Gesneriad Culture – Tips For Growing Gesneriad Plants
The name “gesneriad” comes from the Greek word “geseros”, which means “plant”. The word derives from the Latin words “germea” (tree) and “stercorariae” (flower). The genus is named after the ancient Roman physician Galen, who wrote extensively about plants.
His writings are considered to be the most comprehensive works on medicine ever published.
In addition to being known as a medicinal herb, gesneriads have been used in folk remedies since antiquity. They were traditionally used for their calming effects and healing properties. Today they are still widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbalism, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy and other forms of alternative medicine.
There are many different species of gesneriads, but there are only two genera: G. cinerea and G. dulcis.
There are over 200 species of gesneriads, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Some of these include:
Gesneriad Streptocarpus (Peacock Plant)
The peacock plant is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It is a symbol of power in South African culture. They are used to make jewelry, religious idols, and for decorative purposes.
Young peacock plants are also commonly used as spices in South African cuisine.
A gesneriad plant has attractive flowers and colorful leaves, which are why it is so popular among gardeners around the world. The plant uses its colorful leaves to attract bees and other insects to help them reproduce. The peacock plant is also known to have a sweet smell.
Some species of gesneriads come in a wide range of colors, such as pink, red, purple, white, yellow and even black.
Gesneriad (Streptocarpus) is a popular ornamental plant grown for its colorful flowers. It is native to South Africa. This plant is sometimes confused with the African violet, a popular houseplant which belongs to the genus Saintpaulia.
Gesneriad plants are used in traditional African medicine for their antiseptic properties. They are also known to have a calming effect on people who suffer from stress and anxiety.
Gesneriad flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies and other types of insects that help with gesneriad reproduction. Certain types of gesneriads are also known to have a sweet smell to attract these insects.
The following picture shows the Peacock Plant (Streptocarpus):
It is very easy to grow a gesneriad plant at home. Most gesneriads flower during spring and summer. It is best to place these plants where they can get plenty of natural sunlight.
If you want to grow these plants indoors, it is best to place them near a large window where they can receive sufficient sunlight.
Most gesneriads do not need a lot of water. If these plants are grown in pots, it is best to allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering them again. It is important not to over water these plants, as this can cause them to die.
If you are growing these plants in the garden, it is best to water them every couple of days. These plants need a lot of water, so you will need to check the soil daily and water them as needed.
It is best to fertilize your gesneriad plants once every month during the spring and summer months. If you grow these plants in pots, it is best to use a potting soil with a fertilizer already mixed into it. If you grow these plants in the ground, you can mix a general purpose fertilizer with water and spray it on the leaves of the plants.
It is important to prune your gesneriad plants once every year. This will prevent the plants from becoming leggy and keep them healthy. Most gesneriads bloom on new wood, so it is important to prune the stems that have already bloomed.
If you remove the flowers before they are able to produce seeds, the plant will still produce flowers on all the stems.
The following picture shows a gesneriad plant after being pruned:
Caring for a gesneriad plant
It is best to keep gesneriads in well drained soil. These plants cannot tolerate wet feet, so it is important that the soil is loose and permeable.
Sources & references used in this article:
Inactivation of tobacco mosaic virus in Aeschynanthus hildebrandii by means of heat treatment, chemotherapy and meristem-tip culture. by N Paludan – Tidsskr. Planteavl., 1985 – agrsci.dk
Micropropagation and assessment of genetic fidelity of Henckelia incana: an endemic and medicinal Gesneriad of South India by GL Moorsman – Diseases of Floral Crops, 1985 – Praeger Publishers
Tropical room: Origin and diversity of Gesneriads. by J Prameela, H Ramakrishnaiah, V Krishna… – … Biology of Plants, 2015 – Springer
Crown and root rot of gloxinia and other gesneriads caused by Phytophthora parasitica. by R White – The Gloxinian, 1989 – American Gloxinia and Gesneriad …
IN VITRO ORCANOGENESIS OF BALKANIC GESNERLAD SPECIES (RAMONDA). by J Katzenstein – The Gloxinian, 1995 – American Gloxinia and Gesneriad …