Propagating Streps and other questions

Hello! I am new to streps, but my addiction is quickly growing. Over the course of the last month, I have bought 14 starter plants! I have a few "freebie" leaves from a seller but no quick access to perlite (I read on some of the threads this is what I need.) I do have some seed starting mix that I have cut the leaves and stuck them in for the time being. Should I redo this once I get some perlite, or should I just not disturb them? Sounds like they are more likely to rot without the perlite - should I put a sandwich bag over the top of the tray?
One more question - can streps be deadheaded? I know they don't have to be deadheaded, but I kind of enjoy it - you know, like how some people like weeding.

ericabelle - I haven't started in on streps (YET!). I have been reading the posts, searching websites, etc. I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll take a stab at a few . . . others will come along and add to it, I'm sure.

What is the name of the one in your picture? I love that bloom!

People use all different kinds of starting medium . . . some use the starting mix, others use perlite, some use a mixture . . . it really would depend on works best for you . . . and if you are just getting started, there may be some trial and error in the beginning.

I would leave the leaves you've stuck in the starting mix alone . . . and if you can, put either a dome or a baggie over them, to hold in the humidity. When jannich sent me two leaves for Ice Ripples (I know, not streps, but related at least!), I put one in seedstarting mix, and the other in a perlite/vermiculite mix - they are both doing great, and baby leaves are coming up!

That is 'Michael', and it is already one of my favorites! It is a very profuse bloomer so far.

Ok, I will leave it in the starting mix and put baggies over the top - that would probably work well for me since I tend to underwater. I have also been searching Dave's Garden for info about streps - it is more difficult to find info on the streps than it is to find info about african violets, but I think I am going to like streps more (if I can grow them, that is!) I have 2-3 streps positioned in various windows throughout the house and a few under grow lights to test which location would be best for them. As I searched DG early this morning I was a little worried thinking I had jumped the gun, buying so many streps before I knew whether I had a green thumb with them. So I think you are wise to research before taking the plunge!

I need the extra time anyway . . . I got a gagillion av starters from kimskreations, and I'm only halfway thru getting them repotted, etc.

I started out slowly too *lol* and look what happens *lol*
I have had my ups and downs with propagating streps so I certainly am not one to give advice but I'm sure one of the ladies who DO propagate streps well will be by :)

Welcome!

Kim

I need to stop reading this thread . . . all the pix I see I'm going "awwww". lol!!

This message was edited Jul 12, 2008 10:34 AM

Hi There;
You can take them out of the mix they are in & put them in the fridge until you get the pearlite, which i assume is very soon? i have done this so i do know they will be allright, clean them off & just sit them on a shelf.If not you can also try damp long fiber spag. moss in a zip lock bag works well also, in my opinion pearlite usually works best.
bonnie

Kimskreations, those are beautiful streps! I hope I can be as successful!

Syrumani, I think you are on YOUR way to another addiction with these streps, too! It's only a matter of time........ ;-)

Thanks for the tip, mrsbonnie - how long can I leave them in the fridge? I have looked for a source for perlite in town, from landscaping places, to Walmart, to feed stores, and haven't found a source yet. There is a Lowe's and a Home Depot an hour away, and I can go see if they have any perlite next weekend.

wow, our walmart carries small bags of it, i thought they were all the same. you can leave leaves in the fridge for at least a week in a zip lock bag.
bonnie

Bonnie, I have put mine in the fridge ever since you told I could and I know it works........I visited with Ken Froesbe from African Violet Nursery this afternoon specifically about streps. He says never use any soil less mix when rooting streps.........only perlite and vermiculite (or only perlite).........

Then he said something interesting I had never heard. He said that when I plant up the babies in individual pots to be sure and take pencil and kinda dig a hole for the baby plant. Then......be sure and surround the roots with some of the perlite and vermiculite it was growing in before you fill the rest of the pot with your mix you will be growing in..........

That makes sense to me......he says they will grow much faster this way........

I love that Michael.....think I saw it on Gary'sOutofAfrica.........have to check........

Go back ericabelle and look at old threads on the AV forum and you will see more streps than you can imagine..........this is more of a strep group than an AV group........

I visited an elderly lady who is president of one of our Gesneriad groups and she showed me a terrific way to root leaves:

get a sandwich-size baggie
place about a teaspoon of water in it
turn it so it is standing on one corner
cut your leaf and place it inside the baggie
fold the baggie in half so it resembles a wedge of pie
zip it closed or use a paper clip to hold the top closed
HANG it up where it gets good light
you should have roots in about two weeks

I tried it with a variegated violet leaf and strep leaves, and just as she said, it rooted beautifully. In previous attempts to root these leaves, they rotted, but not this time - I LOVE this method. She said she uses this method to root everything.

Wow - that sounds like a really easy way to root plants - do you know if she has tried it on streps?

Yes, Erica - it works for MOST plants.

I keep at least 100 leaves of streps stuck at any one time and I have never heard of this, but that doesn't mean it can't work.

Thanks for the info Kay.I'm going to try the strep leaves in water.

I love this idea Kay! I am anxious to try it too but 1st.. does anyone have a pic of what it should look like when you have it in the baggie and ready tohang it up??..I keep trying to picture it but..good at following instructions I am not..lol....once I see it the light bulb should go on for me : )

I just took a couple of pictures of a Gloxinia leaf I am rooting, so you can see the way it's done at my house:

Here is another picture of how I root gessie leaves. I put a small nail in my cabinet, which is next to the kitchen window, and I hang the bag there.

Thanks Kay..yes indeed a picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to me..that looks easy enough...I definitely wouldn't have done it right tho..lol..Thanks..I am off to try it now.....

Well, I put my first strep leaves down last week, in perlite, with a bag over the top of the tray. But they seem to be getting a black spot on the tops of them. Could this be caused from too much moisture? Also, I have been concerned about whether I am getting them too warm - it stays between 76-80 degrees under my grow lights during most of the day.

Here is the 'setup' - the tray in the back right corner is the one with the strep leaves. I am also rooting some rex begonia leaves and some episcia stolons. Do you think the light is the right distance from the plants?

That looks good to me! I always get black places on my leaves..........but you really don't need to add moisture to a zip lock bag (very often).......good luck! When they have roots on them, you can take the zip lock off.

Thanks, gessiegail! I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing then - I have a few more leaves to put down today. Since streps are new to me, I'm afraid I'm going to do something wrong. I guess I had better get used to it, though, because I am starting to get interested in Kohlerias and Sinningias! It never ends!

Hi Erica,

Have you checked my thread about wilting leaves? There are some helpful tips there.

What is the name of that cute little flowering strep?

Hi, Spider - I will go check that thread out! That strep is 'Falling Stars'. It is sweet.