Garden club takes a look at the Cape Primrose
“About four years ago I went along to an orchid show and ended up buying two Streptocarpus and since then I’ve been hooked on growing them,” said Rob.
AT the Johannesburg South Garden Club meeting on Saturday, October 15, at The Precinct, Kibler Park, club chairman, Rob Winter spoke about the popular house plant, the Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus) and how to grow them.
“About four years ago I went along to an orchid show and ended up buying two Streptocarpus and since then I’ve been hooked on growing them,” said Rob.
They grow along the coast from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and grow in damp soil in bush or forest. “They are very choosy where they grow in the wild but I’ve devised a way to grow them and it seems to be working. This pretty shade-loving plant, which is a fast grower, is perfect for either the house or the garden,” added Rob.
“You can take a cutting from a single leaf and place it in a well-drained medium like sand compost. Within two to three weeks the new growth should appear. Keep the plant moist but not too wet. You can also grow Streptocarpus from seed, which is scattered during the spring or summer months. Scatter the seeds on moist, well-drained soil with good light but not direct sunlight. Plant the seedlings into small pots and when the roots are outgrowing the pot transplant them into a bigger pot,” Rob said.
Rob advised not to over water the seedlings because this will kill the roots and to remember not to place them in direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. “When the flowers die, take them off the plant. This will promote new growth.”
Gardening tips
- Be very careful with insecticides. They are bad for the birds and other insects needed in the garden.
- Make up a liquid by mincing one clove of garlic and one medium-sized onion. Add to two litres of water with one tablespoon of liquid soap. This will be a great pesticide for roses.
- If plants are infested with spider mites, mix two tablespoons of Himalayan crystal salt into about four litres of warm water and spray on the infected areas.
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