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The Shilin Official Residence is the backyard garden for Taipei city people because it's easy to access, just 10 minutes by walk from the Shilin Station of Taipei MRT System (metro/subway). It's open to the public, no entrance fee is required. A Gesneriad Show was held from 31th October to 4th November, I went to see the plants at the last day.
For more information about Shilin Official Residence, please check the offical website with Chinese/English guide. http://www.culture.gov.tw/frontsite/shilin/index.jsp
The show time table at the entrance
Streptorcarpella
Achimenes Desiree (maybe)
Achimenes misera
Sinningia (commercial varieties)
Sinningia (enthusiast's plant)
Episcia , not recorded
Episcia War Paint
African Violet , Sugar Plum Dream
African Violet , Ma's Wicked Witch
African Violet , Playful Spectrum
African Violet , Hawaiian Trail
African Violet , not recorded
African Violet , Shimmer Frost
African Violet , Pink Summit
African Violet , Opera's Paolo
African Violet , Glitter Surprise
African Violet , Ness' Blueberry Puff
African Violet , not recorded
African Violet , Scandal
African Violet , not recorded
African Violet , Victorian Treasure
African Violet , Steppin' Stone
My definition of variegated Kohleria refers to those Kohleria species or hybrids that exhibit beautiful leaves with interesting color patterns. They got mixed colors or special pigments such as grey, rosy, black or velvet texture on their leaves, not only green.
Koh. Sunshine , nice variegated leaf and long-lasting flower.
Koh. Designer's Star Shimmer , the offspring of Koh. Sunshine.
At the beginning, the Kohleria was introduced into cultivation for its outstanding and exotic flowers. Recently more and more Kohleria hybrids are coming with stunning colors and patterns on their leaves. This is quite interesting that the showy leaves are the hereditary character from the Kohleria species, this means these variegated leaves could be received by the offspring through pollination.
The modern Kohleria hybrids are the complex combination made by different species. From existing cross tips, we understand the Kohleria amabilis and bogotensis are usually used in hybridization and the offspring usually shows the variegated leaves. The leaf color of the offspring could be black, green with dark veins, dark with grey veins ... and such characters depend on the other parent as well. For example, the John Boggan's well-known hybrids "Silver Feather", "Green Goblin" and "Pink Shadows" are the available hybrids made by the mentioned Kohleria species. In fact, there are some old Kohleria cultivars that have beautiful leaves in different way. Although it's hard to know their cross information, I recommend Kohleria "Sunshine" and "Red Ryder", both are pretty in their leaves and flowers. Some of my own Kohleria hybrids exhibits the variegated foliage with interesting colors and patterns. The "Designer's Floral Dress" (Koh. Carl x Bibbi) comes with light grey covering in the center of velvet green leaf while the "Designer's Jewel Case" (Koh. Sunshine x unknown red) exhibits grey leaf like the skin color of white rhinos.
Koh. Designer's Jewel Case , compact grower.
Koh. Designer's Floral Dress , tall grower.
To grow these Kohlerias with variegated leaves, the plant needs enough light as much as it acclimates and a continuous fertilizer supply is a must. About 50-60% humidity is ideal to smooth and fully spread the foliage and the average temperature for growing is 25 degrees Celsius (+ or -). When the weather becomes cold (less than 20 degrees Celsius), do not let the water stay on the leaf over night to avoid the brown spots that are damaged by the freezing water at night. The Kohleria leaf usually gives the best color contrast before blooming, but when the plant becomes older, the featured color may be slowly faded away.
One of my Kohleria hybridization target is to present a harmony combination of the variegated leaves and striking flowers, so that Kohleria could be pleasing to the eyes during its entire growth. In my experience, when the pollen and seed parents are heritage of the variegated Kohleria, they are capable to create variegated offspring with certain percentage.
The seedlings of variegated Kohleria , see the variation of the color , very interesting patterns.
A selected seedling of the cross between Mini Sinn. and tubiflora. Really outstanding color display among the Sinningia hybrids.
This is to say the benefits of entering Mini Sinn. as the show plant. Please be aware of what I saw and experienced was based in Taiwan with Taiwanese miniature Sinningia hybrids.
A hybrid
- Easy Grower
We have many Gesneriads in cultivation here, the Mini Sinn. is absolutely the easiest plant with fast growing character. It grows all year around here, fast in Spring to Autumn, slowing down in Winter. It sprouts well under cool to warm growing conditions. Mini Sinn. can be in full bloom shortly after germination and this is very good point to control our growing milestone according to the show schedule.
- Floriferous Character
Despite of the fast growth, it's also easy to groom the Mini Sinn. In fact, this fantastic plant is born for show. Give enough fertilizer and light, a crown of Mini Sinn. can carry more than 10 blooms simultaneously ... and even more. Sometimes we only need to keep 5 or 6 large-sized flowers in bloom, the plant can be seen as if it's full of flowers. A good trick. :-)
Pirate's Stormy Night
- Travel With Ease
Mini Sinn. is usually short, small and compact, people can take many on the go but avoid the hassle of packaging. Just need necessary protection to ensure Mini Sinn. will not be squeezed by outside pressure during travelling. If you prefer to have a delightful trip but you are not good at packing the plant, the Mini Sinn. should be the decent companion.
- Colorful Options
Taiwanese growers have released many Mini Sinn. hybrids over years, we have the KC's, HCY's and AN's series as the pioneer hybrids ... then continued with the KJ's, Jung's, Pirate's, Nora's, Formosa, Isa's, Stone's, Windsor's and Gautier's ...etc. The new hybrids are still increasing, it seems we Taiwanese are partial to Mini Sinn. :-) Since many enthusiasts offer different type of Mini Sinn. with colorful option, growing Mini Sinn. is not boring ... never get to the end of collection.
- What Else ?
You may share the cutting crown to your friends after the show, then go home with a bag of small potatoes/tubers ... you happy and friends happy. :-)
Stone's Miranda
Not really many things to say, it's a comfortable season for laying back ... take a deep breath. :-)
