Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress'

Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - May 2022

 

Is there a place for this flowering houseplant?

 

            Sinningia ‘Arkansas Empress’ is a hybrid made by Dr Jon Lindstrom, University of Arkansas.  Jon made many spectacular hybrids before his tragic death to cancer.

 

            ‘Arkansas Empress’ is a cross of insularis X conspicua and from Jon’s notes on Flickr in 2010, it was his selection. Apparently the F1 seedlings were variable.

 

            The plant gets big. You need a 6” pot to hold it up and it takes time to flower.  The clusters of salmon tubular flowers make it worth the wait.

 

            Sinningias form tubers as a method of survival so they have extra value.  The tuber can be kept from year to year to regrow and flower.

 

            It is a great ‘Inside Out’ houseplant.  It can be started inside and then put out in your patio planter.

 

            If the plant can be tied to Spring flower sales, you will need a lot. The only practical method of massive propagation is tissue culture. 

 

It has been hidden out there in the hobby world in personal collections.  This plant should be seen, but it would not be a casual project.

 

            New and pretty is good.  Big and unknown is risky.  It would be in the category of One.

 

            Should this be done?

Sinningia 'Arkansas Empress' - April 2023