The double calyx research project!

Sinningia 'Party Dress' by Thad Scaggs showing double calyx flowers

Story # 39,


The double calyx research project!


      I am interested in researching all the information I can find about double calyx Sinningias.  This flower type is different in that the corolla has extra petals growing from the normal location of the calyx.


      I’ve only recently paid any attention to these novelty flowers and their commercial potential.  This will be an academic exercise since I don’t have any answers nor know how this will develop.


      Privately, as I have time, I will be contacting growers in the Sinningia world to ask what they know.


      Publicly, here on the blog, I am asking for help from readers who can contribute what they know about varieties, hybridizing history or current successful hybrids with double calyx flowers.  You may make your knowledge part of the blog comments so others can build on it.


      Or e-mail me directly with leads at gary@GarysSpecialtyPlants.com


     I’ll do my best to sift through the data to record stories about the intriguing category of double calyx Sinningias.

Sinningia 'Party Dress' ----- What about the Buds?

Sinningia 'Party Dress' with buds

Story # 25, Part II,


      I had not seen Sinningia ‘Party Dress’ for myself ---- live in my greenhouse, until now.


      The flowers are big and whirling pink.  The buds are many.


      What’s not to like?

Sinningia 'Party Dress' --Will it follow 'Gabriel's Horn' into the Fairy Gardens?

Sinningia 'Party Dress' hybridized and grown by Thad Scaggs

Story # 25,


      Sinningia ‘Party Dress’ – Will it follow ‘Gabriel’s Horn’ into the Fairy Gardens?


      There are many named varieties of Sinningia flowers with the whirling flair of a party dress.


      Thad Scaggs, dedicated hybridizer of Sinningias and other Gesneriads, has shown his creations and selected a pink one to be the one and only ‘Party Dress’.  Thad has others, also, with names like ‘Florida Floozie’ and ‘Diva’.


      The double-calyx flowers are very unique and the extra outside petals appear to float around the center corolla.  The flowers have size and their weight cause them to droop down.  This gives the party dress look.


      So far production is limited to rooting tip cuttings.


      Will there be a series of ‘Party Dress’- type Sinningias produced in the future?