Advice for Gloxinia nematanthodes 'Evita'

I have a Gloxinia nematanthodes 'Evita' that is supposed to be hardy in my zone but I grew it in a pot this year. I was wondering, will the flowering continue through the winter/short days if I bring it into the sunroom over the winter? If so, I think I'll put it in a hanging basket so I can enjoy it all winter.

Also, it looks like this would be very easy to root from cuttings. True?

Thanks for the advice!
Danita

Hi Danita!

That plant is gorgeous! I don't grow it, so don't know much about it, but I did find several references to the fact that it can be quite hardy. Plant Delights lists it as hardy to 7b. You might consider taking cuttings to bring inside, or see if you can remove part of the plant or some rhizomes to pot up and bring in and then sink the pot in the ground in a protected area outside. I'm not sure that planting it in the ground this late in the year would be good for it. But it might continue to bloom like crazy all winter in your sunroom. I'm not really sure, so I guess none of this helped you at all. Maybe someone who does grow it will come along and give you a better idea about it.

I'd love to see a picture of yours. :o)

I love the looks of the Glox nematanghodes too but I didn't know it could be propagated from cuttings. I thought you could only get new plants from dividing the bulbs. Here's the link to Plant Files on this one. Beautiful Plant:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/111440/

Another gorgeous one to find.

Yes, I was really thrilled when a gardening friend gave me a division. He lives near PDN so he always has the BEST plants. Unless I am advised otherwise, I think I'll find a hanging basket for it and keep it in the sunroom. I agree that it is too late to plant borderline-hardy plants outside and expect them to overwinter. Also, this just doesn't strike me as a plant which absolutely requires a dormant period, but I could be wrong. I have no idea about the cuttings but since many other Gesneriads are easy to root , I think I'll give it a try.

Thanks,
Danita

You've probably made the best choice for it. If it wants or needs to go dormant, it probably will do that on its own. So, if you think you've "killed" it, don't throw it out! I'm sure it will grow great from cuttings, since most Gessies do.

I'm only a bit of a zone colder than you, 7a as opposed to 7b, so if you start some cuttings, I'd love to trade you something for a plant of it in the spring. I'd be willing to try it outside, heavily mulched, and take cuttings for a houseplant, too. :o)