Flowering time begins

Although it's a bit late but finally the Smithiantha begins to flower in cool days. Just take photo of single flowers with camera app that supports 4 images in 1 photo. They look colorful together ...

Pink Episcia - Unpredictable Valley

These days are warmer than last December in Taiwan, warm enough to remind me to write something about Pink Episcia in Singapore. As we all know the families of Pink Episcia feature the delicate color of foliage which is second to none in Gesneriads. But on the other hand, they must be handled with care because their foliage is sensitive to the changes of humidity or temperature. Many growers use container to please them and keep stable growing condition all year around.

I had a chance to visit a grower in Singapore and his Pink Episcias are raised in both air-conditioned greenhouse and outdoor garden. OK, the plant in air-conditioned greenhouse thrives with no doubt, but the plant in the outdoor garden looked fine as well. Although I can tell the two are different varieties, but I was still surprised the outdoor one can tolerate the tropical weather in Singapore ... nevertheless they still can't resist the attack of insect.  :) 

in air-conditioned house

the outdoor one

Sinn. Li'l Georgie

This is a micro miniature Sinningia that is easy to grow and always in bloom.  It is a cute hybrid between Sinn. concinna and Sinn. muscicola.

The blooming season begins

Well ... they are late actually if comparing with other growers I guess it's because my late planting experiment. Further, this winter is warmer than last year, the Smithiantha can grow longer time before the growth ends. Although just a few plants give the flowers but the foliage can be appreciated all the time.

the biggest and smallest Smithiantha hybrids of my own so far

Last Glory of Episcia

Just can't resist the cold, time to keep them warm. It seems the green varieties are more sensitive to the freezing air because I have seen the damages on their leaves made by the cold. Too many to store then @@ 

Photos of Sinningia

Just recent photos of Sinningia that I took to show various appearance of such charming flowers within the same big family. Hopefully everyone finds the beloved Sinningia that also suits you best.

Achimenes , not good in this year

Sometimes, even though we understand what is right, but we still go on the contrary !!! Same thing happens when I grow Achimenes , yes ... the mistake was made and the result is just a few flowers.  XD

a conspicua hybrid

I do not remember who gave me this plant ... the flower is not big or scented as Sinn. conspicua. It just blooms , so I took a photo by the way. :-)

Back on track

The plants will tell us what time is the right time as long as we feel the same way. Simple logic, truly natural !!!

So Colorful !

Not only the flower is charming, the foliage of Smithiantha is also lovely. Benefited by the current cool weather in northern Taiwan, these plants are happy to expedite their growth. I just use liquid fertilizer twice a month, and it seems it's enough.

Simple Happiness

Happiness comes from the simple growing experience. My motto is maximum efficiency by minimum effort when taking care the plants. Easy plants will be the best solution.

Successful F1 ~ Sinn. Amizade

Doing a F1 hybrid is usually the first step to begin a hybrid work, and sometimes it does get classic result like Sinningia Amizade. F1 hybrid shows the combination of parents in the first place, so ... conservative speaking, if the parents are not poles apart, the result will be within two species. But a experimental trial with poles apart is a must, because a highlight may happen from such collision and that's why the hybridization keep progressing. In short, don't stay at comfort zone for always. :-)

We all love Kohleria

The Kohleria is getting more popular and many growers are interested in the hybridization work because more pollen parents are available after efforts of some local hybridizers over years.

The main stream of developing new Kohleria varieties is to get big and multiple blooms on a compact plant. This is a current that will never fade away. Other than this gorgeous target, properly the idyllic ideas such like foliage variegation and miniature size of Kohleria will enrich the appearance of creating modern Kohleria.

So ... let's wait and see , good luck for everyone.