Streptocarpus 'Neil's Getcha', Aeschynanthus humilis, Petrocosmen barbata, Episcia 'Pink Brocade' and other great stuff!

 Janice has some pretty exciting things to look at when she goes down to her plant room.

This is a lovely selection called Streptocarpus 'Neil's Gotcha'. Really striking flowers with ruffles and spots and a nice bold color.

 Here's another lovely strep with just the right contrast between the leaves and the color of the blossoms.

 This little Aeschynanthus humilis has been blooming for about four months. It seems to do well under lights and with a mat watering system for it.

Another pretty Strep with big bright flowers.

 If purple is more your color there are some of them too!

 This was a really eye catching bloom. Again, huge flowers and nicely contrasting leaves.

 These little cute things are a Petrocosmea. They're Petrocosmea barbata.They stay quite small and as you can see have a center that is somewhat compact. The plants go through a cycle when just the tight center is left in the pot looking a bit like a pine cone. When conditions again are favorable (or the plant decides it's time) they send out the rest of the lovely lush leaves to make the small but rather dramatic rosettes which you see here.

This is one of the very pink Episcias. I think it's 'Pink Brocade'. What a beautifully grown and striking plant. I hope that Janice turns her back next time I'm lucky enough to see her collection and perhaps this one, tiny, small (well, large) bowl will mysteriously vanish off of the shelf!!!

Thank you very much to Janice for sharing the pictures with us! Comments??? Congratulations???

Episcia Leaf Coloration

 This is a leaf from an Episcia. I was hoping to see something interesting when looking at the "hair" on the leaf surface and stem but it turns out that I found something else much more interesting!

 I wanted to see what it looked like when the Episcia's leaf transitioned from one color to another color on it's surface. Nothing much to see really, but...... but when I decided to slice a little section out of the middle of the leaf and look at the "thickness of the leaf" edge-on I found something I thought was super interesting!

 You will note in the first shot above that there is a dark line running along one surface of the leaf but not on the other.

This picture shows that same line running along the top surface, even over that lump (which is the mid vein section). The pigment in the Episcia leaf seems to run along ONLY THE TOP SURFACE!

This photo sort of lacks a bit of something.... but the darker areas of the leaf have the darkest pigment line (look to the left) and the lighter middle section has a much lighter pigment. I'm going to try cutting a few more Episcia leaves open when I get a few more Episcias. I think I might just have the one with light and dark shades as you can see in the very first picture.

Comments?????

What's Bloomin'

 Lots of things are blooming today. Here's the miniature Sinningia speciosa  from the other day with most of its blooms open. A real cool plant.

 Here's a chimera African violet called 'Emerald City' The lavender pinwheel pattern is accented by the green tipped petals.

 'Jim's Daphne's Choice' Episcia is a really nice clear yellow color. There aren't too many really good yellows in Episcias yet, but this one is very pretty.

 Chirita tamiana is a great little plant that is about the size of a semi-miniature violet. It's easy to grow and get to bloom and the blooms last a nice amount of time. It might be my favorite Chirita.

New to me is this Primulina tabacum. Cool little flowers on this plant. I just got it but I hear that they get larger : )

 This is Dale Martens Streptocarpus 'Tanzanite'. Nice flowers on a smallish plant. Fun to grow.

Now this is an interesting one. xCodonanthus Aurora. It blooms on a small starter plant with a really nice looking peachy flower with a lighter cream color lip. 

 Can't forget the Sinningia 'Gabriel's Horn' tricolor sport. This one is a favorite too with it's calyx double flower.

 Not quite blooming, but Sinningia leopoldii has kept compact to about 6" tall and already it's making flowers! YAY! Not a three foot high monster this time.

Here's a Petrocosmea 'Shortin' Bread'. Nice shape with no fuss and cute little blue flowers.






The last one for today..... an unnamed Streptocarpus that looks for all the world like 'Purple Panda'. Whatever the name, it's really stunning with the pure white top petals and the hint of netting on them.

What do YOU have blooming? Send pix....