Gesneriad Trails

The genus Smithiantha is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Mexico and Central America. These plants thrive in shaded or semi-shaded environments, often growing on rocky slopes or as understory plants where they receive dappled sunlight and consistent humidity. In cultivation, they are highly valued for their colorful foliage and brightly colored flowers, which are held above the leaves on tall, elegant stems. Smithiantha 'Sunset' The plant’s striking appearance, with tall stems of vibrant foliage topped by arching sprays of bright flowers, has earned Smithiantha its common name, “Temple Bells.” I acquired rhizomes of Smithiantha ‘Sunset’ at the 2023 Gesneriad Society Convention in Richmond, VA. While the plants showed little growth in their first year, this winter they are making up for it with a spectacular display of vibrant flowers and lush foliage—perfectly timed for the holiday season. The dark red and green leaves provide a striking backdrop to the or...

Cobanathus calochlamys has long been one of my favorite plants. Endemic to Central America, specifically Guatemala and possibly nearby regions, this species thrives in tropical and subtropical forests, where it flourishes in humid, shaded conditions. Cobanathus calochlamys Back when we had our greenhouse, I kept a large stock plant of Cobanathus calochlamys. Whether due to regular pruning or perhaps because of it, the plant grew vigorously and was a prolific bloomer. Its vibrant orange calyces were long-lasting, creating a spectacular display against the fuzzy, silver-toned foliage. The yellow corolla tubes, tipped with purple, added even more color and charm to the plant’s striking appearance. In August 2023, I obtained seeds from The Gesneriad Society Seed Fund and eagerly sowed them. The seedlings grew quickly, though I couldn’t help but feel impatient waiting for them to bloom. Cobanathus calochlamys A few months ago, the plant began producing its signature orange calyces, which a...

We plant enthusiasts know the struggle: there’s always room for one more plant… or so we tell ourselves. Yet somehow, there’s never enough actual space. While my collection of gesneriads hasn’t grown significantly since the July Gesneriad Society Convention , the space they require definitely has, thanks to their thriving growth. For a while now, my light stands have been woefully overcrowded. I had a small bookshelf with 3-foot LED lights acting as a temporary fix, but it was clear I needed an upgrade. Last month, I finally ordered the materials for a second stand with 4-foot LEDs and it’s now all set up and ready for action. Awaiting the plants The first plants to move onto the new stand were those previously under the 3-foot LEDs. These had been receiving a bit less light, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on how they adjust. There are also some plants on my older stands that will to move to the new setup where I can lower the lights to be closer to the plants. An existing two-shelf en...

I planted some seed of  Sinningia guttata  in February of this year. I grew several small plants for most of the summer, before culling down to the strongest one. I was rewarded with bloom in October — just 8 months from sowing to bloom. Sinningia guttata Sinningia guttata is endemic to the region around Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The tuberous plants grow in wet areas. I grow it in my standard, loose mix, allowing the media to dry between watering. The light green foliage is glossy and attractive, ranking up there with many commonly grown "house plants." However, the large flowers are the true reward for growing this plant. Sinningia guttata foliage The large white blooms are heavy marked with purple spotting, and a yellow stripe in the throat. As an added bonus the flowers are scented. I get a sweet, floral aroma that reminds me of walking into an orchid greenhouse. Sinningia guttata Online resources indicate that Sinningia guttata may not have a distinct dormant period, an...

When we started ramping up our return to gesneriad growing in early 2023, one of the major concerns was keeping the plant collection watered while we were away. Since travel plans also are ramping up in retirement, this was a source of consternation. I started investigating wick watering, a technique used by many growers with much success. Helpful correspondence with other enthusiasts, as well as reviewing back issues of the Gesneriad Journal provide much information. I decided to give it a go. I went "all in" and nearly all the plants I acquired were put on wicks from the start. Early Wicking Setup For the wicking material, I used acrylic yarn as recommended. The yarn was thoroughly wetted before using and extended up through most of the pot. I purchased a large number of predrilled reservoir containers. Over the next 18 months I experimented with the length of wicking inserted in the pot, and even the number of wicks used based on pot size. I made minor adjustments to my po...

This past spring, I picked up a small container of Sinningia gesneriifolia seedlings from the raffle table during a meeting of the National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society . I selected two of the strongest to pot up and grow.  Both plants are now in 4" pots and are about 16 inches tall. One of my plants has been blooming for about a month, while the other is just developing buds.  Sinningia gesneriifolia blooms Sinningia gesneriifolia is native to Brazil. The corollas are marked with purple spotting inside and out. The flowers hang below the stems and are produced on the upper part of the stem. Sinningia gesneriifolia young foliage The seedlings and young plants have attractive silver makings down the midrib of the leaves. This coloration fades as the plants mature. One of my plants seems to be about a month behind the other in blooming and is just beginning to lose the coloration. New foliage around the base of the plant is marked with silver. Sinningi...

Kohleria are among my favorite gesneriads. There is a wide variety on foliage, growth habit, and blossoms among both the species and hybrids. When we had our greenhouse, a significant portion of a bench was devoted to the genus. I've been re-acquiring many of my old favorites and look forward to seeing them grow and bloom. Kohleria grandiflora One species I've been now growing for a while is Kohleria grandiflora . This plant bears a USBRG 98-259 label as well, meaning it came from the collection at the Smithsonian greenhouses.  Kohleria grandiflora This is the second bloom cycle I've had growing this species. The original plant had a couple of blooms but eventually grew unwieldy. It's a prolific producer of arial rhizomes — perhaps from inconsistent watering. This particular pot was started from cuttings in June and currently stands about 21" tall. I have a one light stand configured to allow plants to grow to about 24" tall, just for plants such as this. The...