I Do Love These "Weeds"

Brandon Erickson gave an informative talk on growing Kohleria at the July 2024 Gesneriad Society Convention in St. Louis entitled, “Kohleria – The Most Beautiful Weed.” He spoke about taming Kohlerias for show. Kohlerias are among my favorite gesneriads to grow, both the species and hybrids. During the talk I was reminded some of my own “weeds.”

I had plants of Kohleria tublifora, Kohleria warszewiczii, and (similar but not a Kohleria) Pearcea sp. "Carol Ann” growing on one of the light stands. These tall growing plants were getting a bit wild, and climbing up between the shelves and the basement wall. I was almost afraid of trying to work them out. However, they don’t stay well-trimmed back in the wild either!

Pearcea sp. "Carol Ann”

I had already started new pots of all before convention, so I moved the big pots onto the screened porch when we returned. The tall stem on the Pearcea I found most intriguing and couldn’t bring myself to cut it back. I'm enjoying it whenever I venture outside. 

Pearcea sp. "Carol Ann” 

Pearcea sp. "Carol Ann” is an interesting plant. I acquired it the 2023 Gesneriad Society Convention in Richmond, VA. It seems to be also distributed as Pearcea sp. "Ecuador” or Pearcea aff. sprucei (Ecuador). I’ve read that Jeremy Keene thinks it may be a natural intergeneric between Pearcea & Kohleria. Until it's positively identified, and confirmed that these names do all refer to the same plant, the name the cutting came with stays on it.

Pearcea sp. "Carol Ann” 

I'll keep the plants outside to decorate the screened porch until the weather begins to turn cold. At that point I'll dig out any rhizomes for cleaning and storage. At the same time, the newer started plants should be already taking over the light stands.