E-Bay find

I have never had luck with any of these type of plants but after seeing this one on e-bay I thought I would try my hand again and I thought a real deal, there was a few others I was bidding on but did not win on them so if i have success this these two I will try a few more later on..
This is a Streptocarpus called Vampire's Kiss and it had a couple blooms on it when it arrived but this is the first bloom that did not look about dead, I love the almost black red color of it..
I don't really know how to take care of them but the first thing I did was get it out of the tiny pot it came in the leaves are huge so if anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it.

Here is the whole plant when it arrived which the shipping only took two days after I won. I paid 5.00 so I don't even know if that is good or bad but paing quickly I received a bonus plant also..

Here is the bonus plant they called it a Saintpaulias 'Adirondack Moon', it is very tiny but has seem to have grown some since I got it..
Any advice on care I would appreciate from you all..

Thanks,
Vickie

Hi Vickie,

Wow good deal! Is this your first Strep? I am picking up a mini Strep called Mighty Mouse when I go to the AV sale in the city at the end of the month. I am short on space even with a new stand coming.

The color of that Strep is a nice rich color. The little guy looks healthy enough, it will be fine.

TFS (thanks for sharing)

Joanne

Thanks, and yes it is my very first of any of these or AV's, I have not attempted any houseplants since moving here. I have the same problem here with space and light especially in winter but I have a GH so I am hoping that will help to keep them looking good.
My mom always had AV and I have never had any luck before so when I saw these on e-bay from a company called brennans orchids, they had so many that were up for bid or buy now so I thought I would try my hand at something different and I am thinking I might have another addiction to deal with..

Hi Vickie,

Yeppers, I just started collecting name brand violets in March and now I am totally out of control and the second stand is on its way.

The company where I bought said if you just have one there is no problem but when you order the second one there is some serious addiction happening!

I am sure you will do well with them and to have a greenhouse...so lucky!!! I have never grown Streps so I am not sure how to look after them but on the home page of The African Violets and Gesneriads forum there are some stickies thanks to Lali who puts all this info there and I know there is info on Streps...so you might want to have a boo through them....it is the first two links at the top of the page.

Thanks again for sharing. Are you new to DG Vickie? Welcome just the same.

Joanne

Vicki your plants are beautiful ! Thanks for sharing ! Welcome to our wonderful forum !
Streptocarpus are easy to care for. Just don't over water them they will die. Under water they wilt they will forgive you.
May I ask does your flower on your Strep have white powder on it ?

Lovely strep!

Love the red bloom on that Strep! Beautiful!

Vickie,

You received a great deal on your strep! I have a large number of streps and initially followed the advice on Rob's Violet Barn's website and treated them like my AV's. Well, they died. My recipe for success has been using a very light soil--1 part coir, 1 part vermiculite and 2 parts perlite. I also add Diatomaceous earth and horticultural charcoal. Don't overwater your strep and it will do great.

Thanks all for your comments. and no there is no white power that I see the small one had a lot of dirt on it and I believe the leaves are suppose to be variegated and some are showing a little white popping up on the leaves..
I have admired all your plants for a long time now and having wanted to try my hand at growing these so now I am looking to get a few more.
Joanne No I am not new to DG, I have been a member for many years but have not really grown any house plants but I have been lurking around many forums but now I can say I have found this one to be quite informative.
At the moment I have not really been watering these I spray them daily as I do most of my other plants and now hoping that it is the right thing to do.
Thanks again for all your help and you all have made me feel very welcome.

Vickie