Sinningia

Sinningia is a very popular houseplant - which is no surprise given the flowerage. From a botanical perspective, Sinningia that are commercially available in this country are hybrids, which result from cross-breeds of Sinningia speciosa with lots of other species such as Sinningia villosa or Sinningia helleri. All the species belong to the Gesneriaceae family and originate from central and south America; Sinningia speciosa is native to Brazil. The name "Gloxinia" used for Sinningia in some languages is misleading: Previously, the plants were admittedly assigned to the closely related genus Gloxinia, which is still reflected in the name used in German.

Sinningia consists of a basal leaf rosette above which the large, colorful trumpet flowers rise up. The plant forms tubers and has a bushy, compact growth. The houseplant grows to a height of around 7.87 to 11.81 inches.

The leaves of modern Sinningia are very soft and somewhat smaller than those of the first hybrids and the wild species. These features were important breeding objectives, as the actual leaves of the plants are very brittle and were therefore unsuitable for transportation. The leaves are ovate to oblong, velvety, and hairy, and the underside of the leaves is lighter than the upper side.

The conspicuously large and extremely attractive trumpet-shaped leaves of the Sinningia are white, red, or violet-blue colored. There are also double variants, where the flowers resemble those of old roses. Some hybrids have white margined petals, i.e. two-toned, or are slightly ruffled along the margin. Sinningia are now available again in forms that resemble the wild species Sinningia seciosa and have smaller, slightly hanging flowers. The flowering period of Sinningia lasts from June until August.

The tropical plant forms small capsule fruit.

Sinningia likes warm, humid, and bright conditions. However, places in direct sunlight should be avoided. The houseplants are ideal for heated rooms, cabinets, or conservatories.

You can use standard flower soil mixed with a little sand for better drainage, or cactus soil for Sinningia. This is very permeable straight from the shop. Some expanding clay at the bottom of the plant container prevents waterlogging.

Always water Sinningia with room temperature, soft, i.e. lime-deficient, water. The substrate should never completely dry out, but it should always be slightly damp. Avoid watering from above so that water cannot collect in the leaf rosette.

A freshly planted Sinningia does not usually need fertilizer. If you bring it successfully through its winter rest period, you should give the plant a little cactus fertilizer every week during the next flowering period.

If repotting is required, then spring is the best time for this - as soon as the Sinningia has grown new shoots from its tuber. However, it is not usually worth continuing to care for them after flowering.

There are no pruning measures for Sinningia. The plants completely withers after flowering.

Further cultivation after the Sinningia has flowered is only very rarely successful. The Sinningia hybrid tubers are generally so small that they do not survive the dry phase until the next spring. Moreover, attempting to maintain them can also cost a pretty penny: The plants must be brought to a very bright location and also require several hours of artificial light a day. The tuber remains in the pot and is watered a minimum of every two to three weeks. The recommended temperature in the winter months is between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Laypersons are rarely successful at propagating Sinningia, and if so only with a lot of patience. You can try sowing seeds from October to February, or taking leaf cuttings. These require a very warm location with temperatures at a constant 77 degrees Fahrenheit. It can take up to half a year before the leaves show.

Sinningia occasionally fall foul to aphids, spider mites, or thunderbugs. Rolled up leaves is an indication that the room air is too dry.