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Flamboyant indoor plant
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Gloxinia is one of the easiest summer flowering plants to care for
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HARDY BEAUTY Keep the gloxinia out of direct sunlight
Gloxinia, a close cousin of the African violets is a native of humid, warm, tropical rain forests of the Amazon region. This household plant, which blooms freely, produces glossy, giant-sized flowers in various hues - red, purple, blue, pink, scarlet and bicolour.
With its large, dark-green, velvety leaves and huge, bell-shaped flowers displayed on long, upright stalks; it is altogether a flamboyant plant with a pristine look. Gloxinia is also one of the easiest summer flowering plants to care for, and one of the most colourful.
A member of Gesneriaceae flowering plant family, the plant is known as Sinningia speciosa in Latin. It has been in cultivation for close to two centuries and breeders extended the range of colours enormously and hybrids of multi-colour forms are also available.
Keeping in a well-lit spot out of direct sun is ideal for Gloxinia. Partly sun exposed corner of a house or a sheltered verandah is finest for Gloxinias and the plant will grow and flower under such partially shaded situations. Almost all of the Gloxinias grow from underground tubers, which allow the plant to survive periods of drought, cold or other conditions inhospitable to growth. Under normal situations, Gloxinia will grow and flower, followed by a gradual decline in the plant culminating in full dormancy.
After a period of dormancy the tuber will send up new growth and the cycle will repeat. Present day hybrids can be induced to remain in almost perpetual growth, with no period of full dormancy.
One can propagate new plants by taking leaf cuttings from a mature plant after it blooms. A tuber develops at the base of a leaf cutting if initiated in soil mixture with plenty of river sand.
The leaf will root in a 3-inch pot with new tuber formed slightly below soil level. Brace the parent leaf with sticks; remove the prop after new foliage appears.
Segments of the tuber are also ideal for propagation. The tuber piece starts producing leaves within a few weeks time.
Once the plant is established, it can be transplanted into a large garden pot with a mixture having a higher proportion of river sand and leaf mould.
In general, Gloxinia should be grown in a medium that retains moisture but allows good drainage. Gloxinias like evenly moist soil, not too dry, or waterlogged. Also, avoid getting water on the foliage or atop the tubers.
This plant needs bright, but no direct sunlight. Too little light creates leggy stems.
Regular light fertilization with N.P.K 18:18:18 is desirable, which can be given while watering the plant. A common problem is tuber rot, which can be avoided by keeping mixture just moist.
JACOB VARGHESE
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