Other Gesneriads

These plants come from South East Asia and the East Indies. In the wild they are epiphytes i.e. they live on the surface of trunks or boughs of trees. In cultivation they are an easily grown plant. When potted in a peat based compost they are capable of giving an exotic display. The shape of the flower gives them their common name of lipstick plant.They require a temperature of at least 10C (50F) and like a humid atmosphere - an occasional misting will help.

These are natives of Central America. They grow a mass of stolons (short runners) that will root wherever they touch the soil. A large shallow pot will soon be filled with a mass of plants. The flowers have a deeply cut frigned edge, giving the name the lace plant.

A genus of over ninety species native to the Himalayas and South East Asia. A little known genus of plants that are very rewarding if grown in similar conditions to African Violets. Chirita in Hindustani means gentian.

Pretty trailing plants that have been produced by crossing Codonanthe and Nematanthus. In a bright warm position these plants will flower all year.

These plants occur throughout tropical America. Columneas produce brilliant flowers along their stems giving a very exotic effect. A minimum temperature of 10 ° C (50 ° F) is required and a humid atmosphere in a bright position out of full sun. Keep them on the dry side during winter. The common name is the goldfish plant. All Columneas make exceptional basket plants.

A gesneriad from the highlands of Colombia. They have exceptionally beautiful flowers produced over a long period from summer well into winter. Plants can easily be propagated from the mass of rhizomes produced underground. Kohlerias are sent as plants or rhizomes as available.

Another genus from South America. The pouched flower shape has given the common name, the clog plant. These are easily grown plants, ideal for the house, flowering almost continuously.

These plants originate from Peru and are shallow rooting with large numbers of scaly rhizomes being produced by the end of autumn.

This is a genus from South America. All the plants produce a corm. At the end of the growing season leave the corns to dry, moisture is kept in the corm. In the spring, when they start putting up new shoots, plant them into fresh compost and water in.

An attractive genus from Mexico and Guatemala. This genus was made popular by Victorians who gave the plants the name of 'Temple Bells'. The bell-shaped flowers are produced on a spiral above the foliage. Grown from rhizomes, like Achimenes, they require a minimum temperature 15 ° C (60 ° F) and a bright position. When the plant dies back for winter there will be several long rhizomes in the compost which, if kept, can be replanted the following spring.