Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Asian Violets --- Like an African Violet, but better!

Primulina 'Loki' - The easy houseplant

            This Primulina ‘Loki’ has been growing at the West kitchen window for three years.  It’s in a 2 ½” pot, has never had fertilizer and has wilted many times.  Yes, the foliage is perfect.

            This flowering randomly occurs two or three times a year.  Most casual houseplant growers would consider this one of their easiest flowering houseplants.
           

            Why doesn’t everyone have one?


            A Golden Oldie repeat.  This story from last year could not be more true today.  This Asian Violet is budded again.

            Its care is occasional water.
            Primulina ‘Loki’ is the best Asian Violet.

           Asian Violets, like an African Violet, but better, are much easier to produce and survive as houseplants.


            Why doesn’t everyone have one?




4 comments:

  1. I have a number of Primulina cultivars and grow them in wick setups made from recycled 20 ounce spring water bottles. My problem is that supplies are hit-and-miss, even from the well-known Gesneriad dealers (Kartuz, Lyndon Lyon, Violet Barn, etc.). Availabilities on eBay stores are spotty (and often sketchy). So what's a Primulina lover to do? I live in northwestern New Jersey, get to the Philly Flower Show most years, and enjoy "busman's holidays" to various garden centers and greenhouses all over the region (my wife and I both work in the business). But finding quality Primulina plants is like trying to find the Holy Grail...I know they're out there somewhere, but darned if I can find any! Can you recommend a dealer near me from your list of locations that keeps a representative inventory of your Prims?

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    1. I apologize that I never saw your comment. We grow Primulina full time and search for new varieties continuously, but supplies are still limited. The best Hobby source is the Gesneriad Society, which is the base for Primulina knowledge. They describe the new species that are being found in China and report on new hybrids by hobbyists. Members will share plants with you.

      Our customer, My Green Obsession, Perrysville OH promotes Primulina and has many varieties. They sell retail mail order. Contact them for the varieties that you are looking for.

      Our own propagations have had difficulties getting the quantities that we could sell. We have never had all varieties all the time.

      If you work at a garden center, please contact me to see if you could become a customer that we would deliver to.
      gary@garysspecialtyplants.com




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  2. Looks like streptocarpus

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    1. I have Loki grown by Gary purchased at stauffers of Kissel hill in hellam pa. Had for 2 years and when I threatened to get rid of it it started to bloom! Beautiful foliage though.

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