How to grow gloxinia from a leaf?

Brazil - Homeland of an amazing flower that previously was found only in deserts, tropics and subtropics. The first description of gloxinia was made by the German botanist B.P. Gloxin at the beginning of the 18th century.

A century later, she found herself in many countries of Europe. Breeders carried out global work so that this beautiful representative of the Gesneriev family would decorate window sills, and not just greenhouses and gardens.

Today, many flower lovers grow gloxinia at home and even propagate it from a leaf. Is it hard?

What is it?

The botanical name is gloxinia Sinningia, and flower growers call it Gloxinia. The reason for the emergence of an unusual botanical name is the perpetuation in the textbooks on botany of labor V. Sinning (director of the garden at the University of Bonn), who was seriously engaged in breeding with her participation.

In gloxinia, the flowers look like bells. Depending on the species, they are terry or simple. The colors of the buds vary. Some representatives of the edges on the flowers are frilly, while others have contrasting edges.

Not only the above features are based on the differences between gloxinia species. All flowers are of different diameters, shapes. The same can be said of peduncles and foliage.

Breeding methods

The following breeding methods are available:

  • seed;
  • tuber division;
  • can be planted with leafy cuttings.

Florists rarely sow seeds. There are reasons for this. This method of reproduction is laborious. In advance - at the end of the summer-autumn, the soil mixture is being harvested. It is prepared from peat, sheet land and sand (1: 1: 1). It is poured into low wide boxes.

After preparing the land, put them in a warm and bright place. In November, seeds are sown, which are watered regularly with warm water. Sprouts appear after 2-3 weeks, and after the appearance of 2 leaves they dive, planting at a distance of 20 mm from each other.

The second pick is done when the third pair of leaves appears - 50 mm. It's time for the third pick: seedlings have already developed and interfere with each other's growth. The distance is increased to 10 cm.

To propagate the plant with leafy cuttings, select the appropriate leavesto with a 10 mm petiole. They are planted in a special soil mixture formed from sand and peat (1: 0.5).

After the soil is ready, the stalk is rooted, watered and covered with a jar. Once a day, the jar is cleaned for a quarter of an hour, thereby ventilating.

With this dilution, after 2.5-3 weeks, tubers will appear on the cut ends planted in the ground. They are transplanted into small pots, and after a few months they enjoy the abundant flowering of gloxinia.

Tuberous propagation is a rather dangerous method.

Experienced growers know this. Sometimes rot on a tuber is overlooked, and subsequently wonder why the young plant died.

It is advisable to inspect the tubers carefully, if necessary, cut out the rot, and after the appearance of 2-centimeter shoots, separate them with a sharp knife and sprinkle the slices with activated charcoal. Each piece is planted in a separate pot, and the first watering is carried out 3 days after planting.

Is it possible to grow it like that?

Yes, if there is a 2-4-centimeter stalk. After the appearance of the roots, a plant is planted in the ground.

Process features

Not all plants are bought at flower shops. Sometimes you can "steal" them from a friend or housemate. To do this, tear off a leaf, and then plant it. So do with gloxinia.

If done correctly, the beauty will soon bloom. The leaf for propagation is taken young and cut off after the buds have appeared. The length of the petiole when it is cut should be 3 cm. If you do not put it in time in the water, it will wither.

Training

Is it possible to immediately plant a leaf with a handle in the ground? Can. In this case, the plant will give roots already in the pot. There is another way for the roots to appear.

The leaf is placed in a small glass in which boiled water is poured. As a rule, flower growers arrive by the method described just above, i.e. plant the leaf immediately in the ground. The cut sheet is divided into 2-3 parts.

It is planted in a slightly moistened substrate.. It is prepared from peat, sheet land and sand (1: 1: 0.5). It is better not to overdo it with dosages, as otherwise the soil will not turn out to be breathable and loose. It is also better to disinfect in advance by buying the drug Maxim and diluting it as described in the instructions.

Landing

How to plant? Each leaf should be planted in a disposable cup filled with a slightly moistened substrate. Then they cover it with plastic wrap so that the soil slowly loses moisture. Even watering is not needed if you cover each cup tightly.

It is advisable not to touch the gloxinia once againso that young shoots appear in the fragments. This will happen only after a month and a half. As soon as the first shoots are formed, they are transplanted into the ground for adult flowers. Suitable soil for violets.

Shoots will interfere with a small hole at a distance of 1.5 cm from the edge. After watering from the spray bottle, the gloxinia pot is placed on the windowsill, which will be exposed to indirect sunlight.

Choose the "right" pot

Gloxinia grows better if planted in a wide and shallow dish. If the plant is young, the diameter of the pot should be 7-10 cm. If it is an adult, then 11-15 cm.

Gloxinia can be grown in a plastic or clay pot.

What soil is needed?

Gloxinia is planted in loose earth, which passes air well. Its optimum acidity is 6.5.

How to plant?

You can plant gloxinia leaf, choosing the smallest. After that, cut it into thick veins. The petiole is cut, but not all: more than 2 cm are left. To avoid problems with cutting along the veins, take the sharpest knife.

The material is planted in a container with moist soil, covered with a film and waiting for the first leaves to appear.

Home Care

Florists consider caring for gloxinia a snap. When caring, you will have to consider some features. It is very important to distinguish between periods of rest and vegetation. With the onset of spring, the pot is placed on a well-lit window sill and watered more often.

You can water the plant in a pan or in a pot. Moisture should not fall on flowers and leaves. The frequency of watering decreases with the onset of August, and in September they stop it altogether. Due to lack of moisture, the leaves dry out. The plant is cut completely and cleaned in a dark and cool place.

The frequency of watering in the winter months is once every 3 weeks. If watering is more frequent, gloxinia will bloom again, all flower stalks and leaves will have to be cut again.

When does it bloom?

When will such gloxinia bloom? If everything is done correctly, after the propagation of gloxinia from the leaf after six to seven months, the first buds will appear. By then, it will have 6-7 pairs of leaves.

Useful video

The video below shows how to propagate gloxinia with a piece of leaf.

Conclusion

Beauty gloxinia is also grown from the leaf. In addition, each grower has a choice of how to implement his plan. The leaf can be divided into veins, and you can leave small roots on it that can be rooted in water or in the ground. Six months later, the young plant will bloom beautifully.

Watch the video: How to propagate gloxinia from leaf cutting. Part-2 (May 2024).

Leave Your Comment