Bill, Great descriptions. I just have a few comments. There are 2 species, leucotricha and canescens. There is great confusion between the 2 species. I even posted the photo to the wiki incorrectly. What I have is leucotricha. The true S. canescens can be viewed here: http://mpeixoto.sites.uol.com.br/gesneriads/… S. canescens has less hairs on the stem, leaves are not as hirsute and the flowers are spotted. The leucotricha plants that were oringinally brought into cultivation were incorrectly labeled as canescens and thus have remained as such. The one I bought at the Huntington was incorrectly labeled as canescens. I do have to disagree with you about them not being good for the open garden. Leucotricha is a great plant for that. I have mine out in pots but I have seen it several times in gardens where it was just beautiful. Yes, the plant would get dirty/soiled if steps are not taken but, a little mulch or planting it next to a patio or walkway where there is some hardscape is perfect. I have attempted to cross this species with 2 other plants, S. sellovi and magnifica. No rhyme or reason, just they were in bloom at the same time. It looks like the pollen has taken. We will see what I get. The real nice thing about Sinningias is the short time between seed and bloom. I have never been able to get this one to root from cuttings. I have tried before bloom, when just forming, after bloom, etc. No luck. I also have a ton of stems that form on the bulb but never more than 3 ever grow. The rest remain as a fuzz over the bulb. I have seen photos of specimens with 17 stems on them. Now that would be just gorgeous. I am not aware of any chemical or temp control to force bloom. I think it is more of a timed production from bulbs that are formed from leaf cuttings. This is the most common form of production for the "Florist Gloxinia" (S. speciosa hybrids). If I remember right it takes 6-8 months from leaf cutting to 6" pot in bloom for retail sales. Not a bad production time. ===== John Ingram in L.A., CA. Soon to become http://www.floralarchitecture.com/ check it out soon 310.709.1613 jjingram@adelphia.net Floralartistry2000@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/floralartistry2000/
