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Re: streptocarpus

In a message dated 11/23/1998 8:28:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,
johnadney@email.msn.com writes:

> Care for streps is similar to African violets. Streps prefer temps in the
>  60s, need high light but not direct sunlight, humidity high enough to keep
>  leaves from turning brown. They also like a light mix, similar to AVs. I
>  fertilize each watering, using 1/4 of the recommended dosage. The
fertilizer
>  is the same as I use for AVs. Keep away from cold drafts. Like AVs, streps
>  do not like very cool or cold temps. Both also do not like prolonged heat
>  waves, either.

if i may add something, john, i hear many people say that streps are similar
in care to AVs.  however, AVs are more tropical, coming from central and east
african rain forests, whereas streps are more southern in their range,
occurring from south africa to tanzania and madagascar (thus the common name
cape primrose).  in my experience, streps need more light, cooler temps and
can take drying out better.  for example, in our awful ny summers, my streps
usually perish, making them annuals :-( whereas my AVs have no trouble...
claire, you should have no trouble growing them in a cool room as long as
temps don't fall below the 50's at night and they get a good amount of light.
on a recent visit to vermont, we met a lady who grew them beautifully in her
cool cabin, she didn't know what they were called but she kept propagating
them and eventually filled the whole house with them, then gave them away to
friends...

claire, while we are on this topic, i see you are in the new york area.  i
want to let you know that there is a chapter in nyc (and i believe one in long
island) of the american gloxinia and gesneriad society.  gesneriads are the
family to which streps, african violets and many other plants belong.  if you
would like some info and/or attend our next meeting as a guest, please let me
know.  we meet on the 3rd saturday every month.

tsuh yang chen, nyc (in bloom: bouganvilleas, orchids, sinningias and
christmas cactus)
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