Rooting Episcia Stolons

- Rooting Episcia Stolons -

Actually, a very simple process. If you have a favorite potting mix used for other gesneriads like African Violets, by all means use it. Select your pot (with drainage holes at the bottom) and fill with good quality bagged potting mix. I moisten the mix slightly prior to filling the pot and inserting the cutting. Insert episcia cutting (stolon) into moist mix and water. Cover with a dome or clear baggie until rooted. In a warm environment, this should take about 10 days or so. You can check to see if rooted by tugging "gently" on the plant and if it stays secure, then it has rooted. You may remove the baggie at this point. Variegated episcias prefer terrarium type culture.

All episcias thrive in a warm, humid environment, 75-85 is ideal. Never let temps go below 60 degrees. At 55 degrees, severe damage or loss will occur.

I wick water my plants. Wicks can be nylon cord, synthetic yarn, etc. In order to be successful your soil mix must be loose and porous. Soil straight from the bag will be way too heavy for wick watering. The "wick mix" formula I use is:

1 part quality bagged peat based potting soil ( w/ no added fertilizer - Promix, Jiffy Mix, etc.)
2 parts coarse Perlite
1 part coarse Vermiculite

You can use whatever you want to measure....cups, quarts, etc. depending on how much wick mix you want to make up. Moisten and mix thoroughly. I keep some made up to use whenever I want.

Insert your wick cord up through a hole in the bottom of pot at least half way or more. I cut a slit in the top edge of the pot and fasten the wick in so it can't come out (see next photo below). Then add moistened wick mix...insert your cutting and water. Cover with baggie. Set your pot on top of a water reservoir (can be a deli container with a plastic lid, etc. with 1 or 2 holes cut in the top for your wick to go through into the water. If you make 2 holes, then you can refill easily.

Once your cutting has rooted, then you can start fertilizing. I "constant feed" my plants a very dilute fertilizer at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of tepid water. Miracle Gro is fine or any favorite you may use. Fill your water reservoirs with this fertilixer solution.

I grow all my Episcias, African Violets, Sinningias, Koleria, etc. with this method.


Photo is of variegated episcia 'Unpredictable Valley' -

This photo shows how I set my wick.

I would love to see pics of any episcias you may be growing. What are some of your favorites? How do you grow them?

Wow!! I just love unpredictable! Wonderful foliage.
Here is one of mine....not sure of it's name though.
Dawna

Ooooh! That's pretty, Dawna! Reminds me of episcia 'Seafoam'.

Thanks, Snowrose! I was wondering if I should be covering mine for a little extra humidity while they root... I know Allison doesn't, but in FL she doesn't cover leaf cuttings either. I think my next little stolons will go down in one of those salad containers that I like for smaller AV leaves!

Yes, I always cover cuttings....av leaves, crowns/suckers, episcia stolons, etc. Frederick sure isn't Florida LOL! In a warm humid enclosure, the stolons will root amazingly fast.

I covered mine when rooting but watched to make sure they didn't get too wet- Allison and I have simillar humidity issues.
I was surprised at how easy to root they are!

Right, April, they are easy to root and fun to grow.

Here are two pictures of my espiscia. None are blooming right now. I think because of the cool temp in my house.

The first is Teddy Bear

The second include Speariment, Gray Lady, Alice, Star of Bethehem, Blue Heaven, and some unknowns

This message was edited Nov 1, 2006 12:38 PM

I'm new to caring for them and would love any suggestions.

Snowrose, What temperature do you keep your house in the winter?

Nanna,
Your plants look perfect! I grow mine in my warm humid plant room downstairs so they really do grow like weeds and will take over if you let them. My lights keep the room warm and my problem is that it can be too warm at times for the violets. I think as long as your home is 65* or more, they should be fine. They might sulk a bit and not grow as much since these plants thrive in warm humid conditions. But, you will see how it goes and you may have no problems at all. They sure do look good now.

Oh my goodness Nanna is that the Teddy Bear I sent you a tiny baby or stolon ?? Not long ago WOW Excellent growing :)) Beautiful plants !

Sorry, Allison, it isn't. I bought this plant for (if you can believe) $8.00 earlier this summer at a nursery in Kensington MD. It was in full bloom when I bought it and it has bloomed many times since. With the cold weather it has stopped but I do see a few blooms just starting.

Thank you for the kinds words Snowrose. I truely hope they make it through the winter.

You are killing me Snowrose. That is just so gorgeous.

Kell,
I certainly don't want to do that as you have work to do pollinating more fabulous Brugmansias! Fluffles!

NOID............EPISCIA?

Very new to me growing nicely at the six month point. I have two that I believe are similar to those shown on this thread. I have no idea what to expect. They were gifted to me. I would appreciate some average chat...how big do they get. What to do with the runners and plantlets on the runners aside from growing new plants. Are the flowers all dainty like the ones in this thread.

They seem to grow nicely about two feet inside a large Southeast window in the same aproximate light with Christmas Cactus and AVs.

I enjoy growing Episcia's, this is one of my favorites.

That is a beautiful episcia docgipe with the reds in her. I miss Snowrose more than anyone on DG who has ever dropped out. Does anyone ever see her, talk to her or even know if she is Ok. She was my bestest bestest friend and so nice to everyone.

I never looked at the date of this thread and just came skidding in here top speed thinking Snowrose was back..lol...Gail.I was wondering to where she is off to these days..sure hope shes ok...
Beautiful Episcia Dogipe..It sure is pretty..wish I could give you some tips on growing them but I have no luck with them at all..I wish I did tho! ..Sally your Ember Lace is Gorgeous!!

Thanks. My medium was manure with soil added based compost, Organic Choice potting soil, in aproximately equal parts, coir and vermiculite to lighten it up. My feeding is a weekly rotation of light teas.....kelp, earthworm castings, fish oil and manure based compost aerobic tea. That is pretty much my standard fare for our house and patio plants. I do not and have not for more than fifty years used much if any man made chemicals in the soil or in foliar feeding.

Sally, your Ember Lace is beautiful. I love the picture frame and the name in the picture. How did you do that? What software do you use to make the frames? I'm sort of new to photo editing and I'm using Photoshop Elements. Would love to make the frames like yours for my special pictures.

Digger, I used Photoshop for a while, but for years, I have used Paint Shop Pro. Those are borders and I can match them by using exact colors in the flowers etc. I crop them and add as many as I want, etc. I enjoy it.

I use it with flowers, pets and all kinds of things. Not super easy to learn though. I am on a forum and I have a big book...

Thanks Sally. Your plants and pictures are beautiful. Would you reccomend Paint Shop Pro instead of Photoshop? Photoshop is a dilly to learn. I have Elements and have to sit with a book. Is Paint Shop easier?
Thanks for your quick response.

No, I don't think PSP is any easier. I bet there are easier programs. I just don't know them.