Gloxinia Plant (Sinningia speciosa) Indoor Care, Propagation and Growing Problems


Gloxinia, Sinningia speciosa

Botanical name: Sinningia speciosa
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: Gloxinia, Florist's Gloxinia, Brazilian Gloxinia

Description

Gloxinia Plant (Sinningia speciosa) also called Florist's Gloxinia or Brazilian Gloxinia is a popular plant on account of its large, velvety brightly colored blooms and its compact size which allows it to fit in limited spaces.

Brazilian Gloxinia leaves in are dark green, hairy, oval-shaped and form a basal rosette.

The major requirements for Gloxinia Plant to thrive are steady warmth, consistently moist soil, good lighting, high humidity and regular feeding.

To keep Gloxinia Plant thriving, keep it away from drafty conditions, regularly remove dead flowers and damaged leaves and do not leave the soil to dry out for a long period.

Keep the Gloxinia Plant moderately pot-bound to promote flowering. Use a plastic pot to reduce water loss as they like the soil to be consistently moist.

Size

Florist's Gloxinia is a compact tuberous, shrub which grows to a height of 8 in. and a width of about 10 in.

Flowers

Brazilian Gloxinia flowers are large, velvety, brightly colored borne on thin stems above the foliage. They may be single-flowered or double-flowered and come in a range of colors like white, pink, purple, lavender, red, spotted and other patterns.

Origin

Sinningia speciosa (Gloxinia Plant) is native to the tropical regions of Brazil.

Related Plants

Gloxinia Plant care is similar to that of its close relatives African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) and Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata).

Where to Buy

Gloxinia Plants are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Gloxinia Plants (Sinningia speciosa) online from Etsy.

Gloxinia, Sinningia speciosa

Sinningia speciosa Care Indoors

Gloxinia Plant (Sinningia speciosa) thrives in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Sinningia speciosa requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations, to promote flowering and to rejuvenate growth.

Repotting is need when the plant outgrows its current pot as it blooms best when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Gloxinia Plant grows best in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause scorching on the leaves.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the Brazilian Gloxinia gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Florist's Gloxinia will also thrive under a grow light where the natural light in not sufficient.

Watering

Water Gloxinia Plant thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Allow the top 1-2 in. of soil to slightly dry out between waterings.

Lessen watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Being a tropical plant, water the Florist's Gloxinia with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant as it can lead to reduced growth.

Gloxinias are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water therefore use chlorine-free water only.

Avoid wetting the foliage and water from the bottom or use the immersion method. Wetting the foliage can lead to crown and stem rot.

Temperature

Gloxinia Plant thrives in average warmth within the range of 18-240C. A temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for Gloxinia.

Keep the Florist's Gloxinia away from cold and hot draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Humidity

Gloxinia Plant has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity is adequate for this plant.

However, for lush growth and to reduce pest infestation, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Occasionally clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush. Do not wash or mist the leaves as it can lead to crown and stem rot.

Fertilizer (Feeding)

Feed Gloxinia Plant every 2-3 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season to promote flowering.

Do not feed the Florist's Gloxinia during the cold season growth is minimal at this time and it can cause to fertilizer burn.

Repotting

Keep Gloxinia Plant pot-bound to promote flowering. Repot at the beginning of the growing period only when the soil becomes compacted.

Use a pot which is half as wide as the plant and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter like African Violet potting mix.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Gloxinia Plant is easy. Remove spent blooms and any side shoots to encourage development of more flowers. Get rid of dead leaves to keep the plant neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Remove the bottom 2-4 leaves monthly to balance out the appearance and to encourage growth of new leaves. The leaves can be used to propagate new plants.

The Florist's Gloxinia can be cut back at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

What to do with Gloxina after flowering

Gloxina Plant requires to undergo a dormancy rest period to induce flowering. After flowering, place the plant in a cool place and reduce watering.

When the leaves dry, cut them away with a sharp sterilized knife or a pair of scissors.

Allow the soil to dry out and retain the tubers in their pot. Store the pots in a dark location at 15-180C for about 2-3 months.

After this rest period, repot the tubers in fresh soil and moisten the soil lightly until there is new growth.

Then, place the pots in bright indirect light, water, fertilizer and begin routine care.

Propagation

Gloxinia Plant (Sinningia speciosa) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings, from seeds or by plant division.

1. How to propagate Gloxinia from leaf cuttings

Take a Gloxinia leaf cutting with the petiole still attached. Insert the leaf petiole in moist, free-draining soil and cover with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place but away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the leaf cuttings.

Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth is observed. New plants should develop at the base of the petiole in about 4-6 weeks.

Carefully seperate the new plants and plant them in individual pots. Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out.

Allow the new Gloxinia Plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

2. How to propagate Gloxinias from seeds

Spread the Gloxinia seeds evenly on moist, free-draining soil and do not cover with any soil as the seeds are very tiny.

Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect and place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place.

Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface. Thinning of crowded seedlings can be done when the leaves are about 1/4 in. wide.

Transplant the new Gloxinia Plants when the largest leaf is about 0.5 in. wide after which you can begin routine care.

3. How to propagate Gloxinia by plant division

Water the Gloxinia Plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Carefully divide a large Gloxinia plant into sections while ensuring each section has enough roots.

Pot these sections into individual pots in moist, free-draining soil.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Gloxinia Plant is well established.

Gloxinia, Sinningia speciosa

Sinningia speciosa Growing Problems

Gloxina Plant (Sinningia speciosa) problems include flower bud drop, lack of blooms, yellowing leaves, leaf spots, pests among others. Read on for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Flower drop

Flower drop in Gloxinia Plant is due to three possible causes. One possible cause of flower drop is soggy soil.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.

Also, reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist.

The second cause of flower drop in Florist's Gloxinia is underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil moist during the growing season.

Decrease watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third possible cause of flower drop in Gloxinia Plant is sudden changes in the growing conditions; lighting, temperature, humidity and so on.

Do not move or repot a Florist's Gloxinia that is in flower. The sudden changes will cause plant shock which can result in flower drop and sometimes leaf drop.

The fourth possible cause of flower drop in Gloxinia Plant is dry air (low humidity).

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

No blooms (flowers)

There are six possible reasons why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming. One possible reason for lack of blooms is insufficient light.

Move the Florist's Gloxinia to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light for about 12 hrs a day to coax it to bloom or instal a grow light if the natural light in not sufficient.

The second possible reason why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming is improper feeding.

The plant needs to be fed with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote flowering.

The third possible reason why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming is very dry air.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

The fourth possible reason why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming is too frequent repotting.

The Florist's Gloxinia blooms best when they are pot-bound; repot the plant only when its is extremely pot-bound.

The fifth possible reason why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming is failure to remove the lower leaves.

Too many leaves cause the plant to divert energy to developing the leaves rather than the flowers.

The sixth possible reason why Gloxinia Plant is not blooming is very cold air.

Keep the Florist's Gloxinia from cold draughts as an average warmth within the range of 18-240C is necessary for optimum growth and flowering.

Yellow leaves

There are four possible reasons for yellow leaves in Gloxinia Plant. One possible reason for yellow leaves in Gloxinia is dry air.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

The second possible reason for yellow leaves in Gloxinia Plant is too much sunlight.

Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight but provide it with bright filtered light.

The third possible reason for yellow leaves in Gloxinia Plant is incorrect watering.

Maintain the soil consitently moist but not soggy during the growing season.

Water less during the cold season but do not allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

The fourth possible reason for yellow leaves in Gloxinia Plant is overfeeding.

Feed the Florist's Gloxinia every 2-3 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer.

Straw-colored patches on leaves

Straw-colored patches on the leaves of Gloxinia Plant are caused by too much direct sunlight. The leaf edges may also turn yellow and holes may develop on the leaves.

Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight. The best light for Gloxinia Plant is bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight.

Pale-green leaves with long stalks and curled leaf edges

Pale green leaves with long stalks and curled leaf edges in Gloxinia Plant are caused by too cold temperature brought about by cold drafts.

Maintain an average warmth within the range of 18-240C and keep the plant from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Limp leaves and rotten crown center

Limp leaves and a rotten crown center in Gloxinia Plant is an indication of crown-rot disease due to overwatering and wide fluctuations in temperature.

The disease is infectious and difficult to control. Remove and destroy the affected plant as soon as possible to prevent spread to other houseplants.

Moldy leaves and flowers

Moldy leaves and flowers in Gloxinia Plant are an indication of botrytis or powdery mildew which are prevalent in overdamp conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

Cut off diseased parts and keep the affected plant warm while ensuring good air circulation

Do not mist the Florist's Gloxinia as moisture on the foliage creates suitable conditions for these diseases.

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots in Gloxinia Plant are caused by water droplets falling on the leaves during watering. Avoid wetting the leaves or water the plant from the bottom only.

Pests

The common pests in Gloxinia Plant are Mealy Bugs, Fungus Gnats, Scale Insects, Spider Mites and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests.

Toxicity

Gloxinia Plants (Sinningia speciosa) are non-toxic to both humans and pets as listed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They are safe to grow indoors.

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