Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' -- More Clues

 

Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - 2013

I’m searching for the most heat tolerant Streptocarpus, which, in my judgement, is ‘Jealous Heart’.

 

I’ve found a reference to this plant in Gesneriads, vol 63, number 3, Third Quarter 2013.  Mary Schaeffer reported that ‘Jealous Heart’ was picked for the Challenge Class at the Philadelphia Flower Show – 2013.

 

I had forgotten that I was involved with that pick and grew the starter plants that were distributed to the growers who entered to show that they were the best home growers. 

 

The significance of this history is that we know that the pool of people who know this variety is bigger than expected.

 

Does anyone still have it?

One Hundred Dollar Reward

Streptocarpus 'Jealous Heart' - Heat tolerant

Houseplants have multiple variable genetic characteristics.  Flower color is the one we observe and manipulate the most.

 

Now, heat tolerance is becoming more important.  Your favorite houseplant may thrive in your air-conditioned kitchen, but you may have never bought it if it was wilted down in the heat of your Garden Center.

 

Streptocarpus is famous for wilting when growing in temperatures above 85 degrees.  They recover when given cool, but it is an annoying trait.

 

Ten years ago, I had identified a variety that never wilted in the summer heat --- ‘Jealous Heart’ --- a pretty pink.

 

If I had it, I would cross it onto many other pretty hybrids to see if we can transfer heat tolerance into all Streptocarpus.

 

I would like to have it back again.  There is a one-hundred-dollar reward for its return.

 

Please email if you have one to share.

 

Vietnamese Violets are Coming Soon

Vietnamese Violet - Perfectly grown

 

If you study entrepreneurship, the ultimate strategy is to find a product that has no competition in a new category.  You perfect production at a low cost, introduce it to the market and dominate as the category King.

 

This picture shows what a perfectly grown Vietnamese Violet can look like.  If my crop has half as many flowers, I will call it a success.

 

How did they do this?

 

I know how to grow Vietnamese violets.  But every successful business has a secret --- we see something that others don’t.

 

If I tell you how, then as they say: ‘The cat’s out of the bag’.