I am totally innundated with streptocarpus both babies and mature plants. I am giving them away as fast as I can to local people, and the number never seems to shrink! I am putting this on the general postings too as someone requested I do because it applies to all streps.
In order to give you an idea of that happens, I just checked one of the most productive product of two length wise leaf halfs resulted in 1" to 1.5" plantlets : at least thirty,
Gwen at least 15-20, etc. All are not quite that prolific, but if I only get three or four, I consider it a failure. Moonlight is almost irritating in how fast she multiplies. The babies grow larger almost over night.
About three years ago I started out with Cherry Pie, Blue Mars, and Kitten Face. Now, including the leaves that are successful, I probably have more than thirty varieties.
Now let me tell you the simple way I do it.
l. Materials: a flat bottom take out salad box with a hinged lid, perlite, markers (I use venetian blinds) to keep track of the varieties, a sharp clean knife, and good light. I use flourescent lights.
2. Put about l.5" of perlite in the salad box and wet (not soak)the perlite.
3. Place your leave green side down and gently cut out the
rib from bottom to top.
from start to finish.
4. Place your two leaf halves cut side down into the perlite.
You can make a little groove so the leaf is in secure
contact with the perlite.
5. Frequently I don't use a marker for the box but write the
names of the streps on top of the box with a sharpie. Usually a salad box can accommodate four kinds of streps.
6. Snap the lid closed and just leave it. After a month or so they will begin making the plantlets. Allow that to go on for a long time. Finally, when you are very comfortable transplant them into individual containers; I use 8oz styrafoam cups with a couple of holes in the bottom.
7. You will find that once transplanted they will grow very easily. You will have so many lovely mature streps that you will never be stumped as to what you can give someone. Recently I sent ten mature streps in a trade for daylilies; she is thrilled. She is on her way to a collection. When I trade with her again, I will send her more varieties and she WILL have a collection!
multiply streps the easy way
I wonder if we can get this put in the stickies???
MsC
Will do MsC!
Thank you!
MsC
added to the gesneriad sticky along with a photo tutorial that i made a while back (basically the same method as gloriag but different container)
http://flickr.com/photos/begonias-photos/sets/72057594093111273/
Thanks for adding the pics ! They really help those of us who are directionally challenged..:)
MsC
Superb! Now we should all have Streps coming out our ears! :o) Thank you, Gloria and begonia!
strep soil and containers
I use soil-less potting medium and I usually don't add anything to it. It dries out fast, but it has worked wonderfully. I understand that commercial AV soil is great too.
I use 8oz styrafoam cups to transplant to from the
"community containers." Actually, streps can grow to large size in small decorative pots. I collect them at yard sales and thrift stores and anyplace I can find them like Dollar Tree, Big Lots, Walgreens, etc. I have quite a collection to plant for gifts or if I ever get the nerve to go sell them.
If you have a bunch of streps to transplant, it is pretty to get a larger container and put three or four of the same kind in it. Falling Stars makes a beautiful display as do others, I am sure.
Wonderful info~it really helps to know the different ways you can use a "new" plant...especially since I love frilly conatiners..lol
I've got my leves down & my fingers & toes crossed :)
MsC
keep us posted, Mrs. C....you really got after this project in a hurry!!!
Gloriag: Do you have any pic's you can post of your Strep's in the decorative containers? I bet they are really pretty!
I am sorry, I have not advanced that far; I don't even have a camera for it. I wish I did because I just drool over the beautful photos.
OK, gloriag, you can get a digital camera with a memory card that uploads your photos to your computer for 100.00 now......we need you to get a camera (LOL)
That surely is something to think about. My BF knows less than I about computers, but I have a roomer downstairs who knows a lot. I am just reluctant to ask him to do anything. I guess he intimidates me a little. Maintaining a distance is an understatement for us. But he has helped on occasion.
begoniacrazii, that is a book mark for me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry we all didn't remember that we had that one!!! I love growing in perlite and av leaves in vermiculite..............going to give this a try this weeks......thanks again for all the hard work and effort you put into so many forums so us "beginners"...........