How to propagate, grow Gloxinia (Sinningia) and its care

Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa), also known as Sinningia, is a popular plant with velvety green leaves and large, bell-shaped flowers. The dazzling blooms come in a range of brilliant colors, as well as many color combinations. Its cultivation is relatively easy, read on to find out how to propagate, cultivate Gloxinia and its care.

cultivar Gloxinia

Contents

What is Gloxinia?

Gloxinia, like the African violet, is a gesneriaceae. Most Gloxinia in garden centers are hybrids of Sinningia speciosa.

It is a seasonal plant that grows from a tuber and has a period of active growth and flowering followed by a period of dormancy.

The large, scalloped leaves grow in a low rosette with the flowers emerging from the center of the foliage.

When the Gloxinia begins to flower, the flowering period can last for several months. These large flowers can be white, pink, red, purple or two-tone. They can also have smooth or ruffled petal edges and single or double flowers.

Most Gloxinia flowers grow to about two inches, and each plant can produce several dozen blooms per bloom cycle.

How to Propagate Gloxinia

There are three ways to propagate Gloxinia plants: by taking cuttings, by planting tubers or by sowing seeds. You’ll learn more about each of these three techniques below.

1. Propagation by cuttings

spread gloxinia

One of the most reliable methods of propagation is by taking leaf cuttings. Using clean garden shears, cut a leaf at least 2 inches in diameter where it joins the stem.

Dip the stem end of the leaf in rooting hormone (optional) and plant in a container filled with moist soil. Only bury the cut end one centimeter deep.

Cover with a humidity dome, a sheet of plastic wrap, or place the pot in a clear plastic bag.

In a month or two, a small new plant will form at the base of the leaf. If you have more than one leaf in the pot, remove them as they grow and place them in their own pot.

2. Plant a Gloxinia tuber

spread gloxinia

Flattened tubers are available in the spring from garden centers or florists and often have sprouts when you buy them.

When you have them home, plant them in a pot that provides two inches of growing space on either side of the tuber. A pot of 15 cm in diameter is the ideal size.

Fill the pot with a light, well-draining substrate that has been moistened beforehand. Place the tuber in the growing medium with the “hollow” side up.

Cover it a little with the substrate, but don’t bury it deep. Water the soil well and place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect light. Large flowers should appear about 4 months after planting the tubers.

3. Sow Gloxinia seeds

sow gloxinia

Seeds can be collected from pods that ripen as the flowers fade, or you can order gloxinia seeds from a seed catalog.

To plant the seeds, fill a container or tray with previously moistened soil. Spread the small seeds over the surface of the soil, then spray the top of the growing medium with room temperature water to ensure good soil-to-seed contact.

Cover the container or tray with a humidity dome or clear plastic sheet. Move the container to a warm place with bright, indirect light. You can also place the seed trays under a grow light.

Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings are about an inch tall, carefully remove them from the container or tray and transfer them to individual pots.

Keep in mind that Gloxinia plants take about six months to flower if grown from seed, so be patient.

Don’t let the soil dry out completely until they have sprouted, water it a little every time you see it dry.

How to care for and grow Gloxinia

compost and soil

Gloxinia is a plant that requires relatively little care. Fertilize every two to three months with a half-mixed liquid organic flower food.

You can also use compost spikes for flowering plants that are introduced into the growing medium.

Regarding the soil to grow the gloxinia, the ideal is to use a mixture rich in nutrients and which drains well, you can mix a little sand with the soil of the garden to bring better drainage and lighten the substrate.

ideal light

grow gloxinia

Gloxinia plants do best in a location with bright, indirect light. Too much light can scorch the leaves.

To grow Gloxinia, it is important that the light is adequate. Find a spot with bright, indirect light. Do not place a Gloxinia in full sun, as the leaves will dry out or burn.

A few hours of sunlight is enough, especially if you are growing in winter. Avoid low light conditions, which can reduce flowering and lead to problems like basal rot.

Another option is to grow Gloxinia under grow lights. You can use fluorescent or LED lights and leave them on for 14-15 hours a day.

watering frequency

grow gloxinia

The ideal is to keep the Gloxinia culture medium slightly moist, but permanently.

Use pots with good drainage. Don’t let the plants dry out, but don’t overwater them either. Too much water can cause basal rot.

Before picking up the watering can, check the soil moisture with your finger. If it is half an inch dry, water the plant.

When watering, water the growing medium, not the plant. Try to avoid splashing water on the leaves, which can cause brown spots on the foliage.

Cut faded flowers

Another task is to cut the flowers as they fade. This can encourage the production of new flowers and prolong the flowering period. In addition, this practice improves the appearance and health of the plant.

Pests and diseases that affect Gloxinia

One of the most common problems affecting gloxinia is basal rot, which is caused by overwatering.

Keeping plants in low light can also promote rotting as the soil takes time to dry out.

Try to give the plants bright, indirect light and check often that the soil is slightly moist and not wet.

Gloxinia can also fall prey to insects such as aphids, thrips and spider mites. Keep an eye on the plants and if you notice stunted or stippled growth on the leaves, take a closer look. Insecticidal soap can be used to control pests.

What to do with a gloxinia after flowering

grow gloxinia

Once the gloxinia has flowered, the leaves die back and it goes dormant. Don’t worry, it’s part of the normal growth cycle.

Some gardeners treat the plants as annuals and compost them after the flowering period is over.

But you can also keep the plant and leave it in vegetative rest. Once the flowers have faded, reduce watering. When the leaves turn brown and wilt, stop watering and move it to a cool, dark place with a temperature between 10 and 15 C.

Dormancy can last up to 4 months. When you see new shoots emerging from the tuber, transplant it to a brighter location. Water and fertilize regularly.

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