Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
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Streptocarpus Cape Primrose requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Streptocarpus hybrida is among favored flowering plants on account of its trumpet-shaped flowers which come in white, blue, purple, pink and red with prominently-veined throats.
The flowers hover or arch above the rosette of coarse, stemless, strap-shaped leaves which are about 8-12 inches long.
Many hybrids of various colors and forms are available but the old favorite Streptocarpus Constant Nymph which bears lilac flowers with violet veins remains the most popular.
Botanical name: Streptocarpus hybrida
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: Cape Primrose
Origin
Streptocarpus hybrida is native to South Africa where it is found growing on shaded rocky hillsides or cliffs, on the ground, in rock crevices and almost anywhere the seeds can germinate and grow.
Is Streptocarpus hybrida toxic?
No. According to ASPCA, Streptocarpus hybrida are non-toxic to humans and pets. Cape Primrose are safe to grow in a space where there are children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Related Plants
Streptocarpus hybrida care is similar to that of its close relatives African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) and Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata).
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Cape Primrose to your plant collection, you may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Streptocarpus hybrida Indoors
To care for Streptocarpus Cape Primrose indoors, provide bright indirect light (dappled light), warmth of 18-250C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Cape Primrose?
Water Cape Primrose liberally in spring and summer to keep the soil consistently moist. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist because growth is minimal at this time. Never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Use room temperature water as consistently watering with cold water can lead cold shock, resulting to stunted growth and leaf fall. In addition, only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
Always discard excess water from the bottom catchplate when done with water to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Take care not to wet the foliage during watering to minimize fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Do Cape Primrose like sun or shade?
Cape Primrose prefers bright indirect light; place it near a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.
If the light is not enough, Streptocarpus hybrida will not bloom. Therefore, if the natural lighting is not sufficient, instal full spectrum grow lights to increase it.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure the plant receives adequate light on all sides to promote even growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.
Temperature & Humidity
Cape Primrose thrives in a warmth of 18-250C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.
Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents and others, to avoid sudden temperature changes which can result in reduced growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Streptocarpus hybrida needs a humidity of 60-70%. A low humidity may result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the leaves and maintain proper ventilation to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Streptocarpus hybrida with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer to promote flowering. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Regularly flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes, allow it to run for at least 10 minutes.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Cape Primrose should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy. A mix of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coco coir and 20% perlite is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Cape Primrose annually in the growing season because the plant is fast growing, the roots will quickly fill the pot. Use a pot that only allows 1/2 inch space around the plant, it blooms best when slightly pot-bound.
Do not repot a plant that is in flower as the repotting shock can shorten the flowering period. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent sogginess which can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Cape Primrose is easy. Remove dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and minimize pests and diseases infestation. After flowering, cut the flower stems at the base to encourage more blooms.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also reduce pests and diseases infestations.
Streptocarpus Propagation
Streptocarpus Cape Primrose is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings, by plant division or by seed germination.
Propagating Cape Primrose from leaf cuttings
- Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant and insert the leaf petiole in moist, free-draining soil.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until new plants emerge at the base of the petiole.
- Carefully seperate the new plants and pot them in moist, well-draining soil in individual pots.
- Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine.
Propagating Cape Primrose by plant division
- Water a large plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Carefully divide the plant into sections while ensuring each section has enough roots for faster establishment.
- Pot these sections into individual pots in moist, free-draining soil. Ensure each pot has a drainage hole to prevent rotting of the plants.
- Position the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Growing Cape Primrose from seeds
- Spread the seeds evenly on moist, free-draining soil and slightly cover with some soil.
- Cover the set up with a clear plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect which promotes establishment.
- Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place awy from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist by gently misting the soil surface until germination takes place.
- Transplant the seedlings when they are well established into individual pots.
- When the new plants are well established, begin routine care.
Streptocarpus hybrida Problems & Fixes
Streptocarpus Cape Primrose common problems are yellow leaves, lack of blooms, brown leaf edges, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Cape Primrose turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Cape Primrose are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, too little light, dry air, salts buildup or pests and diseases.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feel dry to touch; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Dry air: Group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests and diseases: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and diseases and take timely control measures.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms on Cape Primrose is caused by low light, nutrients deficiency, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Low light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant every 2-3 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer in spring and summer.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to upscale humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, heat sources, AC units among others.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Cape Primrose are caused by soggy soil, underwatering, low humidity or salts buidup.
How to fix it
Soggy soil: Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it flows out through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests of Cape Primrose are mealybugs and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it for the pests.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to reduce spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to upscale humidity as it discourages the pests.
Diseases
Cape Primrose is prone to root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil. It is characterized by general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Remove the plant from its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Cut away brown-black, mushy roots as they indicate root-rot. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, well-lit spot.
- Stop watering until when new growth appears, avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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