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Gloxinia care

Filed under: — admin @ 5:03 pm


I would like to know how to grow a gloxinia flower

Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) has oblong fuzzy leaves, large velvety bell- shaped flowers with ruffled edges. It is a member of the Gesneriaceae family, a relative of the African Violet.
In Dec-March plant the rounded bottom of the tubers 1 inch deep in a light, well drained, potting soil that consists of peat moss, perlite, vermicultie and/or coarse sand. Water lightly until the leaves start to show then increase watering. Water around the base of the plant (like African violets) not on top of the leaves, do not let the water sit at the bottom of the pot. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy and not allowed to dry out. Gloxinia needs bright filtered light,warm temperatures above 70F and high humidity. Fertilize weekly with a flowering or general houseplant fertilizer during bloom time and stop feeding it after it is done blooming.

After it is finished flowering, reduce watering and allow the plant die back for a rest period. Store the tuberous stem @ 50F in a cool, dark place for 2-4 months in dry soil. When new growth start to appear (Jan-Feb) repot in fresh soil, start watering and place in bright filtered light. Gloxinias like the shade outdoors and bright light indoors.
Low light will produce long spindly growth and no blooms.
Soggy soil, overwatering can cause crown rot and root rot
source: http://hgic.clemson.edu

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10 Comments on Gloxinia care»

  1. I have a Gloxinia plant that is trying to bloom and the petals are turning brown. The blooms are tight together and won’t unfold. What must I do? Erma

    Gloxinia like bright indirect light and temperatures around 75 degrees during the day. It sounds as though the problem may be watering. They like moist soil -not too wet but should not be allowed to dry out. There’s a fine balance. Too wet soil will cause root rot. Like african violets do not water inside the crown or get water on the leaves. Use lukewarm(tepid)water and provide high humidity by placing the plant on a pebble/water tray. The browing petals can be the result of overwatering. Kris

    Comment by Erma — 3/15/2006 @ 5:27 pm

  2. I have a gloxinia plant that I bought 3 weeks ago. I put it in a clay pot. When I looked under the pot, I saw there was a fluffy cotton like substance growing from the bottom of the pot. I was able to easily remove it. What is this?

    Sound like a cocoon from an insect - moth, spider. They attach their cocoon in a protected area to help them winter over.

    Comment by Mehnaaz — 4/12/2006 @ 3:09 pm

  3. We just bought three potted gloxinia. My husband plans to transplant them outside. Is this a good idea and will they make good perennial garden plants?

    The florist gloxinia (Siningia spp.) is usually grown as a potted houseplant but can also be grown outdoors when day temperatures are above 75 and night above 65. It should bloom during the spring and summer and then eventually die down for a dormant period anywhere from 2-4 months. At this time you will need to dig up the tuber and store it in dry soil at temp. 50F. You can replant it in the spring. Gloxinia is a native of Brazil and is grown as a herbaceous perennial there.

    Comment by Marcia — 6/4/2006 @ 4:33 am

  4. Gloxinia - My gloxinia is growing off center and extremely top heavy. Can it but cut back and how?

    Are you referring to the florist gloxinia-compact rosette growth-like the picture or the tall tender perennial? If it is the florist gloxinia you will have to allow it to go dormant so that it can replenish the tuber. Cutting it back would eliminate all the nutrients that need to go back to the tuberous stem.

    Comment by Nancy — 4/16/2007 @ 9:08 am

  5. After the plant goes dormant , you don’t water it? How long does it stay dormant? I may plant this outside after it gets warmer. I am known for killing plants.
    Thanks,
    Pam

    Let the tuber stay in dry soil for 2-4 months. If you have a florist’s gloxinia” it is a native to Brazil and likes warm nightime temp above 65F with day temps of 75F.. therefore you need grow it in a container which you can bring inside when the weather gets cold.

    Comment by pam scoonover — 4/24/2007 @ 8:49 am

  6. I ahve a Gloxinia that was given to me by an Amish person. I have stored it in the basement like I was told and then forgot about it-I had surgery and wasn’t able to use the stairs. I brought it up and it is all dried out, have I killed it? If not, what do I need to do to get it to bloom its beautiful purple flowers? Please let me know ASAP!
    Thank you, Pam

    Gloxinia need a 2-4 month rest and should be stored at around 50F. Usually, the tuber will send out new shoots when its ready to start growing again. They are not the easiest plant to reflower but summer is a good time to try. Repot the tuber in fresh soil, water in well and keep the soil moist not wet. When leaves emerge keep the plant in bright filtered light or outdoors (no direct sun). Fertilize lightly with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or blooming houseplant food. They are warm weather and high humidity plants and should do well outdoors in the summer. If the tuber is viable, it should put out new shoots when watered.

    Comment by Pam — 6/26/2007 @ 9:42 am

  7. NEED WATERING SCHEDULE AND POTTING MIX TO REPOT PLANT

    There is no set schedule for watering a gloxinia. It should not be allowed to dry out; keep the soil moist but never not soggy. Careful not to overwater. Watering will depend on the temperature and light exposure the plant is getting. The warmer and brighter the more moisture it will require. You may have to water every other day or once a week. So use your own judgement. Like african violets avoid getting water on the leaves or in the crown and use tepid water.
    A good potting mix is a light well-drained soil consisting of 50% peat and perlite, sand or vermiculite. African violet soil will also work. Repot in the spring.

    Comment by Bill Hatfield — 2/4/2008 @ 1:43 am

  8. I have a miniature gloxinia. Do you have any information about it. I would like to enter in the flower show but I need information on the plant to enter. The plant is about 25 years old and flowers beautifully every year.

    The miniature Sinningias species originated in Central and South America and belong to the Gesneriaceae family. They are generally grown indoors requiring more humidity and do well under fluorescent lights making it an ideal plant for terrarium gardens. One of the popular species is Sinningia pusilla which is everblooming and produces flower colors of violet/lavender with a white throat and a white flowered form

    Comment by Sandi Mirtl — 2/4/2008 @ 7:59 am

  9. I have an indoor gloxinia with 2 long vines that only have leaves at the end of the vines. Those leaves are all very small and keep dieing as the vine gets longer. Can i cut those off and try and start new plants? If so, in water or soil?
    Also, how often are you supposed to cut it off and store it for the 2-4 month rest period mentioned above? It hasn’t bloomed for a couple years now.

    You may be referring to a creeping Gloxinia (Lophospermum erubescens). This trailing vine is grown as a hanging basket and produced blooms that look like gloxinia. Now that it’s almost spring, why not repot the plant in fresh soil, cut the vines back and when you see new growth along the stem give it a dose of fertilizer. Root the cuttings by dipping them in rootone and then plant in soil . Another trailing plant also referred to as Creeping Gloxinia is Asarini scandes. It is also used in hanging baskets.

    Comment by Becky Frahm — 3/5/2008 @ 2:58 pm

  10. Where can I purchase gloxinia bulbs in the Dresher, Pa, 19025 area. I have tried all over. Thank you

    Comment by ivor simmonds — 5/1/2008 @ 11:29 am

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