Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' -- More Clues

 

Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - 2013

I’m searching for the most heat tolerant Streptocarpus, which, in my judgement, is ‘Jealous Heart’.

 

I’ve found a reference to this plant in Gesneriads, vol 63, number 3, Third Quarter 2013.  Mary Schaeffer reported that ‘Jealous Heart’ was picked for the Challenge Class at the Philadelphia Flower Show – 2013.

 

I had forgotten that I was involved with that pick and grew the starter plants that were distributed to the growers who entered to show that they were the best home growers. 

 

The significance of this history is that we know that the pool of people who know this variety is bigger than expected.

 

Does anyone still have it?

Streptocarpella 'Dancing Doves' --- For the record.

Streptocarpella 'Dancing Doves'

Story # 147,

            Streptocarpella ‘Dancing Doves’ deserves its own story.  This white flowered clone has an uncertain origin and an unstable name, until now.

            The plant was exhibited by Dale Martens at the 2014 Nashville Gesneriad Convention.  I was happy to find this white form to go with Streptocarpella ‘Concord Blue’, a Spring annual, often grown as a hanging basket.

            When I asked Dale for a cutting, she offered me her show plant for stock.

            Now the name.  After getting home from the show, I emailed Dale to get the name settled.  I yielded to her to name it, but she proposed several possibilities and yielded back to me.  From her list I liked ‘Dancing Doves’, since most doves are white and Streptocarpella flowers on wiry stems are always bouncing around.  She agreed that she liked ‘Dancing Doves’ as the best name.

            My production of Streptocarpella ‘Dancing Doves’ will be released though Longwood Gardens Plant Shop and other upscale Garden Centers.  It is the perfect companion to ‘Concord Blue’.

Flower color is the only thing that matters.

Streptocarpus 'Wow'

Story # 124, Part X, Final in a series,

Flower color is the only thing that matters.

            Nobody buys flowers they don’t like.  Flower color is the most important selection criteria.

            In Streptocarpus, every other variable characteristic needs to be optimized through hybridization and smart selection.

            If Streptocarpus is to become a major plant category it must have pretty flowers and be tougher than it is now.

            It can be done but will need a champion to pull it up!

Is Streptocarpus flowering seasonal?

Streptocarpus 'Harlequin Blue'

Story # 124, Part IX,

            Is Streptocarpus flowering seasonal?

            With modern Streptocarpus hybrids we don’t worry about day length to induce flowering.  They are day neutral and will flower at any time of the year.

            Some Streptocarpus species may be seasonal but it’s hard to know if it’s day length.  It seems to be more temperature related --- like cool nights or drought related --- rainy season.

            My observed conclusion is that ultimate flowering is in months March and October.  They do the best when grown bright and cool.  So grown through the cool winter, they respond to the higher light intensity of March, April.  Grown across late summer, they respond to the cooler nights of October, November.

            There is no reason to have selections that don’t flower year around.

Does anything count more than bud count?

Streptocarpus 'Cape Essence'

Story # 124, Part VIII,

            Does anything count more than bud count?

            The way to get big flower power is either big flowers or with many small flowers.

            Bud count in Streptocarpus is genetically variable.  You can get from 1 to 24+ flowers per spike (peduncle).  Buds are formed in pairs up the stem in succession. 

            Because we know that high bud count is possible, there is no reason to release hybrids that don’t have a reasonable amount (2-4, 4-6).

            The trade-off is flower size which can compensate for lower bud count.  Stem strength and length are variable too but we don’t pay much attention to it.  S. ‘Mary Sakamoto’ is one where the huge flowers are too heavy for the stems, requiring staking. 

            Sometimes you may have a flower with color, shape or size that must be saved.  But the variety should not be release with a bud count of one.

            High bud count is genetically possible so we should move in that direction.

                                      

                                       Streptocarpus 'Mary Sakamoto'

Symmetrical leaves in Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus 'Heartland's Baby Kisses by Dale Martens

Story # 124, Part VII,

            Symmetrical leaves in Streptocarpus.

            Streptocarpus grow with one long leaf and one short leaf per fan.  The result is unsymmetrical clusters of leaves that are unwieldy. 

            Some Streptocarpus species are very symmetrical and have been dubbed ‘star’ shaped so we know that uniformity is genetically possible.

            No one is worrying about this symmetry yet but it is there waiting to be transferred into breeding lines.

Streptocarpus with a head of flowers

Streptocarpus 'Rose Halo'

Story # 124, Part VI, 

            Which is better --- a flush of flowers or continuous flowering?

            The first Streptocarpus hybrids I had 40 years ago like ‘Constant Nymph’ were continuous flowering but you would be lucky to have more than one or two flowers open at a time.

            Some varieties now will get a flush where 4-5 flowering stems will open together giving a big show then recycling later with another flush.

            Which is better?

Commercial crops are selected for uniformity and maximum flower power.  If we’re going to attract buyers we need a flush of flowers that last!

Non breakable leaves on Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus 'Myfanwy'

Story # 124, Part V,

            Many Streptocarpus with pretty flowers have long or wide leaves that break with handling.  Commercial crops are often sleeved for shipment and sometimes sold that way.  If the plant has long non-flexible leaves, they crack and break, leaving a mess.

            I don’t know of any Streptocarpus with flexible leaves but we have varieties with short leaves.  We could have wide leaves if they were short.

            Some of you are cringing.  Short and fat leaves with flowers coming out of the center sounds like we are trying to make it look like an African Violet.

            Trust me, Streptocarpus flowers on a compact plant will not be confused with a violet.

Hang-on-tight Streptocarpus flowers

Streptocarpus 'Fernwood's Cherries Jubilee'

Story # 12 4, Part IV,        

Hang-on tight flowers.

        We know that some Streptocarpus flowers stay attached to its calyx better than others.  It appears to me to be a mechanical problem.  But it is genetic and can be selected for.

       A secondary problem is accidental self-pollination.  This happens when the positioning of anthers (pollen sac) are in direct line with the stigma (female receptor) as the style grows out through the corolla.  The stigma runs into the anthers, breaking them open and the pollen falls onto the stigma causing pollination.

   So what?

    When a successful pollination occurs, the physical response is that the corolla detaches --- flower drop.  This is just as serious a problem as weak flower attachment.

     Simple solution ----- only select varieties that have hang-on- tight flowers.  If you select a must have pretty flower with flower drop, cross it into tight flowers until you get the corolla to stay on.

     Hang-on-tight flowers ---- It’s mandatory!

Heat tolerance in Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - very heat tolerant

Story # 124, Part III,

            We know that Streptocarpus wilt in temperatures above 85 degrees F.

            Is this a problem?

A.     Yes.  They are difficult to produce in the summer in the North and most anytime in the South’s heat.

B.    No.  They do best in bright and cool so just produce them September to June.

     No plant performs to its ultimate all year around so be happy with what you get.  Each has its season.

     It’s technically possible to produce Poinsettias year around.  But why would we want to?

     Heat tolerance is not what’s holding back Streptocarpus but it certainly would improve the plant’s year around survivability.  

What is the most important improvement in Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Azur Giant'

Story # 124, Part II,

            What is the most important improvement needed for Streptocarpus to make it a standard commercial crop?

            The last story concluded that Streptocarpus are just not tough enough.  What improvements need to be made?

            I view Streptocarpus to be in the same stage of development as African Violets were 60 years ago.  Why is African Violet the top selling flowering houseplant in the World?

            Step 1.  Hobbyist collected and traded the first violets.  Hobbyists hybridized new varieties and specialized small greenhouses started producing them.

            Step 2.  Someone championed the crop and invested in massive hybridizing and selection projects to improve the major faults.  Holtkamp’s Greenhouses toughened them up with hang-on-tight flowers and less breakable leaves.

            Step 3.  The champion (Holtkamp) mastered production techniques such that the quality went up and the price went down.  Distribution put beautiful flowering African Violets everywhere.

            Streptocarpus is at stage 1.  There are approximately 1,000 named varieties but nobody but hobbyists know about them.  Their main distinctive characteristic is flower color and size.

            All the other variable inherited traits are riding along without any critical culling.  We know what some of them are:

A.     Heat tolerance.

B.    Hang-on-tight flowers.

C.     Leaf length.

D.    Flush versus continuous flowering

E.     Rosette leaf pattern versus non-symmetrical

F.     Bud count

G.    Day neutral versus seasonal flowering.

It’s hard to say which weakness is the most in need of improvement but commercial growers will be cautious until the crop is more fool-proof.

Streptocarpus everywhere!

Assorted Streptocarpus for sale

Story # 124, Part I,

            What is the one thing that would make Streptocarpus ubiquitous? 

            Streptocarpus is such a minor crop that they are seldom seen in garden centers.  What is the problem?  --- Supply or demand?  I have a few customers that could sell Streptocarpus if they had them.  Everybody else is afraid of them because Streptocarpus don’t hold up in a retail environment.

            Why don’t they hold up?  The leaves can break, the flowers can fall off, the leaves watermark with cold water, they wilt in hot weather and flowering is sporadic. 

            I’ve tried to figure it out and will discuss hybridizing goals in future stories.  But what is the limiting factor in Streptocarpus success?

            Streptocarpus are just not tough enough.

Why does my Streptocarpus wilt?

Streptocarpus from Polish hybridizer

Story # 120,

Why does my Streptocarpus wilt?

            There are three possibilities for Streptocarpus to show wilt.

Case 1,  Dry

            The plant is in good health and has dry soil that is causing the wilt down.  When the pot is watered enough to saturate the soil, the plant will recover without harm.

Case 2,   Heat

            The plant is in good health and watered but it is wilted.  If the temperature is above 85 degrees F, Streptocarpus will naturally wilt as a survival mechanism.  Watering does not help.  The plant needs cool and will recover once the temp goes below 85 degrees.

Case 3,  Rot

            The soil is watered and the temperature is below 85, but the plant is still wilted continuously.  This is usually a sign that the plant has root rot and, to the extreme, will rot off and dies.  This can be the result of overwatering or continuously sitting in water.  You can attempt to reestablish roots by carefully monitoring watering.  Run on the dry side until new roots form.  If the clone is important to you, propagate immediately from leaf cuttings, in case the root rot kills your plant.

            Streptocarpus grow better in smaller pots and less soil volume.  Being dry occasionally is better than too wet all the time.

            Heat tolerance in Streptocarpus may be improved someday, but for now, wilt is normal in high temperatures.

The trade show report

Streptocarpus 'Yellow Purple Cap' from Green Fuse

Story # 110,


The trade show report



      The largest horticultural trade show in the United States had many interesting trends going on last week in Columbus, Ohio.


      Well, trends that I care about anyway.  Miniature Gardens – up, Succulents – up, New plants – always, People that care about the plant industry – always.


      From Green Fuse, the only national importer/promoter of Streptocarpus, there are two new bicolor varieties.  Selected from Dibley’s Greenhouse, the world’s leading hybridizer of Streptocarpus, they are more interesting than the previous introductions.  The names are bazaar—‘Yellow Purple Cap’ and ‘Yellow Pink Cap’ but the plants will sell once we get them this winter.


      Although I’ve only recently looked for succulents, the category is expanding with an infinite variety of shapes, colors and forms.  Off-shore farms are producing these by the millions to help supply the demand for these care-free plants.


      The Miniature Garden segment (Lloyd Traven says it’s been going on too long to be called a trend) has some new players and all vendors said they increased over last year.  The accessories (trinkets) are infinitely more varied.  For example, a water- feature with moving water (electric pump).


      Mark, a new vendor for compact houseplants showed for the first time and was basically overwhelmed with interest.  He has 100 potential plants from years of selective plant collecting.  I hope to get some of them.


      I found a new Nematanthus that has creamy variegation that has never been seen before.  There will be a future story once more details are known.

Celebrate!

Streptocarpus 'Essue' - Heirloom hybrid by Gary's Specialty Plants

Story # 101,

Celebrate!

                “Is this a great country or what?”

      This quote should come to mind almost everyday by every American who benefits from today’s modern world.  My impression of its source is what non-American born baseball players say when they can successfully play professional baseball and get paid millions.

      My little piece of the puzzle is to celebrate one year of writing this blog.  The amazing point is not that I made it this far.  The amazing part is that the capability of producing these pictures and words is on an internet platform --- Blogger--- provided by Google --------FREE.

      How can they do that?

      I didn’t know if I was capable of writing a blog that would be of any value to anyone.  The Blogger stats show that there have been over ten thousand pageviews worldwide in this first year.  Many of the searches find previous posts, so maybe there is some residual value here.

     My motive is still to do it for myself.  It may have indirectly helped sell some plants.

      It has helped me think more clearly about some things --- Plants and business.  If you can’t write it down, you probability don’t know what you’re talking about.

      Success is a fleeting state.  In sports after every win, there is the coach saying, “Ok, let’s get ready for the next game.

      I choose to celebrate one year of writing with a picture.  Thank you to Google for providing this capability.

Orchid Sale at Longwood Gardens Now

Streptocarpus 'Blue Ice' for sale at Longwood Gardens Now

     Orchid Sale now at Longwood Gardens.

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/HugeOrchidSale.html

     The Orchids that had been on display are for sale in the Longwood Gardens Plant Shop.  The sale started yesterday so if you are traveling a long distgance you may want to call to see what is still there.

     You may need to look for a Streptocarpus to go with your new Orchid.

Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Show

Streptocarpus will be for sale at the Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Show
Saturday, 23 March

Story # 98


The Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Show


When: Saturday March 23; 10-4


Where: Boscov's Christiana Town Center store – 2nd floor; off Route 273 in Christiana, Delaware


  What’s for Sale: Sinningias, Streps and Other Goodies from Gary’s Specialty Plants, Violets from the Violet Gallery, 40-50 Kohlerias (grown by members), other rare gesneriads grown by Quentin and other chapter members + Optimaras and decorative pots.


What Else: Achimenes ‘Desiree’ rhizomes for the first 100 attendees; People’s Choice Award and of course, lots of great show plants grown by members


We hope you’ll join us. If you’re driving and need an address for your GPS, use 361 W Main St, Christiana DE


It is not the Christiana Mall.

Plants for sale at the Philadelphia Flower Show

Ladyslipper Streptocarpus for sale

Story # 91,


      Announcing the sale of Sinningia ‘Li’l Georgie’ at the Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 – 10, by Meadowbrook Farms.


      Look for them there.


      There will be Ladyslipper Streptocarpus,  a few Columnea, Sinningia ‘Prudence Risley’, S. ‘Gabriel’s Horn’ and S. ‘Kristobel’ ------ Look for ‘Prudence Risley’ in the Challenge Class.


      Assorted ‘Mini’ plants for Miniature Gardens will go fast.  Get there early in the week or ask when the next shipment is coming.

Catch up!

Euphorbia heterophylla with color

Story # 57,

     Catch up!

      Somehow you stumbled into this blog today about specialty plants like Sinningias and Streptocarpus.

      It is a loosely connected continuing story.

      You can read it from the beginning in less than 15 minutes.

Sinningia versus Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Fernwood's Cherries Jubilee'

Story # 56,


 Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


      So what about categories?


      In the last year, Ferns as a category lead the list.  We always say that colorful beats green and flowering beats foliage.  So why do people buy Ferns?


      The total of Begonias (rhizomatous and Rex) are second best.  Again, non-flowering foliage plants.


      ‘half-pint’ Poinsettias (3 ½”) sell well but Crown of Thorns beat them.


      But this story wants to know about Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


           It’s Streptocarpus 2 to 1 over Sinningias.