Commission me, Part II

Streptocarpus 'Cape Essence'

Story # 34, Part II


Commission me!


      What would it be worth to you to get to have the very first release of a new Streptocarpus or Sinningia?


      Amazon.com sends me e-mails announcing new books for my Kindle. Often I read the reviews and get interested in ordering it, when I finally notice that it won’t be released until some future date.  That usually stops me since I want it now, not next week.  Since they can’t run out of e-book copies, why do I need to reserve one ahead of time?


      Physical goods are different.  There is a finite limit to how many are first available.  When xSinvana ‘Heartland’s Maverick’ first came out of tissue culture and was for sale in flower, did anyone care?


      Everybody likes the new and different.  If I had heard about a new plant, I would try to get it and expect to pay a premium for it.


      If a new plant was commissioned and successfully produced, that would be a very big deal and some people would pay a lot to get the first ones.

What is the perfect Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Cape Essence' - - Scented

Story # 16,

            Are we talking about the group that exists or the fantasy of what could be?

            Fortunately there are many colors, sizes and shapes to pick from.  What’s your favorite color?  There are velvety dark purples, pinks, reds and whites.  They used to say that blue was a hard color to find in plants.  I’m not sure why?  There are many very good blue Streptocarpus flowers.

            I like very strong, bright colors and distinctive markings.  In between shades are Ok but muddy colors are not.

            Some people love double flowers but I don’t.  A semi-double Streptocarpus flower looks like it never really gets open.

            Scented flowers may evolve.  Everybody instinctively wants to sniff a flower and is usually disappointed.  The strongest scented one that I have, ‘Cape Essence’, has a floral smell, but will never be confused with an Easter lily or Hyacinth.

            The perfect Streptocarpus is the one you like.  Or maybe the next one you find?