks/sometimes a little later roots will form at the sites where the veins are.
2. About a week/or a bit more after it starts getting roots small plantlets will develop on the cut side of the leaf.
3. Soon these small leaves will rise above the potting medium, and once they are about 3-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) tall they can carefully be separated from the mother leaf and potted on its own.

Streptocarpus can be easily grown near a window and also under fluorescent lighting. The length of the leaves of the plant are directly related to two things, both the genetic background and the quality of light the plant receives. If a plant is getting little light the Streptocarpus will grow wide and long leaves to make up for the lack of light. This is an adaptation the plant has acquired by growing in dense forests in Africa.

Read more at Wikipedia.org