Streptocarpus Polka-Dot Purple

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Leaves rotting at the base is most likely due to wet conditions, such as impeded drainage, over-watering, compost too heavily firmed or the base of the pot sitting in water accumulated in the bottom of the pot-holder. Remove the rotting leaves and allow to dry Blotches, rings or pale or white spots –using water that is too cold (it should be at room temperature). Avoid wetting the foliage when watering too

Create a humidity tray to provide a moist and stable environment for your plant. If the surrounding saturation is too low or the heat too high, its leaf-tips may start to brown over and curl, especially in direct sunlight. Hose the foliage down from time to time to hydrate the leaves and keep the dust levels down. Constant atmospheric saturation will provide longer-lasting flowers by up to two weeks. Allow the soil's top third to dry out in between waters, reducing this slightly in the autumn and winter. Over-watering during the dormancy period is a common issue that will result in compost mould and root rot. Insert the cuttings with the cut side down to about 2 centimetres into the type of soil described above.

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There will be several to many such plantlets – after they develop two sets of leaves they will need to be divided and potted on. When re-potting choose a pot only slightly bigger than the current one, about a thumb's width wider in diameter, or one 'pot size' larger if using old-fashioned clay pots. A wide shallow pot or half-pot is more suitable than a deep pot. In general, if you would like to have Cape Primrose sitting outdoors then simply grow them in containers that you can put outdoors according to your region’s climate and the season, and bring them indoors as and when necessary.

Supplement every two to four weeks using a houseplant feed, depending on the season. Use a fertiliser high in potassium to prolong the flowering period. Crystal series plants may continue flowering so keep them in a very well-lit spot and continue feeding with quarter strength plant food William Lawrence’s career at John Innes spanned 1913 to 1963 and his many contributions to horticulture were recognised by the RHS in 1950 when he was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour. Growing Streptocarpus from leaf sections is a great propagation method to try if you’re a beginner or for children,” shares Colin Skelly, a Master Horticulturist. Next, dip the wounds in a water/bleach solution (9 parts water, 1 part household bleach) to promote sterility. (Only use if you're an adult, following safety recommendations of the manufacturer). While using a seed tray or Bonsai dish and 'Houseplant' labelled potting mix, place the leaf sections wound-down in around 1.5cm (0.6 inches) into the soil. Apply slight pressure around the base of the leaf for extra stability with the sounding soil. Provide a bright, indirect setting with temperatures above 18℃ (64℉) and keep the pot in a sealed transparent bag with multiple small holes to maintain high humidity. Open the bag every couple of days to monitor how the cuttings are performing and to allow fresh air to circulate. Remove any rotten or yellowing material as it can spread onto neighbouring leaves. If propagation is successful, you should start to see new shoots surfacing the soil line after six to eight weeks. Keep the growing conditions the same, and once the shoots are big enough to pot on (four leaves on each growth), they can be potted up in 'Houseplant' Compost with 7cm (3 inch) pots. Repot as necessary and care in the same way as adult specimens with the care tips written at the top.

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A decade on, the variety was also named the ‘People’s Choice’ for ‘Plant of the Decade’ in this year’s virtual Chelsea awards. To grow Cape Primrose varieties as houseplants use a soil consisting of potting mix and garden compost with gravel or perlite or both mixed in to facilitate drainage. Take care not to plant them inan overly large or deepcontainer, as this can deter flowering. Choose one that is only slightly larger than the rootball – see our guide to avoiding overpotting. The maximum pot size is usually 10cm (4in) in diameter, but for very large plants you could use a shallow 12cm (5in) pot or pan I haven’t had trouble with the other species either and love their big show of flowers in some spectacular colours. Again it’s the blue purples that always get me salivating. For most of the big strap leaved ones I simply gouge out a hole in the base of a large Asplenum fern exactly the size of the pot and plant in there. I prefer a small pot size, these establish better getting away from the peaty compost they are grown in. Absolutely no disturbance to the root and leaves which can be fatal especially the leaves, these snap off if you so much as speak. The living fern and it sort of meld and they settle extremely well, almost instantly. Unfortunately one of the ferns fell out a tree, down went the whole thing laden with all sorts of passengers I had been cultivating over the years. The thing was so established it was useless to try and save anything. The whole thing went on the compost heap. Much to my delight it happily continued growing turning a rather smelly dank corner into a delightfully garden where I planted bamboo and put down pavers. The ferns get five foot wide so they shade the Streptocarpus nicely just allowing a few hours of morning sun. They don’t make good house plants needing humidity and a free root run through living moist mossy spongy stuff.

Cut across the leaf at 2in (5cm) intervals to give several sections; leaves can also be cut in half along the mid-rib Move to a south facing windowsill for maximum light, but move further away from the window at night if it gets very cold next to the window Streptocarpus ‘Constant Nymph’ was only a by-product of Lawrence’s scientific journey of discovery but it launched a new horticultural industry.

Whole Leaf Cuttings(Easy) - Instead of cutting the leaf into several sections (see image above), you can even keep it whole (like the image above) by placing the wound-end in a small glass of water to root. Once the roots are 2cm in length (1 inch), pot it up into a 7cm plastic pot with 'Houseplant' labelled potting mix. Whilst the leaf is rooting in the soil, be sure to cut the leaf in half horizontally, so that the total length of is reduced by half. Don't cut along the midrib. Keep the potted leaf in a transparent bag with a few holes and provide a indirect location with regular soil moisture. Once the third baby leaf emerges, you can remove the bag and treat as a mature specimen. On our Nursery we use a combination of biological control and a weekly spray SB Plant Invigorator. It must be noted however that biological methods alone may only control pests but not eradicate them. Biological control can be done on an amateur scale in a glasshouse or conservatory. Supplies are available in the UK from: Green Gardener, 41 Stumpshaw Road, Brundall, Norfolk, NR13 5PG. The garden strains in cultivation in Britain (known collectively as S. hybridus) developed from this mixed parentage. They are also sometimes known as ‘Cape primroses’, taking their name from Cape Province in South Africa.