Gloxinia – Flowers, Fertilizing, Light, Leaves and Other FAQs

Question Is a balanced liquid fertilizer a good food for gloxinias? When plants are started from leaves should the little bulbs be kept growing when the old leaves die or should they be allowed to rest a while? Do you know a book on how to grow gloxinias? MB, West Virginia

Answer Balance fertilizer in liquid form is a good fertilizer for gloxinias when used according to directions. There is always an interval between the formation of tubers from gloxinia leaves and the start of new growth. The usual method is to rest them until February or March. It is well to keep them over in sand to prevent shriveling and in a temperature of about 60 degrees. I do not know of a book dealing especially with gloxinias but they are referred to in any Garden Encyclopedia and you may read our article on them called – Add Gloxinias for Indoor Color and look for more at Plant-care.com in the future!

Question: What kind of fertilizer should I use on my gloxinias, and when?

Answer: Gloxinias should be fertilized after they are in active growth with fertilizer recommended for house plants. Follow directions on the container. At potting time, a teaspoonful of steamed bone meal added to the soil will prove beneficial to them to keep them growing well after the first blossoms fade.

Question: How should gloxinias be handled after flowering?

Answer: Shortly after flowering is past, reduce the watering gradually, and when the leaves have died and the soil is completely dry, store the pots, with the bulbs in the soil, in a dry place at 45 to 50 degrees temperature.

Question: How much light should window garden gloxinias receive?

Answer: Gloxinias will take just about all the light you can give them in the wintertime. As spring comes and the days become longer, and fewer cloudy, rainy days make their appearance, usually an east window will provide ideal light for growing gloxinias. Gloxinias that grow spindly or leggy will not blossom properly, if at all, and they become catchalls for all sorts of gloxinia troubles. Remember, they should have enough sunlight to keep them as nearly flat and symmetrical as possible.

Question: At what temperature should my gloxinias be grown?

Answer: The ideal growing temperature is a 65 degree night temperature with an increase of 10 to 15 degrees during the day. Excessive temperature shortens the blooming period.

Question: When should gloxinia tubers be started?

Answer: February and March are the ideal months for starting gloxinia tubers. If the tuber does not have sprouts showing so that you can see which side is up, put some peat moss in a bowl and keep it barely moist with the gloxinia tubers laid on top of it. As soon as sprouts show, plant in a five- or six-inch pot. Cover the tubers about one-half inch deep.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Gloxinia More Questions More Answers – Propagate, Repot, Grow Lights
• How To Water, Start And What Conditions Episcia Needs?
• How To Grow Chrysanthemums In Pots Indoors And Make Them Bloom
• Tuberoses – Questions And Answers