Chirta, basic questions

I figured I might as well try a few of these because they are so darn cute so I ordered a few to experiment with. I potted them up using the same mix I used for my Streptocarpus which was 1:1:1; sphagnum peat, vermiculite, perlite. I also potted them in AV double pots. I didn't do much reading on these plants but figured they seemed as if they might have similar cultural requirements to the Streptocarpus. Was this line of thinking flawed? Anything different I should have done?

It was my intent to fertilize these with the same Miracle Gro AV product I have been using for a few years. Is there a product out there specifically for fertilizing Chirta or Streptocarpus?

Sorry, this is the first time I have seen this post.
I have both plants and I use whatever potting soil I like at that moment, which usually has fertilizer in it, and lots of perlite. I wick water them and need to put all the perlite or they will rot. Even though the soil has fertilizer I still fertilize every time I water at 1/4 tsp per gallon of water. At the moment I am using Jack's av fertilizer. I also add peroxide to my water for 2 reasons, to keep the algae away and it's said it also helps the roots.
Mine are in a south window and blooming great.

Hope this helps,
Sandi

Equi: I just got interested in the Chirita plants since joining DG last October. I had never heard of them before reading about them here on DG. I now have 8 or them ... small ones, but two are about to bloom! I am so excited. I really love these plants .... I have a few African Violet's too and a couple of small Strep's, but the Chirita's seem to be a lot easier in my opinion. Here's a link to some info I found when I first googled about them a few months ago:

http://www.maavs.org/html/growing_cheritas.htm


Hope you will post photo's of your's when they begin blooming! Happy Growing!

Lin

thank you for being my brain, Lin. You sent this to me when you shared a chirita. I just remembered it is on my desk at home......now I will read!!!

:) LOL Gail: I didn't remember sending this information to you! I forgot about sending you a Chirita too! I don't remember what the name of it was, but I remember I had two of the same one! Was it possibly Chirita 'Stardust'? I think that's one I had a duplicate of that I got as a freebie plant from Rob's or Bluebirds.

I have to go back and re-read stuff all the time cause my ole' brain just doesn't retain info like it used to, so I'm gonna read the Chirita info again too ... I printed it out awhile back and still have it ..... somewhere ...... !

Hydrogen Peroxide does add oxygenate the roots. Good suggestion, I never thought of it.

Lin, I'll read your link as soon as I am done typing here. Thanks for adding it, I'll probably book mark it.

Thanks you ladies.

I just got back home, Lin, and yes is the answer to the name of the chirita you sent me. The foliage is growing like crazy but I can't get them to bloom....

Gail: What are you feeding it? I was using the VF-11, but got lazy with it, as usual for me. About three weeks ago I began using the Optimara AV food for them .... don't know if that's why all of a sudden I have 2 with buds. I am anxious for them to open! C. 'Stardust' is one I've had the longest, about 5 or 6 months and it's not bloomed yet ... no sign of any bloom stalk. The only two I have that are getting ready to bloom is the 'Diane Marie' and 'Kazu'. I will post photo's when they open!

I know people say not to switch AV food, but I do anyway....I feed each time I water either with VF-11, Optimara, or Schultz AV food......everything else is blooming away......even your Annabelle...
My episcia 'Chocolate Soldier' is continuing to put on quite a show....
I still can't upload photos until the computer part comes in!!!!

Chiritas tend to be seasonal bloomers so for the most part you won't find them in bloom through the winter. It's probably just a matter of time, not culture.

thanks, Keyring.....I hope you read my new thread on mealy bugs on leaves and give me some advice....

Equil! So cool to see you over in this forum!! ; D

Not much experience with Chiritas here. I rooted a 'Hisako' leaf late last year and now she's a baby. Well...pre-school sized. ; D That's such a good feeling. And then hubby gave me 'Diane Marie' for my birthday. It's also pretty small, but hey...small plants make bigger plants. lol ; D

The Dutch Oven Cookout might not be until August this year.

See ya around!
Cheryl

Hi cjolene, You're into these plants too! How cool is that! Seems as if this entire forum has great people in it! Not a bad egg in the lot. Really glad I decided to buy a few to try. If I could figure out where to put more, I'd try more but I'm afraid I'm out of space which is a pity.

Dontcha just love it when you propagate on your own and your baby survives and actually thrives! Always gives me warm fuzzies.

No new recipes here this year. Our Dutch Oven cookout is around the corner. Just a few more weeks here and they take off for the "gorge fest".
Lauren

I do feel it my duty to warn you, though...

RUN! Don't walk...RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!

These things are addicting.... LOL!

If you don't take my advice, then at least I feel I did my part and won't take any blame for the consequences. haha!! ; D

Yes, I'm just lovin the little av babies. I pull Doug over and make him look at the itty bitty new leaves with me. And he just rolls his eyes, but at least he's smiling.

Gorge fest? Haven't heard of that one yet, but sounds like fun!! lol
Cheryl

I will consider myself duly warned but- This time around I do not need to run. I have x amount of space for all of these plants and that's it and I am about at capacity right now. I think I can ram one more pot behind my kitchen sink and as it is I had to give away two honker AVs to be able to get the other pots situated. I can't start growing things on top of my head... but I'd probably try if I thought I could get away with it.

You would like the gorge fest very much! That's where everyone brings too much food to cook and then you eat until you simply can't ram one more morsel in your mouth lest you risk exploding into a million pieces like what happened in that book "What Happened to George" illustrated by Marge Opitz Burridge. I should go dig that book up and take a photo of the cover of that thing. Hysterical and it really sums up the "gorge fest"!

Hmmm...I haven't read that book...and the library doesn't seem to have it. But I think I get the point of it. lol ; D

I'll see ya around!
Cheryl

It was a Rand McNally Elf book. The author was Betty Engebretson. The library probably doesn't have one because collectors check them out and don't return them. That particular book, if you can get your hands on it, is worth about $50 yet it originally sold for 25¢. It's a shame because it's a really great book for kids that addresses the evils of self-indulgence. Willy wonka and the Chocolate Factory did a fine job too with their character Augustus Gloop (sp?).

Bye for now, until we meet again!

Evils of self indulgence?????? guilty as charged when it comes to plants!!!!
gail
PS....the lady at the local hardware store is coming over tomorrow afternoon to take at least 25 African Violets I have no more room for.....getting into episcias and streps also.....at least she loves them and greatly appreciates getting them....

(hanging head in shame) I'm guilty as charged too when it comes to plants but... I can quit any time I want... honest, I can ;)

I just discovered gesneriads in January and the plants outside have gone to pot!!!!! I have always loved plants of any kind or color.......................but this addiction seems to be getting worse. (Plus it certainly is a lot cooler in the house (LOL)
I am being dead serious when I say that I love my inside plants and front porch plants so much that I laughed night before last when 100 head of cattle got loose in my yard!!!!!!!
Before this addiction with violets, etc.....I would have cried that they ate and trampled everything outside, including the entire veggie garden of 1'2 acre of hard work, love and dedication.
Do ya think this is going a tad bit far for all of us on this forum????
gail

There's nothing wrong with any of us.

We don't have a problem. It's everyone else who has a problem ;)

Silly you for even suggesting that any one here has gone a tad bit far!

Laughing verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry hard!!!