Streptocarpus Polka-Dot Purple

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Soon it was common to see ‘Constant Nymph’ on display in florists’ windows in Paris, Amsterdam and other major European cities. The Dutch horticultural industry popularised and made a good market for the plant in Europe and the United States. Additionally, small flies hovering around your plant or soil is entirely natural and may just indicate you're watering a little too often. Fungus Gnats are a common 'pest' with Streptocarpus due to its dependency to reliable soil moisture, but won't pose any risk to the plant's health. Simply replace the top quarter of the plant's potting mix for a fresh batch of 'Houseplant' labelled compost, typical found at most garden centres. Remember to reduce the frequency of waters to avoid this occurring again!

In 1947 he bred the John Innes variety ‘Constant Nymph’. This was the first of the modern multi-flowered Streptocarpus varieties with a flat face. When the first plants appeared in this country, leaf cuttings were passed around as something very special and after more than a hundred years of moderate use as an indoor plant a new wave of interest in Streptocarpus began. Soil pH from moderately acidic to slightly alkaline will do though optimally it should be from slightly acidic to neutral – pH 6.1 to 7.3. Temperature & Aspect Fill pots with free-draining compost, such as seed and cuttings compost, or mix equal quantities of peat-free multipurpose compost and sharp sand or perlite Plants should get several hours of indirect daylight – they may get direct early morning sun out of summer. While the specimen is budding or in bloom, switch to a product high in potassium to prolong the duration of flowers. Good examples of this are a Dibley's Streptocarpus Food or a tomato-labelled feed. Revert to the original fertiliser once the final inflorescence elapses.

Leaves are small, hard and yellowish, particularly near the centre of the plant, and few flowers –nitrogen deficiency Use a liquid fertiliser at 3 weekly intervals through spring and summer, just a few drops in the water saucer provides steady access to food. At a hardiness rating of H1C they are frost tender yet cannot be kept outdoors in even part sun in the summer as they are also ‘sun tender’! 2 Streptocarpus glandulosissimus. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/17816/cape-primrose/details In the autumn reduce the amount you water and when the plant stops flowering stop feeding. Keep plants at a minimum of 10C. In March/April gradually start watering more often and commence feeding. Plants should be potted into a slightly larger pot each spring; if possible, use ½ or ¾ depth pots.

In England the plant was largely neglected by the horticultural trade until it was exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society in London in 1962 and 1965 and won prestigious awards. It proved to have a lasting appeal: ‘Constant Nymph’ is still on sale today, 74 years after it was produced. We are the holders of the U.K. National Collection of Streptocarpus. We have been awarded many prizes for our plants including 33 Gold Medals from the Chelsea Flower Show. The tray or pot should be kept in indirect but bright daylight and in a temperature range of 19-23°C. Keep between 21-24°C (70-75°F) in a greenhouse or on a windowsill, ideally in a heated propagator. Germination cantake 10-14 days Other Species: There are 155 recognised species of Streptocarpus, with the first that was sent to Kew Gardens from South Africa being Streptocarpus rexii.Not known to be poisonouswhen consumed by pets and humans. If large quantities are eaten, it may result in vomiting, nausea and a loss of appetite. The cuttings should be kept in the same temperature range as stated above as you continue watering such that the soil stays moist. Streptocarpus (meaning twisted fruit) is a genus of herbaceous plants that was first brought to England from Southern Africa by Kew plant collector James Bowie in 1818 – a large blue-flowered plant S. rexii which first flowered at Kew Gardens in 1827.