Sunday, June 3, 2012
Codonatanthus 'Aurora' and 'Vista'
Comparison photos of Codonatanthus 'Aurora' (smaller-leaved) on the left and 'Vista' (larger flowers and leaves marked red on undersides) on the right, growing in Al's Orchid Greenhouse:
Friday, June 1, 2012
120 days to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gesneriad Show
Yes, I counted the days.
There are 120 days - growing season days, no less - until the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gesneriad Show. That's plenty of time to select some gesneriads from your collection and grow&groom for entry into the show.
Although some gesneriads need years of good culture to be show-able, others will do quite nicely in a 4 month window. Achimenes, for example, grow very well outdoors and have one distinct growing cycle a year - start now and they should still be in bloom at the end of September. Kohleria is also another rhizomatous plant that would do well in the available time, either outdoors or indoors. Some Sinningia will go from a healthy leaf-less tuber to full bloom in a few months and some of them do superbly outside. Other good candidates for growing outdoors through the summer months are Alsobia, Columnea, Drymonia, Streptocarpella, Episcia, and the other ones I'm obviously forgetting.
Indoors, if you have a healthy Saintpaulia or Streptocarpus plant, you can disbud for a period before attempting to bring it into bloom in time for the Show.
So... a candidate for your "to do" list this weekend: go through your gesneriad collection, tag a few Show candidates, and repot if needed.
There are 120 days - growing season days, no less - until the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gesneriad Show. That's plenty of time to select some gesneriads from your collection and grow&groom for entry into the show.
Although some gesneriads need years of good culture to be show-able, others will do quite nicely in a 4 month window. Achimenes, for example, grow very well outdoors and have one distinct growing cycle a year - start now and they should still be in bloom at the end of September. Kohleria is also another rhizomatous plant that would do well in the available time, either outdoors or indoors. Some Sinningia will go from a healthy leaf-less tuber to full bloom in a few months and some of them do superbly outside. Other good candidates for growing outdoors through the summer months are Alsobia, Columnea, Drymonia, Streptocarpella, Episcia, and the other ones I'm obviously forgetting.
Indoors, if you have a healthy Saintpaulia or Streptocarpus plant, you can disbud for a period before attempting to bring it into bloom in time for the Show.
So... a candidate for your "to do" list this weekend: go through your gesneriad collection, tag a few Show candidates, and repot if needed.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Where to find us in June
Saturday, June 9, 2012. 10:00am - 4:00pm: We’ll be at The Behnke Nurseries in Beltsville, Maryland, participating in the Garden Party, together with other local plant societies.
Saturday, June 23, 2012: Our annual picnic will be at the Sweetgum picnic area in Greenbelt Park, which is off I-495 in Maryland. Bring your own food for the grill, some food to share, and some plants (not limited to gesneriads) for the raffle table. Start time: around 11 a.m., although some of us will be there earlier to start setting up.
Saturday, June 23, 2012: Our annual picnic will be at the Sweetgum picnic area in Greenbelt Park, which is off I-495 in Maryland. Bring your own food for the grill, some food to share, and some plants (not limited to gesneriads) for the raffle table. Start time: around 11 a.m., although some of us will be there earlier to start setting up.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Mid Atlantic Regional Gesneriad Show, Sale and Symposium
In case you haven't heard.... there will be a regional gesneriad show and symposium in Delaware this fall, jointly sponsored by the DAVS, NCAC (that's us) and Liberty Bell chapters of The Gesneriad Society. The official announcement and details are now up on the Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Society's website.
Gesneriads Across the Globe: An International Family
When: open to the public on Sunday, September 30, 2012
(Show entries and judging take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012)
Location: Townsend Hall, 531 South College Avenue, University of Delaware
Newark, DE
Costs:
Registration fee for symposium/lectures is $20 ($25 after September 1, 2012).
Show and Sale are free.
Parking fee may apply.
(Exhibitors, volunteers, and judges: see brochure for additional information.)
Speakers
Featured Presentation (registration required): Searching for Gesneriads in Cuba
Sunday September 30, 2012, at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
John L. Clark is an Associate Professor in The University of Alabama's Department of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on the diversification and taxonomy of the flower plant family Gesneriaceae in the New World Tropics. Since 2006, John has participated in eight expeditions to Cuba for ongoing research on the Flora of Cuba Project. His research has facilitated the rediscovery of plants that had not been documented since the 1800s, some of which have been recently introduced into the horticultural community. John will discuss recent taxonomic changes that affected the names of commonly grown Gesneriaceae from the Caribbean. Plan to attend his lecture to learn more about the natural history of Gesneriaceae and the ecosystems where they are native.
Featured Presentation (registration required): Rare and Unusual Gesneriads and How We Grow Them
Sunday September 30, 2012, at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Bob and Dee Stewart live in Stowe, Massachusetts, where they maintain an extensive collection of exotic gesneriads in their greenhouse. Bob and Dee began growing gesneriads almost 25 years ago, starting on windows, moving to light, then to more elaborate lights, and then to the greenhouse. They grow a wide variety of species, including a lot of epiphytes and cool growers. Bob and Dee have won many awards for
their plants, and lectured on the greenhouse culture of gesneriads at the AGGS 1998 Convention. They have been members of AGGS (now The Gesneriad Society) for over 25 years. They recently constructed a new greenhouse. An informative article and photos of their project appeared in the February 2012 issue of Gleanings (direct link to PDF).
Schedule Details
Saturday, September 29, 2012 - Townsend Hall
8 a.m. - noon: Entries
9 a.m. - 2 p.m: Plants Accepted for Plant Sale
Noon - 1 p.m: Judges/Clerks Luncheon/instructions
1 p.m. - 3 p.m: Judging
3 p.m. - 5 p.m: Sales and Shop Open to Exhibitors, Judges, Clerks and Volunteers
6:30 - 9:30 p.m: Awards Dinner at Timothy’s of Newark
Sunday, September 30, 2012 - Townsend Hall
10 a.m. - 4 p.m: Show and Sale open
Noon - 1 p.m: Lunch for registrants
1 p.m. - 2 p.m: Searching for Gesneriads in Cuba, a presentation by Dr. John L. Clark
2 - 2:30 p.m: Break with Refreshments
2:30 - 3:30 p.m: Rare and Unusual Gesneriads and How We Grow Them a presentation by Bob and Dee Stewart
4-5:30 p.m: Dismantle Show
For more information, directions, registration form, etc., check out the brochure on the DAVS website.
The organizers would like to officially express their appreciation to the staff of the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens for their assistance in making this event possible.
Gesneriads Across the Globe: An International Family
When: open to the public on Sunday, September 30, 2012
(Show entries and judging take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012)
Location: Townsend Hall, 531 South College Avenue, University of Delaware
Newark, DE
Costs:
Registration fee for symposium/lectures is $20 ($25 after September 1, 2012).
Show and Sale are free.
Parking fee may apply.
(Exhibitors, volunteers, and judges: see brochure for additional information.)
Speakers
Featured Presentation (registration required): Searching for Gesneriads in Cuba
Sunday September 30, 2012, at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
John L. Clark is an Associate Professor in The University of Alabama's Department of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on the diversification and taxonomy of the flower plant family Gesneriaceae in the New World Tropics. Since 2006, John has participated in eight expeditions to Cuba for ongoing research on the Flora of Cuba Project. His research has facilitated the rediscovery of plants that had not been documented since the 1800s, some of which have been recently introduced into the horticultural community. John will discuss recent taxonomic changes that affected the names of commonly grown Gesneriaceae from the Caribbean. Plan to attend his lecture to learn more about the natural history of Gesneriaceae and the ecosystems where they are native.
Featured Presentation (registration required): Rare and Unusual Gesneriads and How We Grow Them
Sunday September 30, 2012, at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Bob and Dee Stewart live in Stowe, Massachusetts, where they maintain an extensive collection of exotic gesneriads in their greenhouse. Bob and Dee began growing gesneriads almost 25 years ago, starting on windows, moving to light, then to more elaborate lights, and then to the greenhouse. They grow a wide variety of species, including a lot of epiphytes and cool growers. Bob and Dee have won many awards for
their plants, and lectured on the greenhouse culture of gesneriads at the AGGS 1998 Convention. They have been members of AGGS (now The Gesneriad Society) for over 25 years. They recently constructed a new greenhouse. An informative article and photos of their project appeared in the February 2012 issue of Gleanings (direct link to PDF).
Schedule Details
Saturday, September 29, 2012 - Townsend Hall
8 a.m. - noon: Entries
9 a.m. - 2 p.m: Plants Accepted for Plant Sale
Noon - 1 p.m: Judges/Clerks Luncheon/instructions
1 p.m. - 3 p.m: Judging
3 p.m. - 5 p.m: Sales and Shop Open to Exhibitors, Judges, Clerks and Volunteers
6:30 - 9:30 p.m: Awards Dinner at Timothy’s of Newark
Sunday, September 30, 2012 - Townsend Hall
10 a.m. - 4 p.m: Show and Sale open
Noon - 1 p.m: Lunch for registrants
1 p.m. - 2 p.m: Searching for Gesneriads in Cuba, a presentation by Dr. John L. Clark
2 - 2:30 p.m: Break with Refreshments
2:30 - 3:30 p.m: Rare and Unusual Gesneriads and How We Grow Them a presentation by Bob and Dee Stewart
4-5:30 p.m: Dismantle Show
For more information, directions, registration form, etc., check out the brochure on the DAVS website.
The organizers would like to officially express their appreciation to the staff of the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens for their assistance in making this event possible.
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 12, 2012 DC area meeting
Just a quick post to say that the May issue of our PDF newsletter is online.
Also, note that the meeting this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. will take place in the basement of the Arbor House at the National Arboretum.
And we have a date for our annual picnic: Saturday June 23, 2012.
Also, note that the meeting this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. will take place in the basement of the Arbor House at the National Arboretum.
And we have a date for our annual picnic: Saturday June 23, 2012.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
from around the web
Oh yes, there is some catching up to be done.
The Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Society's March 2012 newsletter has a handy schedule for coaxing gesneriads to bloom/look their best just in time for a show. (It may look familiar: it's by Brian Connor.) The April 2012 newsletter has information on the regional show, happening on September 30, 2012 at the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens in Newark, DE. Check out their website and newsletters here.
The April issue of Gleanings, The Gesneriad Society's free e-newsletter (available here), has a photo of one of my favorites, Sinningia 'Tomorrow'! Well, okay, there's a lot more to the issue: it's like a teaser/trailer for the 2012 and 2013 Conventions -- there are photos from the Puget Sound Gesneriad Society and the Toronto Gesneriad Society. (Are you on the fence about attending? This might help nudge you a bit.) But wait, that's not all: there's a piece by Jaco Truter on a new species, Streptocarpus actinoflorus. And oh yes, there's more: photos from the Philadelphia Flower Show, upcoming events, and a bit on the formerly-Chirita gang.
Kenneth Moore just reported on his gesneriad seedlings over at The Indoor Garden(er). This reminds me just how far behind I am on sowing seeds and spring plant maintenance.
Craig Gibbon on Flickr has some photos of Streptocarpus species in situ, including some of Streptocarpus dunnii.
And not on the web: if you're a member of the Gesneriad Hybridizers Association, you would have seen their recent issue which included an announcement that Vivian Liu will be speaking about hybridizing in Taiwan at The Gesneriad Society's 2012 Convention. The GHA meeting is definitely a "do not miss" event.
And a random photo to close things out: Streptocarpus 'Butter Blues' exhibited by Sylvia Taub at the 2009 Convention.
The Delaware African Violet and Gesneriad Society's March 2012 newsletter has a handy schedule for coaxing gesneriads to bloom/look their best just in time for a show. (It may look familiar: it's by Brian Connor.) The April 2012 newsletter has information on the regional show, happening on September 30, 2012 at the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens in Newark, DE. Check out their website and newsletters here.
The April issue of Gleanings, The Gesneriad Society's free e-newsletter (available here), has a photo of one of my favorites, Sinningia 'Tomorrow'! Well, okay, there's a lot more to the issue: it's like a teaser/trailer for the 2012 and 2013 Conventions -- there are photos from the Puget Sound Gesneriad Society and the Toronto Gesneriad Society. (Are you on the fence about attending? This might help nudge you a bit.) But wait, that's not all: there's a piece by Jaco Truter on a new species, Streptocarpus actinoflorus. And oh yes, there's more: photos from the Philadelphia Flower Show, upcoming events, and a bit on the formerly-Chirita gang.
Kenneth Moore just reported on his gesneriad seedlings over at The Indoor Garden(er). This reminds me just how far behind I am on sowing seeds and spring plant maintenance.
Craig Gibbon on Flickr has some photos of Streptocarpus species in situ, including some of Streptocarpus dunnii.
And not on the web: if you're a member of the Gesneriad Hybridizers Association, you would have seen their recent issue which included an announcement that Vivian Liu will be speaking about hybridizing in Taiwan at The Gesneriad Society's 2012 Convention. The GHA meeting is definitely a "do not miss" event.
And a random photo to close things out: Streptocarpus 'Butter Blues' exhibited by Sylvia Taub at the 2009 Convention.
Monday, April 30, 2012
upcoming DC/Baltimore gesneriad events
Our next meeting is May 12, 2012 (Saturday), at 10:00 a.m., at the U.S National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Topic: The Gesneriad Society's slide presentation, "Gesneriads in the Wild", with recorded narration by Ron Myhr.
Also on that weekend is the Baltimore African Violet Club’s annual Mothers’ Day Weekend show and sale. Location: The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD 21204.
Friday May 11: Show 1:00 a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Friday May 11: Sale 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Saturday May 12: Show and Sale 9:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.
Also on that weekend is the Baltimore African Violet Club’s annual Mothers’ Day Weekend show and sale. Location: The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD 21204.
Friday May 11: Show 1:00 a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Friday May 11: Sale 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Saturday May 12: Show and Sale 9:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Azaleas and Saturday at the Arboretum
The U.S. National Arboretum's azaleas are expected to be in peak bloom this weekend, reports Harold Belcher. Here are a couple of photos he sent in, taken yesterday:
The Arboretum also has an Azalea Watch page, tracking the blooms weekly.
And another reason to visit the Arboretum this Saturday? The DC area chapter of The Gesneriad Society (that's us) will be holding its meeting on Saturday afternoon:
April 14, 2012
Location: U.S. National Arboretum temporary trailer
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Set up and plant raffle
2:00 p.m. - Presentation by Michael Riley.
You can read about Michael's indoor epiphyte walls in Horticulture.
The Arboretum also has an Azalea Watch page, tracking the blooms weekly.
And another reason to visit the Arboretum this Saturday? The DC area chapter of The Gesneriad Society (that's us) will be holding its meeting on Saturday afternoon:
April 14, 2012
Location: U.S. National Arboretum temporary trailer
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Set up and plant raffle
2:00 p.m. - Presentation by Michael Riley.
You can read about Michael's indoor epiphyte walls in Horticulture.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Epiphytes in the Concrete Jungle
The next meeting of the National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society is Saturday April 14, 2012. Time: 1:00 p.m. (note the unusual afternoon time). Location: U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
We are pleased to welcome Michael Riley as our guest speaker. He will be speaking about growing epiphytes in the city.
Many gesneriads are epiphytes, and others can be grown similarly, such as some lithophytes and species that grow in pockets of moss on rocks.
Some examples of epiphytes in Brazil can be seen at brazilplants.com, where Mauro Pexioto includes in situ information. Check out, for example, Codonanthe crassifolia.
I’ll leave you with some photographs of epiphyte walls at Atagawa, an alligator park and botanic garden about 2 hours down the coast from Tokyo. If your eyes are good, you might spot some Columnea, Episcia, Streptocarpus (Streptocarpella) and Sinningia.
We are pleased to welcome Michael Riley as our guest speaker. He will be speaking about growing epiphytes in the city.
Many gesneriads are epiphytes, and others can be grown similarly, such as some lithophytes and species that grow in pockets of moss on rocks.
Some examples of epiphytes in Brazil can be seen at brazilplants.com, where Mauro Pexioto includes in situ information. Check out, for example, Codonanthe crassifolia.
I’ll leave you with some photographs of epiphyte walls at Atagawa, an alligator park and botanic garden about 2 hours down the coast from Tokyo. If your eyes are good, you might spot some Columnea, Episcia, Streptocarpus (Streptocarpella) and Sinningia.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
great Kohleria for the windowsill
Kohleria 'Peridots Rolo' is a great little windowsill plant. It's compact, floriferous, and apparently blooms even in low light. Mine (probably shared by an NCAC member - you know who you are) has just started flowering, and there are many more buds in the works. It's been sitting on a northwestern tinted-glass windowsill where the most light it gets is about 30 minutes/day during a short period when the sun is in just the right spot.
I've found Kohleria do not form buds on my light shelf where there is no temperature drop at night, so I suspect it needs a nocturnal dip to flower.
I've found Kohleria do not form buds on my light shelf where there is no temperature drop at night, so I suspect it needs a nocturnal dip to flower.
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